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For future upgrades would the current 3spd integrated brake/gear shifter work with my older hub or would the hub need to be changed as well?

Yes, but there have been more than a few reports on this thread of reliability problems with Brompton's integrated brake/shifter unit.

http://www.thebromptonman.com/torque-set­tings.html
"Stem Expanding Cone with Steel Fork - 16Nm
Stem Expanding Cone with Ti Fork - 15Nm
Stem Sliding Wedge with Steel or Ti Fork - 30Nm "

That is quite a difference between the recommended torque for the old and new stems. The old pre 2019 stem with Ti fork looks like it needs kid gloves when tightening.

These cracks in the titanium forks are ringing alarm bells for me. How common are they? Once I aspired to a titanium fork as an upgrade, but now I'm having doubts.

For the 3-speed hub SA hub you would be better off getting a shifter with the middle position indexed, as a pure friction shifter will leave you hunting for the exact position of the middle gear (even though the SA hub has changed to a no-intermediate gear design). For example, a traditional SA 3-speed shifter; SunRace's thumb or grip shift 3-speed shifters; the old Sachs Torpedo or Spectro 3-speed shifters.

lynx in reply to @B0N0R

B0N0R
hub gears being maintenance proof is a myth

Sturmey archer 3 speed?

Even more so, the Fichtel and Sachs Duomatic hub -- no selector cable to adjust, no rear brake pads to wear.

Gears have started slipping in the mid-range and I think both my break and gear cables are a bit worn out.

Following M_V's suggestion, you may like to have a look at Step 1 on page 33 of the Shimano service manual, which covers cable adjustment on the Affine 11-speed set up:
https://si.shimano.com/pdfs/dm/DM-SG0004-02-ENG.pdf

Nick

I also got the City Folder for weekends away, but the Stockport is great for smaller trips (even though it is heavier...).

With Brompton's Game bag, apart from price, I didn't like the lack of an overlapping lid which appears to provide poor protection in heavy weather.

Thinking about getting a Carradice Stockport, but don't have a spare frame.

You can use Brompton's Game bag frame with the Stockport bag, which has the same dimensions as the S frame but no protruding handle. I noticed that there is one Game bag frame left at Brilliant Bikes, code QFCFA-G.

I think the Stockport bag is great (mine is a bright Red edition!).

I’m currently considering the benefits of adapting a Surly Singleator as it would be tidier and you can adjust the jockey wheel chainline more easily.

Ben Cooper of Kinetics did something similar to enable the back-pedal gear change and braking on a Duomatic hub (SA redux version, I think):
https://www.kinetics-online.co.uk/folding-bikes/brompton/cableless-brompton/

It looks like a modified 3rd party tensioner for the Brompton (he says "The tensioner is reinforced, and it moves up to hit a stop when back-pedalling"), but I cannot work out what the white rod is for on top of the right-hand chain stay.

And getting the gearing right because even with a half link, the tension must be just right so the tensioner doesn’t flick up and hit the stay.

That looks very neat. What will happen when the chain elongates as it wears, will this cause problems with the tensioner?

I'll have a look at Moulton. I guess they'll all be much of a muchness in terms of weight.

Moulton TSR's will be heavier (like a steel Brompton 6-speed), but more affordable. The original AM's are now much more expensive and only offer one tyre in their 17" size. The New Series is priced as a piece sculpture rather than a practical bicycle.

As they'd need decent gearing for their aging body is sensible options, so is the 6 speed the most sensible buy? I know they're a bit heavier, but the 3 speed seems pointless as it's basically the weight of the 6 speed but less gears.

Brompton's are convenient, but not as efficient as a full size bike. In a camper van with sufficient storage I would also consider a Moulton which separates to stow.

The 3-speed Brompton can be geared pretty low and is more reliable than the 6-speed versions. If you order it with 44t chainwheel and 14t sprocket option: ratios 39.0", 52.0", 69.3",

it is then cheap to raise the rear sprocket to 15t (the Brompton manual says this is allowed, and I use this fine): ratios 36.4", 48.5" 64.7";

Finally a smaller chainwheel like 40t takes it a further step lower (H&H make an aftermarket one that has a built in trouser guard): ratios 33.1", 44.1", 58.8". Two chain links would need to be removed.

The last option yields gentler hill climbing, but they will be freewheeling downhill.

You star! Yes it was indeed a Swallow not a Swift! I'll let the customer know

That is good to hear. Hopefully, Brooks will sort this out now. FYI, the correct tensioner pin and nut for the Swallow Titanium saddle is part number BYB 338.

Apparently there's a £60 charge and it was replaced with a standard steel bolt!

Brooks list the replacement part as BMP185 and state that: "This zinc plated Tension Pin Assembly is turned by an allen key and is used on the following TITANIUM models:- - Team Professional Titanium - B17 Titanium - Swift Titanium":
https://www.brooksengland.com/en_uk/tension-pin-nut-assembly-60-mm-bmp-185.html
(Only the Swallow titanium saddle actually uses a titanium tension bolt).

It is not clear from the photograph but if the replacement tension pin does not use an allen key for adjustment, then the technician has fitted the incorrect part (perhaps as a fudge, because BMP185 is listed as out of stock on their website). In which case I would get back in touch with Brooks and request a correct replacement.

Yeah, the Bikegang kit basically

The Bikegang photographs on the website you linked to show it being used with the Sturmey Archer SLS-30 shifter, which looks like it would provide indexing for the middle sprocket.

How many miles have you done for it to get Grindy?

This last folding pedal (second version that used the 24mm mounting bolt) has lasted 3 1/2 years with I guess around 1500 miles. I suppose I could open up the seal, clean it out and try re-greasing it, but I would prefer a pedal with an inner side that protrudes from the crank less.

As my second folding pedal is now starting to make grinding noises, I am looking to replace the Brompton pedals with some MKS removable ones, for use with half toe-clips.

I have used the MKS Promenade ones on a previous bike and I found them too small so I was thinking about the MT-E and AR-2 EZY models or the Esprit and Urban Platform EZY Superior models (I am a bit concerned with the statement on the MKS website: "The Esprit design moves the pedal body slightly further away from the crank allowing for some flex when compared to the Sylvan", as the Brompton folding pedal is too far out for my liking).

Any thoughts or experiences with these MKS pedals?

Im leaning slightly more to the m handlebar for comfort because I'm 40 this year and everything hurts these days but I much prefer the look of the S.

It is definitely worth trying the different handlebar types before buying, though understandably difficult under the present circumstances.

Single speed and 3-speed hubs provide the ultimate in reliability from Brompton's supplied models. The Brompton two-speed derailleur does seem flawed and it performed badly, missing shifts on my 6-speed set up, very soon after every service.

Basically replace it with an old school friction shifter.
Thanks, it wouldn’t have crossed my mind to do that!

The SA and SACHS/SRAM 3-speed shifters, are properly indexed for the 3-speed SA hub. Purely friction shifters can be used, according to the Sheldon Brown technical website, but then you have to memorise the orientation of the shifter when selecting the middle gear --- apparently, it was when it pointed at his navel...

My 3 speed shifter is sticking a bit on return to 2nd gear.

It's approximately 3 months old, had a look inside it and it seems OK.
On it's way out already?
Any advice?

Switch to a lever-type shifter; fitted in the correct place on the handlebar the action is ergonomic. SA manufacture a variety of them. I have been using the same SACHS/SRAM Torpedo shifter since 2002, which works fine with SA 3-speed hubs. A replica of the SACHS shifter is available from SJS Cycles.

A fan of Conti urban here, marathon is slow and heavy, marathon plus is dead, very heavy but rolls fast when up to speed

Are the Continental Urban tyres now able to fit Brompton's fitted with mudguards? I understand there were some issues at one time.

I use currently use Schwalbe Marathon tyres, but I would be tempted to try the Continentals if they have decent puncture resistance.

I was looking at Kinetics 8sped conversion and was wondering if he simply uses an 8spd standard hub? Would all I need to do is build a Brompton rim onto a SA 8spd hub and away we go. Or will I have to start altering the rear triangle?

Thanks for pointing out Kinetics SA 8-speed hub conversion. I wasn't aware of this option. Reading through the detailed replies by Kinetics to queries on their website suggest these issues:

• Original Brompton rear triangle is retained, unmodified for steel, but that a small amount grinding off the chainstay may be required with a titanium rear triangle.
  
• SA hub only allows a minimum rear sprocket of 20t which leads to a requirement for very small chain rings (30 to 33t).
  
• Modified chain tensioner is required to clear the 20t sprocket, which Kinetics supplies in its kit.
  
• Weight increase over standard Brompton models is 1kg vs 2-speed and 750g vs 6-speed.
  
• Metal thumb-shifter is available as an alternative to the twist-grip shifter.
  
  

As the conversion to a SA 8-speed hub looks much simpler than the more expensive requirement for an entirely new (wider) rear triangle, why would someone go to the trouble of fitting a Shimano Alfine 8-speed hub, rather than the SA alternative?

loads more off bike otherwise new discounted parts going on to sjs site tomorrow.

I'm trying to find a new pre-2018 silver double-pivot rear brake caliper (possibly a set with the front one to match the slightly-bronze anodised finish of that generation of silver calipers).

Like so?

That combination of coloured frame and forks with black extensions is nicely done.

Replaced it with a ferry bridge folder bad from updo

I'm intrigued by the UPSO bags, it looks like Carradice make them on their premises using solar-powered sewing machines. The Ferrybridge Folder seems to be derived from their discontinued Carradry bag for the Brompton, but with much nicer colours and tougher materials.