10 Brompton "Problems" that are Actually Normal | Brompton FAQs
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2021
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10 Brompton "Problems" that are Actually Normal | Brompton FAQs
At this point we can all agree that the design of the Brompton is unlike anything else in the market. And because of that, even avid cyclists often wonder if certain aspects of the Brompton are normal, or something to be concerned about. Today, I’ll cover the 10 most asked questions by new Brompton owners, regardless of cycling experience. Let me know if any of these are concerns that YOU had, or if anyone ever asked YOU about any of these things. And we’ll start, with the most common. The play on the rear triangle latch.
Because the rear triangle of the Brompton swings underneath the bike when folding, it has two attachment points. One pivot point near the bottom bracket, and a latch close to the seat post clamp. If you raise the bike off the ground, you will see that there is a little bit of play here. That is not only normal, but exactly how it was supposed to be. When riding the bike, this portion of the bike is always under compression, and the only reason for this latching system to exist is so you can carry your Brompton, say… going upstairs, without the rear triangle swinging down. Some people even prefer to leave the latch disengaged at all times, to make folding faster. You can do that by releasing the rear triangle and gently rotating the suspension block. That way, it will no longer lock to the rear triangle. Bromptons worked exactly this way, without a latching system, until 2007. To go back to normal, just rotate the suspension block until you hear a click.
Next, one of the features of the Brompton is the so-called kickstand mode, where you swing the rear wheel under and you’re able to keep the bike standing up by itself. When in kickstand mode, you cannot align the handlebars straight, because the front wheel will hit the rear wheel. That is normal. In fact, be careful not to crush the fender when putting the bike in kickstand mode. Gently rotate the handlebars do the left.
When in kickstand mode, or even when folded, the rear wheel will press against the shell of the bottom bracket. That’s normal. In fact, some people like to protect that area with tape or other types of protectors.
Next, hinges are one of the most stressed components of any folding bike. When looking closely at the inside of a Brompton hinge, you may notice that the paint came off one or two of the contact points, and this is totally normal. Happens to every Brompton after the first few rides.
Next, stem is the component of the bike that holds the handlebar. While in regular bikes the stem is very short and stiff, the stem on the Brompton can be as long as 40 cm. That means you will notice the stem flexing when going uphill and pulling hard on the handlebars. That is totally normal, and it’s something that most people quickly get used to. Because the stem flexes, it also helps to absorb vibrations and make your ride smoother!
Next, internally geared hubs are unfamiliar to many cyclists, and to this day I still think of it as a complex system with weird behaviors. See this for example. Sometimes, when pushing the bike forward, it won’t make any noise at all. You may even be able to push the bike backwards without the crankset rotating. Depending on the gear you are at, pushing the bike backwards will cause the crankset to rotate in steps, it’s all normal, and it doesn’t even stop there.
On the third gear, you’ll hear a clicking noise coming from the hub even while pedaling. That is normal. You will also notice that the internal gears in the hub are hard to shift under pressure, like going up a hill, for example. That’s also a characteristic of internally geared hubs, and you just need to let go of the pedals while shifting.
You think we’re done talking about the hub? We’re not. Internally geared hubs have several components inside, and when riding over bumpy roads you may be able to hear a rattle coming from the rear wheel. This is a well-known downside of Sturmey-Archer hubs, kindly called the Sturmey-Archer rattle. It’s kind of annoying, but it’s normal, and it doesn’t mean that your rear hub is coming apart. You’ll notice that the rattle stops when you put pressure on the pedals, and that’s because you’re engaging the internal components of the hub.
The last funny aspect of the hub is that the noise that it makes when coasting on the third gear is different than when coasting on the other gears. See if you can hear it for yourself. That is also normal.
Finally, the seat post needs to be fully (or close to fully) extended before you swing the rear wheel back. If you only do it halfway, it will only unlock the bike halfway and that can be rather confusing.
Well guys, that was it for this video. - Спорт
![ПОЛНАЯ ИСТОРИЯ ЭКЗОРЦИЗМА [Топ Сикрет]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qBySr6Bt0B8/mqdefault.jpg)
Unspoken Brompton ownership problems.
- You will turn into a total bore as you tell everyone who isn't interested just how great they are
- You will have to learn how to not be so self satisfied when friends and coworkers complain about their commute
- any money saved from other means of transport is instantly spent on bags, and other accessories you probably don't need.
Titanium bolts for my Lightweight!
@@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188 my lightweight is a 2020 Chpt3. So far I've managed to not think of things like that. Thanks man... I'm now about to lose a Sunday and probably many hundreds of pounds 🤣
Love it!
@@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188 I've only recently bought my Brompton...now it is my pet and I'm compelled to spoil it with gifts!!!
That is soooo me, on BOTH counts.
Problem #11: Brompton is damn expensive.
That’s normal.
HAHAH 😅😅😅
That was funny! True.
Is the same as why Ferrari is expensive 🤣🤣
I was thinking the same thing
Actally...
Bromptons are quite cheap. If you want expensive, look at the Birdy.
Another "thinking person's Brompton video." That sighing sound? I think it's the collective lowering of stress levels amongst Brompton riders. With a video like this, "it's normal." Thanks.
Haha you got it! The idea is to lower stress levels of new Brompton owners. We've all been there and wondered if something was wrong with the bike.
@@EverydayCyclingexactly, I’am a new owner and I can’t unfolding because seat post. I was so frustrated, but this video is perfect to me. Thanks a lot. 🙏🏽🫡
The seatpost locking confused me as well the first time I couldn't unfold the bike, but once you know that, it actually makes a lot of sense. It's designed so that you can carry the half-folded bike up stairs and the like by holding it at the seat, which would otherwise unfold it.
Go get a real bike dork.
I came back to this video after bought my Brompton and I noticed gear 3 making different ticking sound when pedalling! Your video reassured this is normal so I have nothing to worry now. Thank you!
I’m an absolute Brompton “Newbie” and have been enjoying the work you have been putting out. I had to take a moment and thank you for this one in particular. I have noticed a couple of these idiosyncrasies, so it’s good to know there is nothing to be concerned about.
Thanks a again
I really appreciated this video. I've been riding a Brompton for 8 years and I was unaware of the nuances of the internally geared hub - I've certainly noticed the coasting sound but I had always thought something was wrong. Thanks for the reassurances!
I'm glad it was reassuring!
I'll add two more problems I've encountered.
1. Finding a bike mechanic that can work on the bike, especially when traveling and an issue comes up.
2. The 16" Wheel can be a bit dangerous on a lousy, pothole riddled street if you're not focused.
You don’t have clue, just jealous
@@ArTeCh777 That's funny. I owned two Bromptons over the last 8 years. So no reason for jealousy, and my two points are from personal experience. The video is titled "10 Brompton Problems". I'm just adding two that were common for me. Not bashing the brand. Nothing folds like a Brompton, and they're fun. So I do have more than a clue, I have at least two.
When you purchase a new you have 5 years warranty for frame and gears, after years I guess gears need to be replaced, if you smart you can do by yourself if not you have to find and pay.
@@ArTeCh777 yeah you sure told me. You smart, I could tell by your grammar.
1.Mechanics? There are Brompton mechanics?
2. Yep, smaller than 20"s are a bear
Everything's a compromise
When you put a new video out about a Brompton… it’s like opening a Xmas present on Xmas day! 🥳😎
AHaha I'm glad you think so. Thanks for being so active on the channel!
Love love love all your videos! As a new owner, your videos are my go to whenever I have a brompton question. Thank you for keeping it bite sized as well
Fabulous video thanks. Answers questions that we have all had.
Coming from Dahon, I struggled with two issue with my Brompton B75. First the gear 3 noise (thought I received a faulty bike), second the seat pool issue, being short I had to replace it with the standard length instead of the extended one that comes with Brompton B75. Great video
If you had a seat pool issue,
you might check for leaks where it is poking , check for burrs,
and make sure you have a seat on the bike at all times.
Consider the Brooks saddle with a drain slot.
One month with my brompton and I thought that the gear noise was a fault on my bike 🤣🤣🤣. Now I can be proud of that noise!
Great info! Way to GO BROMPTON!
Thank you, you answered a worry I had about the gears clicking. I can now get on and enjoy my cycling knowing “it’s normal” 😀😀
My goodness! I watched this video before getting a Brompton but recently had to revisit when my Brompton would lock when unfolding and not kick open! I didn't extend the seat post fully. Thank you so much!
Great video , thank you for clarifying what that rattle is , I've been looking for something loose .
Brilliant video, highlighting all the features that make a Brompton a brilliant bike.
This was very helpful. I was concerned about the gears. Makes sense now. I was used to riding bikes with a derailer where you have to shift while peddling.
Very usefull and also cool camera angles!
Thanks!
Excellent. Answered a lot of questions.
Excellent information for a new owner like me! Thank you so much!
great list, very informative! thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Yup, I’d wondered about quite a few of those. And come to the conclusion they’re perfectly normal..... probably. Nice to have confirmation!
Excellent video and info. You voice is very clear and professional👍
Thank you for your informative videos!
Glad you like them!
Great info. Thank you
First time to have a brompton and this video assured me that my bike is just fine. Thank you
Thanks! I just got my first Brompton and this video is very useful!
These bikes are very well made, enjoy it!!
A lovely, interesting, informative and helpful video with great videography and narration.
Cool bike! Had not heard of this folder. Thanks for the vid!
Another great video, love your presentation. Keep them coming.
Thank you! Will do!
I keep learning about Brompton with your amazing videos, Victor. Thanks once again. The strange noises from my dear Sturmey always bugged me. It is comforting to hear from someone more experienced that is everything OK.
Glad to hear that!
I own 4 bikes with Rohloff 14 gear hubs. I call nr. 6 and 7 gears: the cat is scratching its nails. So with hubs some gears makes noise. That is normal.
Informative video, thanks!
i know all of this second nature but it sure is comforting to hear and watch you go through it over and over and over again. Thanks. By the way, I sure love your paved trails on the video.
That trail is really nice! A few stretches are still under construction.
👏🏼nice one!! I didn’t know much about that bike until now
I love the sound of the internal hub clicking. One thing I noticed when I first got my Brompton was I kept catching my pant leg on the rack wheel when stopping.
Great video. Thank you.
Thank you! I thought somethings wrong with my gear hub.
On my M6L, I traced an annoying rattle to be coming from the little wheel that is on the rear fender/mudguard. As I do not need to push the bike around in shopping-cart mode, I wedged a thin piece of plastic under that plastic wheel. I have enjoyed a rattle-free ride ever since😃
I really like this video, so thank you very much :)
Great useful video. 👍
This is the kind of "owner Q&A" that should be done on each and every product on the market!
Well done!
I agree with all that. I would love them to make a superlight version for travelling. 6mm flanges and bombproof design are great for commuting, but let's get exotic and have a 9kg model for taking on a plane. Even Ford has the Mustang, and the F150.
Look out for the T line Brompton in the near future
You can do it , but it gets pricey. It's all about compromises.
great video!!!
Thank you so much for the first one.. Almost bought a replacement elastomer.
I totally got stymied by the seat post locking the unfolding! Had mostly been storing and rolling through the grocery store with the seat post up and was utterly confused as to why I couldn't unfold it when it was down early on. Made total sense once I figured out what was going on.
Good job with your video complete informat..definitely with all details l need know about brompton..❤❤
3:45 THANKS THANKS THANKS. The only answer I needed.
Thanks for this ! 👍
My pleasure!!
I do front and rear unfold at the same time, creates this “pop” effect, way to impress your skeptic all colleagues. 😁
Very interesting video....Thank you......
I managed to crack my front mud guard by not turning the handle bars to the left before swinging the rear wheel under the frame. I bought a new mud guard and replaced it, but it was definitely a lesson learned. Seeing your mudguard bend like that somehow without snapping brought back bad memories.
Oh, thanks for sharing! I can easily see that fender breaking. If it was a little more dried out, like a few years old, it could totally have broken there.
OMG this should be required viewing when you buy a Brompton. It answered several concerns I had (like the clicking sound continuing while pedalling), some things I never would have realized, and some stuff I had to figure out on my own (like the seatpost holds the rear wheel in folded mode, and the fact that you shouldn't pedal when shifting the hub).
It is perfectly OK to keep pedalling hub gears while changing, just don't put any driving pressure on them. This is the same technique as recommended for derailieur gears, meaning all Brompton gear changes can be done while *lightly* spinning the pedals.
Thank you for the very informative video. Honestly, i’d encountered all the issues mentioned here.. whew… what a relieve to know that it’s all normal 😊😊
Glad it was helpful!
I am new brompton rider, and your videos are very usefull for me to understand the Brompton engineering.
As an engineer myself, the Brompton still blows my mind.
i love your videos!
My Brompton is 2000-vintage - with a 5-speed Sturmey-Archer - so never had the rear triangle latch. Usual practice was to use a toestrap to hold the parts together!
Another characteristic is that the B. rides better with some weight over the front e.g. a bag of shopping. Depends on rider weight I suppose but even at my lightest I was 70 kg / 155 lbs.
Be careful you dont hit a pot hole. The front wheel can fold under and send you over the bars. The flexing of thd item bars can also fatigue and you may find fhe bars are not attached. Somd early bromptons had a strengther. Had z brompton for years. Never again, too dangerous
Great Video! Thank you! UK FAN CLUB.
I'm a road biker, took the T-Line for a spin and found the overall flex disconcerting actually (I also have a Ti Road bike, it's comfortable and not flexy). This video explains a few things...
Very useful, especially how to turn rubber knob to lock the real wheel, which take a while for me without success until I watch your video.
Great Topic, great list, great video… you are great 😊👍🍻
Thank you! Cheers!
Thank you!
It's funny when you were talking about the Sturmey Archer gears, all the points you brought up i knew were normal because it brought back memories of using them back in the 1970s when i was a little kid and i haven't even used them since then. I guess you never forget some things.
Thanks again.
Helpful thanks, I was worried about the noise in gear 3
Hahaha, spot on video! Thank you!
Brilliant! 👍
Thanks good video!
Btw what saddle is that thank u😊
I have all those problems, and thnks for the video now I will not think anymore about my Brompton pushbike.
Classic 😂
Well done… again :)
Very soothing. We’ve taken our Bromptons to Vancouver. Every day we get comments. Today, two :)
Best purchase in a long time. Life on two wheels is great.
Oh, it is great. Thanks, David!
Great video. But I would argue that the 'Sturmey Archer Rattle', especially if excessively loud, is not normal. It is usually caused by excess play between on the drive-side cone baring and the internal baring thus causing the gear cage that sits between being too loose . The problem can be cured by tightening the right hand cone so that gear cage is tighter, and slackening the left hand cone accordingly so the wheel still runs freely. Its a bit trial and error to get this right but once you do, in will all run better than it left the factory.
Thanks for sharing. Same experience also on our 3sixty bike (brompton clone). 😁
Good video, I noticed on my brompton that if I attempt to lower my seatpost last when folding, the seat won't lower all the way, for a second I was very confused as to why my seat wasn't lowering half the time I was folding the bike. I now know the order for folding/unfolding is not just suggested but mandatory
Good point! The seat post only goes down all the way if you fold the front wheel first. Will include this one on a part 2 of this video!
When was the last time you thought about that stop sign or stop light you stopped at. Find the best source for folding and unfolding on youtube and stick to it. Eventually you will notice you have folded and unfolded without thinking about it, like stopping at a light.
In my case the seat post doesn't go down all the way anyway as I have the Extended seatpost.
@@chrisamies2141 your *saddle* may not, but your seat post does (or should).
Always terrific content.. thanks! … What is the Brompton name of that ‘Blue’ colour of bike of yours , looks know kinda 👍
Hi, would you comment on the rear wheel alignment with the chain stay? My wheels are closer to one chain stay than the other. Would you post a video so I can compare?
The rear hub is definitely "verbose" and it disturbed me until I asked... You did not talk about cables rubbing on the frame... very good video 👍
Will make sure to add that to a part 2 of this video! Thanks for pointing that out!
A very simple and convenient modification is to turn the latch mechanism by 180 degrees, so that the latch handle is pointing upwards. This makes folding much faster and more convenient, because you do not have to fiddle "within" the gap between rear triangle an tube for the seatpost.
Thanks for great review! I would like to know as a possible first time buyer about the ply on the seat. As the seat is so highly placed, won’t the seat stem move back and forth as we cycle?
The degree of familiarity with gearhubs seems to be different on the culture you grew up. The Fichtel & Sachs internal 3-speed was more or less the only thing we had in the 80ies, most of us even knew how to service them. Only a handful could afford a posh 10 speed derailleur for their street bikes, a 2 × 10 made us stand in awe. :)
Neverthelss, the standard was one gear. Or three: Sit, stand, push.
I had one in the late 90's. The chrome seat post kept slipping and so you had to tighten up the seat clamp bolt which meant you couldn't fold it.
All this stuff you call `normal` has certainly put me off of ever wanting a Brompton!
That's good! Means it's informative 😌
Excellent Video. Nevertheless I have a question. My brompton's rear hinge pivot (exactly the one seen @0:38) has a lot of play. Ive been to different bike stores where they only tighten up the bolts but eventually with the swing movement they loosen up and the play comes back. Any suggestions other than replacing the whole pivot? Thanks!
Nice commute!
Hello , how do you look for the leather protector you have in the main frame? Do you think i can find it in Amazon?
My hub makes no ratcheting noise whatsoever when pedalling in any gear. However, I do get the normal ratchet sound when freewheeling along, or when back-pedalling stationary. My Brompton is a six-speed from 2019.
"That's totally normal". Such a relaxing and relieving phrase to hear. Please do a part two. It's very soothing.
Edit: spelling.
Haha I'm glad you found it soothing. I'll make a follow-up to this one with more "totally normal" things to talk about.
@@EverydayCycling Thank you!
How about: When you get your first Brompton you will want to ride it all the time. That's totally normal. =D
@@madiantin when you walk into the Brompton shop just out of curiosity and leave with a bike and a bag, totally normal.
@@EverydayCycling Perfect!
Thanks for this video. I have a new electric Brompton and and i am noticing some drag in gears 5 and 6. It rides really smoothly in gears 3 and 4. Is it normal to have some drag in the higher gears?
I decided to continue years of researching and considering buying a Brompton, and that's normal.
I think I had every one of these concerns when I got mine
I’ve been mulling over getting an H6L as my first Brompton and it’s very useful to see tips and info like this. Thanks!
Glad to hear it!
you won’t be sorry
That's what I have. A great choice! Consider also going for the 12% reduced gearing, i.e. 44-tooth chainwheel, as it is easier on the hills and the loss is minimal to zero on the downhills as we often prefer to freewheel on sharp downhills.
@@Muddy283 Do you regret not getting the rack (L vs R)? I took an H6L for a test ride yesterday, it was equipped with a 44 tooth chainring and hills were definitely manageable. This was my first ride on a Brompton and two negatives did stand out - the roads and trails are in bad shape here and much more of that was transmitted to me than on my non folding bike with front suspension and a suspension seat post. The other was the shifting; I know I’d adjust but using two shifters, often simultaneously, with unique requirements (pedaling vs not pedaling), is a very, uh, English system. I also found that the hub seemed misadjusted because under load climbing hills it popped into a different gear several times. Shifting is definitely my least favorite part of the bike. I’m on the fence right now, going to give myself time to digest my impressions and see where I end up.
Hi again@@readyplayer2!
Here are my thoughts on your questions:
1. Hub gears popping into a different gear while riding is definitely due to maladjustment and should not be happening - nor does it happen to me...even when fully loaded - either on the hub or the derailleur. Proper adjustment however is necessary - and is very clearly and well explained in the Brompton Technical Videos*
2. The key to the Brompton 6-gear system is to understand that the hub gears provide you with gears 1, 2 & 3 and the derailleur gear lever provides you with a half-step up, thus giving you the three extra gears of 1½, 2½ and 3½. Once you've grasped that, using the Brompton gears should become much easier and intuitive.
3. No, I don't regret at all not getting the rack. Most people I know who have it barely or even never use it so all they're getting (imho) is extra dead weight. As for the added stability it is claimed it gives you when parked, this can be largely compensated by adding the Eazy Wheels to the configuration when purchasing (I forgot to mention this as the other important thing imo to specify when purchasing a Brompton) and, I think (I'm in the process of acquiring it!), getting also the X-Wheel Eazy Wheel Extender: www.bikegang.co.uk/bikeganghut/Brompton-X-Roller-Easy-wheel-extender-AL7075-Strong-Alloy-V-3-p52912213 4. Regarding the bumpier small wheel ride (complete with Bromptonesque minimalist suspension 🥴), unfortunately I can't help you there, except suggesting you ride with softer tyres (not too soft though, otherwise the walls of the tyres could wear somewhat quickly)
Hope that helps 😉
-------------------------------
_* I'm astonished to discover that all the original Brompton UA-cam Tech Videos have been deleted_ 😵😵. _They have others but they are far fewer and don't seem so good. I have sent a mail to Brompton Support and copied the owner and MD, Will, into the mail, pleading with them - and him - to restore those gems of videos if they haven't already been completely deleted_ 😨. _If and when they are restored, I'll post back here._
Yep. He really likes the Brompton!
Had my first Sturmey Archer in 1969, nice system, a bit hard when riding in the Swiss Alps.
Great video! I always wondered if it was normal when my crank set rotates in step when pushed backwards.
Right? It is!
Very informative
Glad you think so!
Thanks
This channel is the most in tune in Brompton owners.
I'm glad you think so, Thanks!
Hi. What's the purpose of the laced crossmember cover? I've just bought a 2012 M3R which doesn't have one and I'm wondering whether I should get one.
Great review! I would also like to hear more about the normal positions of the chain tensioner. I sometimes look at mine and think it is stuck or shifted due to folding. Probably me playing closer attention will figure it out. Thanks.
The position of the tensioner is normally governed by the number of links on your chain though, or if you've recently changed the chain ring or the sprocket to different sizes. Do you have a 6 speed?
@@Azrudi I have a 6 speed on my Brompton Electric. Original chain, ring and sprocket. Next time I have it on the stand, I'll go through all gears and watch for tensioner for changes.
Hey, Thank you for the video!
On 3:14 you're mentionning a clicking sound on the 3rd gear. Is it normal that it happens as well when the wheel does not turn and I pedal backwards? It also happens on the 2nd gear on my bike...
Sell it and get yourself a proper bike.