Fitting instructions for Brompton kits – these kits are intended for fitting by someone with reasonable bicycle repair experience, so they’re not detailed instructions, more hints and tips I’d give to a colleague. If this isn’t you, then any good bike shop or Brompton dealer should be able to help, or I’m happy to give advice.
- Rear Hinge Removal
- Alfine Hub Fitting
- Rohloff Hub Fitting
- Rohloff Cable Fitting
- G Line Rohloff Fitting
- G Line Belt Drive Fitting
- Fork Fitting
- Chain Tensioner and Belt Setup
- Rack and Mudguard Fitting
- 18″ and 20″ Fitting Hints
- Disc Brake Fitting Tips
Other technical info:
- Brompton Wheel SizesI now offer six different wheel sizes for custom Bromptons, based on three frame sizes – it’s maybe a bit complicated, so hopefully this will help you choose the right size! Changing between the two different wheel size in each frame size isn’t a big deal, it’s just a matter of rebuilding the hubs into …
- On Brompton Rear PivotsI thought I should write a bit about Brompton rear pivots, as a few people have asked. Brompton rear pivots are all the same, going back 30+ years. Now I’m going to immediately contradict myself – there are two types đŸ™‚
- On StandardsA reasonably common question I get asked about my Brompton frame parts is what standards are they built for (and why)? All my forks are 100 x 9mm QR, rear triangles are 135mm x 10mm, and disc mounts are IS (International Standard), intended for 160mm rotors. Some people do ask about through axles, flat mount, …
- Brompton Upgrades By ModelBrompton’s naming conventions are a bit confusing, and have changed several times, so I thought I’d put together a simple table to show you what upgrades are possible on the different models:
- G-Line vs MTBrompton vs 18″ BromptonWith the launch of the new Brompton 20″ G-Line, I’ve put together a table comparing the G-Line to the MTBrompton. I’ve also added a comparison with an 18″ Brompton, because I think that is actually more like what the G-Line is like.
- Belt Drive TheoryBelt drives have been around on bikes for a while, after several false starts – they’re now very common on electric bikes, cargo bikes, and I’ve been fitting them to Bromptons for years. I get quite a few questions about belt setup, especially on the Brompton, so this article lays out how belt drives work.
- Rohloff Brompton Cable FittingA video guide to fitting the cables for a Rohloff Brompton kit – also applicable to Rohloff fitting in general:
- Go SwissDrive Service ToolGo SwissDrive, the manufacturer of electric bike kits, went bust in 2018 – but there are still some kits in use. Sometimes they get a calibration error, which you need the Dealer Service Tool to fix.
- Brexit, Duties, Taxes and Rules-of OriginNow we have a bare-bones UK/EU Brexit deal, I can summarise how this will affect things:
- Brompton Hub ComparisonsWith a bunch of different hubs available for the Brompton, I thought a comparison would be a good idea: Kindernay Rohloff Alfine 11 Alfine 8 EnvioloNuVinci Sturmey 8 Number of gears 14 14 11 8 n/a 8 Gear range 543% 525% 405% 307% 380% 325% Weight 1.4kg 1.7kg 1.6kg 1.7kg 2.4kg 1.8kg Gear ratios 18″-98″ …
- Brompton Rear Hinge RemovalThe zero-hassle guide to removing Brompton rear pivot bolts – these can sometimes be a nightmare to get out, but this technique never fails.
- Why Ride a Folder?Why Ride a Folder? Bikes can be very inconvenient when they are not being ridden. You need to find somewhere to park them safely or squeeze them onto some other form of transport. By contrast a folding bike is there when you need it, and when you don’t it packs away easily under seats or …
- Why Ride Recumbent?Why Ride Recumbent? There are some very good reasons for reclining. You rest on a supportive and comfortable seat, rather than perching on a saddle. Your diaphragm can expand freely, improving your breathing. Weight is taken off your wrists, your neck does not have to strain to see where you are going, and you …
- Recumbent SizingSetting a recumbent up for your size is pretty simple. The main measurement used is the x-seam. To find this, sit on the floor with your back against a wall, and measure from the wall to the soles of your feet. If you want to be a little more accurate, you can arrange an angled …
- Tadpole or Delta Trike?It’s a common question – which is the better kind of trike? The answer isn’t so easy – both configurations have their advantages and disadvantages: Tadpole: Simple drive system – a normal chainset at the front with a chain leading through to normal rear wheel gearing. Very stable, you sit right in the middle of …
- Heinzmann Half VoltageHeinzmann controllers are clever – they often use a half voltage tap from half- way along a battery pack to monitor the cells. This causes problems when you try to fit a new lithium battery to an old controller. To disable the half voltage detection, simplest way is to bridge a diode on the circuit …
- More About RecumbentsAdvantages of recumbent bikes: There are two main advantages of riding a recumbent bike – speed and comfort. Recumbents are more aerodynamic than any other bikes (your legs are in front of you, not below you), so you slip through the air with less effort. Touring recumbents are probably about 5-10% faster, racing recumbent …
- Disc Brake Safety IssuesA collection of old articles I wrote about issues around disc brakes, weak quick releases and inadequate hubs:
- Heinzmann control boardThe Heinzmann controller board is a very sophisticated system – it’s basic features are: It is a pulse-width controller, with very high efficiency. There is a relay which overrides all the power, and is controlled by moth the on/off switch and a limit switch in the throttle for safety. The controller is specifically designed to …
- Heinzmann Black BoxThe Heinzmann Power Pack looks like this: The box has three main components – the battery cells, the battery meter, and the control board. The control board is described in more detail elsewhere. The basic electrical arrangement is this: The cells have a positive and negative from them, along with two (usually) wires from a …