Folding Bikes - Anyone done the Brompton 8sp SA conversion by Kinetics?

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JonnyHK
09-14-09, 08:26 PM
http://www.kinetics-online.co.uk/html/8-speed.shtml
8 speed Sturmley Archer conversion for Brompton

I looking for any feedback from anyone who has purchased this conversion new (ie on a new bike) or who has bought the kit and installed it themselves on an older bike.

What it easy to install? Any difficult areas?

Have you been pleased with the results?

Through a search I have seen some references to it here in BF, but not any detail of the experience.

GeorgePaul
09-15-09, 12:17 AM
I'm interested in this too.
bhkyte
09-15-09, 02:11 AM
Have you seen "Somnatash 's 8 speed. Her hub I believe was bought from there (Glawgow Kenitic), but installed by herself.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=448686&highlight=speed+brompton

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=364265

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/sturmey-archer-hubs.html

cyclistjohn
09-15-09, 02:22 AM
I looking for any feedback from anyone who has purchased this conversion new (ie on a new bike) or who has bought the kit and installed it themselves on an older bike.

What it easy to install? Any difficult areas?

Have you been pleased with the results?
.....

In case my experience is any use - I've fitted Brompton's BWR 6 speed (Sturmey Archer 3 hub * 2 derailleur) to a year old M3L, & found it relatively straightforward. The supplied instructions are good. With a range of 33 to 99 inches, lowish weight & good efficiency (compared to a more complex hub like the SA 8) I decided against the 8 speed. I don't mind the 2 gear levers at all, & in fact for hilly areas find the wider spacing useful, eg., get to the bottom of a hill, drop a gear on the hub (~ 2 gears on a narrow spaced setup) to get up the next incline, then "trim" with the derailleur.

John