Folding Bikes - Brompton Owners: What Do You This About This Upgrade?

I am thinking very serious about finally exchanging my crappy stock plastic castors wheels for these larger ones from Sports Chalet:

http://www.sportchalet.com/product/recreation+/bikes/scooters/300195_134932.do?search=endeca&keyword=scooter+wheels&sortby=ourPicks&page=1

This is compared to the Front Only Easy Wheel set for L models (2 wheels to replace plastic castors) offered by a couple of US dealers for $20.00-$23.49 plus shipping which will boost it upwards closer to 30 dollars or so.

What do you think I should do?

FF,
Let us know how it turns out. I know someone here did this upgrade and was happy with it. I am waiting til I find a used razor scooter for cheap to do this upgrade.

Right now I have the roller blade wheels on my brommie. Check this out:

http://utilitycyclist.blogspot.com/2009/03/roller-blade-wheels-upgrade-for.html

What do you think I should do?

I used roller blade wheels instead of the Brompton glip glop wheels. I thought that the roller blade wheels were superior and cheaper too since one can typically find a used set of wheels.

If those you reference are really large, just be careful with heel strike. If it isn't an issue, I would use them.

I typically replace the original ones with high performance used roller blades. Investment averages US$8.00

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/2265161737_7e91c95c29_b.jpg

I find that the stock rollers that a Brompton comes with stick out too far & I catch my heels on them. The Brompton EZY wheels stick out much less and I don't have a heel strike issue (that might just be my funny feet, however).

I think if you have a rack on a Brompton then EZY wheels are the way to go (at least if you have feet at slightly funny angles like me). Damn the expense, it makes the whole folded package roll like a dream.

I have another Brompton without rack or mudguards. I got EZY wheels for this too for the better clearance but to be frank it was a waste of money. I'd have been better to just take the stock rollers off as I never roll the bike on it's wheels.

FF,
Let us know how it turns out. I know someone here did this upgrade and was happy with it. I am waiting til I find a used razor scooter for cheap to do this upgrade.

Right now I have the roller blade wheels on my brommie. Check this out:

http://utilitycyclist.blogspot.com/2009/03/roller-blade-wheels-upgrade-for.html

Thank you for your link. I recorded it into my personal blog a list of bike forum previous posting on this subject which I am gathering right now. Don't worry, not only I will post here, but I will be sure to include photos too of the upgrade when I get the wheels.


I used roller blade wheels instead of the Brompton glip glop wheels. I thought that the roller blade wheels were superior and cheaper too since one can typically find a used set of wheels.

If those you reference are really large, just be careful with heel strike. If it isn't an issue, I would use them.

It is funny that you brought up the heel strike problem. When my Brompton was new, I did experience it and found it to be a very unsatisfactory thing about these bikes. Since then, I rarely get caught up in these little wheels. I am hoping the bigger diameter of either the skate or scooter wheels will eliminate this problem entirely. Although having smaller feet does help too!


I typically replace the original ones with high performance used roller blades. Investment averages US$8.00

Nice to know I am in good company and going in the right direction with this upgrade. I will do this wheel replacement for sure!


I find that the stock rollers that a Brompton comes with stick out too far & I catch my heels on them. The Brompton EZY wheels stick out much less and I don't have a heel strike issue (that might just be my funny feet, however).

I think if you have a rack on a Brompton then EZY wheels are the way to go (at least if you have feet at slightly funny angles like me). Damn the expense, it makes the whole folded package roll like a dream.

I have another Brompton without rack or mudguards. I got EZY wheels for this too for the better clearance but to be frank it was a waste of money. I'd have been better to just take the stock rollers off as I never roll the bike on it's wheels.

I have a condition commonly called being "pigeon toed." That means that my feet angled inwards a little bit. Perhaps this explains why I don't experience heel strikes much on the Brompton-only a couple of times in the almost 4 years I had it. But the most important reason why I need to replace the stock wheels is I need to roll the bike more, rather than picking it up & carrying it too much. Last month, I was laid up in bed with a thrown out back because I had to carry it vs. roll it around. I roll the Dahons so why not the Brompton? It will mean so much to me.

Thank you all for your help and guidance. I will order the scooter wheels from Sports Chalet before the end of the month & see what happens. I am looking forward to adding even a small upgrade to my Brompton. More posts and photos are sure to follow.