Originally Posted by jahwind

I just purchased the SRF5(N) from the fellow on Ebay who sells the complete 5 speed wheelsets. I was surprised when I first opened the package to see that the hub was labeled as (W) not (N), but it is the model with the nine spline freewheel. I only purchased the hub, and built the wheel using my stock 3 speed BSR spokes and rim. I had to have the spokes cut to 133mm and 135mm to build the wheel. I have it installed now and it is working well. To adjust the hub you need to line up the mark on the shifter with the 3rd gear of the thumb shifter, (I have the SA thumb shifter that I converted to a bar end.) and then align the pulley chain at the axle to have the green mark 1mm out of the axle. I noticed that the hub shifts perfectly when you stop pedaling to perform the gear shift. It is a bit unreliable if you shift while pedaling (regardless of the pressure applied to the cranks). I was able to shift the BSR while pedaling more consistently, but not always.

I'm currently running 44T x 14T with the 5 speed hub. It is enough to handle the terrain in my area that the BSR gearing couldn't.



I've also mounted the 16T cog that came with the hub. I just needed to remove the dust cap from the hub, install the 16T, then a spacer that came with the kit, the 14T cog, and snap ring. The Ebay seller sent this link, glorbec.com/bike/bro-srf5x2/, with photo's on the process to convert to 5x2 (Although the text did not translate).



Since I have an M3L, my next project is to get the parts to add the shifter mechanism from the 2/6 speed and use a bar end shifter on the left side to achieve 10 speeds. It should be about a $100 in parts to install the pieces on the chain stay. I'm planning to use a SA 3 speed bar end shift or Dura Ace friction shifter on the left side of the bars. If anyone has experience with this set up please let me know if this is adequate for replacing the stock Brompton 2 speed shifter (I sure hope so!). I think the 10 speed gearing covers a pretty good range and brings the steps together a bit closer than the 5 speed wide range. I also have the options of a 13T too (I don't know if 11T or 12T are an option, as well as anything bigger than a 16T?).

I've checked into a Schlumpf Mountain Drive also, but I'm not sure if I need the gearing that low. Although, it is a cool bit of kit!