Brompton rear flat tire and eazy wheels problem
 

Maybe this is common knowledge to other Brompton riders but it came as a surprise to me the other day,just thought I would pass the info on.
I ride a Brompton H 6spd with a rear rack and four eazy wheels. I had a rear flat ,recently,five miles from home.No big deal just folded the the bike up, leaving the handle bars and seat up to push it home just like in the supermarket.Pushed it about two feet and it stopped dead with a loud clunking noise.Checked it out ,couldn't find anything wrong and tried it again with same result.After some experimenting I discovered I could only make it go by tilting the bike back onto the rear two easy wheels.Baffled I continued to push it that way for a few blocks and stopped to rest at a bus stop.While sitting there I looked the bike over and realized the rear tire when inflated and folded back under supports the rest of the bike and holds the bike higher off the ground than if the rear tire is flat.
With a flat rear tire , rear rack and easy wheels, the front wheel is in contact with the pavement and turns as you push the bike makeing the wheel wiggle back and forth just enough to catch the spokes on the end of rear gear hub where the control cable goes in.
It took a few more minutes to figure out that in order to fix the problem it needed something between the top of the rear rim and the upper frame to hold the bike to it's proper height.I took off my sweater, folded it up and squeezed it between the frame and the tire.It then could be pushed normaly on the four rack wheels again.and was a lot easier than tilting the bike back on the back two wheels.
I would be interested to see if anyone else had this experience,and think it should be passed on to other Brompton riders.

I find the rear wheel touched the front when folded under.

had a Mk2 bike earlier it overlapped so wouldn't fold unless you turned the front wheel aside,
so essentially you still do , even with the current Mk4 bikes..

$50. each schwalbe marathon Plus tires replaced the Marathon K when I was getting flats too often.

My touring and O bags both have room for tools & a spare Tube, in 1 of its 2 back pockets. to mend Punctures and then Ride again.

I have the Brompton Kevlar now but will be looking at the schwable plus also adding a patch kit and tools,one flat and a 5 mile walk is enough for me.

small 15mm open end wrench removes rear wheel.. 2 nuts on right end.. inner one secures the wheel,

outer one secures the chain tensioner, & does not have to be so tight.

Schwalbe A/V 4 0r 5 tubes are what are available here..

The Tern Tool is pretty versatile and packs small. See:
Special Parts Dahon Tern and others

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

As soon as I get a new bike home I take both wheels off and If the wheel size Is new to me I practice a flat change.
In this I know I have the right tools and stuff with me on the first ride so I won't have to walk home :P