My Brompton needs new rims, and friend is going to help me with the wheel build. This will be my first time, and it's all a bit baffling to me. My first step is to shop for rims. I know the wheels are 16", but not much more beyond that. What should look for, and what specs? My friend suggested these. Would they work?

Weinmann Rim Alloy 16X1.50 519 36H Silver
https://www.bikewagon.com/part/wheel...519-36h-silver

If you have any specific suggestions for rims, please let me know. Thanks for helping a noob.

Definitely do not order these rims. These rims are 36 hole rims while Brompton uses 28 hole. Furthermore, these rims are likely 305mm rims which are smaller than the 349 rims which Bromptons use.

You should order Brompton rims:

https://www.perennialcycle.com/bromp...-349-3014.html

I would think twice before you let your friend rebuild your wheels as he recommended the wrong size rims and the wrong number of holes.

Good luck.

You need 28 Holes.

I used those (https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/rims-tap...black-28-hole/) for my last build.

If you just want to replace your rim, you might want to try getting the exact same model you have now. (Same ERD - effective rim diameter.) Then you could theoretically reuse your spokes and don't have to buy new ones.

SJS will not sell Brompton parts if your country has a Brompton dealer .. you buy them from that dealer in your country,,
in the US, Perennial is in Upper midwest ..

there is a single wall rim , same front and back,

and newer a double wall rim rear drilled differently (a directional alignment to the IGH). , than the front ..

They do. They have restrictions on few parts like frames. But I had never problems getting seat sleeves, brake pads, hub upgrades shipped to Germany.

Also third party parts like Ryde Andra rims would not be affected by this anyway.

Been using a Velocity Aeroheat rim w/ the original 2013 superlight Brompton hub.
No problems. Not sure what brand shop used for the new spokes:

BFold should have the Brompton rim and spokes in stock. Looks like the Op is in New York.

Kinlin NBR niobium rims are the lightest, and fairly cheap too. It's quite narrow and won't fit anything thicker than Kojak though.

as many said, you should pay atention to buy correct 349 rim and spokes.
this need to change rims is good because you can really change your brompton.
example: you can buy a doublewall rims.
example 2:you can change your rear hub to other sturmey archer(there is one with 2sprockets and 5 inner gears) witch is the greates for brompton.
example 3: you can reduce your wheels to 305 and use the schwalbe big apple tyres (same efective size diameter thqn 349 kojac in brompton)(nees to adress the brakes)

Thanks for the input. For the record, my friend told me to count spokes, right after I posted. And I had the sense to ask here first.

I have a 2010 Brompton, so single walled rims. How are double walled better? If I want to stick with exactly what I have now, how do I figure out what I have?

It might be a good idea to buy from David at bFold. If nothing else, I don't want him to fold (no pun intended) like NYCeWheels.

Is this the hub you're talking about? I don't see that it has 2 sprockets. It will fit a Brompton?

Sturmey-Archer | RX-RF5

Edit: I found this kit. Though I might just keep it simple, and keep the three speed hub.

https://www.brommieplus.com/portal_c1...&cnt_id=338799

hey my friend
this upgrade is better if you have the 2 speed brompton or the 6speed, because all derrailer related stuff is already there.

this is the sturmey archer 10 speed hub, it fit flawless in brompton.
it used as sprocket the tradicional 9 spline cassete fror 9 speed



sturmey archer 10 speed

you can buy here:
https://www.brommieplus.com/portal_c1_cnt_page.php?owner_num=c1_343119&button_num=c1&folder_id=44131&cnt_id=338800

you can read how it fits or feels herr:
https://xtracycleleap.com/10-speed-brompton-upgrade/

doublewalled rims are more solid and harder to bend.
also ther are virtualy imune to snakebite style pich flat.
my brompton still have oritinal rims, but the theyr gone i will surely buy doublewall

You just made my decision for me to start saving for a Brompton!

great to hear it.
i have two bromptons here, one have the sturmey archer 8 and the second have this sturmey archer 10(5x2).
in 5x2 configuration you will mostly use 12/17 sprockets.
we buyed both second hand at great price and major discount. it took a long time.
its a great bike in bolth configurations, dispite the hefty price, especialy considering our wages here in southern hemisphere.

For me money is a bit tight,... But it's something I'm definitely going to work on.

If you already have BWR and put 3 cogs on you get 9 speeds, not much different from 10, and the upgrade cost is minimal unlike with the 5-speed hub.

asy
it doesnt work like that friend.
3 cogs in bwr is a troublesome mod with many details to be adressed.

here , its just a glimpse how it is done:


​https://www.clevercycles.com/blogs/news-and-events/want-a-9-speed-brompton-the-ti-parts-workshop-trip/​

I have 3 cogs on my BWR and mounting required only either original Brompton parts or parts common for all bikes. You do not need the expensive Ti Parts kit and, if you need a kit at all, you can get an inexpensive one from bikegang. Yes there was tweaking involved, but not particularly different from other bikes - usually when you mount something new on a bike there is some mismatch of one type or another and you deal with it.

This is where I got very confused. I have a three speed Brompton, so no derailleur. Does it make sense to run that five speed wide range hub with just one sprocket, as a simple five speed, rather than a ten speed?

I can't answer the gear ratio question for you, but the first question is do you need more/different gears? I wouldn't be messing about with new hubs and gearing options if all you really need are rims.

Yeah, you're probably right. I'll probably keep it simple. But the prospect of more gears had me intrigued. I kind of wish I had a six speed, but I got the bike from a friend for a really good price, so I didn't have a choice at the time. I'm happy to have the bike, so I'm not complaining.

Is your hub BSR or BWR? Depending on the case, a 5-speed hub would either increase the gear range or decrease gear spacing, both being an advantage. However, if you find current gears adequate, you may just stay with them.

for 3 speed hub there is trhee easy opitons:
1) you can keep 3 speed hub and buy a new 28h rim:

349 bike rim double layer rims 161-3/8 aluminum alloy bicycle rim 16/20/24/28/36 hole 16 inch cyling rim
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/b5wXpb0G

2) you can buy a new hub and a new rim, either 5 or 8 speed from sturmey archer:
5 speed here( 28h rim)
​Sturmey archer SRF5(W) Internally Geared 5 speeds bike bicycle rear Hub 28H 110mm with shifter lever set fit for folding bike
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/BojDqfe

8 speed Sturmey archer (36h rim)
​​​​​SUNRACE X-RF8 V brake within 8 speed hub 36 h
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/b9JIRWQc

3) you can buy a new rim and for gearing, you can add in crankset a internal geared crankset, like fsa metropolis(cheaper), or schulmpf(expensive):

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F264115804410

Or he can get new rims, which is what he asked about.

open your eyes and read opition one.