Brompton 3 speed or 6 speed
 

Looking for some quick advice. I just ordered a Brompton (M6R), 6 speed(standard). I only have a few days to make changes before the order is submitted. I initially was going with the 3 speed but changed it to a 6 speed after spending the night on the internet(still not sure). I am wondering if the 3 speed would be enough. I live in a suburb of Boston, and don't plan on doing any long distance travel. Mostly local roads and bike paths etc. How does the shifting work on the 6 speed? Can you shift 1-3 without going into 2nd or are you required to go up/down the gears?.. Thanks in advance..Joe

First my condolences to the families and people who had suffered so much from the Boston bombing; an act of fear, anger and cowardice and hope the people of Boston rise up to the challenge to rebuild the confidence and peace for all.

I really love Boston when I was there late last year and know that they have a lot of those BIXI bikes for rental around, which is suitable for the terrain that is pretty much mild rolling hills. I would say a 3 speed is enough, at least for me. The six speed combine the internal 3 speed with a 2 speed rear derailleur, so in effect you have a set of 3 lower gears and 3 somewhat higher gears. If you are a recreational cyclist, I say the 6 speed is the best way to go. If you are somewhat fit, then a 3 speed is enough in Boston.

I ride a 2 speed Dahon Speed Duo bike in one of the most hilliest cities in Canada and I do just fine with it. So for me, a Brompton 3 speed would be perfect with 1 lower gear.

The 6 speed BWR hub has a wider gap between gears than the BSR,
but the left gear shifter changes between a 13 & a 15 t cog on the BWR
to make a half step , ratio to fill in the gap.

and so combined, the BWR 3 by 2 has closer spaced ratios.. you don't have to shift the left lever
until later, and you decide the right lever chosen internal gear is a little too high or low..



***
FWIW Sturmey Archer lists a narrow version of their current 5 speed hub to build up in a wheel.
It does offer 1 gear lower .63:1 , to the 3 speed, gear set.. as well as 1 higher above the 3rd ratio..
3/4, 4/3 the regular 3 speed ratios , for 1st & 3rd.

If the cost and the extra 1/2lb are not a problem, I would go with the 6 speed (and actually did). Complexity wise, you have the tensioner anyway and the two way derailleur is minimal and hidden. If you want you can shift only the 3 way IGH but in normal acceleration I am going through all the gears for better speed match and lower knee stress. The gear controls are very easy to use and do not require moving the hands to shift. After some practice you will be able to switch instantly from any gear to any other gear with small flicks of the thumbs. Like the rest of the bike, the shifters are proprietary and were design to be functional and ergonomic.

http://www.foldabikes.com/Talk/gear/gear1.html

Essentially it works as left gear shifter controls small/large in terms of sprocket while right controls low/med/high inside the hub.

Gearing is small/low, large/low, small/med, large/med, small/high, large/high for speeds 1 through 6.

Go for the 6... even though you say you will not travel with it, you never know... plans change, and it is better to have a bike that can adapt with you.

train safe-

Current 6-speed Bromptons have a 3-speed hub gear and a 2-speed rear derailleur. There is a 2-speed trigger shifter on the left handlebar and a 3-speed trigger shifter on the right handlebar. The hub gear can be changed when pedalling or when stopped. The rider must be pedalling forward to change the derailleur. My understanding is that the shift sequence on current models is:

L R
1 1 First
2 1 Second
1 2 Third
2 2 Fourth
1 3 Fifth
2 3 Sixth

Personally, I prefer the 6-speed over the 3-speed.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

I'd say,better to have it and not need it,then to need it and not have it.

The 6spd is basically a 3spd hub with a high/low range. When riding my 6spd,I shift the hub for big steps and use the derailleur for fine tuning. I'm guessing few people actually use both shifters simultaneously to step up/down the '6' gears.

This looks right. If you number L positions as 1, 2, and number R position as 0, 2, 4, then the sum of the two gives you the gear number.

Here is the official gearing table (OP, notice that you have 3 options for 6SP order)

http://support.brompton.co.uk/entrie...ges-and-ratios

I opted for the six-speed version as well as a smaller, 44-tooth, chainwheel and I'm delighted with it. I can go anywhere I want, including up steep hills, with a minimum of effort.

Can the 3 speed be retrofitted to become a 6 speed (or whatever)?

This company offers a kit but says it does not fit all 3spd Brampton's.

http://www.comptoncycles.co.uk/m5b0s...Conversion-Kit

Here is a more complete kit, also with some restrictions

http://brilliantbikes.co.uk/brompton...099012091.html

1, The Driver is wider to take 2 cogs + spacer between them...

The BWR internals and driver are different from the BSR/AW3.

the Sachs hubs used a variation of the 3 spline cog .

Im Using a 15t cog made for the Sachs 3 by 2 on my BSR, currently..

it differs slightly from a standard S-A cog. in being thinner , and 3 of the 15t
are shorter to act as a shift gate.. [the cogs seen in 1st example, above]

the newer hub driver in the BWR is a Shimano BMX free-hub like spline.
and the toothing is sort-of hyperglide like..

rear wheel can be rebuilt/replaced, [2nd example , above]
but the frame has to have the brazed on fittings for the shift mech to fit upon.
Ie, Type 3, and subsequent, production..

I bought a Schlumpf Mountain drive, it's 150% lower second ratio
is such that I use the 3 hub gears twice.. (no overlap or 1/2 step)
[its like a 50-20t, but a planetary so a pretty fast shift.. ]
Swiss mountains..

Thanks for the reply's. The last bike I rode, which was awhile ago, was a 10 speed and I remember that I was always switching gears. At least it seemed that way. I was initially going with the 3 speed for its simplicity but I guess the 6 speed isn't that more complicated. I think I'll stay with the 6 speed. Thanks...Joe

Six speed. Far more useful than you might think. There's not only hills, but riding into the wind.

I agree with Ozonation; wind is the reason I bought the 6 spd and I really like it.

i went with the 6 speed, standard, i use all of the gears, there isn't one you won't need. the only time i have regretted anything about the system was the first time wanted to tip over the bike for maintenace, but then i got something taller than the levers to rest the M handlebars on and that did it.