Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Folding Bikes
Reload this Page >

Brompton: Plastic Gear Shifter Broke :(

Search
Notices
Folding Bikes Discuss the unique features and issues of folding bikes. Also a great place to learn what folding bike will work best for your needs.

Brompton: Plastic Gear Shifter Broke :(

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-19-13, 04:08 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Ciwan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 82
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Brompton: Plastic Gear Shifter Broke :(

Hi Guys

One of the gear shifters (the right hand side one) on my 2011 Brompton has broke, this is an extremely big deal, especially since I live in Huddersfield where there are Hills EVERYWHERE. I would like to replace the broken shifter (perhaps both), but I'd rather go for something metal, stronger, more durable .. any suggestions?

Also, why is it that the left gear shifter makes no difference at all on my Brompton? I should be feeling a change in power-need should I not?

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You.

J.
Ciwan is offline  
Old 09-19-13, 04:45 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,984

Bikes: Brompton, Dahon Vitesse D5

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 55 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
People seem keen on the current thumb shifter that SA do:
https://www.sturmey-archer.com/produc...d/3/id/10.html
chagzuki is offline  
Old 09-19-13, 08:55 AM
  #3  
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,355 Times in 862 Posts
I cannot feel your perception .. from here .. of course..

You can repair the RH 3 speed shifter, all the parts are available , check with B dealer ,or SJS in UK.

or you can go back to earlier S-A trigger shifter , they were placed on top of the bar
on my Mk2 Brompton. [sprinter 5 speed, back then, had 2 triggers and 2 shifter cables ]

left shifter switches between a 13 and a 15 t cog , maybe that is not significant enough, IDK .

try switching out the cogs .. put the 12 and 16t ones that go on the 2 speed hub on, instead .

add a 3rd lever, a FD mount and a triple crank if you wish ..
fietsbob is offline  
Old 09-19-13, 01:49 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Ciwan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 82
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
UPDATE: Hi Guys, I opened up the shifter mechanism and it turns out that it is OK and not broken.

Something more significant might be, the Gear Hub at the back might now be faulty. I am getting the Highest, and the one below, but not the third and final (i.e. lowest).

Can these be fixed? if not, are they expensive to buy? I look on SJS, but I don't know what the back Gear Hub is called, there are so many tick boxes :/
Ciwan is offline  
Old 09-19-13, 02:33 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 50
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm not sure of your level of experience of these things so please forgive me if you know this already. It sounds like you should check that the hub is adjusted correctly. The easiest way I find to do this is to set the hub to the second speed, then adjust the indicator chain so that the rod is level with the hub.
landhere is offline  
Old 09-19-13, 03:11 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Still Pedaling's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Arizona
Posts: 806

Bikes: Brompton and Dahon Curve D3

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Ciwan
UPDATE: Hi Guys, I opened up the shifter mechanism and it turns out that it is OK and not broken.

Something more significant might be, the Gear Hub at the back might now be faulty. I am getting the Highest, and the one below, but not the third and final (i.e. lowest).

Can these be fixed? if not, are they expensive to buy? I look on SJS, but I don't know what the back Gear Hub is called, there are so many tick boxes :/
This might be an easy fix. First of all do you know how to adjust the 3-speed hub of your Brommie? If not, have a look at this short video on how to make a simple adjustment. Hopefully this is all you need to do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GDKgKDfk7o
Still Pedaling is offline  
Old 09-19-13, 03:40 PM
  #7  
DancesWithSUVs
 
dynaryder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Griffin Cycle Bethesda,MD
Posts: 6,983
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by fietsbob
left shifter switches between a 13 and a 15 t cog , maybe that is not significant enough, IDK .
13t and 16t:
https://www.ecovelo.info/2008/09/17/b...ide-range-hub/

I think it's just a perception issue. I definitely notice a bigger difference between shifting my hub than my derailleur.
__________________

C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
dynaryder is offline  
Old 09-19-13, 03:47 PM
  #8  
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,355 Times in 862 Posts
well yea, thats the nature of a half step gearing scheme .. after all ..

the BWR hub has a bigger gap between the 3 gears than the BSR
then the gear switcher between the 2 cogs fills in the space .
its half, the IGH is the Whole..

Something more significant might be, the Gear Hub at the back might now be faulty. I am getting the Highest, and the one below, but not the third and final (i.e. lowest).
my guess** is the cable adjustment is too loose so It wont pull it into the low gear .

RTFM on how to adjust the cable ..

Hint : they call it an indicator chain because if in 2nd

the end shoulder of the shaft, that pulls on the gear shifter in the hub,

should be even with the end of the axle..

as you look thru the hole in the funnel nut on the end.


**A guess is all I can do since I'm, of course, not there..

Last edited by fietsbob; 09-19-13 at 03:56 PM.
fietsbob is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
delcrossv
Adaptive Cycling: Handcycles, Amputee Adaptation, Visual Impairment, and Other Needs
1
08-28-15 03:52 PM
CityHunter87
Bicycle Mechanics
1
07-23-15 01:01 AM
jahwind
Folding Bikes
3
09-01-14 08:41 AM
Barrakulyan
Folding Bikes
13
04-18-12 11:26 AM
Airburst
Bicycle Mechanics
4
05-25-11 08:40 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.