As in if I buy (or set-up) a generic bike-maintenance toolkit, are there any Brompton-specific tools that generally won't be included? How would I get them?

Thanks in advance.

Well, there is (or was) the Brompton toolkit that cleverly fits inside the frame:

Brompton Tool Kit

...but the tools look a little lightweight for anything other than on-the-road repairs.

Unless you plan on rebuilding the hubs or headset, or removing/rebuilding the crankset/bottom bracket, a general set of tools should be fine.

I'm not a fan of general tool kits unless they're high quality tools to begin with - Park and Pedros come to mind.

Otherwise I think anyone is better off buying good quality tools one at a time and adding as your needs dictate. A nice set of P-handle hex wrenches, a nice set of metric open end/box wrenches, couple good screwdrivers, pair of cable cutters, maybe a third hand brake tool...that's where I'd start. Good workstand comes in handy too.

Nothing I Can think of in so far as Shop Tools .. Common bike tools crank arm extractors

Cable cutters , chain tools & stuff like that

the older Folding pedal used a big 24mm hex , to get it off I bought a Cheap socket
then ground down the edge to be squared off ,

Since sockets commonly chamfer of the inside edge to make getting the socket over the bolt/nut easier.

the old Core was a shallow hex flange ..
once the tool was modified it was easy to use .. regular socket wrench handle ..

New Folding Pedal Core piece uses allen wrenches , now. flange is round.


Dont really need to stuff tools in the front of the frame tube ,
since I have 2 pockets on the back of my Front bag..

Yeah it seems the Brompton Toolkit has problems (and ain't cheap) so that's not on my list.

I'll look into Park and Pedros tools. Unfortunately Singapore has no space for big-name DIY supermarkets. Amazon is likely my best bet.

To get the wheels off,you'll need a 15mm and 10mm wrench for the wheel nuts and brake cable bolt,and a 3mm hex for the chain tensioner. Pretty much everything else is pretty standard.

Noted. At least I know what to look out for when buying a general toolkit and adding the Brompton-specific tools.

I don't know how sophisticated maintenance you intend to do, but for everyday adjustment, and changing punctured tubes, I've found it enough to have a multi-tool and an adjustable wrench. I'd prefer rigid wrenches for the wheel nuts, but an adjustable one is what I have in my tool bag, and it works fine.

I just keep hearing about all the 'specialized' tools that a Brompton needs, so my non-technical self started to wet his pants.

But yeah, 10mm and 15mm wrenches to change the wheel, according to dynaryder and a Brompton Youtube vid. I think I can handle that.

Thankfully it sounds far less complicated than what I imagined.

Not sure what the 10mm spanner is necessary for. Brakes don't need to be released if you take off and put back the wheel with tyre deflated. I just have a small 100mm size 15mm-capable adjustable wrench stashed away in the frame (which will do 10mm also of course). Wrapped in packing foam sheet, it just fits in that front piece of the frame.I went for good quality, Sidchrome. You can't rely on crappy adjustable wrenches.

BTW, I don't have a Schlumpf on my Brommie any more.

Because it really sucks to get the wheel back on,and then find out that you've pinched the tube and ruined it. Yes,you can inflate the tire,then deflate it,then re-inflate after the wheel is mounted,but this is also a PITA,esp if you're using that crappy stick pump that comes with non-ti Brommies.

It is not complicated. It is a bit unusual if you are accustomed to "big" bicycles, mainly because the clearances are much smaller. For example, I installed my Brompton's rear rack+fender myself, and it was a tricky process for me for a few reasons:

* I had to hunt in the Brompton web site for the technical manuals. Found them eventually, but it took some head-scratching to understand them (i.e. to match the part names to the actual physical parts on the bike).

* Had to get over my fear of screwing up the expensive little bike No harm done, fortunately; one just has to be methodical.

* It seems that you really need to do things in the order Brompton recommends in the technical manuals, even if you think a shortcut is possible. The tight clearances mean that you don't always have room to unscrew something unless you remove another part first. Not a big problem - the manuals are accurate once you understand them.

I think if you manage to remove the rear wheel to change a flat, you'll have done the most complicated "regular" operation you'll ever need to do on the Brompton. Once I had done it twice, it became easy and I didn't have to consult the manuals again - once while installing the rack, and once while actually fixing a flat. I also learned that the derailer mechanism is not complicated at all; it's just very cleverly put together in a small space.

(And I just *ADORE* the cute little chain that comes out of the internal hub.)

The video about removing the rear wheel is pretty good, too.

Thanks that's very comforting to hear.

Yeah I guess it's just a matter of getting down and dirty with the bike with a tablet nearby and reviewing the videos/PDFs till I 'get it'. I'm sure it's more intuitive than I allowed myself to imagine.

I've only been on this site a couple of hours but one thing I've observed is that some of its members are just a little too fond of their bikes than is healthy.....

You'd be glad for this 'obsession' when you're looking for advice to repair your 1971 obscure-as-heck bicycle from Yugoslavia. You'd be surprised at the breadth of knowledge lurking within these virtual halls.

So I finally did my first major modification of my Brompton - of any bike ever really - switching out the 6-speed and putting in the 2-speed wheel.

I have left all the cables and right shifter in but the weight difference is already pretty noticeable. The bike feels notably lighter but the 44Tx12-16T (am I doing it right) makes it tough to start on anywhere but flattish ground.

I'll need a lower first gear if I'm really going to enjoy the 2-speed - the bike may be slower overall but I'd be more confident of tackling hills and slopes. I have purchased a Shimano 105 39T (130mm BCD) and plan to install it this weekend.

Perhaps at some point it'd be worth considering a 3 speed mod (if that's possible).

Congrats!

Word of warning: this gets addictive. I'm in the middle of doing a DIY clone of the front luggage system; will post pictures soon

I must agree with this. I'm almost worried I'd be less interested in the Brompton once I run out of things to mod.

some 3rd party shop makes a sealed bearing flanged pulley to push back and forth in the 2 &6 speed fashion.
they're over there somewhere ..

its easier on my 3 speed... used a standard Tacx 10 tooth ...

who knows, perhaps "modifying" a bicycle might lead to a deeper appreciation of the design of the bike in question and the function of its parts. there's no guarantee, but it is possible. i think that's a positive thing.

I just came back from a trip with the Brompton. I tried to finish the DIY luggage system before going on the trip, but made a rather bad mistake and would have had to re-do the piece that mates with the mounting "triangle".

Anyway... during my trip I found a shop that stocked the Brompton front luggage system, and got the triangle thing and the bare-bones carrier without a bag. I'm using it with bags I already have (messenger bag, backpack, etc.) and it works pretty well.

By mounting "triangle" do you mean the Front Carrier Block? I'm finding that although I have yet to build a portable toolkit, my home toolbox has increased exponentially to the point that I'm covered 95% of the time when tinkering with my bike.

There's always a tiny warm glow inside when I find an unfamiliar nut/bolt/screw-head that is somehow covered by an instrument I've previously bought.

It gives me far more confidence to jump into exploring the finer aspects of my MTB and Brompton, and it's proving exciting and fun!

Yes, I meant the Front Carrier Block. What a clever little thing.

I'm finding that sewing "little belts" to existing bags makes them work very well with the Brompton's carrier.