Brompton BWR hub maintenance

[Chris S]

Riding back home I found that it is a little better than before, but still the freewheel doesn't work well.

The frustrating part was that there were no obviously damaged parts, nothing cracked or pitted, with the possible section of the large diameter ball bearing cage: the bearings looked a little rusty and still seemed rough after cleaning, I'm wondering if that was the issue.

At the risk of stating the obvious, are the cones too tight?

 

[Andy in Germany]

At the risk of stating the obvious, are the cones too tight?

Not that I'm aware: I was very careful to follow the instructions to avoid that.

 

[Chris S]

You could try loosening the adjustable one off a bit to see if it makes any difference.

 

[Gunk]

They do tend to need a little bit of play in them

 

[Andy in Germany]

You could try loosening the adjustable one off a bit to see if it makes any difference.

I only finger tightened it, as per instructions.

I'll ask my more experiences colleague for advice tomorrow: I'm sure she'll have an idea.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I only finger tightened it, as per instructions.

I'll ask my more experiences colleague for advice tomorrow: I'm sure she'll have an idea.

Asked colleague. Her first question was:

At the risk of stating the obvious, are the cones too tight?

I don't think I have, As I said, I followed the instructions very carefully, and when riding I don't notice a problem.

We are focusing on the bearing cage for now: I'll replace that and see what happens...

 

[Andy in Germany]

I'm finding a source for the bearing cage, but I'm also wondering. The cage is the Sturmey Archer HSA438. I'm wondering if there are any options other than the SA ring, given that the cage is plastic and overall it doesn't look very good quality, although those versions look better than the one I dug out of the Brompton hub.

 

[Gunk]

I'm finding a source for the bearing cage, but I'm also wondering. The cage is the Sturmey Archer HSA438. I'm wondering if there are any options other than the SA ring, given that the cage is plastic and overall it doesn't look very good quality, although those versions look better than the one I dug out of the Brompton hub.

Buy a complete used rear wheel, much easier

 

[Chris S]

Buy a complete used rear wheel, much easier

A replacement used wheel might have the same problems!

 

[Chris S]

I'm finding a source for the bearing cage, but I'm also wondering. The cage is the Sturmey Archer HSA438. I'm wondering if there are any options other than the SA ring, given that the cage is plastic and overall it doesn't look very good quality, although those versions look better than the one I dug out of the Brompton hub.

I did a search for ball rings on ebay and got a list of sex toys!

 

[Gunk]

A replacement used wheel might have the same problems!

The SA hub is known to be pretty reliable and robust, also almost brand new wheels pop up on eBay for around £100

 

[FrankCrank]

I'll second SA hubs as being robust and reliable. I have several, been using them for years. Unscrew the indicator chain and add a few drops of oil occasionally, and they're good to go. I'd suggest that any issues on Brommies would be from how they've been implemented into the design.

 

[Andy in Germany]

At the risk of stating the obvious, are the cones too tight?

Another attempt today: I replaced the internal bearing ring and packed it with grease. All was well until I mounted the wheel and I found that, just as you said, it is incredibly easy to tighten the bearings too much and /or put too much pressure on the hub when tightening the axle screw, so thanks for the tip.

They do tend to need a little bit of play in them

This is a problem: at the moment the freewheel works, but the cones have what seems to me like too much play in them; I can rock the wheel back and forth. However, if I tighten the cone by a quarter, the freewheel stops working.

Is there a way to find a sweet spot, or is a wobbly wheel normal?

 

[Chris S]

This is a problem: at the moment the freewheel works, but the cones have what seems to me like too much play in them; I can rock the wheel back and forth. However, if I tighten the cone by a quarter, the freewheel stops working.

Is there a way to find a sweet spot, or is a wobbly wheel normal?

When you say the freewheel stops working do you mean that the pedals rotate when you push the bike? I've had this in the past but it stopped after a while.

 

[Andy in Germany]

When you say the freewheel stops working do you mean that the pedals rotate when you push the bike? I've had this in the past but it stopped after a while.

Yes, and when riding. it's like riding a fixie.

I've allowed the bearings to be loose for now because I'd sometimes forget to keep turning the pedals and the chain would fall off the chainwheel; having a freewheel seems a bit safer.

Tightening a 1/4 turn makes the freewheel stop working on the bike stand, but I wonder if under load it would be different.