Brompton Maintenance

[The Jogger]

So I left my Brompton in the other week for it's well overdue six week free service, not sure they did anything but at least I left it in. He said I will need to have it serviced every six months or year depending on the mileage.

So what do I need to do to keep the bike good. I do just over ten miles on my daily commute and other bits of mileage at the weekend. Do I need to have it serviced at the regular intervals or is it easy enough to do myself, not that I do with the other bikes, they get serviced.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Its a bike, you know what they need to keep them running sweet, do that as often as it needs.

I find mine is pretty robust and forgiving on chain & cable stretch and brake wear for one so bendy and small wheeled

 

[jay clock]

I keep mine clean, and lube the chain properly each time. Brake pads after about 1000k.

 

[mjr]

Agree on cleaning bike and chain and lubing chain, but surely brake pads have a wear line?

 

[jay clock]

I just find they get glazed over and aren't as effective. I buy good but cheap ones online and replace quite often

 

[srw]

Brompton service? What's that?

I just put up with the creaks and groans, lube the chain rarely and keep the tyres well pumped up. If something goes wrong (brake cables sticking is the classic) I fix it. I don't think I've replaced a brake pad in years - one of the benefits of using decent ones.

Once in a blue moon it goes into the shop for a little TLC.

 

[cisamcgu]

Pump the tyres when required, lubricate the chain when you remember, wipe it with a damp cloth when too dirty to leave in the hallway and give it a hug occasionally

 

[mickle]

Brompton are more susceptible to neglect than other bikes. I don't know why but have my suspicions. Small wheels mean less braking surface and Brompton rims can wear out very prematurely if you allow rims and pads to accumulate dirt.

 

[beaker_72]

I was quite taken aback when I was quoted something in the region of £140 for a Brompton service by Evans. Is that normal (or just normal for them)?

I tried one or two LBS but none of them were overly keen to take it on as they figured it could be quite specialised. So far I've been trying to keep the wheels and chain as clean as possible, I've also had the back wheel off a couple of times as I seem to be getting a lot of punctures and I've found the videos Brompton have put up on Youtube on how to adjust the gears really useful.

Should I still be thinking about servicing?

 

[Pale Rider]

Evans prices for servicing any bike look high to me.

Servicing a bike is an arguable point.

Rather than a single service, most users maintain their bike by regular fettling.

Either way, find your nearest independent bike shop Brommie dealer and have a word with them.

 

[Milkfloat]

I work on the principal of 'if it ain't broke, don't break it'. I clean, pump and lube regularly, but wait until things go wrong before fixing them. For example I don't do a yearly change of cables, I do it when they get sticky. I change cassette and chain when slipping occurs - to me they are simple consumables.

 

[mjr]

I just find they get glazed over and aren't as effective. I buy good but cheap ones online and replace quite often

If they glaze that easily (and can't be brought back with a plastic scourer), then they may be cheap but they don't sound good to me. I think I've used Alhonga, Lifeline and Revolution recently with good results, but I didn't like Aztec or Shimano.

I was quite taken aback when I was quoted something in the region of £140 for a Brompton service by Evans. Is that normal (or just normal for them)?

If you can't find cheaper in Glasgow, getting the train to Edinburgh and using http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/info/servicing-bicycle-repairs-and-custom-builds/ looks cheaper and possibly better!

 

[jay clock]

I use disco brakes and these pads http://www.discobrakes.com/?s=0&t=2&c=52&p=283&tb=001

 

[mjr]

I decided against buying from disco brakes because of vagueness like "normal rims". We can guess they mean aluminium, but why not say that?

 

[jay clock]

Those red ones are excellent and good value