A few good folk on here have mentioned touring on a Brompton. How were your gears configured? I think Brompton does a 1-, 2-, 3- and 6-gear version as standard but I've heard of people modifying up to 11 gears. How easy is it to upgrade to 11? Also, what was your average or typical distance per day? Thanks in advance for your wisdom.
Hi
@smith4188
I've done a couple of trips on my B and found it a good machine. Starting at the beginning I have a secondhand S6L with the 50T chainring (Std). On my first tour in 30 or so years I cobbled together some old kit, packed a tent, full kit and rode 60 miles without issue. I did resolve to swap the chainring for the -12% 44T option after grunting up a few hillsunloaded:
Not the slickest, but it worked a treat!
Still fully loaded I found the 44T a struggle on steep and long inclines. Also I missed the 50T top gear when unloaded and racing downhills.
As I was contemplating a tour in the Outer Hebrides the next step was to swap the Brompton Chainset for a cheap Stronglight 50/34 double. It fitted just fine with no mods (a couple links out of the chain might help) but it was ready to go. Cost of upgrade £50. OK, you can fit a front derailleur and lever with a bit of ingenuity, but for me that's over-complicating things.
Effectively I use it as a 2 range system. If I know I've a hilly day I use the 34 which hauled me over the hills of Harris without issue. Flattter days, use the big ring. Simples. When I tour I'm not in a rush.
It worked a treat for me anyhow.
There are expensive mods with Rohloff or Nexus gears, but this works for me, weigh's bugger-all and maintains the simplicity.
Unless you want to travel far or fast, the Brompton's a treat. Unladen I've done 100 miles happily in a day so it's comfortable. Easy to get on trains etc
It and all my kit fits happily inside my Banshee 200 with me which is an advantage. Also forms part of a tarp set-up!
40 to 50 miles laden on tour is enough, I like to see stuff.
Cheers
FF
