Electric Motor Kit for the Brompton

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Rockn Robin

Senior Member
Location
Arizona
I've had my Brompton now for quite some time, and I'm wondering if an electric motor kit is still available for it? I've heard stories of how putting one on can undermined the strength of the front forks. Is that true?

Thank you for your help.
 

Cycleops

Legendary Member
Location
Accra, Ghana
The one I know is the Nano
https://www.nanoelectricbikes.co.uk
£785. I wouldn't think it would undermine the fork strength. Maybe someone on here has one and can comment.
There is also the Spartical kit which includes a replacement front fork so maybe there's some truth about the forks being compromised:
https://www.electricbikesales.co.uk/Sparticle-Electric-Brompton-System
And the BromFit kit
http://www.bromfit.com/p/product.html?m=1
 
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OP
OP
Rockn Robin

Rockn Robin

Senior Member
Location
Arizona
The one I know is the Nano
https://www.nanoelectricbikes.co.uk
£785. I wouldn't think it would undermine the fork strength. Maybe someone on here has one and can comment.
There is also the Spartical kit which includes a replacement front fork so maybe there's some truth about the forks being compromised:
https://www.electricbikesales.co.uk/Sparticle-Electric-Brompton-System
And the BromFit kit
http://www.bromfit.com/p/product.html?m=1

Thank you for those great links.
 

Pale Rider

Legendary Member
The OP is in America and I'm not sure what's available there.

Most motor conversions for the Brompton involve spreading the forks a bit and filing the dropouts, mostly to deepen them to take the motor's axle.

Plenty of meat on the fork, so structural integrity is not compromised, but it's not possible to convert the bike back to a pushbike without buying a new fork.
 
OP
OP
Rockn Robin

Rockn Robin

Senior Member
Location
Arizona
The OP is in America and I'm not sure what's available there.

Most motor conversions for the Brompton involve spreading the forks a bit and filing the dropouts, mostly to deepen them to take the motor's axle.

Plenty of meat on the fork, so structural integrity is not compromised, but it's not possible to convert the bike back to a pushbike without buying a new fork.

Thanks Pale Rider. I have read about this issue with the forks, yet with the many conversions, assuming there are many, I haven't heard of one case where the front forks have cracked or broken.
 

Pale Rider

Legendary Member
The conversions I've seen are all 250w nominal power motors which probably don't have enough grunt to break the fork.

Fitting a higher power motor might be pushing it a bit, and there would be wheelspin to consider unless you binned the gear hub and used a rear motor.

The factory Brompton ebike has a front drive motor.
 
OP
OP
Rockn Robin

Rockn Robin

Senior Member
Location
Arizona
The conversions I've seen are all 250w nominal power motors which probably don't have enough grunt to break the fork.

Fitting a higher power motor might be pushing it a bit, and there would be wheelspin to consider unless you binned the gear hub and used a rear motor.

The factory Brompton ebike has a front drive motor.

I just want something that will assist pedaling when needed, so a 250W motor should work fine. At times I go on my merry way, and find later I have run out of steam to get back home, so a pedal assist system will be a big asset for me.

The factory Brompton ebike will cost a pound and a crown for sure.
 

Kell

Veteran
Factory bike is around £2,500 if memory serves.

I did see a video of one which fits on the rear and provides power to the tyre rather than through a hub. I can't seem to find it right now, but I'll have a look for it.

ETA: £2,595 for 2-speed, £2,715 for 6-speed and very few options for colour (black or white), can't have S-type bars, and can't have a luggage rack (according to the bike builder).

https://www.brompton.com/build-your-brompton?biketype=brompton-electric
 
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Pale Rider

Legendary Member
The factory eBrompton is ludicrously expensive for what is no more than a neatly installed front hub kit.

You could buy equivalent parts retail for about £500.

The kits mentioned in this thread are just as good and can be had for £1,000 fitted, and with the option of a lot more, er, options.

Brompton seem to think electrics on their non-customisable bikes are worth about £1,700.

Supply is another problem.

Despite the factory ebike being the height of ordinariness, Brompton seem unable to supply it.

Talk of the bike went on for at least five years before any appeared.

Even now, my local Brompton dealer has been told not to expect to see one until next year, although he was told some bigger dealers will get them sooner.
 

Kell

Veteran
I must admit, my first thought about the Brompton version is that it would be fine for someone like me that doesn't use the luggage block, but for anyone that does, can you get a combined battery pack and luggage option?

Having to then have a separate bag on the rear rack would make folding the bike a pain and you'd need three hands to carry bike, battery pack and luggage.

Also the reactive pedals would mean you couldn't fit SPDs.

Having said that, I'd still rather buy the official version than an aftermarket one due to warranties and the like.
 

T4tomo

Guru
Cytronex kit offering was reviewed favourably in this months cycling plus. Which can probably be incorporated into a Brommie.
 
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