Keen to have a 44t Brompton Chain Wheel. To buy or to trade with my 52t.
- Thread starter Mr Cotter Pin
- Start date
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berlinonaut
Veteran
- Location
- Berlin Germany
I'd say totally valid. You should be aware that the current Stronglight 55S seems to be designed for a JIS bottom bracket rather than for an ISO bottom bracket like you have now. It will however still work (with a slightly changed chainline) but personally I'd change the bottom bracket along the line as this is neither a difficult nor an expensive exercise. In fact there are many many 3rd party cranks that you could use.
I think @u_i has a point rearding the chainguard - always possible to add one aftermarket, but typically needs tinkering and adds to the cost. So in the end you may overall end up not that much cheaper than the original actual Brompton crankset with the disadvantage of still having a fixed chainwheel and the advantage of the 55S looking relatively similar to the original. One advantage of the original Brompton cranks since 2008 is that the non-drive-side crank has a little nob on the inside which successfully hinders the folding pedal from rubbing agains the frame. Older cranks as well as 3rd party cranks lack that feature and furthermore often enough the non-drive-side crank has to be treated with an angle grinder at the outer edge to make the folding pedal do what it is supposed to.
Going Stronglight you could i.e. also consider i.e. the "Mygal S" or one of the Impact ones, depending on the price. All three do offer various sizes of the chainwheel and the ability to change it, the Mygal is a 130 one which means typically for chainwheels 39t and bigger whereas the Impact ones are 110 ones which means getting chainwheels with more than like 46t is possible but those are hard to find and typically expensive. For small chainwheels no issues (and easier to find than 130 ones).
You could even go for a double crank set like i.e. the Impact Compact or Impact E Compact and, with a combination of i.e. 50/34t, 50/36 or 46/34 gain a granny gear that will take you up most hills, referencing to your original problem. Downshift goes with a heelstrike, upshifting is manual - no need for a derailler on the front and easier than it sounds. You could even simply add a i.e. 39t or 34t to your existing chainwheel, massively saving on cost, and achieving the same effect. Has been relatively common with Bromptons for a while as the old crankset offers the possibility (though not officially) through the holes in the chainwheel.
You may check the effects here: http://xldev.co.uk/bgc.html
So many options...
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12boy
Guru
- Location
- Casper WY USA
I am one of those guys that has 2 chainrings...110 BCD crank arms and 58 and 38 chainrings. Only problem so far has been the chain falls off if folded with the 38. I primarily use the 38 for 10% grades but it's nice to know it is there. My 38 is on the inside BTW.
That is interesting. I have 50-34-20, so 30T difference and I can leave it in 20 for folding with no fear of the chain falling off. I wonder what makes a difference. Not that I wanted for the chain to come off, but even from my perspective it is good to understand how the system works. Are you using any front derailleur? Maybe it is the cage that helps to keep the chain in. I also added an inner .cage guard, but this was to prevent the chain dropping during vigorous shifts in, not when folding - the problem was just not there
12boy
Guru
- Location
- Casper WY USA
Nope. It is the greasy finger shift although since I am of the waxed chain clan it aint too greasy.
OP
OP
Mr Cotter Pin
Active Member
Hello all
Just a quick note to say that I came across what looks to me like a pretty decent 44t old style Brompton chainset.
Hopefully I'll have it by next week.
I may deploy 12boy's idea of changing the sprocket from a 13 to 15 (or even a 16 if that is possible) if the 44t does not do the trick but I'm hoping it will.
Thanks for the calculator berlinonaut and the alternative Stronglight chainwheel suggestions, I was actually warming to the idea of getting a new Stronglight chainset and BB, until I saw the 44t Brompton.
And I totally agree with the chainwheel guard, a mandatory device.
Just a quick note to say that I came across what looks to me like a pretty decent 44t old style Brompton chainset.
Hopefully I'll have it by next week.
I may deploy 12boy's idea of changing the sprocket from a 13 to 15 (or even a 16 if that is possible) if the 44t does not do the trick but I'm hoping it will.
Thanks for the calculator berlinonaut and the alternative Stronglight chainwheel suggestions, I was actually warming to the idea of getting a new Stronglight chainset and BB, until I saw the 44t Brompton.
And I totally agree with the chainwheel guard, a mandatory device.
Hello, I came to this site from a google search trying to find what a 44 tooth Brompton ring was worth as I am selling my old 3 speed Brompton of that generation and have a spare 44 tooth crank and ring- I experimented with lowering the gearing so that the middle gear, which has no gearing losses, was the one used most on the flat. Did you solve your problem? If not, do you have any interest in this component? It is used but in good condition
OP
OP
Mr Cotter Pin
Active Member
Hello Isidore,
Thank you for getting in touch and for the possibility of purchasing your 44t chainwheel. It is much appreciated.
I have since found and fitted one so I am ok on that front.
Many thanks once again.
Take Care.
Kell
Veteran
- Location
- High Wycombe/London
How are you finding it?
OP
OP
Mr Cotter Pin
Active Member
Hello Kell,
It is a real benefit to me. It has made the bike a lot more nimble and agile.
Of the five gears that it has (this is a T5) I use the first three regularly and the forth on the rare occasion.
eg. Yesterday I was out for a long ride. 5 hour elapsed time. With a lot of pauses, parks, shops etc. I recall using the forth gear once.
I would happily trade the 5th for a super light gear, zero gear. As I do have to unmount to get up some steep hills.
All in all a happy bunny though.
Thanks for asking.
Happy and safe cycling to you.
