The most essential Brompton maintenance tip - Clean it!

This is our Brompton maintenance top tip - keep your Brompton folding bike clean
This video shows how to clean the essentials:
Brakes / rims
Drive chain (sprockets / jockeys wheels / chain and chainring)
Keeping the braking surfaces and drive chain of your Brompton will make the components last longer and save you money in the long run
This is attempt 4 of this video - and we finally managed to make it!

[@villagersparky]

"I nearly forgot, I was having tea again" Is basically me while at work.

[@miguelbarroso73]

Thank you for your nice video. There is always one thing I advise everyone to do after they wash their bikes... Take them for a quick spin - no matter how careful you are, water always finds its way into the hubs and other places. Nothing like centrifugal force to force it out of there...

[@cosinus_square]

Bike shops take the chain off because it's easier, there's no mess and is cheaper. The @home version is to take the chain off, drop inside a water bottle with warm water/degreaser mix in it that covers the chain, let it sit for a few minutes, wet wipe the rest of the bike in the meantime, then shake the bottle until the chain is clean. Dry the chain, fit and re-lube. It takes me about 20 min.

[@davidburgess5419]

Great to have another video from you, we’ve missed you. Thanks for the information and stay safe.

[@acey850]

Extremely entertaining. And satisfying too.

[@ggetoile]

Ever time I see this picture I think the title should be “Watering and fertilizing your Brompton tree. Looks like some ripe Brommies ready for the picking!”

[@brilliantbikes]

Lol! We try watering it and talking to it! But it never seems to green w them on their own! Thank you for making us smile and for watching!

[@benl8762]

I wish I could have that Brompton tree:) listen to you I feel calm, carbon-free calm. Thank you, Brompton tree lady.

[@danieljames2718]

Love the tree. And I love my Brompton. Thanks for yet another awesome video. Many thanks and please keep posting.

[@diane1959]

Thank you for the video. I love watching them. A suggestion for a future video: How to replace braking and shifting cables.

[@NickWatton]

Love the manner and content of your videos. Thank you so much :)

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you for watching and your comment.

[@nikos.asproudis]

I have managed to watch almost all of your videos in the past few weeks and I just love to wait for every next to come. They are so unique. Not a Brompton-owner yet (these lockdowns are just making it a lot harder), but hopefully soon (2021) I'll figure it out. Thanks for all of your info, greetings from Greece.

[@brilliantbikes]

Greetings Greece (from the UK!!) Thanks so much for the kind comment - we really appreciate it Fingers crossed that you can get hold of your own Brompton in the near future Stay safe!

[@handsonbrompton7875]

Thanks a lot for all your advice 👌👍

[@mariomota9075]

Finely I bought my used brompton M6l. Waiting she came to the island. Watching your videos

[@MartinSchabbauer]

Thank you. I watched the video again and learned something new even this time around All the best from Martin and Anna in Sweden.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much for your nice comment and for watching!

[@amandaleigh3852]

Mmmmmm a Brompton Tree - straight on my Christmas list! 😉😁 BRILLIANT and informative as ever, and good to see plenty of tea being quaffed. With all the rain and this autumn weather, mine get filthy every time I venture out... I have to confess, a quick splash is the norm and a deep clean is an annual Brompton bathing event! 😬 Stay safe 🤗

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks for watching again Amanda This will be our Christmas tree - we plan to decorate with lights as wells the Bromptons ;-) Stay safe and see you soon!

[@mickd6942]

Sound advice that could apply to cleaning any bike not just Brompton’s excellent

[@compassionsix]

New to the channel. Love the video. Many channels forget good video and sound are as important as the content. You have all three!

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you for watching and joining! We have worked a lot on the sound and video, but everyone and then we get it wrong (our sound in the P line was a bit high!), thank you for your nice comment. We keep trying to get them better and better 😀

[@rajajesson]

Like the precise briefing style 👍🏼

[@brilliantbikes]

Many thanks and thank you for watching!

[@petergilbert72]

One other part to start with at this time of year is mudguards. To my cost I finished my clean with the discovery of caked mud stored out of sight. I stuck a spoon handle between the tyres and mudguards and big clumps of mud immersed my cleaned bike!

[@cirodirosa6752]

I love my Brompton. I have tried cycling one winter (snowy Canada) with so much grief cleaning my Bike. Therefore, I have decided to use an 'alternative' folder for Rain / Winter cycling..

[@Marco_LaGuardia]

I love all your videos! Big thank you from Brazil!

[@brilliantbikes]

Obrigaga Thanks so much for watching and the kind comments Stay safe!

[@Marco_LaGuardia]

@@brilliantbikes 😍

[@user-rj5bc1hx8d]

ブロンプトン最高ですねー。 勉強になりました。 お体に気をつけて、頑張って下さい。

[@cyclingawaytrauma]

Great video..some great tips ...thanks 👍

[@BillSprague]

When I get my Brompton, this will be my bag! I too really like the design aesthetic.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@user-sh8wn8ie4k]

Thank you for this. Really useful. To my shame I have never cleaned the chain etc...... now I know what I am doing next weekend!

[@brilliantbikes]

It’s really easy with the right tools 😀 and kind of satisfying! Have fun! Thank you for watching!

[@CaffeineJogger]

Fantastic! Love the bleeps.

[@brilliantbikes]

Many thanks! Glad they were funny 😄

[@bruceyeung4412]

Thanks to share ! Greetings from Singapore 😬

[@readingglassesclub]

Thank you for the helpful video:)

[@obg6446]

Good video, 8 had problems with my bike. Watched your video and all fixed now

[@brilliantbikes]

Glad it helped - really glad! (thats why we make them) Thank you for watching and for giving us the kind feedback

[@heekongyap]

Thks for the lovely video. More biking safe n healthy life. Have a nice day.

[@brilliantbikes]

Stay safe too and thank you for watching.

[@marizeleznik3165]

Amazing. I'm adding this to my list so I can take care of La Belle Orange.. Lady Brompton

[@compassionsix]

Just started waxing my Brompton chain! Stays amazingly clean.

[@brilliantbikes]

Ooohhh! Something we need to try! Thanks for the suggestion and for watching!

[@fusionaccounts]

Once you've waxed you'll never go back.

[@Quesjer1]

L.O.L. "I'm not very good at cleaning, am I ?" But: I disagree! You did it again. Good quality video, packed with those little tips and tricks, and loads of humour stuffed in as well. More specific: those bloopers. Thanks again.

[@Ekdog]

I really enjoy your videos! Have you made one on how to change the back tire?

[@limtongwah6272]

Many Thanks, my Favourite English Teacher covering Brompton Subjects. Please don a Safety Glass while doing cleaning with chemical spray usage. Great tips/ lessons for Precious Sharing.🙏🙏

[@cango75]

I really enjoy your videos, so well done! For cleaning a really dirty chain, I can strongly recommend popping the quick link and putting the chain in a little ultra sonic cleaning bath with a 1 part muc off and 3 parts water solution, 15 mins at 50 deg. Once clean, it may take a second bath, remove chain, spray with your favourite water dispersing spray and wipe dry with a microfibre cloth that is on the "already used and not brand new" pile... Voila! :)

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you for watching and the great suggestions! Yes it gets it much cleaner taking it off and popping it in a bath!

[@campbellcaraher1008]

I've used some white grease on the suspension bolt and that annoying squeak has gone. Great tip !

[@ShantiTrish]

Thankyou, yes l clean my bike regularly after use and a end of Summer when l put bike away for winter. I have a catcher hose, but living in a appartment it’s difficult to use. As an alternative l use a jug of water and a sturdy old washing up brush (dish washing brush with stiff brisils ). I start with the mud guards first. Like you l also use a cloth to dry and l oil the chain sparingly, otherwise the oil gets everywhere. Best wishes to you and your viewers. 🌈☺️👌

[@vishy]

I lightly pressure wash the crap out of my Brompton (I maybe use a bit of muc off and de greaser if really filthy) give it a wipe, and then spray the chain and moving parts with lube spray. Appreciate the effort with the vid, but who has time for a 1 hr routine like this? Once a year I give it to my bike shop for a full service and detailed clean. Simples and my Brompton has been working beautifully for years

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks for watching! I really would not pressure wash it! It washes all the grease out of the bits that need to have grease!!!

[@smsmyth]

Thank you very helpful

[@brilliantbikes]

😀 thank you for watching

[@sheilastallard]

White Gloves; reminds me when I was a wren in the Royal Navy. Officers used to wear them when they did "Captains Rounds" if they found ANY dirt then the whole mess had to do it again!!!. Keep Safe!!

[@stephenelliott-wright3230]

Great video 👍🏻

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you - that's really nice, glad you enjoyed it.

[@chrismacdonald.6295]

What a wonderful video. I’m lucky enough to have a Brompton bike. Yet is 2 years old now and had no servicing. It’s an M3. I’m a light weight rider but it’s perfect for the shopping run. The chain is running dry. I want hey simple stand, that I can perform this simple bike maintenance. Many thanks.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you for watching! If you are looking for a work stand we really like the Park Tools stand brilliantbikes.co.uk/workstands/39-park-tool-usa-home-mechanic-repair-stand.html We use this at home!

[@TronMcr]

Great videos Would like to see how to upgrade L&E models to a R model (rack)

[@rptempmail1]

Hi and thanks for your great instructional videos! Can you please do me a favor and provide the name/description of all the regarding all the different reagents that you used as well as the nice brush that you used so I can purchase them online and perform the same cleaning of my new brompton that needs it? thank you in advance!

[@markhooper5824]

Love your Brompton tree. Ace

[@brilliantbikes]

We just wish they grew better. Thank you for watching!

[@jonathanjones5282]

Nice job 👍

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks 👍 - we really appreciate you watching and commenting

[@DavidvanLochem]

I am a recent Brompton owner, so my bike is not really dirty yet, but I will start to clean it. Better safe than sorry.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks for watching and welcome to the Brompton fold Keeping it clean will save you money - and make it run better

[@mirniygitel1913]

So that it is not so difficult to wash the transmission. This needs to be done more often. Good job!

[@brilliantbikes]

It is very straightforward and great when it’s done, they ride much nicer. Thanks for watching!

[@jonathanbaez9287]

Thanks for the vid. What was in the drivetrain cleaning spray?

[@linkinruss]

Please do one for the electric version. Just bought mine and wondered how I clean it - especially front hub.

[@brilliantbikes]

Many thanks for the suggestion! Added to the list! Thank you for watching.

[@lsamoa]

@@brilliantbikes Did you end up doing this video? If so where is it please? I can't find it. Thanks!

[@alfiephillips1164]

Also interested in this video

[@angiemagee4082]

would love e-bike video too

[@omerfaruker2903]

My favorite KZbin channel

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much! :)You just made our day.

[@SunshineFL]

Great info. Where do you get the chain cleaner that you used in the beginning

[@UncleAT]

Great video! I just got my Brompton a week ago. How often would you recommend degreasing and regreasing it?

[@roncooke2188]

Good to see your wearing gloves, i usually forget, It would be great if every chain was fitted with a quick link as i prefer to soak a chain in cleaning fluid and into the next bath for cleaning before pressure washer. Then hang it up in an apple tree for 3 days to dry then i pop the chain wear checker on to find it’s a worn out chain. A great bike work stand you have I had a bike in the other day chain was so rusty had to remove it in in short bits like solid metal bar. Nice video thank you

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you for watching!

[@AboutFocusTV]

Any special tips (things to be careful of ?) for cleaning an electric Brompton would be good.

[@rollingthunder4]

Common sense but very good👍🏻 I use a small watering can with warm water - it’s only be cleaning regularly that you spit maintenance jobs e.g spoke tightening etc👍🏻

[@royphair9676]

I use white spirit in my chain cleaner and, a synthetic gearbox oil for my chain it's a thinner oil and it has better corossion resistant properties

[@teoslsamuel]

HI Brilliantbikes. Can I suggest you list the products used in your video description? I like to enquire on the Chain Lub you used, I am guessing it is the dry ceramic lub? Thanks and please continue to produce these fabulous videos!

[@brilliantbikes]

Many thanks for watching! The lights be we used was Pedros Sun Lube, link as follows brilliantbikes.co.uk/lubrication/3278-pedros-syn-lube.html

[@itsfahys]

Excellent video and love the use of your Trees . I wonder how people who live in an Apartment manage to clean their Bike. Im assuming they dont do it in the Bath or do they go to a Bike Shop or Garage and get the bike cleaned at a Car Wash ?

[@bikepartnersbikeshop]

Great video! FYI, I could not help but notice that your three-speed chain adjuster lock nut is loose. I see a lot of that in the shop. We don't want your gears to slip on you!

[@brilliantbikes]

Whoops! Thanks!

[@mdb3601]

Thank you. I love the fact you hang them in a tree. Brilliant!

[@brilliantbikes]

It works so well! Not quite as well as a stand, but more fun. Thank you for watching.

[@kead6636]

I think I might have missed it but when do you degrease the chain? After washing the bike with the hose?

[@ellieteo1540]

Could you post the brands and make of your cleaning supplies, like the chain cleaner, the brush etc? I am trying to find them online.

[@migueldejesus3951]

What lubricant do you recommend using on the chain ?

[@mysanisa]

Nice Video.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you for the comment and for watching

[@Ivandrago89]

Gr8 video❤! I saw your video where you went to beautiful Canada. For riders in Canada who ride in snowy conditions, is it safe to say this cleaning routine will have to be done a lot more frequently. More importantly, can the road salt that Ontario puts on its roads in winter rust the frame of Brompton??

[@Venomator.]

It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it! Nice work though and some good tips along the way, thank you... 👍🏻 😉

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks 👍

[@vishmeister4151]

Should you lube the sturmey gear chain? thanks

[@OjStudios]

Old toothbrushes and dish brushes are super effective for drivetrain and hard to reach areas like over and under the brakepads.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much for your comment, very true as long as you do not want to use them again :). No really they are very useful.

[@leewongwong3155]

So how to clean the water which have went into tube?

[@francocarbonaro]

Love your videos, I’ve got my bike after seeing them. Do you have any recommendations for bottle holder? I have a quadlock and a pouch in the handle where I put my keys, an energy bar, etc, so there’s no space on it. I’m trying to find a bottle holder with a clamp for the frame. Thanks :)

[@lonestarlaurel8620]

vincita has an interesting bottle holder

[@HermanG83]

What kind of lubricant should I use?

[@Kiki-tr1zo]

Will the internal tubings of the frame get rusty?

[@podrugiejstronie7006]

Do you know when it will finally be possible to buy a new Brompton again? I wish you health and love :)

[@steveavery4453]

Enjoy your videos. Could you do a video on how to check for chain wear and to replace your chain. Thanks from USA.

[@vigorousera]

Not to dissuade Brilliant Bikes from doing their own, but Park Tool has a good video on identifying when to replace a chain by using one of their tools. I never realized it was so simple; you basically lay this metal thing onto your chain and if it fits, your chain's too worn.

[@brilliantbikes]

Great suggestion! We actually did it on cleaning video no 2 - which never got finished! @vigorous era is right - Park Tool do have a good video The only thing is - we haven't found a good tool for single speed chains - they allow for a "stretch" up to 1.25 before needing changing - most of the tools only go to 1

[@brilliantbikes]

Agreed - their video is good :-)

[@tcpleung]

Really enjoy your videos! Do you use 50T or the 44T chain ring?

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks for your kind comment - and watching The black / lacquer bike has a 50T chainring right now (sometimes it changes)

[@deepindercheema7420]

It is filthy weather getting your Brompton filthy; time again. Chain stretch is caused by grit wearing out the moving joints in said chain rather than leg power taking the chain into plastic deformation. Yes a company selling a lubricant said this was the case.

[@sgtrod]

My favorite Brompton channel ❤️

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank You!!!!!!!

[@mcq2525]

Thanks for sharing. How much time did that whole process take? Do you reckon removing the chainset and giving it a bath may have been quicker and cleaner?

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks for watching We actually did a more thorough clean than we normally would - and it took longer because of filming it Taking the chains off would though allow it to be cleaner - so it's a balance The main point we were trying to make is - for long life, and a smoother ride, keep it clean. In the shop we get some REALLY dirty Bromptons - where people are surprised that they don't run well (the chain slips / gears dont change properly)

[@np7137]

I first rinse my chain and then spray with a car soap/degreaser and let it soak for 5mins and then I rinse it and again spray with the degreaser and scrub it and once you rinse it looks like new I'm guessing if a car degreaser doesn't damage a car paint it wonk damage the chain and if you buy the 1 galleon soap and dilute it into a sprayer with water it last a long time and cheaper.

[@pauli1968]

Hi, I’ve just given my new brompton c line a lovely clean , oil and lube. The rear pedal will not sit flush with the rear wheel now when I fold it. It’s like the rear hub is sticking making the chain tensioner come forward when moving the pedal towards the rear tyre. Then it springs back. Any ideas? Thank you in advance.

[@nicholassayer3815]

I have just resurrected my pre 2017 Brompton and to my dismay my Hubs have corroded a little What do you recommend to cleans these up and get rid of the corrosion marks

[@flogga123]

How often would you recommend cleaning the Brompton? Here in Wales it feels as though it's rainy and muddy 24/7, so it would be quite a pain to clean it very frequently.

[@spelledare]

I would love to see a reelight nova on the rack pf a brompton ("battery free"/frictionfree dynamo light )

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much for watching and for the idea - we will see what we can do.

[@andreaponza7315]

Thanks for this useful cleaning video. Did the Reelight NOVA video happen by any chance?

[@stolenorange]

I love the Brompton tree. Any difference in cleaning the electric version?

[@brilliantbikes]

Many thanks for watching and the question, it really is the same, I’d just be careful around the front carrier block not get water in and the front wheel, not to spray water at the motor.

[@keithdainton6043]

Cleaning is the most important thing you can do to your bike for over 50 odd years I have kept all the motorcycles and push bikes I have owned looking like new.

[@hafaelllpunk]

wd for chain cleaning

[@matnyc3236]

Hi from Brooklyn, NY. Love your videos. I find them very informative and entertaining. Can I ask what model Brompton that is that you are washing in this video? Thanks.

[@brilliantbikes]

Many thanks! And thank you for watching. The black lacquer is a 6 speed (now Explore), M type (now mid-rise), it is a Black Edition.

[@lsamoa]

Whereabouts in North Yorkshire is Brooklyn? Never heard of it 😉

[@lsamoa]

Ah right, it's right next to Threshfield!

[@iant5222]

thanks for the video ..its a mucky job that I hated and have gone for waxing the chain as it's so much cleaner and works well for me.. ps. how are those Continental tyres I saw fitted holding up over time?

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks for watching and the kind comment How do you find the waxing ? What wax do you use? (We plan to try a KMC rust resistant - I wonder if that's really possible - soon!) The Continental tyres are holding up really well - so far they've done over 1200 KM's / 745 miles with no flats (and that includes riding around London and hearing the crunch of broken glass several times - concentrating on traffic rather than looking at the road!)

[@iant5222]

@@brilliantbikes white lightening but am seriously thinking of using the hot waxing of chains seen on "oz cycling" site on you tube

[@happyface8674]

from singapore here. can you tell me please why does my brompton feel heavy after 10km of cycling? i have checked tyres and chain. all are ok. i am 75kg. first few km, feel awesome, then at around 10km, i feel like its i have to put more effort to cycle

[@JimmyNeedsCoffee]

What should I need to take extra care or avoid when cleaning the electric brompton? thanks!

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks for the question. I would take extra car not to get the motor really wet, maybe use a damp cloth rather than a hose. It also avoid getting the bottom bracket wet.

[@michaelhb5258]

Could you tell us how you then clean the microfibre cloths!?

[@brilliantbikes]

Pop them in the washing machine. But they only get reused if they are then clean. Else they get used on the chain etc

[@palexandersquires]

One can use muc off cleaner pink stuff I use it on my bike

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks, we totally agree, that’s what we used on the frame 😀. Thank you for watching!

[@gdwlaw5549]

White spirit works wonders on my chain

[@SimonGreenway]

At around 5:14 you talk about "expensive paste". I then went off looking for this illusive expensive bike cleaning paste and found out it's not really a thing. I'm guessing you mean, the build up of such paste is expensive to an individual as it wears their drive train?

[@brilliantbikes]

That’s exactly correct! It’s expensive as it builds up and grinds your drive chain away!

[@deannalilley3292]

Where could I find the chain cleaner tool you are using in the video?

[@keithdainton6043]

Ebay or Amazon

[@freedomformen2548]

Hello , i clean my chain with car fuel. You can allso use diesel and works great 👍 but diesel smels bad ofcourse..

[@chrismacdonald.6295]

I’ve had my Brompton for 2 years now. I’m not a heavy user, I use it for shopping which is 1.6 miles both ways! I’m looking for a stand that I can use for simple maintenance, eg, oiling my chain, it needs doing, and can spin the wheels whilst doing so. I don’t want one of those vertical standing mounts, just a floor mount that can do what I require of it. Is there such a purchase I can make?

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you for watching! If you are looking for a work stand we really like the Park Tools stand brilliantbikes.co.uk/workstands/39-park-tool-usa-home-mechanic-repair-stand.html We use this at home

[@mikexhejghdlfbrjshfjfvs3624]

Another great video, as always. Stupid question time: Do you recommend doing this after every wet ride or after a period of wet riding or after a season, for example?

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks for your kind comment - and for watching once again After a wet ride - we like to wipe the chain down - to remove any excess water (to help stop it go rusty if left over night) We tend to oil the chain similarly - based on when it starts to sound noisy - but definitely less is better than more A full clean often comes down to it just getting too dirty / having some spare time!

[@lsamoa]

@@brilliantbikes Sounds good :)