Hacking My Brompton into a Bikepacking Beast (12 Speed Upgrade)

/ paulmessner
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[@DavidHarris2022]

Great bike Paul, Susanna Thornton's channel is a brilliant watch for Brompton bikepacking. Looking forward to your upcoming bikepacking adventures. 👍

[@karenfry421]

I'll second that!

[@dansmithwave]

She's fantastic.

[@Airship17]

@@DavidHarris2022 she has some bespoke racks allowing her to use a standard Ortlieb pannier on the Brompton

[@DaveyL1954]

A small tip Paul. Get some sturdy cycling gloves. They've got padded palms and are fingerless. If you come off your hands will be the first point of contact with the road surface. Saves you getting scuffed hands.

[@ViscountCharles]

100% this. I've come off a couple of times (one nasty one - ICU for ten days) and looked down at my cycling mitt to see that the palm of the glove has *completely* gone. But each time my *hand* was fine, thanks to the glove. That and eye protection; I've had insects and one stone hit my sunglasses - they would have been unpleasant without specs on. Both of those bits of kit have done more to protect me than a helmet ever has.

[@pootlingalong8928]

Best way to avoid scuffed hands - don’t fall off! I’ve been riding bikes for over 60 years, haven’t fallen off since 1968 😁

[@chrisbardell]

@@ViscountCharlesSecond the eye protection. Keeps the wind and bugs out of the eyes, plus I got smacked hard in the left lens by a *bat* one evening recently. No harm, to me at least. Cheap £5 Decathlon jobbies, survived the Batman encounter no prob.

[@chrissmith6650]

@@DaveyL1954 I'd say go full finger protection. Protect those finger tips too 🙂👍

[@phillblake6829]

Shouldn’t be coming off 😂

[@iainamurray]

The YT channel Path Less Pedalled did some serious Brompton touring a few years ago. Well worth a watch for hints and tips on packing!

[@wasdalemanexploringoutdoor5137]

Me and my wife took a train into Sheffield today and did Route 6 from the station to Hope, it’s an unbelievable diverse route with a bit of everything. We stopped at the Botanical Garden and then Endcliffe Park making our way up to Ringinglow for a fantastic view back looking over Sheffield. Followed by a up and down decent to Ladybower and finally into Hope, 28k and 661 metres of accent and 548 metres of decent. That would be a great test for your new bike, the terrains pretty good, although you may have to walk a bit of the long hills.

[@ayclarke1880]

I love the simplicity of this. I put a Rohloff hub in my Brompton but that was a major project and rather expensive (rear triangle and hub). This seems like a simpler and less expensive option. Brompton's are great bikepacking bikes, in my opinion.

[@AdventuresandRiver]

Welcome to the Brompton clan. They are awesome bikes for bike packing. Super capable and luggage machines. Look forward to seeing your Brompton adventures

[@GeekfromYorkshire]

Over the years I found you could handle a max 22T difference in chainring size. A 28/50 worked, a 30/54 failed as too much chain for the tensioner to handle. You can easily do a lot wider than you have. However, the wider the difference in chainring sizes the more often you're changing chains between rings and then you're in in derailleur justification territory. So you have got the best advice on a 39/50 for a manual-shift setup. When you're loaded with camping kit - keep the front loaded til bag full with heaviest and use rear rack for lighter stuff - you're likely going to keep on a smalller chainring most of the time in any kind of hills due to the equipment weight. Get the biggest front bag you can for bike-packing, was a T-bag not sure now. T-bag = 40L, a rackpack = 16L so gets you tent+airbed+bag+food+water+clothes. Early days, a typical healthy adult increases their biking strength around 20% in a few weeks, don't take the easy option, try to use higher gears, and let exercise+food+sleep change your strength.

[@s.richards6552]

I made this modification some years ago, but my knees are a lot older than yours, so went with a 28/38 chainring. It is actually a touring triple with a guard in place of the biggest ring. Keeps the trousers clean and works wonderfully in my Welsh hills. I carry all sorts of stuff in my Tbag and on the rack - heavy shopping, bags of compost: it's amazing what you can do on a Brompton.

[@deanoboland]

Bike packing here we go, great video Paul

[@johnlladron735]

Interesting video, thanks very much. Those Brompton bikes are great. To optimise pedalling, use the ball of your foot, not halfway.

[@carolinetomkinson760]

These Brompton bikes look such fun and very neat. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@TiberiusWallace]

They're very, very, VERY addictive. Selling point for me was how small they go which is handy for work but I can go out on it and if I get knackered I can come back on the bus with it.

[@dansmithwave]

​@TiberiusWallace I'm working in London at the moment, while camping within short train ride (Elstree). Got my Brompton with me. So simple. And there are hundreds of the things in London now. Feels like every other bike is a Brompton. 😎

[@bytesabre]

I put a 38t straight on the stock Brompton spider. The chain does contact the spider so 39t probably a better choice, but it can be done. I don’t care much for going fast. One trick you can do is if you leave the rack flat on the ground and have the front unfolded, you can rest the bike on the back of the saddle with the bars sticking into the air, and you can service the drivetrain without scuffing up the shifters

[@dansmithwave]

I use the seat post, either by clamping a pipe to something solid and standing the bike in it by the seatpost, or using a broomstick or similar to go up inside the seatpost. That way, you keep the bike upright and everything is free to move. There are ready made stands on the market for doing it that way (possibly even Brompton branded) but they cost daft money. It's fairly easy to cobble something together along those lines anyway.

[@stevelindley2041]

I rode my 6 speed Brompton across Bulgaria, mostly on farm tracks. Of course there are more rideable bikes to do this on. My Koga World Traveller for a start. But the advantage of a Brompton as that it is simple to pack down to get on ferries, trains, aeroplanes. It sat in the back of peoples cars several times in Bulgaria. You cannot do that with a DF bike. Bromptyons have been ridden in most of the ultra distance races, including the Transcontinental Race. Many are being used to get round the world on. The City Bike image is a thing of the past. It is now recognised as an all purpose bike. With regards to cycling gloves. I now use weight lifting gloces from Decathlon. They are perfect for the job. Thanks for this Paul. I changed to a 44T chainring (I think). But will give this a go. I think the stock chainring is far too big out of the factory.

[@karenfry421]

Great you've joined the Brompton gang! Looking forward to seeing what bikepacking kit you choose.

[@JS_1183]

BIKE CAMPING COMBINATION,, I LOVE THAT👍👌

[@chrissmith6650]

Honestly, it's the best 🙂. You have it all.

[@andyml1]

Great decision Paul, you’ll have so much fun! 😃

[@adamroots3429]

Definitely get those Ergon Gp2 grips ,game changer for wrist comfort..

[@kevinmcguire6774]

I might see you about Paul, while I’m on my Brompton!

[@TheYohtube]

Ignore any nay sayers Paul the Brompton is indeed suitable for bike packing. A good arrangement is a large handle bar bag with carry handle and a normal rucksack on the rear carrier supported by the saddle. You can then walk with the Ruck sack on your back, bike in one hand and handle bar bag in the other and board a train or plane or whatever and go round the world!

[@sueandmarkmanchester]

Well paul all I can say is fantastic and hat's of to you you might be 50 but u defo can still ride a bike good on u.loving the daily videos so glad u do them.hope Jo's ankles better today.x

[@leonwebster4296]

Paul, I have used my Brompton for touring. But I just replaced the chainring with a 39tooth chainring. I learned to spin and haven't missed having a larger chainring. I can go as fast as I wish with just the small chainring, which is much simpler.

[@bromptinowner763]

You're gonna love it Paul !! Enjoy

[@bazzaroberts8748]

I converted my A line to a p line with Ti fork and rear triangle. Then converted it to 8spd with double crank and front derailleur with 50-39 chainring. Ali express do a clap for derailleur and use a fork lever to shift. Work well. However you need to get a bottom bracket with wider shaft so when you drop to smaller ring it has enough room.

[@thewestonfront]

Bikepacking on a Brompton! I really look forward to that, it should open up some interesting opportunities and make rail journey's so much less hassle than with a regular bike

[@erickv993]

Great little bike for backpacking, I have been using mine for more than 15 years for that. Just need the big back in the front, I bought one from Netherlands, don’t remember the brand. Another bag in the rack and a saddle bag. Maybe a small backpack for food and light stuff and you are good to go

[@taber247]

Radical designs?

[@NottinghamshireMadness]

Brilliant stuff, keep it evolving!

[@SingaporeUntold]

Very cool addition. There’s another way to do it and it’s by adding more cogs and going aftermarket on the derailleur. But this is nice to retain the original parts and very simple modification.

[@mengopidirumah]

this channel will be subscribed to all brompton owner soon.

[@antcullimore3550]

Hi Paul. It's a bit hilly down here is Tasmania - so I had fitted a Schlumpf mountain drive instead of the usual chainrings. Bloody marvellous ! I have done some camp trips on it using the idea of hanging a backpack off the seat and anchoring it to the rack.

[@tubecated_development]

I didn’t have the Brompton earmarked as a ‘bikepacking beast’ but the notion is entertaining and fun. Will be following this project with delight.

[@branagan1985]

Great stuff, I hope your going to head down with to have a trip out with Sandy and go on a Brompton bike packing adventure, that would be awesome!

[@Paddy3443]

Great video. I've enjoyed tinkering with my A line Brompton so far. I've ridden it in London and at home in Wales, the stock gearing is definitely for the city but just a little change can make a huge difference. I changed the rear sprocket on mine to reduce it a bit. Would definitely recommend Susanna Thornton for some Brompton touring inspo.

[@MrDistill]

Definitely looking forward to seeing your bike adventures.

[@richH1625]

What a great project! I'm mega impressed by ¹how easily you replaced the chainring & ²how well the little jockey\tensioner copes with the extra chain & ³everything lined up and doesn't make nasty grinding noises ! The last couple i saw touring had large front bags(i think the weight limit on the bracket is 10kg?) & large conventional Carradice saddle bags. Their reasoning was - having the rear rack unencumbered kept it ¹useful as a stand & ²easy to fold for train journey\saving space at cafe stops etc ³it was available for packing with shopping for the evening meal(plastic bag & mesh bungy).

[@johnbellis1179]

You’ll be flying up those hills with those granny gears 😂👍

[@BradleyHoward]

For a workstation, every so often lidl or aldi sell them and they're great. Other extras worth considering: spare inner tubes, multi tool with hex bits, and a track stand to inflate at home.

[@pamelaklemp5615]

Nice bike and mods. I no longer bicycle but we have Vespa Scooters now. Concept is the same, pack and go exploring. Enjoy your new ride -- adventures await! 🎉

[@Dutcharmytent]

Susanna Thornton has some amazing videos on back packing on a mountain bike, she now travels on a Brompton. She traveled from China to the uk on a bike just to start a new job, she was late.

[@eamon1648]

Id definately get some lights on the bike so youre more visible, never hurts

[@nbartlett6538]

Not just a good idea but compulsory under UK law.

[@rainbowhiker]

Smart. I did the same to a three as well.

[@DubberDabbles]

Always fancied a Brompton but purchased a Eovolt folding electric folding bike instead. Love it.

[@sixwestpoint]

Hiya Mate, am loving the new regular content, really compelling viewing very enjoyable hope you are having as much fun creating it.

[@jamesdonoghue9358]

I almost bought a second hand one of those about two years ago.. I went and bought one today after watching your videos. (ALL YOUR FAULT PAUL MESSNER) I will give you a friendly tip. Don't look right over your shoulder whilst still peddling like i did. I nearly lost control of the front end. I find it's safer to stop peddling if i want to turn my head a full 180° if i want to see what's behind me.. I am not enjoying the saddle though, it's painful. If you hear which saddle is best for a Brompton then please please please do let US (me) know. Best of luck with your Brompton

[@ageofunreason33]

Great stuff Paul. Bromptons are great bikes, and excellent for bike packing. Enjoy! 😊

[@ViscountCharles]

I barely ever got into my 52-tooth chain ring on my old road bike! The current bike I've used for bikepacking has a 48/32 front chain ring, and I spend almost all my time in the 32 :)

[@johnhampton6360]

I have done similar, but put smaller chain ring on the outer, the opposite of usual set up. Changing gear then much easier.

[@TheMangeGrain]

Broomptons are great folding bikes ; perfect IMO with their 16" wheels to hop between the train, the tram or the road. But I never seriously considered buying one because of too much specific parts that are not available from your local bike/sport store. Nice 12-speed hack though, even if you need to stop, and use your clean and shiny shoe on the dirty and oily chain to change gear.

[@73megalith]

Dont know much about Bromptons but if many hill climbs are involved with bikepacking overnighters then a good "bike fit" will help make them climbs more comfortable. Fit a Swytch Kit for hero gearing! 😉👌

[@neovo903]

I recently got a Riverside Touring 920 for bikepacking the South Downs Way. I have an 11 speed SRAM gears, 32T on the crankset and a 11-42T on the rear. It's got the gears for climbs and kinda speed but it's my cardio that's the limit.

[@mechellemulligan]

I never noticed what kind of valves you have, and this is a love / hate thing, but i alwaysbput slime in my tyres, so that any punctures 3mm or less will self seal. Saved me a good few times i see when i go tonchange a tyre! Some of the tracks i cycle are mainly gravel but also thorns that seem to cause the puncrures.. if its shrader valves its easy to get the core out. If its presta valves, there's only certain ones you can remove the core from and inject the slime into, but its easy enough to do, or you can also buy the pre filled ones. Saves alot of roadside hassle 😊

[@INSOLESandLACES]

Brilliant you got one❤. Enjoy the adventures.

[@adrianlw2750]

With the bike upside down (to work on it), I find it works better to put the saddle right down so the back end of the bike is supported by the rack-wheels (or mudguard wheel if no rack) rather than the saddle. More stable.

[@bikecommuter24]

the left pedal is reverse thread so it won't loosen up when you pedal, I never had one come off yet.

[@thegeordiefellwalker8878]

good to see you getting to know your Brompton paul 🚴👍 you might have ro go even lower again on the gearing 🤔 i deleted my 1st comment as some sad troll had to have his little attention fix. atb

[@bijou2]

Now you need to buy some lights 💡🔦

[@ruirosado6289]

Every single hobby seems to lead us into a rabbit hole. 😅

[@rizalsapi007]

We can backpack together! I often go to Peak District not far from your side.

[@maheshv1395]

I converted my C line to 12 speed (4 cogs x 3 speed sturmey archer) using minimod kit. So its been all good since then

[@Airship17]

The square taper crank bolts need to be a bit tighter than that, otherwise they can loosen and rhe fretting can trash the crankset.. Recommend you get a 3/8 drive torque wrench and use rhe right torque. You can also then calibrate the approx level of grunt for if you have to do it without when away somewhere. A longer key is preferable.

[@JS_1183]

WOW I LOVE THIS CONTENT... THAMKS FOR SHARING THIS VIDEO

[@darenfox4882]

Great video love the Brompton Paul

[@ericstoever9577]

Hmmmm…. Looking forward to Brampton bike packing adventures… I may be following in your footsteps errr… pedalsteps?

[@mickhorsley3169]

Watching that thinking "Don't nip the chain, don't nip the chain!"

[@alexmorgan3435]

Great video, nice relaxed pace. Good upgrade. Way to go. In future you might even consider an even smaller front chain ring say 34T and fitting say a larger 44T bigger outer chain ring. I still found the gearing with a 50T front ring far too high. . I fitted SPD pedals to mine so I can use cleats. Makes pedalling so much more efficient when you are clipped in. Enjoy riding your new Brompton. Sub'd.

[@chrisedwards3198]

Another fun addictive hobby. Great for expensive upgrades and endless purchses. Ull soon want a gravel bike then bikepack the king alfreds way. Its coming just wait.

[@andrewjohnalbrighton6140]

Interesting video, Paul. You just need the rainbow tassles to fit into the handle bar grips , lol .

[@richardsracingmad]

Ahhh nice! Even though “ I only” have a Dahon, you will have a lot of adventures on that. I doo doo like those Sturmey Archer gear changes, silky smooth, compared to derailleur ( mine is 18 speed derailleur, but I tried a 6 speed sturmey, and it felt great, ) but maybe not so good range for hilly stuff

[@pootlingalong8928]

Why did you have to remove the cranks and bottom bracket? Is there some reason why you can’t just bolt the new double chainring on to the spider?

[@Flowerpotmen]

What I like about my Brompton is if I get a puncture I just push it to the nearest bus stop or train station fold it up and go home

[@wretchedworm]

nice, did u have to change the chain length? Or was it just simply changing chainring?

[@jamesdavison9483]

Bike packing great move more please

[@julieannwhitehouse8148]

Paul loved the conversion, but what chainring sizes did you go for ? and what is the lowest gear as in gear inches, does the ring change on the bike with a shifter or do you have to flip it off with your foot or maybe stop to change it. would be interested as I am keed to convert mine thank you, keep cycling 😀

[@fugdefano]

i did the cinder track Whitby to Scarborough and back on my Brompton. i were told i would need a mountain bike and suspension. well the Brommie did it just fine. ps Welcome to the fold.

[@frida12349]

Lycra surely..?? MAMIL here we come..😆😆

[@markmartin6738]

Great vid. Quick question , what camera mount have you used on the bike ? Cheers

[@peterrobertson8141]

Watching the comments with interest on this one Paul…😊

[@digitalexpressions]

Aghhhhhh….. Shin smasher pedals. I can feel the pain through my I pad.😊

[@mrjiggs3761]

Ah yes i recognise that area! I used to live on Industry Street

[@Python1960]

Gloves! Gloves! 😮

[@fugdefano]

even in summer

[@gdlerner]

I just did also a convertion but with the H&H BCD130 50/33T where did you get your chainring do you have a link or wich one is this? thank you

[@sleepingoutdoors]

Thanks

[@phungmoe2302]

Wow.... is either I'm too weak or you are too strong, can just easily turn everything and it becomes loose. HAHAHA

[@glyn_mtn]

Ikea ‘Kallax’ storage units (without the central dividers fitted) are brilliant for storing/displaying your Brompton. I must say, I have no connection with Ikea btw 😊 . Glyn.

[@RedGoneRiding]

Looks like a great setup,Paul. Just wondering what mount you use for your camera when you ride.

[@taber247]

We're the BCD's (Bolt Centre Diameters ) different for the original single chainring to the double? I feel sure my Stronglight 39 + longer spider bolts and spacers fit the original spider crank arm? Feel certain my (not fitted) set up does. Thanks for sharing. A mate has alerted me to your acquisition video, so I shall hunt that out to watch. Looking forward to following your future adventures on the bike.

[@glyn_mtn]

An essential accessory is an Ikea ‘Dimpa’ bag which fits the Brompton perfectly, great for in the car following a wet, muddy ride. Sadly no longer available from Ikea but can be bought from Amazon or eBay. Glyn.

[@alexmorgan3435]

Really? Bummer. Why did IKEA stop doing them? When I bought mine from IKEA x6 sellers on Ebay/Amazon were advertising them at silly money just for one!!!

[@glyn_mtn]

@@alexmorgan3435 Actually, just checked on the Ikea website and it looks like they're stocking them again (£3)! 🙂

[@neilcorbett5057]

I bought a couple of Dimpa bags in IKEA in Reading only a month ago

[@alexmorgan3435]

@@neilcorbett5057 Good to know. Maybe this person who says they are NLA at Ikea is wrong.

[@pfote65]

You know what these are also brilliant for? Bikerafting. These ones fit folded one a pack raft nicely. Tent and the other gear go into the raft, bike on top, and off you go.

[@feldgraufox4927]

Loving this idea!!!

[@AHINOS21]

What's the crankset?

[@curtchaffee]

Brave man.

[@LeoL77]

hi sir which insta360 mount are you using?

[@samhill3496]

All good, some reflectors

[@garykeat1362]

Get some Ergon GP2 or 3 grips, it changes the ride 100% better.

[@rescyn1190]

Remember the Vietnam biking episode of Top Gear when Hammond and May pissed themselves at Jeremy bringing a scooter and how miserable he'd be on that geometry... you can bikepack on a Brompton, the question is why would you when we know what works? Also, this happens to coincide with Seth doing a vid on his Brompton (Berm Peak).

[@K1989L]

I would just replace the chainring to a 39t. Save some cash cause you're not going to use that 50t anymore. It is ridiculously high geared stock. The 39t will give a range of 25” to 75” which I think is just perfect.

[@JSINGLETON]

Whilst its all clean, have a look into waxing your chain. Not for the increase in drivetrain efficiency, just do you dont have to piss about cleaning and lubing the chain. Youll not get dirty hands when swapping between chainrings either

[@HitmanOwls]

Love to see you get up Dykes lane on it🤣

[@Andy_ATB]

Since watching your video the other night, I've got the itch for a Brompton; and have been watching too many videos on You Tube of people touring with them......

[@christofliebers3816]

What about an E-Type Front Derailleur?

[@heywhotsgoinon8286]

Youll probably only use the small chainring tbf. Thats what i found anyway. Speed is not a neccesity.

[@Gryphon_Hawke]

Great looking bike. I will never be able to afford one though.

[@dunkwilsable]

Yaaaay at last