How to Convert an Internal (Hub) Gear Brompton to External Gear

[@mitxael]

The silver small wheel of the derrailleur seems to be a narrow-wide teeth configuration so that each teeth matches only one space of the chain. This is useful to avoid the chain to go out of the wheel, specially if there are no guiding on the sides, as in a regular derrailleur

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

You are right. Sorry, I made a mistake that I didn't notice it was a narrow-wide jockey wheel(guide pulley). Now I've put it back to the bike🙏🏼.

[@louiscastero6566]

The most cool external gear conversion for Brompton I have seen, love it~ Thanks for sharing bro~

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

Thanks for your kind words, but I made some mistakes in the video but in the end it turned out fine!

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

****What parts do you need? You need an external gear wheelset with 74 front and 112 rear hub clearances. A cassette sprocket from 4-7 speeds. Also, you need a new chain from 9-speed to 11-speed depending on the spacing of the custom sprockets. Like this one, it's a 7-speed cassette but it's using 11-speed spacing, so I need an 11-speed chain. Unlike this normal 7-speed cassette, which is wider. they're different. Hub body spacers, if you're using 4-6 speed you might need more of these or a thicker one. But they're easy to find from most bike shops. Some third-party custom shifting components, such as, a shifter, a derailleur and a chain tensioner. Shift cable and cable housing might also be needed for the right lengths. At least 2 inner tubes with presta valves. Brake Levers may be needed, as the stock levers may get in the way of the third-party shifter. Brake cables, in case you cannot insert the frayed old cables. ****Tools As for the tools, you need hex wrenches (allen keys) from 2-5mm. A cable cutter. Quick-link pliers. Better have a chain hook. A chain tool. Tire levers. 15mm spanner (wrench). Cassette sprocket remover. You can do it with or without a bike stand. For this time, I have decided not to use the stand.

[@mauricesvay]

Great tutorial, thanks for making it

[@Rudyjosephjr]

Kept my Internal Gear, removed 2 external and changed to 4 external. 12sp. its awesome.

[@BloodyShambles1997]

Nice work. I will be attempting this in the coming months. The brake levers needed to be change because on the original Brompton the gear levers are fitted onto the original brake levers? How much did it cost for the conversion if you don't mind my asking? The SA BWR has gotten very noisy and I've tried my best to fix it but still brings noise especially in freewheeling. The gear system is the Brompton's worst part imo.

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

The original internal gear brake levers won't fit for the conversion, as there's not enough room for the new shifters. The transmission and stuff cost around 350 USD. Excluding the wheels.

[@KevBautista]

Do you have a link for all the items you used in this video?

[@vincentnnyc]

Any know the pro and con of an internal sturmey archer hub vs an external derailleur?

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

Internal Sturmey: can change gears when bike is not moving. Difficult to maintain if problems arise. And gawd it's heavy! by 1 kg or so. External gear: just like a road bike, easy to clean and find parts. No need to stop pedaling when changing gears.

[@keaixiaomeinv]

Having managed to completely destroy my Sturmey Archer SRF3 hub on my Brompton clone, this video was a godsend. It's going to be expensive to do this conversion, but the performance and reliability improvements will make it worth it. I hope.

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

I'm not looking back to the previous setting of internal gear. It runs great. However, get brake levers without springs or with little resistance inside, as the brompton brake calipers' springs are strong.

[@keaixiaomeinv]

@@superteamwheelsofficial Thanks man, that's super helpful!

[@keaixiaomeinv]

​@@superteamwheelsofficial I ended up buying all the stuff I needed and successfully managed to make the conversion without messing it up too much. Wouldn't have been able to do it without this video tutorial, so thanks again for posting it!

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

As an owner of a now much former than 2019 SuperlightM6LXBrompton (now around 8,5 kilo and still with mudguards!) I have tried several versions of a new, metal tensioner, witch didn't fit or function (Search and you will find!), even one with two - bolt/axle holes to be selected, none of which fit anything on my bike! Till I found a similar size golden tensioner, to my original! And "metal guide wheels" are a nuisance, as they make noises, rubbing against the chain, so I still use the original, plastic wheels! But I have changed most loose parts to new from titanium, even the axle in front and look for a similar painted stem post, from titanium, to make it look original still. No reason to advertise "Expensive Parts", though also a standard Brompton is very/absurdly expensive. Finn. Denmark

[@rafaelroth4505]

The shifter looks like P/T line design. Didnt even know it is compatible with C line triangles. It looks really great, are the parts made of aluminium or titanium?

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

The Union Jack derailleur is for C Line. The SuperTeam hubs are made with Aluminum alloy.

[@cgpg6370]

Nicely done. Are you in Hong Kong?

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

Sorry for some minor mistakes in the video but I corrected them in the end. Yes I was born here in Hong Kong and I run a small bike channel youtube.com/@bikeguyhk?si=W-CBCj7Qdd6L5IeD

[@KavanOBrien]

Do you sell the kits ? What is the price?

[@bikeguyhk]

No we don't. Since there are many brands to choose from, users have to purchase by themselves. Heard good things about DCCH parts for Brompton.

[@jessebarrios6953]

how many gear does it have now after conversion ? and how much will it cost me? & where is your shop?

[@mikeb.3917]

How come you don't recommend Union Jack after installation?

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

The mounting screw was so difficult to fit into the hole in the first place (blocked by the derailleur cage) And the guide pulley is not aligned with the cassette. And these problems are found by many users, not only me.

[@mikeb.3917]

@@superteamwheelsofficial What kind of cassette did you use? Do your wheels allow regular 11 speed cassette, or does it have to be hex cassette?

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

@@mikeb.3917 it's a custom combination cassette sold online in Shimano HG standard. It's a 7 speed in 11 speed spacing. I need ONE spacer to secure it on that hub body.

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

@@mikeb.3917can't fit 11. 7 max

[@tameric3397]

好詳細，加油師兄🎉

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

多謝你，會的。

[@niksh8074]

Why did you installed the shifter on the right side. It meant to be on the right side.

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

on the left side was impossible to use. Tried it. Hated it. But only for this model only. After all, personal preference.

[@LuisDiaz-xp1no]

Hola ¿Cuantos dientes tiene el piñon mas grande 28 o 30?

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

I'm running a 11-28 cassette, paired with Union Jack Derailleur (which I don't recommend). Try DCCP derailleurs. I heard good words about them. Even with 28-tooth cassette, I can climb really well, thanks to the SuperTeam wheelsets for Brompton.

[@romankuchak]

Is it possible to install shifter on left side, so it is a lower risk of damaging it to the ground when folding? Also may be more reachable for left thumb

[@niksh8074]

It was designed to be installed on the right side similar to P/T line. I have upgraded my P Line similar to this setup (Union Jack setup) it works flawlessly.

[@ratrix8710]

Enlace de la transmision porfavor??

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

You can search DCCH derailleurs on Aliexpress or else. They're much better than the ones used in the video.

[@professoraltenor8500]

Legal essa bicicleta! Aqui no Brasil não vi igual

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

Brompton from England is the most popular folding bike in the world😄

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

Yes it's an interesting bike.

[@rafaelroth4505]

Discount code doesn’t work 😢

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

code is "bikeguy" in lower case letters. If it still fails, let us know.

[@ericbouv4070]

By far to difficult for me. But it certainly looks good, and on les kilogram on a 4 floors stairway..

[@TanHawan]

hi old gear for me please 🥰

[@makuuhne]

300g saved and durability lost. 3speed IGHs are quite bomb proof and in their drivetrain there are only minimal losses. If you are careful with deraileur and wash bike very often external conversion may pay the price. For utility bike I see no point.

[@superteamwheelsofficial]

Both systems tested for long enough now. Both have their pros and cons. But you're right, the internal hubs with the axle nuts are secure as hell. However, I'm still enjoying the conversion and won't look back. I will recommend stock settings for beginners, though, for less maintenance.

[@himatrix]

Shimano nexus 3, at least, is VERY HARD to pedal! This is a very nice upgrade to a PROPER bike gears!