Our Brompton Chain Mis-hap - Tips for replacing the chain

#Brompton #FoldingBike #BromptonChain
Our Brompton chain has been over 100% worn for a while now. In this video, we explain the things to be wary of and how to know when it needs changing and the tools required to do the job. We had an incident with the video while changing the chain hence the mishap! 😅
Diabetes UK Wide Cycle Ride
As mentioned in the video, we are doing a sponsored 500 mile bike ride during April 2021. All money raised from this KZbin channel during April is being donated to Diabetes UK but if you want to sponsor us click the link here; cycle.diabetes...
Any support is greatly appreciated for this brilliant charity!
Brilliant Bikes
This video is not sponsored, but both the chain and sprocket were brought from Brilliant Bikes in the UK. If you are looking for Brompton parts and spares, this is a great place to start and they also have awesome tutorial videos on KZbin as well. The link to their KZbin channel is here / @brilliantbikes

[@amandaleigh3852]

Useful insights and tips 👍 - Brilliant Bikes are indeed BRILLIANT! Good luck with the 500 miles 😁

[@CycleEveryday]

Thanks Amanda. Think I will need it! Especially if these gale force winds keep up! 😂 🚲💨

[@CycleEveryday]

Thanks for sponsoring us Amanda! really appreciate it 😀👍

[@geoffbrompton822]

Hej. Another good Video. I change the chain at .75%,Then run the next chain up to 1%. Then replace the 1st chain till it's at 1%.Then you get 2chains out of one sprocket. My chains are lasting about 1200miles thru the winter.

[@CycleEveryday]

That’s an interesting thought! Thanks for sharing. I might do that next time 👍

[@duncanhamilton5841]

I had the speedlink snap on my old S2L... when I was stood up... landed back on the saddle plums first. Took a day to get over that. Never been a problem on my S6L, presumably because I'm not mashing a massive gear away from lights all the time. However, I do change chains annually now.

[@CycleEveryday]

That sounds painful Duncan 😩 Will bear that in mind when starting off in the future! Going to keep an eye on this one and see how long it lasts to get an average. The one I took off was on there already so can’t be 100% sure how much it had been used before I had it.

[@tito2928]

Great video thank you, I will be looking for that tool

[@CycleEveryday]

Quite cheap and worth getting if you want to keep an eye on the chain wear! 👍

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

I have found a special holder for the front, securing my chain from a bracket on the frame tube, making sure it won't leave the cam during any operations. And You may find some sprockets from titanium and in several sizes (Mine is a 6 speed), so that I'm able to do some experiments for different conditions. I may ride in a very hilly area, and I have been forced to walk up, as even my lowest gears wasn't enough.

[@CycleEveryday]

Hi Finn. That’s useful to know. I know that a few people change the gearing ratios which is useful for like you said different riding conditions. Not planning on changing mine as happy with the current setup but thanks for sharing! 👍

[@Eckus]

yoiu use the chain tool the wrong way, the left side has to go in the chain first and then you messure with the right side... the more the spike goes in the more it is used and when full in the chain you HAVE to change

[@CycleEveryday]

Yeah I know. Trying to do it while holding a camera is a bit difficult. I do use it the right way normally 👍

[@davidpowell5437]

I like that powerlink tool - I haven't seen that before - looks a bit easier than normal pliers! I think identifying the right replacement parts can look harder than it really is. When you think about it for recent standard Bromptons there are only four speed options, 3 chain ring sizes four standard chain lengths and two types of sprocket (determined by the shape of the hole in the middle)... If you look at Brilliant bikes web site and click on a picture the next page does a good job of explaining which options that part suits and if you're still not sure you can email them. If they are out of stock you can get a similar level of service from SJS Cycles, although it can be tricky to find the Brompton parts on their much larger site. But if you are watching from outside the UK you will have to buy from your local dealer as Brompton forbids dealers to export parts. I always like to check whats actually fitted to my bikes. It takes less time than you might think to count chain rivets. If it helps, use a permanent marker to tick 'em off in tens. Once you get to 90 start paying attention... Then you know for sure!

[@CycleEveryday]

Some really good advice David. I totally agree 👍 the pliers are ones specifically for the chain and definitely easier than normal pliers. Thought it was worth getting them as will get my money worth out of them over time. Thanks for the advice! 👍

[@acey850]

Is this a sign that I need to buy these tools in anticipation for future brompton failures?

[@kimberley8114]

I’ve bought a lot of assessories ready for when I get my Brompton 😀

[@acey850]

@@kimberley8114 that's smart. I should've done that too. 😆

[@CycleEveryday]

The chain had never broken but it was well past its due date by the time I replaced it. Was going to try and see how far I could get before it failed but I use it too much and don’t want to get stuck. Still 3,250km isn’t bad I don’t think. 👍

[@CycleEveryday]

Thinks it’s worth getting some bits if you intend to do a lot of your own maintenance. Will save money in the long run rather than paying someone else to do it. Plus the other good thing about the Brompton is it’s easy to fix and maintain. It took me about 20 minutes to change the sprocket and chain 😀👍

[@acey850]

@@CycleEveryday It's surprisingly fast how you did that. I do want to do these maintenance things myself because I want to feel independent 😆 plus the money-saving potential is also a good reason 😉👍

[@kimberley8114]

I think i’d probably get the cycle shop to do mine. They are specialists in Bromptons. I just know i’d mess it up 😁... how long do chains last? Is it a yearly thing?

[@CycleEveryday]

Think it’s more mileage Kimberley. So that one is at 3250km or 2000 miles which is quite a lot really. Plus it was on my Brompton when I had it second hand, so would have had a few more miles on it than that. I reckon for me it’s about 3500km for a new chain which on my mileage is about once every 6 months. Still very cheap compared to when I used to drive everywhere! Couldn’t get a tank of fuel for £30 🤣

[@foldthebike3360]

I've had my brompton since 2017 and ridden it pretty much everyday. Chain is still good in pretty good condition. But if you don't clean it very often it will wear alot faster.

[@nicholascoupland9944]

Nice useful video, thanks. I've just replaced the sprockets and chain on my Brompton and am wondering if I should apply some lube to the new chain or not. It was fairly well lubricated out of the packet but I understand some folks clean off all the factory lube and start again. Any thoughts?

[@CycleEveryday]

Hi Nicholas. Interesting question! To be honest I normally clean it off but I know others that just leave it as it is. Don’t think it matters really. Will get cleaned off eventually either way. 👍 What I found is the lube on mine was quite sticky compared to my normal oil as well just in case you find the same on yours! 😀 how did you find replacing it? Was is relatively straight forward?

[@nicholascoupland9944]

The lube on my chain was a bit sticky too but I've left it on for now and will see how it feels when I go out for a ride. The chain and sprockets were easy to replace but I fitted a pair of new Marathon tyres at the same time. Let's just say they were slightly more difficult!

[@CycleEveryday]

Nice! At least you shouldn’t have to fix many punctures 🤞

[@dan75dy]

Next week: How to change a memory card!

[@CycleEveryday]

If are struggling with that here’s a video you need; kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6uXlaCmpLWpnKs 👍