Do you know what the common problems with Brompton electric bikes are? Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.
One of the most well-known names in the electric bike market is Brompton. Brompton bicycles, known for its folding bike designs, have won the hearts of cycling fans with their mobility, stylishness, and high level of security.
7 common problems with Brompton electric bikes:
- Too Expensive
- Stiff Riding Experience
- Understanding the Kickstand Mode is Difficult
- Complex Internally Geared Hubs
- Scratched Hinges
- Stem Flexing
- The Sturmey Archer Rattles
Let’s examine these problems in greater detail to discover their underlying causes and potential solutions.
7 Common Problems with Brompton Electric Bikes
1. Too Expensive
In the past, folding bikes were often more expensive, but Brompton bikes seem even more costly. Your net worth will be reduced by roughly $7,000 if you choose the Brompton 6-speed.
However, the high cost of Brompton bicycles is not wholly out of place. One of the most uncommon companies with handcrafted frames is Brompton. Additionally, these frames are produced domestically in London using premium materials.
Of course, given London’s high running costs, you shouldn’t expect anything created there to be inexpensive.
These materials are distinctive and frequently only found on Brompton bicycles. In particular, 8 out of 10 Brompton components are incompatible with bikes from other brands, and Brompton bicycles are brazed, not welded.
A Brompton bike requires a lot of labor. Contrary to the prevalence of single-hinge designs, Brompton bikes frequently have twin hinge axes due to their folding nature.
It can be complex and technically demanding to design double hinges, especially when getting the correct fittings, lugs, and tube work.
They also have excellent second-hand value if you ever want to sell your Brompton bike. You might be able to sell them for more money than you paid for them in some circumstances.
2. Stiff Riding Experience
Many Brompton owners have expressed dissatisfaction at how bumpier their ride is and how stiffer and less maneuverable their bike feels.
While Brompton bikes fit this description, folding bikes are frequently linked to it. Let’s elaborate.
Folding bikes can’t provide the same level of smoothness (when you ride it) as a non-folding bike can due to the nature of their tire sizes.
The tire sizes on most folding bikes, including Brompton, range between 24, 20, and 16 inches, and these are far more compact than those seen on non-folding bikes.
The Brompton’s smaller wheels suggest that it can’t handle bumps as well as a full-suspension mountain bike or a bike with a fat tire.
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3. Understanding the Kickstand Mode is Difficult
The Kickstand mode is an impressive demonstration of Brompton’s superior engineering. Unfortunately, many users—especially brand-new Brompton users—have trouble understanding (or utilizing) its functions.
You swing your Brompton’s unique wheel lender while in Kickstand mode. The bike can now stand on its thanks to this.
But when a user’s Brompton bike is in this mode, they frequently try to align the handlebars.
The front wheel could collide with the rear wheel if the handlebars are attempted to be aligned. When riding in this manner, users frequently crush their fenders.
The suggested method for setting up your Brompton bike in kickstand mode is carefully twisting the handlebar to the left.
Additionally, it is a good idea to tape over the place where the bike’s unusual wheel may contact the bottom bracket’s shell.
4. Complex Internally Geared Hubs
The internally geared hub design used in the newest Brompton models is unfamiliar to many bikers. Although they are more dependable, long-lasting, and require little upkeep, they might be challenging to comprehend.
Fundamentally, derailleurs are more mechanically effective than internally geared hubs. The fact that the created power must be forced through many gears to be transferred can be blamed for the reduction in mechanical efficiency (in internally geared hubs).
Every time power shifts between gears, the energy is reduced.
Additionally, Brompton purchasers believe shifting internally geared hubs under stress is more complicated. When you ride a Brompton bike up a hill, this is common.
5. Scratched Hinges
We surveyed some Brompton bike owners who claimed their bike hinges scratched too readily. The paint is peeling off at the contact areas after a few rides was a recurring trend.
There is nothing to worry about here. The tendency of folding bike hinges to scratch is not unusual.
Folding bicycles place a tremendous amount of stress on their hinges. After you ride it for a time, the contact points lose paint because of their severe wear.
You might as well cover such places if you are worried that the scratches will detract from your Brompton bike’s attractive appearance.
Typically, you may use the Brompton paint kits to match the color of your bike. You may use Flitz paste to repair a scratch if it is not too deep (let’s suppose it is only a tiny surface scratch).
If the color of your bike’s lacquer matches your nail polish, you may also use it to cover the damage.
6. Stem Flexing
Many Brompton owners mentioned how their stem bends with forceful handlebar pulling. For those who don’t know, the stem serves as the handlebar’s support and connects your bike’s frame to its handlebars.
Your Brompton stem flexing is not altogether inappropriate.
The stem of an ordinary bicycle is short and rigid. However, the stems of Brompton bikes may be lengthy, some reaching a length of 40 cm.
This increases the likelihood that the stem may bend firmly when you pull the handlebars. The stem of your Brompton bike would bend as you rode it upward.
The stem is trying to absorb the energy, which is why it is flexing. Such vibrations can significantly alter how smooth your riding experience is if they are not absorbed.
7. The Sturmey Archer Rattles
This is perhaps one of the scariest problems with Brompton bikes. Again, the internally geared hub mechanism used by Brompton bikes is to blame for this relative inadequacy.
This rattling noise is frequently heard from Brompton bicycles, especially from the back wheel. The Sturmey Archer rattle, as it is sometimes referred to, often sounds like the back hub is collapsing.
You can’t do much about this rattling, unfortunately. Pressurizing the pedals is the most effective approach to stop the rattling. As the interior components of the hub are activated, the noise stops.
Brompton Electric MISTAKES & How To Fix Them >> Check out the video below:
Conclusion
Brompton bicycles are pricey; 2-speed models start at $6,500, and 6-speed models go for over $6,700.
In addition to their frightening price, consumers frequently lament the more challenging ride, the difficulty of Kickstand mode, scratched hinges, sophisticated internally geared hubs, flexing STEM, and the Sturmey Archer noise of Brompton bikes.
References
https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/10/23162313/brompton-e-bike-recall-mudguard-lockup
