Brompton wheels (and components)

Here's a list of the wheels (and wheel components - rims / hubs / axle fittings) and wheel upgrade kits for Brompton folding bikes

What is the Brompton wheel size?
Although the Brompton wheel is normally described as 16 inch it should more correctly be called ETRTO 349 (European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation sizing)

Just for reference: Sone other wheels of smaller sizes such as those on a Moulton are also referred to as 16 inch but have a smaller diameter - made up for with bigger tyre depth

Front wheels

There is currently (as at October 2018) a choice of two front wheels - standard or super light , available in black or silver colour

The Shimano and SON dynamo front wheels were discontinued bt Brompton in 2018 - though an alternative is expected soon

Rear wheels

The Brompton 1 speed and 2 speed bikes use the (lightest) rear wheel - it’s the same wheel for both, the one speed using one sprocket while the two speed uses two sprockets and a derailleur. This wheel is available in silver or black. It is a lighter and simpler wheel than the hub gear wheels used on the 3 / 6 speed bikes

Hub gear rear wheels

The three speed Brompton uses a Sturmey Archer BSR - Brompton Standard Ratio - hub / wheel with a single sprocket - it is only available in silver

The six speed Brompton uses a Sturmey Archer BWR - Brompton Wide Ratio - hub / wheel with two sprockets - it can also run a single sprocket to make a wide ratio three speed - it is available in silver or black

The sprockets used on the BWR and BSR hubs are not compatible with each other

The hub gears are very reliable and require less maintenance than the derailleur style gears that are now found on most bikes

Hub gear components

The Sturmey Archer hub gears used on the current (and previous) Brompton models are all fairly similar, though getting replacement parts (if you like a bit of home maintenance) can be difficult as they are not as common as say Shimano gears

We have started listing more of the spares required for maintenance of the Brompton / Sturmey Archer hub gears - you can find many instructional videos on how to disassemble / assemble and service the Sturmey Archer hubs on YouTube