> Guides> Brompton 2-speed to 6-speed upgrade

Upgrading a 2-speed Brompton to 6-speeds

How to upgrade your Brompton from 2-speeds to 6-speeds

History of Brompton gearing

What is now known as the Brompton C Line originally came in a choice of models

  • 3-speed (the original)
  • 1-speed
  • 2-speed
  • 6-speed

The 1-speed and 2-speed used the same wheel

There used to be a kit for converting a 2-speed Brompton to 6-speed - but this was discontinued when the integrated shifters and black (in addition to silver) components were introduced as there became too many options

Note: As it says in the title - this is for converting a 2-speed to 6-speed

Can my 2-speed Brompton be upgraded to a 6-speed model?

- and assuming the answer is yes, what parts are required?

Being clever, smart and intelligent, you assumed right - the answer is yes - one of the things we have loved about Brompton over the years is the availability of spares and the backwards compatibility when new parts are released

The Brompton 6-speed combines a 3-speed Sturmey Archer hub with the Brompton proprietary 2-speed derailleur system - used on the 2 speed Brompton you are looking to upgrade (3 x 2 = 6)

You already have the 2-speed derailleur (on the left side of the handlebars) and just need to add a new wheel and the hub gear controls onto the right 

In summary - the following needs to be added - there is more detail below

  • 6-speed rear wheel
  • Gear indicator chain (comes with wheel)
  • Cable anchor
  • Hub gear cable pulley
  • Hub gear cable
  • Hub gear shifter

 What difference will it make to the gearing?

if you want to see the effect of changing your gearing, we recommend the Brompton gear calculator which allows you to compare different hub / derailleur gear setups - and see how fast you will be going in each gear at a 70 rpm cadence

Brompton Gear Calculator

Replacement and new parts needed for 2-speed to 6-speed upgrade

The following parts will need to be added:

Rear wheel

  • Brompton BWR Rear Wheel

This BWR wheel is available in a choice of two colours:

  • Gear Indicator Chain - this comes with the wheel

Hub gear shifter - there is a choice:

Hub gear cable - based upon the frame length, handlebar type and shifter type:

Frame length:- Pre-2004 Brompton bikes had a shorter wheelbase than the current model - if you are not sure click here for our long vs short wheelbase guide

Handlebar type - there are basically 4 types of handlebars -

  • Mid rise / M type
  • Low rise / S type
  • High Rise / H type
  • P type (no longer available and not to be confused with the P Line)

If you are not sure click here for our Brompton handlebar type guide

Short wheelbase

  • Short wheelbase hub gear cable - at this time there was only the Mid rise / M type handlebars - the S type followed at the same time as the long wheelbase

Long wheelbase - non-integrated shifter

Long wheelbase - integrated shifter

Hub gear routing / connector:

The following parts can be re-used (if they are in good condition)::

Chain and Sprockets

Useful videos:

Part of the installation process will involve installing a hub gear cable - we have this video on how to change your hub gear cable:

And this one on upgrading from 4-12 speeds - although it may seem different - the process (adding the hub gear controls) is fundamentally the same

Once you have your wheel and new controls installed you will need to set up the hub gears - this video shows how to do that

Article created: 12th March 2025

Article last updated: 8th April 2025