Author Topic: Workarounds for Brompton SRAM 6 speed sprocket replacement?  (Read 1297 times)

Workarounds for Brompton SRAM 6 speed sprocket replacement?
« on: 17 November, 2021, 11:57:23 am »
My eldest son inherited my Brompton 6 speed SRAM hubbed Brompton. He uses it a lot and the chain and sprockets need replacing. The sprockets and driver were Brompton specific and no longer available. It must be 10 year or more since they swopped to the SA hub which uses a 9 spline driver for the 2 sprockets rather than the traditional 3 dog type. The SRAM hub has a non-standard (and also no longer available) driver to take 2 sprockets - a 2mm thick 3/32" 15 tooth, a 3/32" 13 tooth with a built in spacer and a 2mm spacer between.

It seems there are 2 easy solutions to this:
- replace the hub with the current SA version - expensive but future proofed
- put a single 1/8" sprocket on with enough spacers for it to fit and run 3 speed 'til it dies.

Does anyone know any other workarounds to this? e.g. is there a combination of standard 3 dog sprockets and spacers that others have found to work as a 6 speed?
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Re: Workarounds for Brompton SRAM 6 speed sprocket replacement?
« Reply #1 on: 17 November, 2021, 08:39:44 pm »
I know nothing about the Brompton set up but I have run 3x2 using the Sachs Torpedo sprockets and spacer on both a Sachs and an SA hub. The sprocket spacer is pretty essential to make the thing work properly. The set up I had was 1/8" and dished sprockets. Having had a look at the Brompton set up in photos  it would appear that the 15T sprocket is a standard flat (they all are in that size, dished sprockets start much bigger) sprocket in 3/32 size but with cut outs on some of the teeth (which explains why it has a specific orientation). I know from experience that a sprocket without cut down teeth will happily change (at least in 1/8" models). There may be special features of the operation of a Brompton derailleur which require it to have cut down teeth. That's outside my knowledge or experience!

Which leaves the problem of the 13T sprocket. I would think that this is a Brompton specific cog. If they don't have it any longer  chances are it doesn't exist (at least as new). However I can't see why a different cog wouldn't work. The essential part to my mind is that the total of the spacers is the same whether you use the Brompton ones or other "système D" alternatives. I think that ss cassette conversions use the same diameter spacers and, depending on the supplier, are available in a wide range of widths. (Velosolo  comes to mind as a supplier of assorted spacers going down to very small - I used them about 10 years ago).

Now over to the Brompton specialists!

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: Workarounds for Brompton SRAM 6 speed sprocket replacement?
« Reply #2 on: 17 November, 2021, 09:17:27 pm »
Just fit a normal 3/32" 15T SA cog.  The shaped teeth aren't crucial.  The 13T is even easier as it's still available.

What you should be seeking out is an axle key and the large bearing cages.  The axle keys can snap and loose bearings are too fiddly for the main shell-end bearings.  SRAM really pulled the rug from under their IGH users.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Workarounds for Brompton SRAM 6 speed sprocket replacement?
« Reply #3 on: 17 November, 2021, 09:19:18 pm »
https://www.brommieplus.com/ has 13t cogs in 1/8” and 3/32” for 3-dog drivers but it may cost a bit to get them to the UK. No doubt there are other sources, mostly in the far east.

I have fitted pairs of 1/8” cogs to a standard SA driver but that took a little fiddling with spacers and such. I trimmed the tops of a couple of teeth on the bigger cogs sometimes, to help the chain climb up but didn’t notice a huge improvement. 13t and other 1/8” cogs are easily available in the UK. You could always fit a 1/8” 13t and combine it with a larger 3/32” cog, if needed.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: Workarounds for Brompton SRAM 6 speed sprocket replacement?
« Reply #4 on: 17 November, 2021, 09:25:43 pm »
It can be an option to buy a s/h hub.  I bought a s/h Brompton rear wheel for very little as the hub shell was rusty and the rim was dented.  The hub mechanism was perfect and the 13/15 sprockets barely worn.

My other Brompton (I know, I know) has a Dura-Ace 15T and a ZTTO 13T, and it's a 2-speed.  I can't see any practical use for the stock 16T/12T setup.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

Gattopardo

  • Lord of the sith
  • Overseaing the building of the death star
Re: Workarounds for Brompton SRAM 6 speed sprocket replacement?
« Reply #5 on: 18 November, 2021, 12:40:56 am »
https://www.brommieplus.com/ has 13t cogs in 1/8” and 3/32” for 3-dog drivers but it may cost a bit to get them to the UK. No doubt there are other sources, mostly in the far east.

I have fitted pairs of 1/8” cogs to a standard SA driver but that took a little fiddling with spacers and such. I trimmed the tops of a couple of teeth on the bigger cogs sometimes, to help the chain climb up but didn’t notice a huge improvement. 13t and other 1/8” cogs are easily available in the UK. You could always fit a 1/8” 13t and combine it with a larger 3/32” cog, if needed.

Have you bought stuff from brommie plus?

Looking at a few of the tools...

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Workarounds for Brompton SRAM 6 speed sprocket replacement?
« Reply #6 on: 18 November, 2021, 05:42:50 am »
Yes. HK is running one of their front hubs on her Ti B after the stock hub cracked.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: Workarounds for Brompton SRAM 6 speed sprocket replacement?
« Reply #7 on: 18 November, 2021, 06:56:47 am »
They say they ship to the UK again but it's not a selectable option at checkout.  I want the rear hinge reamer, since Brompton won't sell you one in the UK.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

Re: Workarounds for Brompton SRAM 6 speed sprocket replacement?
« Reply #8 on: 18 November, 2021, 09:40:57 am »
Thanks for the replies.  It's useful to know that standard 1/8" or 3/32" sprockets work ok if the spacing is right,

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Workarounds for Brompton SRAM 6 speed sprocket replacement?
« Reply #9 on: 18 November, 2021, 09:44:55 am »
Pick a chain without protruding rivets to reduce the spacing a little.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Workarounds for Brompton SRAM 6 speed sprocket replacement?
« Reply #10 on: 27 November, 2021, 09:29:30 am »
Does anyone know any other workarounds to this? e.g. is there a combination of standard 3 dog sprockets and spacers that others have found to work as a 6 speed?
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I have modified a Shimano cassette sprocket to fit on a SA hub. It took a bit of Dremel time.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/internal-gears.html#hybrid
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...