Do Brompton (or did they) make a 4-speed C-line?

[Fastpedaller]

As title........ I can't find any reference to a 4-speed derailleur fitted to a Brompton except in electric or p-line. Clever marketing, as my 'ideal' low (ish) weight VFM bike would be a 4 speed to which I could add a front derailleur. I dislike internal hub gears (weight and drag) and like the option of being able to some extent change rear sprockets.

 

[Schwinnsta]

As title........ I can't find any reference to a 4-speed derailleur fitted to a Brompton except in electric or p-line. Clever marketing, as my 'ideal' low (ish) weight VFM bike would be a 4 speed to which I could add a front derailleur. I dislike internal hub gears (weight and drag) and like the option of being able to some extent change rear sprockets.

I think you would have to change the hub to make it a 4-speed. I made my 2 speed a 3 speed.

 

[wafter]

I think this was essentially answered in this thread..

 

[Fastpedaller]

I think this was essentially answered in this thread..

I'd overlooked that thread. I'm asking a) because I'm just curious and wonder if it's a marketing tool such that 4 speed is only available in more expensive steel/titanium p-line and b) a friend has a 2024 P-line 12 speed which he wants to be lighter/easier to maintain and has asked for my help to covert it to 4-speed without IGH. It would seem the OLD of both hubs is still 112mm, but it would be worthwhile knowing before he buys a new wheel.

 

[CaptainWheezy]

covert it to 4-speed with IGH.

Is that a typo ? If you meant 4 speed without IGH then its just a case of buying a 4 speed wheel from Brompton and removing the shifter & cable for the IGH. I just did the opposite and went from a 4 speed T-Line (bought before 12 speed was available), and fitted the new wheel with IGH and the extra shifter to get 12 speed.

 

[Fastpedaller]

Is that a typo ? If you meant 4 speed without IGH then its just a case of buying a 4 speed wheel from Brompton and removing the shifter & cable for the IGH. I just did the opposite and went from a 4 speed T-Line (bought before 12 speed was available), and fitted the new wheel with IGH and the extra shifter to get 12 speed.

Oops.... Either my typo or autocorrect! Indeed he wants to remove the IGH. I'll try to edit my note above. I thought it would indeed be straightforward as you've described. Interestingly I've just seen Brilliant bikes have a Youtube describing a simple addition of an extra sprocket and SRAM shifter to give 5 speed.

 

[CaptainWheezy]

Brompton have now released a video on YouTube advertising a 12 speed C Line, so you could get one of those and swap out the rear wheel for a 4 speed.

 

[Gunk]

Brompton have now released a video on YouTube advertising a 12 speed C Line, so you could get one of those and swap out the rear wheel for a 4 speed.

That might be something I’d consider doing on my S6L, it would definitely save some weight.

 

[wafter]

Brompton have now released a video on YouTube advertising a 12 speed C Line, so you could get one of those and swap out the rear wheel for a 4 speed.

I don't think it's as straightforward as that - looks like this change requires a whole (what was initially) P-Line rear end (triangle, wheel assy, gear pusher, shifter for bars...) which is probably well on the way towards the cost of a new bike..

 

[Fastpedaller]

I don't think it's as straightforward as that - looks like this change requires a whole (what was initially) P-Line rear end (triangle, wheel assy, gear pusher, shifter for bars...) which is probably well on the way towards the cost of a new bike..

If my friend intends to go ahead with the change from 12 to 4 speed I'll research more fully, but as it already has the 4-speed derailleur and shifter I'd envisage just removing the IGH wheel and replacing it with the 'standard' hub, and remove the IGH shifter and cable. If the OLN dimension is the same, and the derailleur is the same, I don't see a problem.

 

[wafter]

If my friend intends to go ahead with the change from 12 to 4 speed I'll research more fully, but as it already has the 4-speed derailleur and shifter I'd envisage just removing the IGH wheel and replacing it with the 'standard' hub, and remove the IGH shifter and cable. If the OLN dimension is the same, and the derailleur is the same, I don't see a problem.

Yes; that would make sense and my response was at cross-purposes with @Gunk's post. Doing what you suggest should be achievable; converting an existing C-line to the 4sp setup probably not (in an economically viable sense anyway).

 

[CaptainWheezy]

I don't think it's as straightforward as that - looks like this change requires a whole (what was initially) P-Line rear end (triangle, wheel assy, gear pusher, shifter for bars...) which is probably well on the way towards the cost of a new bike..

What I meant was that he could buy a 12 speed C line (which comes with the new triangle), and swap out the wheel for a 4 speed one. This is the reverse of what I did, converting my 4 speed T-Line to 12 speed.