Brompton bicycles are also switching to 12 speeds

Talking about urban folding bikes immediately brings to mind Brompton, the most desired brand when it comes to this type of bikes and creators of what is undoubtedly the fastest and most efficient folding method we can see. Now, some of their models adopt an extra functionality by incorporating 12 speeds.

More versatility for Brompton

Brompton bikes have become, on their own merits, the most desired folding bikes for purely urban use. Their light weight, countless possibilities for customization of their models with different accessories and configurations to adapt them to our needs, and the efficiency of their folding system that greatly facilitates intermodality, as well as storing the bike at home or in the office when we are short of space are the qualities most valued by fans of the British brand.

However, those who make more intensive use of their Brompton have always criticized that, when the routes are lengthened or we live in a city with many slopes, the weak points of these bikes with their small 16-inch wheels come to light. The few combinations of available developments do not help this more powerful use, with large jumps between developments that make it difficult to adjust the pedaling or a range between extreme developments too reduced.

Until now we had options of 2, 3, 4 and 6 speeds obtained by combining a simple conventional change with several demultiplications in its Sturmey Archer rear hub. Now, Brompton introduces a new 12-speed option that will be incorporated into its T Line Explore, P Line Explore models and its electric bikes Electric P Line Explore and Electric C Line Explore.

To achieve these 12 combinations, Brompton uses a 50-tooth chainring combined with a 4-cog cassette: 11-13-15-18 and with a Sturmey Archer hub with 3 ratios: 0.638, 1 and 1.567 that would act as a hypothetical chainring change. A very progressive scaling and a range of 408% is achieved, with a shorter development of about 0.76 m/pedal stroke and the longest one that goes up to just over 3 meters per pedal stroke, enough for most situations we can find in our cities and with which we should no longer fear the appearance of hard ramps on our route.