Some Brompton owners who purchased new models with the updated shifters ( 2017 model ) refer of an issue when the shifters are affected by extremely hot temperatures and humidity. During travels in hot countries users reports how their shifters happen to get stuck and unable to shift to a higher gears.
A solution is explained in this article but for a clear video on what is involved should you have to fix it Wilhelm created a clear video explaining the procedure.
Watch video here
4 comments:
What about those of us with the old model shifters having similar problems? My bike dates to 2015. Left side shifter stopped working, worked fine on morning commute. I suspect while folded over the front wheel did something that screwed things up, but I can’t see anything obvious yet the left hand shifter is stiff, and while it moves, it has no apparent effect on the cable or the hub gears.
I must say gears are my only disappointment in Brompton bikes. I think for the price of the bike they should have something much better than what they offer. Even the new ones I feel are not great and I had similar problems. On the old ones what worked for me in the past was opening the case and greasing the plastic parts that shift the gear ( it has a kind of tooth that clicks when you shift... )
A friend had a post-2017 right hand ( rear) lever that wouldn't change from 3rd to 2nd. It would pull the cable but not latch. There is an asian Youtube video that shows the lever being dismantled and 1mm filed off 2 places on the pivoting steel detent.
I had earlier found an easier solution. Remove the central screw and the plastic lever.
The lever is stopped when it touches 2 steps on the body, one either side of the centre ridge.
Identify the two recessed pads on the lever that contact the stops on the body. Use a scalpel or stanley knife to pare back the lever pads about 1mm, so the lever moves a bit further.
Reassemble. You have saved yourself £50 for a new lever, plus labour cost.
Thanks a lot for going through the detailed steps to follow. I have gotten used to how the shifter works and know that if my thumb pushes it slight up or down while shifting it gets stuck and won't shift. That one has to do what you describe to fix it is a testament to the fact that the gear system, although functioning and rather sturdy, is in no way appropriate to the quality of the bike. I don't have a new model but since Brompton has now changed their gearing system this might have been addressed, at least I hope. Thanks.
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