X-RF8 chromé

Channell Wasson designed and sells a front derailleur kit for the Brompton.

Tom Vogt, Sep 1997:
The damned [front deraileure and shifter] thing works! I had previously mounted a double road-type crank to my Brompton. However, to use it required that I shift with my shoe. I'd kick the chain down to the lower gear when I hit a climb. At the hill's top, I'd dismount and, with my finger, put the chain back on the big ring. This system worked but I tended only to use it when a hill was REALLY nasty. Now, with the deraileur, I shift like a madman. I was worried that using a front deraileur would hinder the folding process--it hasn't.
Peter Amey, Jan 1998:
I currently have Mr Wasson's prototype kit on my T5 (it's the actual one tested in A2B). It is very neat and easy to fit and has transformed the bike for use in hilly Bath. I did find that the modification ruthlessly exposed wear in other transmission components; I also ended up having to un-seaze the chain tensioner and replace chain, sprocket and jockey wheels as well.
One thing to watch out for. Many (all?) front changers have a piece at the rear which joins the sides of the chain guides. This piece gets trapped between the chain and the chain ring when the back of the bike is flipped under and the pedals cannot easily be moved thereafter. On my kit this piece is removed completely which weakens the changer. A better bet would be to fabricate a joiner which went above the chain line in normal use rather than below it. I think the "cycling vicar" featured in the latest A2B may have done this if it was his bike I saw in the Avon Valley Cyclery some time ago.
Channell Wasson, Aug 1998:
Our front derailleur uses a 53tt and a 39tt Shimano chainring combination. With a 14tt rear sprocket, gears range from 30 inches to 91 inches in high. With 13tt rear sprocket range is 33 inches to 98 inches high. A robust and trouble free system from my many miles of
Channell Wasson, Aug 1998:
The front derailler kit is available from our company for $285 USD. Includes Shimano chain rings (53tt and 39tt) Shimano braze on deraileur, custom mounting clamp with cable stop for derailleur, cable and friction type shifter.
Bruce Correll, Sep 1998:
Hello from Detroit, I installed Channell's front derailler and it works great. My Brompton now has a much wider range of gear selections. I can keep up with most non-folding bicycles and climb hills much better. It is a bit expensive, but it makes a hugh difference in the way the Brompton performs.
Lawrence Wenner, Oct 1998:
You do need to get down to 20 gear inches to get up San Francisco hills. However, I don't think that Channell's kit will take care of your problem. I think he uses a 53/42 or 53/39 front double, and you can see that the 39/14 is still not going to drop you into the 20" range. I think you'd be better off going with a 48/34 front double and getting the low end down.
Peter Holden, Oct 1998:
I think one really needs to get to a 26TT front ring ( = ~20"). But then, with a double derailler that means a max of 41 TT, which gives top end ranges lower than the 18% reduction, and not a personal favorite with this spinner.
Tom Vogt, Nov 1998:
Yes! It actually works very well. I've used Channell's derailleur mount and set-up for a couple years now and have had no problems. I continue to use the "track" 1/8" chain and standard rear cog--the shift isn't silky but it is reliable and I'd enthusiastically recommend it. To an engineer, the proposition might seem a bit iffy but the bracket is well though out, there are no "alignment" challenges.
felix lee, Feb 1999:
I met Channell [...] and was able to see his upgrade kit and trade notes with him on front derailler modifications. I had a local bike store fit a front derailler onto my Brompton, but I think Channell's kit is quite a bit more elegant and better quality. With more gear options, you'll reduce stress on the aluminum handlebars. Before adding the front derailler, I was pulling on the handlebars like it was a rowing machine!