Rear wheel : fitting and removal

Got a puncture? Or need to remove the rear wheel to gain access to the rear of the bike? Here's everything you need to know, to remove and refit the Brompton rear wheel​. All you'll need is a 15mm spanner to perform this procedure.

Associated videos:

[ivork]

Certainly one of the most comprehensive instructional video on rear wheel removal and takes into account variants of the Brompton cycle.

[rolandhector]

The videos are really useful thank you so much but the music is really annoying me.

[RoryStewart]

Make sure to switch to your highest gear when reconnecting the barrel chain as it might not reach to reattach otherwise.

[ssmaman-sxft]

Thanks so much for this! The music got me motivated to have a go myself 😅. Followed the video to remove chain tensioner, nuts, rear wheel and actually fixed the puncture 🎉 - gave everything a bit of a clean while the rear wheel was off, too 😂.
Thank you!

[hildamarmolejo]

Thanks, I used your video to help me fix my back flat today.

[zamphzibaha]

This was great, thank you for the instructions.

[martsmith]

When re inflating take weight off rear wheel to reduce chance of a flat spot or pinching the tube.
You dont have to let the tyre down to remove the wheel you can release the rear brake cable with one bolt allowing the tire to pass the brake blocks.
Put the bike in top gear and leave the knurled nut in position and undo the barrel nut when removing the wheel. When putting back together, screw the barrel up to the nut and gears should still be in sync.

[AA-dkpn]

Looks very easy to watch but I am bit nervous if I would try on my Bromi . Specially the gear chain rotating clockwise and then anti-clockwise. Not sure mechanics behind it.

[mosuddin]

I have two fixed washers or something labelled 'top' on either end of the axle. Do these need to come off?

[mathephysikutz]

Big fail at 3:17! Before putting weight on the wheel pump at least some air into it to avoid squeezing the tube!

[LaughingStock_]

Nice video, but, Christ, what a palaver. And that, folks, is why I'm fitting a thicker tyre to, hopefully, kiss "goodbye" to flat tyres.

[alexmorgan]

That Brompton looks far too clean and new.

[farhadtarapore]

Or you could install tannus airless tires on the brompton and be rid of flats for good.

[finncarlbomholtsrensen]

Don't unscrew the "security-nut" more than just to unfix it from the gear changer-chain/cable, before removing the chain from the gear hub. Then it is easy to reposition the actual length to about the same value/length, when returning the wheel on the bike. And as an owner of a "Lightweight" I have replaced all nuts and - security-discs, for the wheel, with new titanium versions, for a lighter weight on my bike, also in front (a new axle, discs and nut. For the other side in front, it is an Allen key needed to do the tensioning).
And, if using mudguards, mine has original struts made from titanium, but the plates holding the struts on the mudguards, are made from really "Heavy Metal"! And it is possible to buy a carbon version (with small lightweight bolts) of the plates and some, in my case, black alu-holders for the mudguards to be fixed on the bike (One for the front and a - different type for the back (Why - not just one type for both?))! But as a heavy, tall Scandinavian man of a 100 kilo, it would have been much less expensive to loose 10 or 20 kilos, but not as much fun! ;-)

[AA-dkpn]

What gear should the bike be when replacing rear wheel ? Like 6 gears Brompton. Thanks

[m_tpa]

when reassembling, make sure you dont get the plastic sprocket stuck in the metal derailleur. when your chain makes a rumbling noise and the pedal is way too hard to turn, that mightve happened.

[CosgroveNotts]

Good video. Not sure the narrator has a clue.

[sambam]

Seriously this is how to remove a wheel?? What a faf if you have a puncture 😭

[hayabusa]

So it you get a flat....youre screwed 😂

[jasonchew]

I just change the rubber tire in the rear wheel of my 3-year old Brompton bicycle. Thank you for the guide but after fixing the parts back, my gears become problematic. Now I could not fold back my brompton bicycle. Could you provide any help on this issue? Thanks.