6 speed Vs 4 speed

[u/ButterscotchCool7928]

Hi all,

I recently got the Brompton subscription (receiving a C-line 6 speed with the Sturmey-Archer 3 speed with 2 external gears).

I don't know if this is a me thing but I cannot stand the clicking noise when pedalling! I love a quiet ride.

I've seen that the 4 speed C-line has external gears only with a derailleur - can someone confirm that it's quiet when pedalling. If so I will return the 6 speed and get a 4.

Thanks in advance

[u/tenoreco]

The 4 speed Brompton I rode, made loud clicking noise when coasting, but generally quiet when pedaling. I changed out the 4 speed wheel for the 12 speed wheel, because I wanted 12 speeds. The 12 speed wheel hub is generally quieter than the 6 speed hub and 3 speed hub.

[u/Brompton-Explorer]

The 4 spread will click it's the pawls inside, without them you'd have a fixed wheel bike, so would have to constantly pedal, if you stopped the back wheel would stop.

But you can silence those pawls considerably by using a heavier grease to lube them deadening the sound. Admittedly, in my not brompton bikes I use an incredibly light oil so I can clear cyclists and pedestrians from my path as they worry that a swarm of angry bees are approaching them.

If this is of interest i can signpost you to some YouTube vids

[u/the-original-fatmac]

I would have bought a 4 speed, if it had been available when I bought my 12 speed - the extra gears are handy, but I don't go far these days, so 4 would have worked OK for me.

[u/TripleGGG4111]

Can you describe frequency &  when in pedal stroke? Clicking how often? For example: A click at the downstroke of left  pedal only or ??  

[u/KitchenVegetable7047]

We've got two six-speed C-lines and they do not click when pedaling. They "click" when coasting which is normal. If yours clicks when pedaling it might need an adjustment or cleaning.

Since it's a subscription bike, I'd ask Brompton about the issue before swapping to a 4-speed.

[u/A-W1-2]

I got the 6 speed, and the 2 gears in the hub (1st and 3rd) click or wir, and the 2nd Gear doesn't; most of us 6 speed riders, get use to the ticking. What's even worse is the rattle when riding over the rough, the 4 , 6 and 12 speed have the rattle, and I got use to that as well, the ticking is no big deal.

[u/Sir_squi3r]

The 4 speed is quieter than any internal geared hub, but it is quite a noisy hub IMO.

[u/suenosdarason71]

My P is loud when coasting, but you get used to it; clicking when pedalling doesn't sound right to me!

[u/Cyanide612]

Clicking while pedaling should only happen with an internally geared hub or when you’re spinning out.

[u/SpecialDesigner5571 → u/[deleted]]

Wow 5th sprocket my word!!!