Brompton - Is this the end?

windbreaker

:? I’ve just ordered a Brompton due in two weeks or so. :oops: I’ve failed to get onto the train a couple of times recently. :evil: Usually I commute there and back 46 miles, but in the winter tend to take the train out and usually cycle back, some days I know I’ll take the train back and usually it’s OK although the Scotrail train is always over official bike capacity. There is anxiety and uncertainty about whether I will actually get on or not. I figured for the depths of winter, and foul weather, I wanted the reassurance of knowing I can go to my local train station (Brunstane, Edinburgh) and definitely get to Livingston and all the way back. I had a cold for a couple of weeks and appreciated taking the train.

I’ve swithered on and off for years about getting one. I use my pal's in London, and it is practical, but hard work for distances. I reckon it will be handy to have and to share if friend come to visit without a bike. I can use it for “multi-modal” trips. It will be added to my fleet of significantly upgraded CAAD2 (yes that’s right) Cannondale, Revolution Courier, Dawes Super Galaxy, and Cannondale Jekyll. I really wanted a fixie – but reckon I can make one up from an old Tony Oliver bike I don’t use.

I like the engineering aspects of the Brompton, particularly some of the recent improvements.. I checked out other folders – birdie, mezzo, and Dahon but none of them go tall enough for me. Do I need commiseration? Have I lost all credibility – I’ll only use it when I definitely know I’ll take the train out and back? How will it be if I do cycle back (2 hours???)? Can I fit clipless pedals (time ATAC) :idea: and how will that improve things? My friend has had at least 3 stolen – I plan to not leave it locked outside unless I absolutely have to, and will insure it, any veiws? :?:

RockyHopperShow

I don't think it's the end at all. They are great bikes and if I had the spare cash one would be at the top of my list. Superb engineering and decent riding dynamics for a folder. I don't see why you would have to leave one where it can get pinched, they fold down so small - much better than my Trek F400 which I really love. I'd look at it as a lifetime investment - it will always pay for itself in the long term and I can't see many major upgrades in what is essentially an excellent design. I have seen many with SPD pedals fitted without problem. Enjoy your new folder.

another jacko

My commute is 30 miles, which is too far to cycle regularly, so it's a drive (no sensible public transport option). Mrs J now has a job only 2 miles from me so it makes sense to use 1 car and for me to cycle the rest of the way. After faffing about with a full size bike in the car boot involving removing wheels and much grease on car seats and work clothes I've taken the plunge and ordered a Brompton through Bike 2 Work. The Brompton also opens up the possibility of occasional public transport commuting - There's one bus a day to my village at a silly time of day, but loads to the next village 2 miles away.

I looked at all the other folders and there's just no comparison for ease of folding, compactness and unfolding. I particularly liked the way that all the dirty bits are inside when it's folded and you don't need to go anywhere near them during the process. Why can't other manufacturers use the same level of intelligence? Dahon, just hinge your bikes the other way - It's not rocket science!

I reckon the Brompton can normally just live in the car boot. If I go away on overnight work trips or visits to relatives I've got a bike to ride for a bit of exercise. Traffic jams into town - park up and ride. Can't find a space in town or want to avoid parking fees - find a suburban side road, park up and ride the rest of the way.

I did a test ride and it seemed fine to ride around town, but I was wondering too about how good it would be for long rides - like whether on nice days could I ride it the 30 miles home. I guess I'll just have to try it and see. Mine will be a lightweight flat bar S model with 2 gears and lowered gearing - I would rather pedal up hills and coast down the other side than walk uphill and charge down!

So... No it's not the end. It's the beginning - opening up more opportunities to cycle.

Sniper8052

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/th ... 26741.html

Sniper8052

DavidBelcher

Sniper8052 wrote:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/the-wheel-thing-will-self-on-the-brompton-bike-926741.html

Sniper8052

Was quite worried when I saw the thread title - I thought the company itself was in trouble! Don't own a Brompton myself but they are a very clever bit of engineering, something of a cult item, and you'd have to be pretty cold-hearted not to like them. In the current climate (expensive petrol, congestion charging, restrictions on non-folding bikes on the railways, etc.) I'd imagine they're actually going from strength to strength. Cheers for the link to the Will Self article, too - a good read (though I smiled at the typo about parts being 'braised' not brazed [1]).

David

[1] I could just be showing pig-ignorance here - do both words derive from the same root?

windbreaker

A folding bike! It conjured up memories of those Bickerton bikes you saw in the 1970s and Eighties, the sort of thing men who drove Robin Reliants and carried Thermos flasks and Tupperware boxes of cheese sandwiches cleave to.

This is partly what I worried about. I'm enthused by the Will Self article. How ill my fellow roadies view me?

I'm partly excited, and partly worried that my excitment about getting a Brompton is sign of moving into the land of cardigans, and tweed. Yes I do carry my sandwiches to work in tupperware, and used to take coffee in Flasks as well until we started to get free vends.

rob_spedding

Pah forget Will Self...

http://www.bikeradar.com/blogs/article/ ... like-18785

I have to admit that, like you Windbreaker, the idea of riding a folding bike had me slightly worried. All for purely vain reasons. But after my folding bike Basil Fawlty moment - not with a Brompton mind, they're the easiest things in the world to fold - I've become increasingly fond of the one I'm using. And I even enjoy tucking my jeans into my socks as I ride...

orangetank

I've had a folder for a few years. It is brilliant and has been used by me and the missus and as a spare bike for visiting friends and relatives. We decided to go for a birdy as it was a slightly better ride for longer distances. We've got SPD pedals on it and I can get a pretty decent speed on it. I couldn't care less what I look like riding it. I have been left standing on the platform a couple of times and watched the train roll away because there was no room for my road or touring bike and I felt really stupid then.

Rich-Ti

I love mine almost as much as my Cervelo! :shock:

There's also a company now making clipless SPD-type pedals that unclip from the axle / crank interface 8)

windbreaker

There's also a company now making clipless SPD-type pedals that unclip from the axle / crank interface

Any details? :?: I suppose this might mean yet another set of cycling shoes. :?

I may see how I get on with ordinary pedals first.

I hate to say it but I am almost getting excited about this Brompton coming. There are problems with a rail strike this week, and I might have been better getting it from a LBS and foregoing the 10% CTC Shop discount. Too late now I have an extending seat post but no bike yet. On the plus side I have to ride to work and back this week.

Rich-Ti

windbreaker wrote:

There's also a company now making clipless SPD-type pedals that unclip from the axle / crank interface

Any details? :?: I suppose this might mean yet another set of cycling shoes. :?

I'll have a quick search...

Rich-Ti

Here you go, not cheap though! :shock:

windbreaker

Thanks - lovely pedals

I've not even got the bike yet and am already upgrading. I am bidding for a brooks sddle on ebay, and like the look of these pedals. I need to tell myself to stop. I justified the purchase as likely to save me money long term. I gave up waiting to see if my employer would actually offer a bike to work scheme.

I've got a spare set of Time ATACs which I can try if I don't like not being clipped in ( drifts off in reverie to dream of state of the art separating spds ...... :oops:

... and then there are luggage systems to look at. :P I've not ordered any at all thinking I'll just use a rucsac like I do on the racer.

Memo to self - pack the tupperware and fill the thermos, and order those tweed 3/4 cycling trousers :roll:

Rich-Ti

windbreaker wrote:

Thanks - lovely pedals

I've not even got the bike yet and am already upgrading. I am bidding for a brooks sddle on ebay, and like the look of these pedals. I need to tell myself to stop. I justified the purchase as likely to save me money long term. I gave up waiting to see if my employer would actually offer a bike to work scheme.

I've got a spare set of Time ATACs which I can try if I don't like not being clipped in ( drifts off in reverie to dream of state of the art separating spds ...... :oops:

... and then there are luggage systems to look at. :P I've not ordered any at all thinking I'll just use a rucsac like I do on the racer.

Memo to self - pack the tupperware and fill the thermos, and order those tweed 3/4 cycling trousers :roll:

I've got a Ti Brooks and a Ti post on mine! :oops:

Luggage-wise, I really recommend the Brompton bag attachment - I have an S-Type Brompton (straight flat bar) and use the S-Type bag, it's not cheap but is very good.

benningj

I commute across to the city from Paddington along with many others, your average Bromton user I have to say is not agreat advert for urban cool but I quite like the fact that the brand appeals to allsorts. Apart from SPD's theres not alot you can upgrade as the engineering is top notch. I have the extended seat post and changed to the better schwalbe tyres as getting a puncture is a pain in the a8se, but then again I can hop on the tube if any disasters ! Got to say I do love my kit and this is one of the better purchases I have made.

windbreaker

I feel back on track with my decision to buy the Brompton. I had a nervous moment when looking at Dahon Cadenza – a MTB which folds. It has been sold as suitable for regular commutes. However the fold involves allen keys, and undoing the stem and swivelling it. I figure that doing this twice a day will lead to early failure. Also – important for me – the biggest size is 18” and my courier is 22” with a huge seat post on top.

I also read a few blogs about people wearing out their Brommie in less than a year –especially larger riders – I am 195cm and currently 88kg. Reading about Dave Holladay and the unbelievable loads he carries reassured me.

So I am looking forward eagerly to the Brommie finally coming – maybe as late as the end of the month now. I would like to play with it tomorrow.

Will the ease of folding mean I give up on my fantastic 46 mile round trip commute for the possible 7 mile trip to and from local stations at either end? :? My plan is to use it as an easy option some of the time during the winter, but usually to still train out and cycle home ( a mere 30 miles per day) most of the time on the courier. I will try the return on the Brommie just for the Hell of it. And I guess “Hell of it” will be the correct term until I upgrade the saddle – to a Body Geometry 2 after reading the reviews in this months cycling plus. I have failed to win two Brooks saddles on EBay but don’t reckon they are worth what they go for. I already have on BG saddle and it is great.

secretsam

Well, my bikes are really embarrassing but I just couldn't ride a Brompton, because of all the London planks who ride them...but, I guess that's not a problem up in Ecosse-land! :oops:

windbreaker

The Trials of Mail Order

Yesterday I got home late and saw that my bike had been delivered to the neighbours. Collected it, ate my tea and looked forward to opening the box. When….

No Dynamo Lights. Checked the See Tee See Shop website and noted that although the model pictured had lights the spec listed did not mention them. Checked Brompton site

The key models come properly kitted out, ready for the road, with mudguards and lighting fitted as standard

So with a heavy heart and feeling conned :oops: I set about fitting the extendable seat pillar. Went for short test ride along Portobello Prom. All night I worried about the lack of lights. I’d paid £650 from the See Tee See Shop and ended up with a lower spec model. I could have got this model from any Brompton dealer for this price. In fact my local dealer had had the Model in stock with lights for £722 and I could have merely upgraded the seat pillar rather than buy a whole new on (saving a tenner) :?

I tried to rationalise it and tell myself that dynamo lights are a pain – they are unreliable, and anyway I have loads of battery lights and only need brackets. :?

I hate being ripped off and after a troubled night I decided to phone E V A N S who are actually the dealer behind the See Tee See. I got cut off three times before speaking a customer rep who said that I had to speak to customer services. He transferred me and I got cut off again. :evil: Eventually I spoke to a polite but immobile rep who said the spec was clear on the site, although the wrong picture had been provided by Brompton. I referred him to the quote above, and pointed out that the B Spoke option price for the bike with dynamo was the £722, and therefore the full price advertised was too high. I explained that Kinetics sells the full spec model for £680 including dynamo, or I would have gone to a local dealer if there was no saving by mail order. He listened but said they didn’t even sell the dynamo lights so there was nothing they could do. :shock: Eventually I spoke to the manager who was much more helpful.


I explained. She listened and said she would investigate and get back to me when I returned home later. I then phoned her this afternoon and she said a set of dynamo light had been despatched, and I should get them tomorrow. She thanked me for pointing out this mistake which she explained was something to do with Brompton sending the wrong bikes. And I thanked her explaining I buy loads of bike kits and hadn’t wanted to end up feeling I could never use them again.

So there I am. Perhaps two hours on the phone. Disappointment, Stress, and some resolution. I’ll have to spend a bit of time fitting the dynamo. Fortunately I’m reasonably skilled with bike mechanics. However my time is valuable and in no way does the saving of £70 justify the cost in stress and pure time. I guess E V A N S have got it right in the end. I buy most of my stuff from Wiggle and find then great. Chain Reaction has always sent me what I ordered amazingly quickly. Neither of them stocks the Brommie.

I’m off work for the next week so will have to wait until I use it on the first train journey. I like the P bars. It’s a good upright position. I reversed the saddle mount to extend the reach. The saddle is crap, but I’ll see how I get on before upgrading. I bought a trailer hitch for my Child Trailer, but it doesn’t fit so I’ll get a refund from Edinburgh Bicycle. Interestingly I was up at EBC today getting light brackets, and had my chain cleaner replaced under guarantee for the second time. They get brittle and break, but each replacement gets another year’s guarantee – effectively an everlasting chain cleaner. That’s a fair deal I think.

Rich-Ti

Sounds like a ball ache but don't let it put you off - they're little gems of a bike really and I hope for your sake the green & gold experience doesn't kill off the fun for you. Let your week off filter out your bad experience and enjoy it when you get on it!

Oh, and honestly - change the saddle

windbreaker

Thanks Rich-Ti

chuckcork

For pedals you could also try these SPD's http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=3760 .

They only come off using a very large allen key, from the rear side of the crank, which is when locked up going to be very difficult for some scrot to remove. With some thread locker would be rather difficult even with the proper tools.

windbreaker

Thanks chuckcork

However I am now well credit crunched. If i put on SPDs I have an old pair of Time ATACs that only go on with allan key. I use Time ATACs on my commuting and mountain fleet, but Crank Brothers Road Pedals on the road bike. I really rate the ATACs but don't like the Crank Brothers at all. I guess I should ditch them and replace with another set of ATACs. That would mean no Xmas presents for the kids though. The brommie should save money in the long run.

I'll report further developments.

andrewc3142

Thought it was the company you were referring to. Shame really since that's what I do, unless it's actually insolvent.

But, as for Bromptons themselves, an excellent and versatile addition to any biking stable. Not the end at all, but rather a way of extending your time on 2 wheels.

edhornby

FWIW I think bromptons are great too, a practical design, my brother had one for years and could get some serious pace with it - best of all if someone visits you and needs a bike to ride, it fits everyone so you have a loanable bike.. good times

however, if you go really fast round T junctions with tree debris on the road and really lean them, they can slide out from underneath you, both wheels at the same time.... ahem....

windbreaker

Three Hours – a whole morning to fit the dynamo!. :shock: Admittedly I had to carefully follow all the instructions and diagrams, as I’ve never really looked at the Brompton Dynamo set up in detail before. What a fiddly job. However it all seems to work Ok, although I can see how the looms wear out after 150 hours.

It is probably quite handy to have a dynamo permanently on the bike so I’ll never be completely without lights. I will usually use a cateye 340 on the front and a flashing led at the rear in addition to my helmet lights. I like to be seen – even if only to make a clear target for the passing cars.

What a performance taking the rear wheel off. :? It would be awful to have to fit a puncture at the side of the road. I can well understand why people fit Marathon Plus bullet proof tyres. I’ll get one for the back at least soonish. Still at least I now know my bike inside out.

Do you think it is reasonable to just send out a set of lights for the customer to fit, when the company got the order wrong? Fortunately I’m skilled enough, had the time, and didn’t break anything. I now think E V A N S should have sent a replacement bike or promptly fitted the lights themselves. I can’t say that I’m that keen to use them again, although I suppose 10% simple items from the See Tee See shop may be an Ok deal as they sell lots of stuff that Wiggle don’t.