A folding addi(c)tion

ugo.santalucia

OK, with my wife we've hired a couple of Bromptons, to see how she likes the concept as a partial commute to work (train +bike). She loves it, so great.

The hire one is a 3 speed, but the top gear is a bit too big... I was thinking to go 2 speed (lighter, less hassle and even cheaper) as the ratios seem more suited to city riding (don't think she needs an 84 inch gear!).

Also, I like the T bars, but the ones we hired are the U shaped ones and seem a lot less twitchy than I remember the T being

Thoughts?

secretsam

I rode a Tern and in comparison it was a much nicer ride, but the fold isn't anywhere near as good

ugo.santalucia

My wife wouldn't set for less than a Brompton, 'mfraid... it's a city lifestyle thing

asprilla

I've just sold my S2L. Not because I don't like it, but just because I don't use it that much. The S2 is certainly the pick of the bunch for me.

They are excellent though. I found the 16t too low on the two speed so I swapped it for a 14t and it's much more useful. Unfortunately 12t is as low as you can go at the back.

Make sure you get the luggage block at the front so you can mount a Brompton / Carradice bag. They are very stable with a front bag as the mount is on the head tube so it doesn't move as you steer.

Changing tubes is a real ball ache, not the kind of thing you want to do my the side of the road so an ideal candidate for Tannus tyres.

ugo.santalucia

I was under the impression the 2 speeder was easier to deal with punctures... not that it matters, my wife would never do it anyway :-)

Is the front bag/rack thingy not something I can add at a later stage?

I was thinking to go -7% on gearing... the normal is 74 inches, which is what I use on my SS... there is not much flat in Birmingham, not sure my wife would end up using it much.

What I also like about the S2 is that I can change sprockets at please... with a hub gear you are stuck with what you bought

the_hundredth_idiot

Get the block on the front now - it's pretty cheap (£10?). You can add the bag at a later date.

I had similar thoughts about the gearing - I went for a S3L in the end, but with reduced gearing (i.e. a larger sprocket on the back). So gears 2 and 3 are the same as 1 and 2 on the S2L, plus I get a low bail out gear for the hills.

I didn't find repairing a puncture much of a faff - one extra step in dismantling the hub gear cable (simply unscrews) - although it needs a spanner rather than quick release so either carry a spanner or drop it at a bike shop. I keep my tyres well pumped up (just the regular Brompton tyres) and have only needed to remove the rear wheel once in 8 years ...).

tgotb

Weight might also be a factor (when carrying) - I'd guess the 2-speed is a bit lighter than the 3-speed...

ugo.santalucia

TGOTB wrote:

Weight might also be a factor (when carrying) - I'd guess the 2-speed is a bit lighter than the 3-speed...

It is yes. The only concession to bigger weight is the M bars... I don't think she would like the S ones (T shaped)... too low and twitchy

dhope

ugo.santalucia wrote:

TGOTB wrote:

Weight might also be a factor (when carrying) - I'd guess the 2-speed is a bit lighter than the 3-speed...

It is yes. The only concession to bigger weight is the M bars... I don't think she would like the S ones (T shaped)... too low and twitchy

Shame you're not in London anymore, could have borrowed my S2L. They don't feel twitchy to me. Different to a normal bike of course but you're used to it very quickly. 2 speed would be fine for a flat commute unless she's planning on racing around. I spin out a bit but only really in the low-mid 20's and I'm not really using the Brompton for that anyway

TonyJams

Ive got an M2L, perfect for around town. Get the Scwalbe Marathons if you're concerned about punctures and don't want to carry spares. On the rare occasion you do happen to get a puncture just stick it in a cab or on the bus and let the bike shop sort it out. Great bikes.

ugo.santalucia

waiting list might be an issue... it will be autumn by the time is built

dhope

ugo.santalucia wrote:

waiting list might be an issue... it will be autumn by the time is built

No local dealers? I walked out with mine on the day

ugo.santalucia

dhope wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

waiting list might be an issue... it will be autumn by the time is built

No local dealers? I walked out with mine on the day

Yes, but if you want to choose colour, gearing and whatnot then it becomes a custom build and I have heard anything between 4 and 16 weeks

Worth having a look if there is something off the shelf that meets most criteria, at least the important ones

ugo.santalucia

Compromised for an M3L, because it's in stock... and it's raw laquer... the coolest colour... friday pick up... wife excited... all is good

fenix

Oh that is a nice colour.

DM me if you're interested in some accessories ! ;-)

veronese68

ugo.santalucia wrote:

... wife excited... all is good

That's the most important thing.

meanredspider

ugo.santalucia wrote:

My wife wouldn't set for less than a Brompton, 'mfraid... it's a city lifestyle thing

Is this the liberal elite wife of the Marxist?

ugo.santalucia

meanredspider wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

My wife wouldn't set for less than a Brompton, 'mfraid... it's a city lifestyle thing

Is this the liberal elite wife of the Marxist?

She voted for Corbyn

ugo.santalucia

Veronese68 wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

... wife excited... all is good

That's the most important thing.

They are already inseparable...

prawny

Waaaay too late now, but I tried an S2 once round brum and it was surprisingly un-twitchy. Was going to get one when I went back to the train, a few years ago,glad I didn't now as I'm back on the bike. (which was half the price of a brompton)

fenix

I see David Millar and Ned Boulting have got bromptons for Le Tour....


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