Brompton owners

AFAIK you can't, it's one of those hinge you really shouldn't mess about with!

This is it I think, but you gotta talk to Brompton about it;

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/frames/brompton-hinge-spindle-60mm-handlebar-mf-swb/

What am I looking for? It seems to hinge ok...

Fuck me it's heavy though! I can see why people go for the slightest weight reduction and wheel rather than carry them. I can't for the life of me work out what the two 'wheels' on the frame triangle are for though.

I can't for the life of me work out what the two 'wheels' on the frame triangle are for though.

is it not so you can wheel it around like this?

Hm I'll give that a try but I don't think it works as I'm missing the rear guard/wheel.

Outside of Brompton Junction where else is respected/trusted for Brompton servicing? (BJ are booked up until mid June).

You just tilt it a bit. Although the stock wheels are a bit crap which is why most people either go with the Brompton Easy Wheels or skate wheels.

So many small but pricey upgrades.

Lower the seatpost and open the handlebar, that is how you can wheel it around using the handlebar as a handle.

My shop at St Paul, and any Evams really as the head mechanic tend to be trained by Brompton themselves m

Ah, I'll try that out later as well. Will be swinging by Evans in canary wharf later, reckon they'll fit a luggage block for me there and then?

Maybe, Evans isn't exactly an on-the-spot service bike shop, least mine isn't.

What am I looking for? It seems to hinge ok...

Sideway play, if you can, find out if that bike got its hinge replaced recently, the washer between the rear and main triangle should be white, or close enough.

Even if it feel perfect, it always best to replace it after a year as a preventative measure.

Failing that, will they lend me an allen key/screwdriver to fit it myself? CBA with going there and trying to carry stuff home without said luggage attached!

You're at Evans St Paul?

Sorry if I missed something.

Looks like this:

2 Attachments

New hinge time, right side look fucked.

What's going to happen if I don't?

The most common issues with overdue hinge replacement is that the copper bonded to the frame which result in buying a new frame;

The least common is a snapped hinge due to stress.

It's definitely worth doing, first before you do anything else.

You're at Evans St Paul?

Yup.

I just had a poke around at that right side and there is a white washer there, it's just been painted over at some point with black paint, which is why the metal looks so thick. There's absolutely no play in the hinge but I'll book it in at some point.

Good to know, not about the paint obviously! best to be safe than sorry.

AFAIK you can't, it's one of those hinge you really shouldn't mess about with!

Odd that the hinge pins are available as spares then...

http://brilliantbikes.co.uk/brompton-folding-detail/824-brompton-hinge-spindle-main-frame-lwb.html

I saw that, I still wouldn't mess around with it.

Well, I've found some instructions for replacing them. Looks pretty straightforward, if you have access to a drill and a press. Which I do.