Brompton owners

Popped down to Compton Cycles in Catford this afternoon to have a go on their 2 speed electric Brompton.
Very fun; took it out for about 5 miles and went along to the Horniman taking as many hills as I could on the way. Even managed to haul myself up Canonbie which was a surprise, still had to out some effort in for that but not too bad.

The power of the assist it puts out feels much the same as the Gocycle (no throttle boost tho).

The option of riding it sans battery does appeal, which would make the 6 speed the better choice perhaps, not sure...

Getting up Canonbie is impressive.
I'll bet the motor was a little bit warm after that.

I reckon 6 speed for the climbing and for the high speed (15.5mph) low cadence cruising. 2 speed will be hard work without assist.

The 6 speed does sound like a bit of a faff though, having to alternate two levers to go up and down gears, not sure I want to have anything extra taking my attention from the maniac drivers while commuting.
Found the 2 speed to be a bit spinny, I think they only offer the choice to go down and not up on the gearing of the 2 speed.

I'd like to know more of the tech specs around the difference between the power modes on the electric, I honestly couldn't tell that much difference between the three.

Using the shifters becomes automatic after a short while, but you don't tend to go up through the gears; when I've borrowed one I mostly use it like a 3-speed with the option for fine-tuning.

Yeah, this. Building up to speed I tend to use "2nd", then "4th", then flick the rear derailleur into "5th". Just have to flick the shifter back onto the smaller sprocket when slowing down to stop.

Got some Brompton spares for sale here, namely:

Brompton Saddle

• Latest Version
  
• Used to ride home from shop
  
• As New
  
  £20
  
  

Ti Parts Workshop Brompton Carbon Saddle Rail Pentaclip inserts

• Allow Carbon Rails in Brompton Pentaclips
  
• Same as below, excellent condition
  
  £20
  
  

http://www.wired.co.uk/article/folding-electric-bike-uk-brompton-electric-review-hummingbird-electric

Seems to be some more press coming out about the electric, wonder if that means the release is soon...

No review of the Tern Vektron though, which although much heavier, is a fantastic machine and a proper hoot.

These look interesting too....

https://www.vellobike.com/product-page/vello-urbano-claris

Is this guy on here? He's quick!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iajrAt7Gbk4

Titanium main frame

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EasyTi-Titanium-Ti-CNC-Main-Frame-for-Brompton-Folding-Bike/222840906101?epid=20015018247&hash=item33e25a6175:m:mo0sQjg6BjdTGte0_8XlPTQ

Carbon rail inserts plz @Dick

Pop me a PM mate!

About to do the first chain replacement, how do I know the correct chain length without having to count the links one by one? 2nd hand 6 speed bike, is it possible to know if the gearing is "reduced" by just looking at the teeth number on the chainring? If so what is standard and reduced?
Apologies for the noob question... :D
Any tricks @edscoble?

Can you count to 100?

Get a box of toothpicks / matches and pop one into the chain every 10 links.
No need to count to 100.

Measure the new chain against the old one.

can but surely there is a faster way

more practical but still fairly slow method, isn't there a way to know the chain length byjust looking at number of gears and chainring teeth? like http://blog.brilliantbikes.co.uk/2015/02/brompton-chain-sizing-guide.html

Without stating the obvs. is it worth pointing out that you are not looking at replicating chain length - but are looking at replicating the correct number of links?
On a well-worn chain, the same number of links can be over an inch (or more) in overall chain length.
Sorry. You need to count the links.
If you know of another method, I'd be delighted to hear of it.

44t chainring should be 98, 50t 100 and 54t 102 iirc.

Brompton use Sram 8 speed chains.

edit: Brompton make it easy for you.

https://brompton.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/203295641-What-chain-size-and-length-do-I-need-

#chainsdontstretchmate

'Splain.

It's an age old debate 'on here' about whether chains wear or stretch.