Brompton owners

The Lifeline grips look like the ones I got on Aliexpress. They felt good at first but after a while my hand felt like cramping. The Ergons have a flatter top and more supportive volume while the Aliexpress ones are more concave, maybe for smaller hands. I think they copied the Ergons upside down because they look a lot like the underside of the Ergons.

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Lemme know if you need a hook up! Love building a set of wheels!

Personally I love a foam grip and the Brompton foam grips are so perfectly plain and foamy.

https://brilliantbikes.co.uk/brompton-handlebar-grips/2544-brompton-130mm-lock-on-handlebar-grips-black.html

https://www.radicaldesign.com/brompton-backpack
anyone ever try this? Is it as uncomfortable as it looks or is it actually usable?

Needs disc wheels

M3L up for sale, very good working order, no service issues. Upgraded wheelset, marathon / marathon plus tyres.

Shipping worldwide.

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How much are you asking?

£745

Planning to become a Brompton owner in the very near future. Have wanted one for a while, just because, but I'd commute once a week with it, use it for local shopping where I'd never leave one of my bikes outside, and the time is right now because I think it will be good for the first post Achilles rupture recovery rides - flat pedals (will swap for ATACs eventually), step-through frame, upright position.

Down to picking between C-Line Urban and Explore, but can't quite figure out the difference in GI between the two gearing set ups. Any one know?

Will probably just go Urban, given how I'll likely be using it. Going to get the Conti tan wall tyres and the Borough medium bag at the same time. Anything else I should be thinking about?

Any suggestions for a small front bag that doesn't break the bank? Something like that Ortleib Mini O Bag but cheaper (and available to buy). Will only get occasional use so happy to look at the more budget stuff.

Down to picking between C-Line Urban and Explore, but can't quite
figure out the difference in GI between the two gearing set ups. Any
one know?

this calculator seems up to date for the stock setups - do you have a reference point of what GI you want to ride in your area?

Thanks - I’ll have a go with that.

I’m pretty happy on 48x19 (~66”), so a bit either side would be fine.

Depends how small you want, and how patient you can be but I just picked up a very lightly used Carradice City Folder from eBay for I think it was 40 bucks.

I’ve really rated my Waxed Canvas roll too bag (https://brilliantbikes.co.uk/brompton-bags/2274-brompton-roll-top-bag-brown.html) that sadly they don’t make any more. Not sure what the updated version is, but I’d keep an eye on eBay for another one if I was looking again.

I’ve used it on and off the bike for work; carried iPad/notebook and overnight changes of clothes in when needing to stay over somewhere. And it’s a handy size to pick up those few things from a supermarket on the way home without having to have a massive empty bag rattling around. You’re not going to get a weekly shop in it, but some veg, pint of milk, bottle of wine type shop fits fine.

Anyone with a P-Line, do you find the gear range good enough for commuting?

isn't there a commonly adopted hack to add 2x more gears?

Yep, my commute is very flat though

Use it on the T-line I had, its alright, not a game changer. Probably good around London and flat commutes but definitely not a replacement of 6 or 9 speed.

So I was just cleaning my chain (which happens way too infrequently) and discovered that one of my links was broken on one side. Amazing that I discovered it and that it didn't lead to my flying over the handlebars. To get me up and running, will I get away with 101 links instead of 102 on a 2 speed with a 54T chainring?

How are you planning to connect 101 links?

Steering is a bit compromised mind

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Just lean.

Jesus Christ. I had a puncture the other day after riding on a shoddy suburban bike path. I don't think I ever had a puncture on my old Brompton - this must've been nine or so years ago - so had never taken a rear wheel off. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. I was at home and it was miserable. Imagine changing it at the side of the road?!

On the plus side, after I got the puncture - just before reaching my destination - I booked an Uber and threw it in the boot for the return leg. Felt like cheating.

i have changed the tube a couple of times; wasnt as bad 😂 almost as complex as a nexus/alfine on a cargo bike

Never ever had a front puncture, only the rear. Several times!