Brompton owners

That link I posted up there ^^^ is a fixed drivetrain. You need the chain a bit slack to cope with suspension, and modify/adjust the tensioner so it only really tensions when you fold the bike.

Small wheels = more likely to crash and fuck yourself up as both Tim and have found out.

i was going to suggest less bunnyhopping and having to really pay attention for potholes or anything on the road bigger than a smartie that may send you flying

I have thought about getting a Brompton too, but have always been put off by the small wheels. Also worried that my size was not really ideal for any folding bike. I'm 6ft tall, but a bit big in the other dimension as well.

Was wondering if there are any big riders on the forum that have a Brompton. What are your experiences of riding? Is the ride harsh, do you find yourself pedaling like a mad man to get anywhere?

6 speed gearing is enough not to be spinny when you want to grind

height not problem, I'm 6ft3, see telescopic seatpost in my earlier post

weight, dunno I'm a twiglet

small wheels. b*tfu whingers.

*balance

I'm 6ft and good with pies. Height wise std seat post is fine.

With my weight the standard rubber block pseudo suspension gets a bit bouncy at high cadence, easily fixed with stiffer rubber (think its standard now) or just going slower (my solution).

I've a 2 speed, which is fine for commuting in London, only spun out a few times along by Blackfriars underpass which is an exceptionally fast road.

Small wheels does mean instability, but if you want it to fold small and go fast you are going to be sliding along the road on your face at some point.

I've got a 2-speed (S2L), and decided on the following gearing:

• Summer: Schwalbe Kojaks, stock 12t with alternative 15t, giving ~74"/59".

• Winter: Schwalbe Marathons, alternative 13t with stock 16t, giving ~69"/56"

I didn't like the big differential with the stock 12t/16t, but shifting is a bit fussy when you close the gap (tall teeth of smaller sprocket seem less keen to let go).

The 75" gear given by a 12t and Schwalbe Marathons was too tall for city riding, particularly if there's a headwind, and if I didn't gradually get fitter over the spring, acclimatising my knees to higher forces, I'd probably leave the 13t on year-round. For a singlespeed, I'd definitely be looking at the 7% gear reduction option.

I think you adapt to the twitchiness of the small wheels quite quickly, but I mean that in the sense of riding appropriately, as well as the physical/balance aspect. Maybe the fact I spend some time on the rollers during the winter helps (not on the Brompton, FFS).

When riding fast, stuff is exaggerated with increasing speed, where stuff = wobbles being telegraphed down the long stem due to a bag shifting on your back or whatever. Starts to get noticable over 20mph, with severity increasing as you approach 30mph; as you'd expect.

I thought BMMF was the only person whoe does training laps on Regents Park with a Brompton, but whilst out for a run at lunchtime today, I spotted a chap on the inner circle hooning along with an odd Graham Obree Old Faithfull kind of style on an m-type with the bars rotated flat towards him.

^sweet.

I was still on the 13t and Kojaks last week, so at least I gain nearly 2mph @ 110rpm this week :D

I think you adapt to the twitchiness of the small wheels quite quickly, but I mean that in the sense of riding appropriately, as well as the physical/balance aspect...

This is true, however I've found that what on a road bike are annoyances (for example unnoticed pothole or sudden large puncture), turn into laying in the road incidents on a brompton.

On the flip side when you swap back to your road bike your newly enhanced balance and defensive riding skills make you feel like you're running on rails.

smithfield links

anyone got any words of wisdom regarding campag pedals. I've got some (look like looks or SL's) I bought the Campag pro fit cleats BUT they only arrive with 2 screws and washer thingys's. You have to buy them seperately I think (£26.99).

Is this just me or is that ridiculous? cleats and screws etc for a total of £40!! what else would fit? Look cleats?

Thanks for your help guys!

I think this needs to be in every thread on the forum.

So... who knows a dealer that sells Bromptons and would be able to pimp one out to the extreme and that is based in London?

Anyone?

Putney Cycles is a brompton dealer oh glorious leader - Ask for Dave

Condor sells them. Don't know about the pimpage though.

Brompton dealers - some really good ones. highly recommended Brixton Cycles, Bicycle Workshop, Putney Cycles, Velorution etc.. full list on the brompton website of course!

PM'd hillbilly re: Brixton Cycles, but I think I'll hit up Putney Cycles after that.

I want to do a series of pimp my bike ride type things, in which we take an OTP that could've been purchased on the cycle scheme, and review it, and then we pimp the hell out of it, and review it again.

I'm starting with a brompton, but that's only because if I'm making capital outlay I damn well want a bike I may want to keep or will be able to flog to offset the cost. But the aim is to get shop and manufacturer support after the first one or two so that it doesn't cost us a great deal.

BWC 2011 pix - flickr - a few pix that I took at the Brompton World Champs launch event on Saturday. There were a few LFGSS faces there :)

Last one of a Campag Record chainring modification - very interesting - he said the BB went in with few issues.

Decided not to enter this year's World Champs. £43 for entry (including £15 return coach fare), a long day for only 13.5km of riding, and WTF, they won't let you wear lycra. Baggies, okay. other shorts or 3/4s, okay. Technical cycling shoes, okay. Lycra, no. I bought a cheap/secondhand jacket/shirt/tie combo to match the team colours of my bibshorts :(

Fuck off.

I'm in, friends live near so it's a nice weekend away. Last yeat I just wore bibshorts under my baggies, no real drama

Nice to meet you Alien...

I'm not wearing baggies. The rule is stupid.

Have fun anyway :)

I'm in, friends live near so it's a nice weekend away. Last yeat I just wore bibshorts under my baggies, no real drama

Nice to meet you Alien...

and you :)

(you were in a lot of the shots!)

I have a friend, I do, honest, who would like to buy a folding bike for 3-400 quid.
In that budget, what's good and what's not?
I doubt there's a brompton going on here for that, is there?

^ eBay completed listings worth a look for what's selling at what price at the mo.

Yeah I've pushed him that way. Is there another reputable brand? Dahon?

Pacific Cycles are a new folding bike company who I saw at the Gadget Show last month. They were very friendly and had a good range of quality folding bikes. Could be an alternative to Brompton, Dahon etc?

http://www.pacific-cycles.com/

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/folding/product/carry-me-29690/

http://www.folding-bikes.com/