Brompton owners

They have metal ones on both sides now.
Not as nice as those MKS ones though

I just fitted some old ATAC Aliums - the non-folding pedal doesn't bother me for the odd bit of carrying (and hasn't been a problem during temporary storage here and there). The Aliums could be used elsewhere, so I was thinking about those new 1-sided ATAC/gripper ones - though I wonder if I'd still rather just wear cycling shoes and bung some non-cycling ones in my bag, wherever I'm going :/

I like the firm suspension too :)

Most of my minor modifications, like the pedals, have involved stuff you can't spec via Brompton.

1. Extended Seat Pillar (I'm 5'10") - £0
   
   

any missteps in this configuration that anyone can see?

You might find you don't need this. I'm the same height and just mounted the pentaclip upside down and moved it up to the top of the seatpost.

First ride back on the Marathons, and with a 69" gear this morning. Despite dead legs and a shoulder strain, it was very pleasant. The gearing is perfect for town (though it's nice to push against the 74" during enthusiastic summer months), and the little extra cushioning from tyres at 70/75psi is great when you've only been awake half an hour; but without the bobbing/dipping you get from a softer suspension block.

Having removed the Kojaks, I'm a little disappointed that the rear tyre has squared off so much in 4 months / 500 miles. I really think they could do with a slightly harder compound in the centre of the contact patch. Anyway, I'll swap them around (front/rear) next summer, and be prepared for them to be toast after 2 seasons :/

As it's September tomorrow, I've just gone 13t and Marathons. Therefore expect exceptionally good weather for the next 4 weeks :/

cough!

Having removed the Kojaks, I'm a little disappointed that the rear tyre has squared off so much in 4 months / 500 miles. :/

The smaller the tyres - the more wear and tear.

'is to be expected I'm afraid.

I understand the shortcomings of small wheels, but still think it's unacceptable. Schwalbe could adjust the compound recipe by small percentages for different sized tyres, or they could develop what I mentioned upthread. The Kojak is very sticky rubber, and they've just made it thick to give it a decent lifespan. I reckon it would be better suited to daily duties if they hardened up the rubber a little, or sorted out the central section.

I used to ride the Kojak and too experienced wear that fast (20" wheels), I went back to the Conti Sport Contact which were a full 100g heavier, but a lots less wear and tear.

I suppose the combination of a lightweight road tyres + small wheel isn't exactly a marriage made in heaven.

I reckon the Sport Contact would've been popular with the Brompton crowd had they released it in 16" as well.

The Marathons seem pretty well suited… but in an ideal world, Vredestein would do a nice 16" (349) tyre.

I'm sure Schwalbe are happy with faster-wearing-more-often-replaced Kojaks :/

BMMF, I notice the Marathon Racer is also for 16" wheel too, and reasonably light (half the weight of the original Marathon.

What do you think?

I think it's the 305 version of 16" rather than the Brompton-friendly 349.

(and it's listed as having the same compound as the Kojak, but I don't know how vague their definitions are)

This must have been posted somewhere on here, right? Like, eight times?

Team Clonc - YouTube

Sorry.

just saw this video today - LOVE it. am gonna go jump off loads of curbs tomorrow on the way to work

talking of gear ratios earlier though i'm plannng on changing the 54/14/12 to 55/16/12

will the derailleur cope with the 4 tooth jump? or will i have to just go with 55/15/12?

i figure i spin out too much on the flat and the little gear is a little too big to easily do wheelies on for when i am bored waiting for the girlfriend to catch up

:)

also as for pedals i moved over to the mks quick release jobbies

photo.JPG by monomaniac(tom), on Flickr

I think I only have one month until I can get another £1000 C2W voucher now and the brompton is top of my n+1 list I think.

going over the b-spoke spec sheet I'm thinking...

1. M-Type - £650
   
2. 1 speed - £0
   
3. Version L (mudguards) - £50
   
4. Raw Laquer finish (all steel) - £100
   
5. Extended Seat Pillar (I'm 5'10") - £0
   
6. Brompton Unisex Saddle - £0
   
7. Schwalbe Marathons - £20
   
8. Firm Suspension - £0
   
9. Reflectors Only - £0
   10a. n/a
   10b. n/a
   11(i). Easy Wheels - £20
   11(ii). Cover & Saddle Bag - 25
   
   

total: £865
which means I have £135 for random bits for my other bikes should I desire.

any missteps in this configuration that anyone can see?

I've gone for something similar ...

1. S-Type - £650
   
2. 1 speed - £0
   
3. Version L (mudguards) - £50
   
4. Raw Laquer finish (all steel) - £100
   
5. Telescopic Seat Pillar (I'm 6'5") - £35
   
6. Brompton Unisex Saddle - £0
   
7. Brompton Kevlar - £0
   
8. Firm Suspension - £0
   
9. Reflectors Only - £0
   10a. n/a
   10b. n/a
   11(i). Easy Wheels - £20
   11(ii). Cover & Saddle Bag - 25
   
   

total: £880

I'll be changing the saddle for a Brooks Swift and probably stick Time Atacs on it as well.

I couldn't get that b-spoke calc thingy to work for me but Compton Cycles website has a nice one http://www.comptoncycles.co.uk/brompton_custom_build/index.php and they have a 4 week wait contract with Brompton as opposed to the normal 8 week .

I picked up my Brompton today, just rode it home so far, loving it. The standard post seems like a centimetre short, so I'm gonna flip the clip. The SS gear is perfect, tackled Putney Bridge without any issue, didn't even need to get out of the saddle. The fold is piss just have to drill the steps in so I can do it without thinking. The firm suspension has made a massive difference compared to all the test bikes I rode. Going to try do a longish run tomorrow to see how it fairs.

]Sorry to double up on my wanted thread, but I anyone is interested in selling a Brompton give me a shout.

also as for pedals i moved over to the mks quick release jobbies

photo.JPG by monomaniac(tom), on Flickr

Tilover, do you reckon those MKS quick release will take power grips?
I want to get some sort of foot retention for my Brompton, but don't want to go clipless on it.

I have fitted power grips to my brompton. All you need is a reamer or drill and a 5mm tap, and to buy me dinner and I'll do it for you.

Claire I reckon you might be able to get the restraps on there.

My restraps are proper knackered and I never use them anymore so if you have the mks pedals already and when I can be bothered I'll take them off my bike and you can try and fit them and see whether they'll go on or not (you'd need to buy a new pair to actually use them though as mine are literally falling apart now).

in other news it's 2 weeks to go until I can sign up for my next c2w voucher now. should have my brompton on order by 2nd week in Oct hopefully.

I have fitted power grips to my brompton. All you need is a reamer or drill and a 5mm tap, and to buy me dinner and I'll do it for you.

might just take you up on that dude, I haz drill and probably a 5mm tap - I presume you took the pedals off to drill them?

I managed to skid my Brompton today, not intentionally. Some sap cut across me to turn without indicating whilst on Fulham Palace Road. Had to brake quite heavily, skidded a little thanks to the builders dust on the road, and it being a little wet still.

I think I have got the handling down, but I do feel more exposed on the Brompton, so I'm not riding aggressively as I normally would. I'm not RLJing or bombing it through on yellow. I'm still carrying tools and a lock, which does sort of counter the point of riding light. What do you carry with you when riding your Brompton?

Oh another thing the rollers are pissing me off have to roll up both trouser legs sufficiently, so I don't snag them. Someone earlier in the thread said something about turning them around, which I haven't tried yet.

Blue quinn wasn't it?

that or get smart wheels or whatever they're called; catching my feet was really pissing me off till I swapped over.

I still carry tools etc but if you flat etc you can just fold it up and deal with it later. I don't bring a lock as you can fold it up and take it with you.

Yeh turn the rollers round, makes all the difference.