Brompton owners

did you check this out? (from brompton website)

http://clients.squareeye.net/uploads/brompton/bjc2010/subtext%20gadj%20hub.pdf

Spring clip C is out of the anchor, it doesn't tell me how to get it back in properly
:(

One of these coming to Ealing Broadway http://www.bromptondock.co.uk/

I've had my Brommie for a year now. Don't use it much. Once or twice a month. Not that many miles.

Front hub made a funny noise on a 6 mile ride recently (no noise before). I stripped it the following day and replaced bearings. Turns out the hub is pitted (from use) and therefore new bearings aren't going to help much. WTF? Its hardly used? I'm not the biggest fan of loose ball bearing hubs but they're not usually this bad. Absolutely shite durability.

I'm hoping this is a one off or a Friday afternoon hub build. I probably should have checked it sooner but it felt fine.
So I'm stuck with a dilema:
New hub and rebuild? Or will I just run into the same problem?
Or Superlight front hub (might require new spokes). Are superlights any good? Cartridge bearing?

Any other hub options? Can't find much apart from the Dynamo options. Shim Capero have a front hub but its only 20 hole (I think). Don't fancy that suspension hub either. Looks like a solution to a problem I don't really have.
What I really want is for Hope to make a 74mm hub!

This looks nice but probably a bit too expensive. http://www.calhouncycle.com/shopcast/?p=43#comments

I've had my Brommie for a year now. Don't use it much. Once or twice a month. Not that many miles.

Front hub made a funny noise on a 6 mile ride recently (no noise before). I stripped it the following day and replaced bearings. Turns out the hub is pitted (from use) and therefore new bearings aren't going to help much. WTF? Its hardly used? I'm not the biggest fan of loose ball bearing hubs but they're not usually this bad. Absolutely shite durability.

I'm hoping this is a one off or a Friday afternoon hub build. I probably should have checked it sooner but it felt fine.
So I'm stuck with a dilema:
New hub and rebuild? Or will I just run into the same problem?
Or Superlight front hub (might require new spokes). Are superlights any good? Cartridge bearing?

Any other hub options? Can't find much apart from the Dynamo options. Shim Capero have a front hub but its only 20 hole (I think). Don't fancy that suspension hub either. Looks like a solution to a problem I don't really have.
What I really want is for Hope to make a 74mm hub!

This looks nice but probably a bit too expensive. http://www.calhouncycle.com/shopcast/?p=43#comments

so good I posted it twice!

Nothing? Might have to get a Brompton superlight. Are they cartridge bearing? I can't use the same spokes can I? Even if I use longer nipples?

Gah!

2 week further delay. Will be taking it up to almost 3 months.
Flipping successful British businesses.

I would love a raw lacquer S2L, but the delays are taking the piss. I'll probably end up with black like everyone else on the streets, so I actually get to ride it this year.

Are the delays just as silly if you want a mix of standard colours? I'm tempted by black with pink extremities.

The gossip on the BromptonTalk mailing list is that the factory is so overloaded that after the end of this month, they'll only be taking orders for 2013.

But on the plus side, titanium components are coming back into production, after some lengthy supplier issues.

I would love a raw lacquer S2L, but the delays are taking the piss. I'll probably end up with black like everyone else on the streets, so I actually get to ride it this year.

Last month we were told not to take any order for a titanium jobbie until further notice.

^ edit, look like it's coming back.

I can see the factory from my flat, and the way they've expanded, and now set up temp office space outside, and constantly have deliveries... yeah, they're pretty much at full capacity.

I keep thinking about getting a Brompton, but in my mind these aren't custom bikes... they're just OTPs plus options. And I can never resolve the cost and wait to what it is you actually get.

But they do fold up small.

It's all about the fold

And you are buying a quality bike that is hand-made in London, rather than machine-made in China and shipped here.
It rides really well, like a proper bike, and the construction quality and neat little detail touches mark it out as streets ahead of any other folder.

Until you rode a Moulton.

Until you rode a Moulton.

...which don't fold.

^ this
^^ shut up ed :-)

The gossip on the BromptonTalk mailing list is that the factory is so overloaded that after the end of this month, they'll only be taking orders for 2013.

But on the plus side, titanium components are coming back into production, after some lengthy supplier issues.

Already happened. No new ones till 2013 (out the factory at least).

Until you rode a Moulton.

...which don't fold.

^ this
^^ shut up ed :-)

... or a Birdy, which is significantly more expensive than a Brompton and doesn't fold as well. Bromptons consistently show that they have the best mix/compromise of desirable attributes.

^ this
^^ shut up ed :-)

You mean the Moulton is not a folding bike?

You mean the Moulton is not a folding bike?

No. It decouples, like a Break-Away. You should know this, given you had one.

Not all of them are separable.

I know, I just like saying that and witnessing Moulton owner's nose flaring out in preparation for a reply.

Can anyone recommend a replacement crankset/chainring for an S2L?
Mine is nearing the end of its life I think, and would rather replace it with something that will last more than a year.