Brompton owners

I am just about to get a Brompton and going to get it modified by Ben Cooper at Kinetics in Glasgow. I am going for the Shimano Alfine 11 speed mod including a stainless steel rear end. Currently the Brompton has the current DP brakes.

However, the question I am asking and apologies if has already been asked is about front forks and disc brakes.

The rear end mod is disc brake ready but I am thinking of getting one of his Columbus Zona forks (£295) which are also disc brake ready.

So two questions..(1) is getting disc brakes on a Brompton a good thing? (2) Is the Kinetics forks worth getting either with or without disc brakes or would the Brompton titanium forks be better (only DP brakes).

I hope these aren't stupid questions and thanks for any help and advice.

M_V. 😺

So two questions..(1) is getting disc brakes on a Brompton a good thing? (2) Is the Kinetics forks worth getting either with or without disc brakes or would the Brompton titanium forks be better (only DP brakes).

1. disc brakes rock.
   
2. the kinetics fork is "better" than the stock one. It is higher quality tubing, a nice crown, and has proper dropouts.
   
3. if you dont want disc brakes, go ti fork. tasty.
   
   

Speak to ben, he is hugely knowledgeable and helpful.

Thanks for that and I have found Ben very helpful.

I was thinking front disc and rear DP or would discs front and rear will be better?

What disc brakes would you recommend? Post or flat mount? Mechanical or hydraulic? What rotor?

Thanks again for your advice.

I would go full disc.

post mount, (i hate flat), for me, mechanical works and easy to adjust on the fly, hydraulic is easier and no adjustment needed on the fly! 160mm rotors, shimano ones.

Ben suggests TRP Spyre for mechanical or Hope Evo 2 for hydraulic...Any preference?

Any opinions on Ti stems or CK headsets for a Brompton or is that overkill?

Thanks again for your advice 😊

Headset, go Tange or Kuosac sealed sub £20. done.

Ti stem, not found a good one yet!

I have fitted Deores, but the Hope lever is better as its much flatter.

Thanks again...Could Ben make a stem from Columbus Zona...same as forks?

Which version of Tange headset would you recommend?

Ben said if I go with TRP mech DBs I could still use the Brompton brake levers.

Thanks again.

Looked on SJS website and see what you mean about headsets.

Anyone got any opinions on Titanium seatposts and handlebars?

the only titanium seatpost thats worth the money is Jtek

you want a. fully integrated (i.e. no need to use. pentaclip) seatpost with a lip, no1 does that

I mis-typed. was thinking about one thing and writing about another :-) It is the rear wheel in the frame.. It feels well seated

Standard handlebars are aluminium, so there won't be much difference in weight with Ti flavoured ones.
Seat post - plenty difference in weight as the standard one is steel.

Thanks...have you heard anything about J & L posts and bars...Taiwan.

Thanks...just wondering about J&L posts from Taiwan.

You realise the frame is not symmetrical, the wheel may look like its closer to the driveside?

weight is one thing, but ti will be more comfortable potentially.

Nope, I didn't :-) But will go and look now :-)

Indeed. It does have a bit more boing to it than the steel one.

Cannot comment I'm afraid as mine is a Brompification one, from just before they ceased trading.

Brompfication seems to be available again.

I thought I'd read that - but wasn't sure.

At SJS for £175 for 520mm

11 speed Alfine is SHIT, 8 speed or Rohloff your only options.

Yep, all up and running as before. sjs stocks all their bits.

Rohloff is your only option