tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post1424732084309325411..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: An Oldie but Goody BromptonVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-7707312866804557932017-03-27T03:18:15.562-04:002017-03-27T03:18:15.562-04:00I just layed my hands on a black 3 shifter from th...I just layed my hands on a black 3 shifter from the end of 1993 in mint condition, hardly ever ridden!. I have been planning to upgrade it to become more up to date, but after reading your blog i have changed my mind! This seems to be a collectors piece!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16198670792048782902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-62064085135020747662017-01-20T03:36:56.617-05:002017-01-20T03:36:56.617-05:00My introduction to Bromptons happened only a few m...My introduction to Bromptons happened only a few month ago when a friend recommended them for taking on our travels in our RV.<br />I advertised for a used one locally and was offered a really old one which turned out to be a 1982 Mk1, No258<br />I never got to ride it but spent a lot of time scrutinising it and admiring the ingenuity of the fold mechanisms and the crude, but efficient folding pedal.<br />This bike had been used extensively by the original owner and had no broken or damaged parts, only signs of wear and age. The luggage rack is tubular steel. It had the 3 speed Sturmey Archer hob, bottle dynamo, original mudguards, in fact, everything was original only the tyres and brake blocks had been changed.<br />I sold it (reluctantly - but my home is not a museum!) for a huge price and have now bought two M3Ls which I will eventually electrify.<br />Funnily enough, I still haven't ridden one!!ojibwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772151641699700595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63495191935969057002016-09-16T11:16:20.327-04:002016-09-16T11:16:20.327-04:00I too have an old 5-speed, two shifter model and l...I too have an old 5-speed, two shifter model and love it but was wondering if there's a way to upgrade the shifters. Thanks for the help!<br />- SteveGot Your Nosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16895997776163964278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-6629775637815011842013-08-23T18:37:28.080-04:002013-08-23T18:37:28.080-04:00I have a bike almost like that. Hub made 11.92, tw...I have a bike almost like that. Hub made 11.92, two shifter 5 speed. I like the shorter frame. <br /><br />One problem with this hub is the left togglechain is not protected by the fold. On our first flight with the B`s I remowed the left togglechain before bagging the bike. Actually if you go back a long time there was a shifter for this hub with two cables going into one shifter, a bit like the 5 speed shifter for the SACHS PENTASPORT two cable hubs I find on bikes from the 80`s.<br /><br />I have seen this type of bag several times on pix on the net, but always in black. Our basket is red and blue but same design (as far as I can tell) as the newer black one. I added a rolltop to keep controll on what I carry in there. <br /><br />I upgraded the handlebars to new ones, added the Tektro FL 750 levers and much better brakehousing. Kept old calipers for now. Changed to a smaller chainring up front like the bike you use. <br /><br />Is the luggageframe all steel like ours? A lot of peopel want them. A copy but with ewen better support under the bag can be bought in steel, think they are made in Japan.<br /><br />badmotherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49531378139040560812013-08-17T17:56:25.225-04:002013-08-17T17:56:25.225-04:00hi,
the Brommie 2013 models has now a New updated ...hi,<br />the Brommie 2013 models has now a New updated brake levers. cheers!<br />-HennessyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-13024304002307991082013-06-26T06:55:38.229-04:002013-06-26T06:55:38.229-04:00I love that bag! I would happily use that instead ...I love that bag! I would happily use that instead of the black basket on mine. neighbourteasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17571138655370581828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-30139860481943424722013-06-24T17:21:12.783-04:002013-06-24T17:21:12.783-04:00There's a debate?! (ducks, runs)
I am not dri...There's a debate?! (ducks, runs)<br /><br />I am not drinking while here, but back home it's Bushmills for me :)Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-56907906177755149762013-06-24T16:56:25.790-04:002013-06-24T16:56:25.790-04:00I hope your photos don't ignite a Bushmills vs...I hope your photos don't ignite a Bushmills vs. Jameson debate. (I lean toward Jameson but to each his own.)<br />Is that a tavern where the Brompton was photographed? MT cyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17451590809473759574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-54858963547279038612013-06-24T16:10:32.756-04:002013-06-24T16:10:32.756-04:00The early Bromptons were more lightly constructed ...The early Bromptons were more lightly constructed , I've compared front forks and the newer ones are chunkier, and I've ripped apart rear frames of the early Mk 2 type. Over the years the hinge plates have become heavier, and now I haven't destroyed a rear frame in over a decade. <br /><br />Early Mk 2's had 1" headset, 20 spoke front wheels, and steel tubular chrome plated rear carriers.<br /><br />The front block latch has been improved (reportedly after the chief engineer lost his front bag on the rebound from a pothole going to work) The latest design has a greater engagement and stronger 'spring' effect from the polymer used. <br /><br />There were 2 types of 5-speed hub used, the SA-5 with twin trigger and the SA-Sprinter which used a single indicator rod & chain assembly. this latter detail required a different system of gear change connection which was a pain to set up and the indicator rod was slimmer and prone to getting bent if abused.<br /><br />Glad to see that the free retro-fit handlebar brace has been fitted - this is an important safety issue, as the early handlebars will fatigue and snap, as I have done - twice - before fitting steel 'bars instead. The new 'bars have a more square U shape and the shaping mandrels used ensure that the cross section does not 'neck' on the bends. Note the grey shade on the centreline axis of the bends. Be alert to the appearance of a fine dark line running along this axis as the beginning of a crack which will fail catastrophically when it reaches the bottom of the handlebar curve as the crack path divides and runs circumferentially to leave you with a tiller steering and a half handlebar in the other hand. It is possible to ride the bike in this way to the nearest point for recovery by bus train or taxi. The brace is available free to anyone with the earlier design of handlebars (check this by frame number with a Brompton dealer)<br /><br />Be alert also to paint flaking from the frame, as this usually happens when the metal beneath deforms and separates from the paint skin. Always worth checking then for any possible cracks. <br /><br />Finally if anyone is flying in to the UK it is now possible to hire a Brompton from Brompton Docks at places close to London Heathrow, and Manchester, with units soon to come at stations just along the line from Gatwick. Dave Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11574227829528072780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-24634305284205895242013-06-23T13:08:06.812-04:002013-06-23T13:08:06.812-04:00Looks like tilting the bars won't interfere wi...Looks like tilting the bars won't interfere with the fold.GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-24722937433303004762013-06-23T04:30:18.306-04:002013-06-23T04:30:18.306-04:00The current production M Type Brompton has the equ...The current production M Type Brompton has the equivalent of a 590mm top tube with high handlebars. The position this puts me in is simultaneously a bit too stretched out and a bit too upright, which is not so much aggressive/aero, but more like riding a bike that's a little too big. This is not really a problem, I love it anyway. But the reality is, Bromptons have limited fit adjustability.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-3905196199386390322013-06-23T04:17:32.814-04:002013-06-23T04:17:32.814-04:00I've ridden the new all-steel bikes as well.I've ridden the new all-steel bikes as well. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-74663467705458577572013-06-23T04:15:37.514-04:002013-06-23T04:15:37.514-04:00Right. Overall I prefer my bike, not complaining.Right. Overall I prefer my bike, not complaining.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-25472292039825505942013-06-22T22:51:39.166-04:002013-06-22T22:51:39.166-04:002cm is less than an inch. You can't have ever...2cm is less than an inch. You can't have everything.GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-33051846876370921492013-06-22T21:13:42.951-04:002013-06-22T21:13:42.951-04:00You now seem to go for a more stretched out and ag...You now seem to go for a more stretched out and aggresive/aero position overall, even on transportation bikes (posts about a preference for lower bars on upright bikes, and upside down north road bars), so wouldn't you like the longer TT on the newer bars?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-85667217788106640032013-06-22T20:07:41.935-04:002013-06-22T20:07:41.935-04:00Is the older bike all steel? So a vintage Brompto...Is the older bike all steel? So a vintage Brompton ride "softer" than a new one with titanium parts...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-69515238436461651822013-06-22T17:29:58.976-04:002013-06-22T17:29:58.976-04:00Yup, it's a chain tensioner. This has remained...Yup, it's a chain tensioner. This has remained the same on the current generation bikes.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-48895620657234136102013-06-22T17:28:07.304-04:002013-06-22T17:28:07.304-04:00Well there aren't "many" in this are...Well there aren't "many" in this area to begin with, so it depends on how you look at it. Picture a tiny, tiny town surrounded by miles and miles of farms, it's that kind of place. While cycling for transportation is not common, it's not freakish either. I see others doing it both in the town center and on rural roads several times a day. Also plenty of roadies. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-55591945304209153412013-06-22T17:13:57.207-04:002013-06-22T17:13:57.207-04:00I will pass this on to the owner. I will pass this on to the owner. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40171398201184818942013-06-22T17:12:34.124-04:002013-06-22T17:12:34.124-04:00A bit, but not enough to make a real difference (i...A bit, but not enough to make a real difference (it begins to interfere with the fold). Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-37883263137722271402013-06-22T17:08:52.549-04:002013-06-22T17:08:52.549-04:00Have to say the components on my bike were mostly ...Have to say the components on my bike were mostly great from the factory, I replaced nothing and just used my own saddle. My rear fender has developed a tiny crack in it after a year and a half of heavy use, but that is the only wear and tear I've had. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-87720729767199626742013-06-22T16:05:46.123-04:002013-06-22T16:05:46.123-04:00Why the pulley system on the rear hub? Is there n...Why the pulley system on the rear hub? Is there no room to adjust for chain length any other way? Just curious, it looks a bit cumbersome. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-58605254656065435872013-06-22T15:52:22.906-04:002013-06-22T15:52:22.906-04:00It's hard to tell by you photos but do many bi...It's hard to tell by you photos but do many bicycle for transportation there? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-69719173670654853132013-06-22T15:32:12.189-04:002013-06-22T15:32:12.189-04:00I replaced three of the same four components, but ...I replaced three of the same four components, but not because I considered the Brompton components inferior; I just wanted different functionality.<br />- Crank: I live in Seattle, where the hills are long and steep. I wanted much lower gears for the uphills without giving up the top end for the downhills, so I replaced the crank with a Schlumpf Mountain Drive. The Schlumpf doubles the number of gears, and all of the new gears are below the lowest default Brompton gear. (My B is old enough that I don't have a Brompton Wide Range hub.)<br />- Grips: I wanted another hand position, so I got Ergon grips with bar ends. (The Brompton P-type bars didn't do it for me because they took my hands too far from the brake levers for in-city riding.)<br />- Saddle: Just as I don't need drop bars any longer to make me feel like a racer, I don't need hard, narrow saddles to make me feel manly and tough. ;-) The sprung Brooks B67 was so comfortable from the first ride that I now have one on all three of my bikes.Scotthttp://practicalbiking.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20766511653405131612013-06-22T13:31:04.646-04:002013-06-22T13:31:04.646-04:00Can't you rotate your bars to shorten reach?Can't you rotate your bars to shorten reach?GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.com