http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: favourite bike equipment en Sun, 31 May 2026 07:21:30 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79&page=2#post-2321 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:28:34 +0000 wee folding bike 2321@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So they stock the M type which seems OK with most people. I suppose it's OK with me too, that's what I've been using almost every day since October.</p> <p>The whole thing makes sense to me, I keep spares for three different ones. The S types both use the same cables. My M type is an old short wheel base. I have three different types of back wheel running just now... and three different types of front wheel too.</p> <p>Of course I don't need to worry about the colour.</p> <p>If they could cut down the delivery time for non standard models it would cheer up a lot of people. I think some of it is down to their market getting bigger and it takes time to train up staff. Mine are all fairly standard black ones. The first one came from BikeTrax and took a couple of weeks to arrive. The other two were from Evans and arrived in a couple of days. Evans claimed to know nothing of Schwalbe tyres and presta tubes so I just took them with standard Brompton tyres and swapped them later. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79&page=2#post-2317 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:06:26 +0000 gembo 2317@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Folders, mark at TheBikeChain explained to me that Evans have an arrangemetn with Brompton to stock one model only. Brompton Rep was saying that if tbc work out a way of programming all specifications to be in stock for a shop then Brompton would buy the programme, that is how complicato it is.</p> <p>Mark - mudguards sorted with addiitonal (but at no additonal cost) bracket where the thread inside the frame had gone. James Mechanic to be commended, though he is now I understand snowboarding in remote part of austria, </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79&page=2#post-2264 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:41:23 +0000 wee folding bike 2264@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>tbc,</p> <p>All Brompton dealers I've been to only keep one or two in stock, I don't think Dales had any the last time I was there. Evans at Braehead have one on the floor and it always seems to be an M type. Being such a big concern they can supply more models quite quickly of course. Even Kinetics only kept a couple to try out. There is probably a gap in the market on the west coast because Kinetics is no longer an official dealer but in the east there is BikeTrax. My experience of them is that they don't know nearly as much about Bromptons as Ben at Kinetics but if you order things from them there is a reasonable chance of getting a reply the same year. When I was last in Dales there was a customer in looking to buy one. The guy in the store did know all the available options but didn't seem to have used a Brompton.</p> <p>These days you would also be competing with SJS.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/">http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/</a></p> <p>They keep a huge range of Brompton parts on a well organised web page. I did try hard to support the local dealer but now I get all my Brompton parts from SJS since Ben took six months to replace a hinge. The next time I need a new hinge I will have to decide whether to pony up for the reamer or take a chance on one of the remaining dealers in central Scotland. I don't trust Dales, BikeTrax is footery for me to get to and Evans is an unknown quantity. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79&page=2#post-2257 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:04:35 +0000 thebikechain 2257@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hmm. Will continue my thinking.<br /> Thank for all that input - appreciated.</p> <p>@gembo - i left early, i presume the guys got you sorted re the mudguards?<br /> If wonder if they might not be 'my thing' these Bromptons. It is def one of those decisions i might have to look at the numbers in more detail than my 'feelings' about it. Plus there is a high chance this will go nowhere anyway - I can't see Brompton offering it TBH and i am not one to chase... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-2256 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:58:30 +0000 SRD 2256@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Must admit, I thought that was a rash request! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-2255 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:49:29 +0000 gembo 2255@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>tbc/Mark - has wee foldy given you enough info so that you can write the program which Brompton will then buy from you? As I said in the shop today it fits your ethos in that you sell clothing made by Gore, panniers by Ortlieb, saddles by Brooks etc - thus if you are going to sell folding bikes it has to be Brompton. Looks quite complicated to a simpleton like myself </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-2254 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:08:06 +0000 wee folding bike 2254@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>tbc,</p> <p>There are a lot of options if you include all possible permutations but the main ones are fairly simple and they have key models.</p> <p>The first thing to think about is handlebars, M, S or P type. I've never used Ps. I have an M and 2 S types. The M or P type is required for the big front bag, S bars are not high enough. I find M bars a bit flexible and prefer the S types. Other people find the S type harsh and fit Ergon grips or Pantour hubs.</p> <p>The next thing to worry about is gearing. There are 1, 2, 3 and 6, speeds available. There is little weight added for the 2 speed compared to the 1. Similarly there is little added weight for the 6 compared to the 3. I have a few gripes with the 2 speed changer but nothing serious. It can get dirty in winter but it's easy to clean and often a squirt of WD-40 will sort it out. The higher of the two jockey wheels does the actual shifting. It has flanges on the sides and, being made of plastic, these get chewed up by the chain. Mine last a year or two. It's not a major quibble as they are just over £2 each.<br /> I have a 2 speed superlight. My rational on that is that I wanted the superlight for performance and it only made sense if you made it as light and low drag as possible.<br /> I have an old SRAM 6 speed and a newer BWR (Brompton Wide Range) 6 speed. The BWR has only been fitted since May. It has worked almost without incident. The only problem was my fault for not bothering to tighten the adjuster lock nut. It drifts out of adjustment after a few days. I don't know how well it will last long term but it's a Sturmey Archer hub so it should do OK. The SRAM doesn't work well in long term wet conditions, the left hand bearing is not well protected against water ingress.</p> <p>The next consideration is rack or no rack. The rack increases the weight and makes removing the back brake a bit more footery. It makes the folded bike more stable and if you add EZwheels it's much easier to roll around when folded. You wouldn't use it much, the front luggage system is more useful. Things on the back get in the way of folding and hit your heels if you don't sit them far enough back. However, when you need it it works OK. I used it today to carry a laser jet toner cart home with me as the front bag was full of computer, clothes, tupperwear and accumulated cruft.</p> <p>The superlight package adds a fair chunk to the price. There are a few reasons for choosing it. It makes the machine faster but only makes a big difference if you go all out like I did with my S2L-X. It makes the machine lighter for people who carry it a lot. It doesn't rust so it could be good thing to use over the winter.</p> <p>Cables wear out because of flexing under the BB. They also get rusty from water getting into the U bend under the brakes.</p> <p>Tyres have limited choice and don't last as long as bigger ones. I use Schwalbe Marathon/Marathon Plus in the winter and Stelvios on the S2L-X. I've got some Brompton Yellows too and they are OK.</p> <p>If your roads are lumpy then Stelvios would be a bad choice but Brompton's own or Schwalbe Marathon/Marathon Plus would be fine. The back suspension block is available in two hardnesses. I have both and prefer the harder model but it only came out last year so I'm still in the process of swapping all the bikes to that one. Tyre pressure should be high. I have them at 100 - 125 psi. I haven't tried Schwalbe Kojacks yet but reports are good.</p> <p>There is a Brompton gear calculator here:</p> <p><a href="http://xldev.co.uk/bgc.html">http://xldev.co.uk/bgc.html</a></p> <p>Or you can find the numbers in the Brompton catalog.</p> <p>Chains do not last well at this time of year. They run closer to the ground, they move faster than other bike chains and they have more chain wrap round the wee sprockets. I get around 1000 miles from them over the winter. The rest of the year it's not so bad.</p> <p>The front luggage system can carry a lot if you get the big bag. The smaller bags are lighter and more handy. They unclip quickly and are easy to access when on the bike. They can stay in place when folded but one of the clamps is hard to reach.</p> <p>So, with regard to running costs. They will be higher than a cumbersome because you go though more chains, sprockets, tyres and cables. Some parts are not standard so I now keep a stash of cables, chains and so on in the hut but not many people would be prepared to do that. I've not found them to be particularly fragile bikes. I do 20 miles a day on mine and have done 30 a day in the past.</p> <p>In terms of servicing you need to replace chains. I do that when they are 1% over length. I replace cables every year or so before they start to get draggy. I don't have a schedule for cables because I know what to look for now but it surprised me at first how they would need to be replaced before they snapped. Some people have a fear of the back wheel. It's really not difficult to remove and there are detailed instructions in the manual. Nonetheless some people live in fear of a flat on the back tyre. </p> <p>I wear out a back hinge after about 20 - 25K miles. I can't replace that as it needs a £200 tool from Brompton to ream both sides at the same time.</p> <p>The upside is that you find yourself using it more than you might with a cumbersome. You can take it in places with you so there is no worry about locking it up. You can fit it on busses or in the car so you take it on trips where you might not take another kind of bike so it might pay for the extra running costs there.</p> <p>If you want to know more about anything please ask. If I don't know the answer I can probably find out. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-2251 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:06:49 +0000 thebikechain 2251@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>wee folding bike - could we get some feedback from your user perspective of your Brompton(s) please?</p> <p>We approached them a while back to do them and they only got back to us yesterday with an unannounced salesman coming in.</p> <p>I really like them but find them a little over complicated in terms of options... we prefer the idea of elegant simplicity rather than confusing complexity.</p> <p>Principally we would be interested in knowing about the gearing range and suitability for our AMAZING Ugandan influenced road conditions.</p> <p>Also... servicing and running costs. Do they offer people good value per mile? We like stuff that kinda works and doesn't have the customer coming in unhappy.</p> <p>Thanks</p> <p>Mark </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1535 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:26:31 +0000 spytfyre 1535@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>fit these to trams?</p> <p><a href="http://tinyurl.com/yfb6f5k"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4331006050_49030c0b4f_o.jpg"></a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1215 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:46:15 +0000 kaputnik 1215@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I would also be blind and lost without a pair of these; <img src="http://forums.ikiteboarding.com/forums/storage/20/13591/AdidasPerformanceInsertRearView.jpg"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1203 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:47:52 +0000 wee folding bike 1203@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I had a similar problem with the Schlumpf SpeedDrive. I went through a couple of them on my M6R Brompton before I gave up. I heard a few years later that the lube didn't deal very well with salty water. I'll probably fit a Brompton BWR hub on that bike like the one I already have on the S6L. I found the SRAM hubs have almost no protection against the weather on the left hand side. The BWR is a Sturmey Archer.</p> <p>I'm a wee bit tempted by the SA version of the DuoMatic which is on the way soon but I don't think they make it with the right OLN for a Brompton.</p> <p>Worst buy... a 1978 Sun Squadra 5 speed "racer". I pinched my dad's early 1950s Claud Butler a year later and used it until 1993 including three years in London. It's still in the loft.</p> <p>Got Longstaff TWD from my dad's garden. Head set is stiff and tyres are soft so I'll give it bash with a spanner and go for a spin. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1202 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:46:18 +0000 gembo 1202@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We could start another string - worst buys ever? I was persuaded by the EBC hype on the Nexus 8 hub gear. I have had more maintennance on this bike than on any other (so the opposite of the EBC hype, of course Gordon A the mechanic at EBC who understands hub gears has been brilliant). Apparently, the problem was in the switch between Nexus 7 and Nexus 8 when a new lithium based grease was introduced. The previous grease was thick and resistant to Scottish rain, the new stuff is technologically advanced but useless in Scotland (well for me). The Nexus 8 is basically 2 gears (1-4 and 5-8). When it gets stuck in the 1-4 part you can get about but when stuck in 5-8 it is trickier. I am a big fan of hub gears but not the Nexus 8. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1199 Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:37:38 +0000 wee folding bike 1199@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>gembo,</p> <p>I do have other things which don't fold but they are in my dad's house. If I get time, and this weather persists, I'll go get the Longstaff TWD from my dad's greenhouse.</p> <p>I need to strip and clean a couple of SRAM three speed hubs and replace a back brake cable some time too but weans keep needing stuff done. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1197 Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:39:18 +0000 gembo 1197@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>wee folding bike - it is good that you have come out as a Bromptonite, in case your name gave a suggestion of any other wee folding bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1195 Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:32:50 +0000 wee folding bike 1195@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Brompton S2L-X but I don't use it in the winter or rain so it's in the downstairs toilet till late March/April.</p> <p>It's as fast as and slightly lighter than my 1990 Dave Yates 531c Campag CdA racing bike but I don't need to add a kg of lock and leave it outside. I can use it for going places and take it in with me.</p> <p>In dark and dirty winter it's a Brompton M6R with SON, Edelux and Brooks. </p> <p>Spring and autumn or summer when it rains I use a Brompton S6L.</p> <p>Looks like my favourite thing is a Brompton. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1193 Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:01:23 +0000 medici 1193@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My favourite bike bits are my SKS mudguards, a pair of bungee cords for my rear rack, my Schmidt dynohub with E6 headlamp, and my lovely little brass bike bell -- Japanese, with a ring that reverberates for over 10 seconds! Ommmmmmmm. And I do love riding with gloves. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1189 Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:53:53 +0000 gembo 1189@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>ta, that snowperson has beaten my partner who is off at the sales with my eldest and I am busy with construction toys with the others. I could not rustle up my team mates from Team Marmite to go out The Lang Whang which is a shame as conditions favourable, I suppose it is Christmas. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1186 Sat, 26 Dec 2009 13:22:15 +0000 chdot 1186@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"can you send me another comedy snowperson"</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/4215837794" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/4215837794</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1183 Sat, 26 Dec 2009 10:46:28 +0000 gembo 1183@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Chris, that is depressing me again, can you send me another comedy snowperson and snow cat picture, my kids liked that. Perhaps I should clarify that when I say the Roseburn path I mean the one I get off at Roseburn, The one I have been on from Royston/Muirhouse/Drylaw, the one that using in the dark despite bright lights is not advisable. Most of the action happens at the Pilton end not the Roseburn end. Of course, the incidents have accumulated over many years, it is generally boring but I sometimes see an old colleague from my Muirhouse days walking his dog and I like to shout at him "Control That Canine" this is a joke as I feel most dogs are random. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1182 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:16:19 +0000 chdot 1182@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I have a recurring dream of one of the wee malkie's tying a fishing line or somesuch across the path and taking me out as I cycle through."</p> <p>Unfortunately that has happened - DMains path at Drylaw. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1178 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:17:21 +0000 gembo 1178@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>spytfyre, I cheated slightly as the VW Golf was actually half way down the tunnel at Colinton on the Water of Leith Path - they seemed to be having a party (as was the Xmas Day Jogger who was caught short). The rest are all Roseburn, I have a recurring dream of one of the wee malkie's tying a fishing line or somesuch across the path and taking me out as I cycle through </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1168 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:06:38 +0000 spytfyre 1168@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Kaputnik - oh I need to get me another one of those after some wee b@wb@g nicked mine out my saddle pack... very handy thing indeed<br /> @gembo - VW GOLF? that's a lot of craziness on one path, I've so far (touch wood) not had an issue on the path (well OK one with a pair of idiots on a quad bike with no lights but I heard them far enough away and they were on the left side so I just shook my head and carried on... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1163 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:41:31 +0000 gembo 1163@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Dave, maybe the super radiant lights that help with the darkness could come with a dimmer switch for built up areas?</p> <p>The Roseburn path is packed with incident in daylight, after dark I am too scared to go on it. Here are some things I have seen on that path (with a couple of ringers from the Water of Letih Walkway):-</p> <p>Fox, numerous motorbikes, Collapsed drunk that we hilariously phoned an ambulance for, suicide aftermath [not cycling related], meditating wee muirhouse malkie [in middle of path, told me to f' off when I said 'om' to him], flasher, defecator [Xmas morning], volkswagon golf with mum and four kids </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1154 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:33:28 +0000 kaputnik 1154@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I don't go anywhere without a CO2 cartridge tyre inflator </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1143 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:20:22 +0000 spytfyre 1143@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>could throw a few of <a href="http://www.sonnyradio.com/speedbumps.htm">these</a> down behind you as you go to slow drivers down ;) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-1142 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:35:26 +0000 spytfyre 1142@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>One of <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/LargeImage.aspx?ModelID=20105&amp;FileName=20105-1.jpg">these</a> babies for getting the point across at 120 decibels of pedestrian skim jumping shock and awe and not too expensive at £18 from chainreactioncycles.com </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-477 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:51:49 +0000 Dave 477@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Bright lights are the way forward. The more you like like part of the traffic, the more they yield.</p> <p>It's not all roses though - there is a real division between the two 'light camps' of cyclists IMO. Riding in from Fife after dark on the NCN1 everybody has a beasting light and everyone is happy - nobody moans about being dazzled. But get further in, to the Roseburn path and suddenly you're being shouted at by 50% of cyclists, mainly the half who have chosen tiny invisiblinkie lights for themselves. </p> <p>Now that my new commute allows me to avoid the Roseburn path, I prefer to stick on road after dark. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-464 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:14:41 +0000 SRD 464@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Cateye above is FABULOUS on my helmet. I get lots of good comments/questions -- sometimes people think it is a camera. I find it particularly good because it gives me a light above the height of cars - so eg if I am going straight through an intersection, I feel quite confident at going straight through, even if I am following a turning car (and worry that cars in opposite direction may try to turn across me). And, it gives me light to see when locking up etc. Best of all, it never gets lost/stolen/dropped/left behind as it is on my helmet. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-204 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:23:43 +0000 Kim 204@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>For me it has to be my DiNotte 400L light set <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49194391@N00/4056773322/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/49194391@N00/4056773322/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=79#post-199 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:05:09 +0000 LaidBack 199@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Cateye EL400 light is nice. Is waterproof to 50 metres so ideal for climate change!</p> <p>Now improved with new bolt on clip. Check out at Bike Works. Is older model but still good to be seen with. </p> <p>Of course EBC has similar light now cheaper. Don't know if it angles and is as waterproof though.</p> <p>Can be angled to fit any steerer or derailleur posts on recumbent bikes. </p> <p>Switch is very good</p> <p> </p>