Well, after a couple of misadventures I finally decided to buy a new M6L six-speed Brompton. I wanted to get the saddle-to-BB distance similar to my 61 cm frame road bike, yet have folded dimensions compact enough to fit in the baggage compartment of my Cessna. The Brompton is one of the few folders to meet both qualifications. Wednesday, I drove down to Palo Alto, met Channell Wasson (the Brompton distributor), and he showed me the model range and options. I wound up buying the telescopic seat post to get the height I needed, but it barely changed the folded dimensions. It's a great ride, and fits my requirements perfectly.
How come no luggage carrier?
Nope; just 23 pounds of steel. :)
I debated whether or not to put a luggage carrier on, and decided to go with a soft (Cordura) bag that attaches to the head tube, and also has a shoulder strap. It looks kinda like a bike messenger pouch.
igor455
04-15-06, 07:42 AM
very cool congrats, what kind of cessna do you drive? as a long time rotor driver as well as a folder driver i an curious.
LittlePixel
04-15-06, 07:55 AM
Bromptons look their best in black. I wish you many happy miles on her!
AWOL
04-15-06, 09:06 AM
oooh, that is a sweet looking ride.
Scooper
04-15-06, 09:45 AM
very cool congrats, what kind of cessna do you drive? as a long time rotor driver as well as a folder driver i an curious.
It's an older (1963) 172 I've fixed up. It was a retirement present to myself. :D
I've always been interested in getting a rotor rating, but just never got around to it.
Interesting. I always had this passion about flight, and only now decided to pursue it. I may get into gliders. For now I am just reading and learning what I can about them. Hapiness maybe a glider, a digital camera, a folder and a camelbak after all. :)
Rafael
igor455
04-15-06, 04:08 PM
very nice , functional panel adn easy to work with. I should maybre now that i am older get a fixed wing rating. that would be scary after 4200 hrs only in rotors. rotors are cool but then again being in the air is cool in whatever craft
folder fanatic
04-15-06, 04:08 PM
Congratulations on your new M6 Brompton! I hope you will have many years of happy riding with it. I too am a new Brompton owner for only a few months. I chose a more simplier version than yours and never regretted it. It is now being slightly upgraded and will be more so as the months and the years pass. But that will not stop me from purchasing another more accessorized one in the future if it fits my needs.
Scooper
04-18-06, 07:11 PM
Today was the first day since I got the Brompton that the weather was decent enough for me to spend some time riding it and checking the fit of the bike in the Cessna's baggage area. I'm very pleased with the ride, and think the gearing is damn near perfect for the kind of riding I expect to do.
I knew the bike would fit in the baggage compartment of the plane, but wasn't sure whether I could fit it through the baggage door or would have to wrestle it through the the cabin door and over the rear seat and into the baggage area. Well, to my great delight it fits easily through the baggage door.