Folding Bikes - Somnatash's chic Brompton + front Pantour hub pics!

On behalf of our revered German friend I'm posting some pics of her Brompton. It also includes some interesting pics of the Pantour hub mod on the front and the 8 Speed Sturmey archer hub mod on the rear. Finally I hope Somnatash forgives me for posting her posing in her matching outfit lol!

Somnatash's bike is called "Asphaltblume" a tarmac blossom. It ceratainly is one of the most unsual and most chic Bromptons I've seen. Congrats Somnat you certainly have very discerning taste in colour and bike parts! :)

Wow. I had no idea. :thumb:

Hi mulleady, oh, huuu, thanks:o

Can you convert them smaller please?
Also I feel a little ashamed that you made extra thread, I thought into the "name you bike thread" . Huuu, well, but nevermind, thanks a lot.

With the last pic I wanted to show how to improve rolling ability with a brompton: One has to mount roller (ez-Wheels) a rack and a teleskopic seatpost. Then, by leaving the lower-seatpost-part allmost down, the bike is still "secured" by the seatpost and the bike can be grabbed without unfolding. It is a manner to roll the brommi which does not take so much space than to roll it with the handlebar post and, in the long run, the little plastic clamp which secures the brommi folded gets stressed when rolled with the handlebar up.
Somna

The extra detail is good for anyone looking at hub mods on a Brompton. Anyway, it's a beautiful bike and worth seeing in close-up.

8 speed and Pantour! That must be a nice ride. Beautiful bike!

Question: How many teeth does the rear cog have? Looks like more than 14t...

Work of ART

Now if we could find white fenders for the bike it would be perfect....

No kidding though, its a beautiful bike , very tasteful ,..not over the edge ...
bravo beliisimo


thor

To all many thanks for the flowers:o


Question: How many teeth does the rear cog have? Looks like more than 14t...

The rear cog has 19t. As you can see the chainwheel is small 33t. It is quite low geared like that, I am almost always in the 6 or 7 gear, but having a steep hill on my commute and quite new to cycling long way and regular its okay to start with. I also need the granny gear.

But there is an issue with the small diameter chainguard. When folded that guard is about 1/4 inch too small to press against the frontwheel-fenderstay. This would be better since then the frontwheel is stabilised between the chainguard and the hook which rests on the rear triangle. My frontwheel has slight lift and right play when folded. So I probably change that when I get - hopefully - fitter:D

Very nice mod. I think there should be streamers on those handlebars though. ;)

--sam

Very nice mod. I think there should be streamers on those handlebars though. ;)

--sam

Yeah, I planned to fit them later anyway. They look better when waving in the wind while riding fast... I told you about the granny gear ;)

Nice ride.

Did you have to expand the rear triangle to get that hub on? Any special parts needed to be machined?

Did you have to expand the rear triangle to get that hub on? Any special parts needed to be machined?

The Sturmey Archer 8spd hub is the only internal gear hub (other than the original hubs that come with the Brompton) that can fit within the dropouts without widening the rear triangle.

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/sturmey-archer-hubs.html

The gear change cable support - does that have to stick upwards like that due to rear triangle spacing issues? That would be mounted so it sits horizontally.

Yes, upwards for spacing (clearance is very tight and the rear triangle would be in the way as it goes diagonal inward, even like that one has to modify the gear cable support a little - cut a curve) and also cable routing which is very crucial while the fold. At least others have it also sticking upwards, see:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27982424@N03/2610248209/in/set-72157605813842785/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27982424@N03/2611079458/sizes/l/in/set-72157605813842785/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27982424@N03/2610243509/sizes/l/in/set-72157605813842785/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27982424@N03/2611074936/sizes/l/in/set-72157605813842785/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27982424@N03/2611093716/sizes/l/in/set-72157605813842785/

The last pic shows a brompton modified by Ben Cooper from Kinetics Glasgow. That's where I got mine btw. If you use the photo, he wants his name to be added:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cycleologist/2272585286/sizes/l/


The gear change cable support - does that have to stick upwards like that due to rear triangle spacing issues? That would be mounted so it sits horizontally.

Not a chic as your bike

Of course not, who would dare??? :P

But the hub is good photographed for the technical interested :)

Wonderful.....please describe the crank and pedal modifications, first time I saw a mountain bike crankset...I assume you also swapped out the bottom bracket. Thanks

She looks beautiful, why did you cut off her head?

She looks beautiful, why did you cut off her head?I guessing precisely because of that. It has already had some unwelcome responses... should have cut off even more.

Boys...get your minds back to the bike, I've found them less temperamental :innocent: Just joking

Maybe move that front QR lever away from the fork in case it rubs?

Hello,

Note, they sell Schrader to Presta valve adapters - these are collars that allow you to use a tube with a Presta valve in a rim made with Schrader hole. This is different to the screw-on brass adapters more commonly sold next to the cash register in a goldfish bowl.

Okay boys, go ahead as you like but I will answer to the bike comments only :p


Wonderful.....please describe the crank and pedal modifications, first time I saw a mountain bike crankset...I assume you also swapped out the bottom bracket. Thanks

The cranks are Truvativ Isoflow 175mm SRAM Dualdrive, single ring 33t. The bb was also swapped. Actually a lot of cranks can in theory fit on the brompton-bb that have a square tapered axle but most time one will need to mount a longer bb even with a single ring (the brommi-bb is 119mm)

The pedals are detachable MKS EZY MTE (Dahon sells them also) on both sides. See review here for example:
http://viktikit.blogspot.com/2007/12/mks-ezy-pedals.html
I plan to modify that into one side detachable only and to add leather straps.

Boys...get your minds back to the bike, I've found them less temperamental :innocent: Just joking

Maybe move that front QR lever away from the fork in case it rubs?

I don't like/need the QR anyway - I hate to fix the bike by the street - that's the plus with a brommi. I have a flat then I hop on a bus or even taxi and later fix it at home with a cup of coffee. So the QR has has to go, I will swap it for a SON axle which fit perfectly and is even lighter. But you are right - one better puts the QR a litte bit to the backside, then it does not rub or interfere with the folded steering-stem.

Thanks Silverexpress for the info with the valves! :thumb:

How well does the Pantour hub perform?

I dodge the bumps and ruts, but I need to get rid of the small vibrations.

Does the QR come with the Pantour? I do not want the QR.

Can you tell me your secret ingredient in the coffee that seals the tube Somna? Must be some form of Turkish coffee?
:P


OH no, more Irish humour...... Greek coffee is thicker.

And Aussie the thickest of all :D

The Aussie, or their coffee?

How well does the Pantour hub perform?

I dodge the bumps and ruts, but I need to get rid of the small vibrations.

Does the QR come with the Pantour? I do not want the QR.

I like the performance, its meant to soften the vibrations but peoples reports are mixed, perhaps you can try?
Yes, comes with QR, understand you don't want it.

hi somnatash - what a lovely bike.

can i ask - what is the thing strapped to the seat tube, is it a tool kit?

Beautiful bike, it makes my Brommie in basic NYC black look like a mongrel :) Thanks for the info on the truvativ cranks, that is something I might get into sometime. How heavy is the crank compared to the original one?

And Aussie the thickest of all :D


The Aussie, or their coffee?


You guys makin' fun of my Aussie sub-zero intellect? :bang:....all because my Pom ancestors' name was...Gumby?

How could any sane woman want to purchase and ride a Pacific Carryme and leave the sky blue beau at home?

Runs for cover to hide from makeinu :D

If the Brompton is a beau then the Carryme is a belle. The Carryme is the cutest folder on the market and, with her sense of style, Somnatash will surely have the cutest of them all if she can ever get her hands on a pink one.

Have any of the rear triangles (referenced are some non-ti ones too) been modified to accept the 18t cog on the SA8? Is the Ti rear triangle identical in dimensions/clearances as the steel?

The clearance on changing the crankset indeed in need of a wide BB. I have an ISIS BB / compact crankset in front of mine, with the manual method of going between front rings (34/50). Gearing range is very decent this way, but it's noisier than I'd like right now. I don't think I've found the optimal chain length for the Brompton tensioner.

Have any of the rear triangles (referenced are some non-ti ones too) been modified to accept the 18t cog on the SA8?
Hi jagatron,
my rear triangle was not modified, as far as I know there is no need to do that. The reason that the 19t (mind not 18t!) fits into the rear triangle is a different chainline with the SA8. If you would like to use a 18t cog with a brompton hub 2speed (for example like the "widegear" cog from Highpath, thats a combination of a 12t and 18t) then yes, you will have to modify the rear triangle, both - ti and steel.


Is the Ti rear triangle identical in dimensions/clearances as the steel?... The clearances of steel and ti rear triangle are the same...at least the new ones. It might well be, that older steel ones have a slightly different clearance.


Gearing range is very decent this way, but it's noisier than I'd like right now. I don't think I've found the optimal chain length for the Brompton tensioner.
Do you use the brompton derailler? If not, try to swap your tensioner for the derailler and it might be much more silent. Littlepixel told me that it helped quite a lot when he swapped the merc alu tensioner for the brompton derailler.

Hi Makenu, many thanks for the tip with the explorer. I now was able to contact pacific and they come to cologne in September. I will do my very best that the beauty of the CarryMe does not have to stand back:D
Mulleady, how can I dear to leave tarmac blossom? That boy will not fit into the locker of the near by public swimming pool, also to stroll between the hallstands in those tiny boutiques where I like to find those bike colour matching cloth he is a little insubordinate ;)

Hi jagatron,
my rear triangle was not modified, as far as I know there is no need to do that. The reason that the 19t (mind not 18t!) fits into the rear triangle is a different chainline with the SA8. If you would like to use a

I've never tried a larger sprocket in the back of my Brompton (3 speed SA). I had read in other places that the max cog size was 16t or so, and thought the consensus was that the SA8 wouldn't fit in there because of minimum cog size.

So many people have found away around this??

Has someone published a recipe for this conversion somewhere else? Thanks

http://nycewheels.com/brompton-chain-tns-assy-dr.html

Hi jagatron,
my rear triangle was not modified, as far as I know there is no need to do that. The reason that the 19t (mind not 18t!) fits into the rear triangle is a different chainline with the SA8. If you would like to use a 18t cog with a brompton hub 2speed (for example like the "widegear" cog from Highpath, thats a combination of a 12t and 18t) then yes, you will have to modify the rear triangle, both - ti and steel.

You know ... that the chainline would be different enough to avoid altering the frame to fit the big cog is something that never crossed my mind. Of course, this just adds to my complaints about Brompton (the company).

You know ... that the chainline would be different enough to avoid altering the frame to fit the big cog is something that never crossed my mind. Of course, this just adds to my complaints about Brompton (the company). I would defend Brompton on this. They tend to take specific components rather than standard ones mainly because the core product has a compact folding design. Yes I agree I'd like to see Brompton a little more open to introducing scope in their product development for 8 speed hubs but that doesn't take away from the fact they still make one of the very finest multi-mode folders on the market. It's a very timeless product design in many ways. Some people forget that Brompton is also quite a small manufacturer too with limited resources but still quite high unit output relative to their size.

They aren't beyond criticism but neither do they deserve excessive criticism either. The same applies to the other well known brands like Dahon, Pacific, Bike Friday, Birdy and so forth.

hi somnatash - what a lovely bike.

can i ask - what is the thing strapped to the seat tube, is it a tool kit?

Oh hi barneybarney,
sorry for late answer, I overread your question: the thing strapped to the seat tube is a folding lock from abus:
http://www.abus-bordo.de/gb/das_design.htm





But I like the idea of putting a tool kit. The lock is a bit overkill for the bike since it is just used as a "engine immobilizer", thanks for the tip with the tool kit :-)

Yes, I use it only daylight when bike is in sight but not in direct reach or when away for very short periods. For that a spiral would be enough I guess. And you are right for the night or longer hours its not strong enough - but what is, at reasonable weight? At the central train station we have a cheap guarded bike parking room where one can get it fixed also.

Proof that countries like Germany and the Netherlands are far more advanced biking cultures. If only they could introduced guarded bike parks in London with a small fee to cover costs or subsidise it from taxpayer's money as a pro-bike policy. What a simple but great facility to have! The Brompton is of course the ultimate work around this. However, there is always the odd shop or place you cannot bring the Brompton even. Wheeling/carrying it around gets tiring on occasion. I really understand your quest for the ultra-light version of the Brompton. Littlepixel shows it can be done but with some unacceptable sacrifices for some of us such as hub gears!

A guarded bike park must suit you when you are on a shopping spree finding matching outfits for your Brompton in sky blue or turkish green :P

If only they could introduced guarded bike parks in London with a small fee to cover costs or subsidise it from taxpayer's money as a pro-bike policy.

Actually - you need look no further than the pilot scheme down the road from me at Finsbury Park - nominal fee for the day (50p) and guarded 24-hour locking facilities. Wish there were a few more of these around the city...

Link to details (http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/978.aspx)



It's annoying for me though as it's only about a mile from my house so not really worth it. If there was one of these in the centre, or near any of my clients' offices I'd be in the gravy. It's been open about 18 months now and hopefully enough of a success to encourage the mooted network of other similar facilities at other 'large transport hubs'.

Actually - you need look no further than the pilot scheme down the road from me at Finsbury Park - nominal fee for the day (50p) and guarded 24-hour locking facilities. Wish there were a few more of these around the city...

Link to details (http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/978.aspx)



Nice one LP, didn't know about this! Hope you are well these days.

If this became the norm at key points across London, oh the freedom of sometimes being able to leave even the Brompton behind for shopping etc! :)

Interesting article in the Evening Standard (online) this afternoon, on bike parking spaces in London. No mention of guarded facilities, like the one above, but they estimate that 100,000 new parking places are required to keep up with the number of cycle jouneys being made. These is as you might expect, a vast disparity in the numbers of bike racks provided by the various councils. The very low number in Campden might be explained away as an anti-theft measure, the fewer the number of spaces, the fewer bikes are left on the streets to be stolen !

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23530721-details/100%2C000+new+bike+spaces+needed+to+cope+with+cycle+boom/article.do

They increased the parking spaces for mopeds and motorbikes and want to charge for them. I hope it never comes to that with bikes. Don't get me wrong 50p for a day or part thereof for guarded cycle parking like near Littlepixel is a different proposition. That's a fair charge as long as they don't keep increasing it. Would love to see such a facility rolled out across key points in Greater London.

somnatash,

Fantastic looking bike! - but how have you found the gearing? I have been riding a 2008 six-speed for almost a year now, and I am thinking about changing the gearing to the new BWR hub or to Ben Cooper's magnificent mod. I am leaning towards Ben's mod (no more annoying Dureiller hops). But do you have (or anyone else with an 8-speed) have experience to compare it against the 6-speed or (mythical?) BWR?

Hi,
thx. The gearing is fine (and you can choose how you like it with Ben). Yes I find it very convenient to have only one grip shifter. But there are drawbacks to the hub: The hubs can be very delicate to adjust and often the 6. gear in my hub slips. You will find (critical) posts and threads about this and other things about the hub here.
I have heard the new 8 Spd is wider and not so delicate but I don't know if its already on the market?
So, well - with the new BWR option, I would probably try that instead of the Sturmey.

Great bike. A very fine looker and I bet the extra gears make a difference, as will the pantour hub..

Edit:

But I find that once again I am replying to a months old thread. Sorry I didn't see this before.

Hi,
thx. The gearing is fine (and you can choose how you like it with Ben). Yes I find it very convenient to have only one grip shifter. But there are drawbacks to the hub: The hubs can be very delicate to adjust and often the 6. gear in my hub slips. You will find (critical) posts and threads about this and other things about the hub here.
I have heard the new 8 Spd is wider and not so delicate but I don't know if its already on the market?
So, well - with the new BWR option, I would probably try that instead of the Sturmey.

Thanks Somanatash!

Nice to finally hear from someone who has actually lived with it - I'm waiting for a test ride on the new BWR - I'll let you know how I get on....

[QUOTEGreat bike. A very fine looker and I bet the extra gears make a difference, as will the pantour hub..
[/QUOTE]

EvilV are you referring to the bike or its owner or both you old scoundrel lol? :p

[QUOTEGreat bike. A very fine looker and I bet the extra gears make a difference, as will the pantour hub..



EvilV are you referring to the bike or its owner or both you old scoundrel lol? :p

I'm sure that Somnatach is just charming, but unfortunately for me, if there ever was a photo of that excellent lady cyclist, it was taken away before I found the thread. So - my friend, I am referring to the excellent bicycle, and - scoundrel yerself - LOL. I'm a gentleman.

Of course not, who would dare??? :P

But the hub is good photographed for the technical interested :)

You bike is so beautiful especially with that Sturmey-Archer 8 speed hub. I am so suprised that the folks at Brompton did not adopt this hub instead of that other one that requires a more complicated dual shifting system. After all, the company seems to pride itself on simplicity.