Folding Bikes - Brompton accessories + mods

I'm pretty sure this has been discussed before but the search function is being stupid:notamused:, so sorry for the repost.

First question: what's the best brompton bag for city commuting? I need one that will fit my 10in netbook, bottle of water, tupperware with lunch, papers/notebook, the occasional big heavy textbook, small electronics (phone, camera, nds), and the little odds and ends that a woman "needs" to have (e.g. lip balm, moisturizer, hand sanitizer, small packs of tissues...etc.). Lots of tiny pockets and dividers is a must, otherwise the little stuff will get lost and I will scream in frustration every time I need to put lip balm on because I got windburned lips *again* and it hurts! hurts! hurts! but the lipbalm is under the lunch which is under the textbook which is buried in papers...you get the point.

I currently use the gravis dolly bag (http://www.hot-zone.tv/en_GB/index.php?screen=dstore.shop.view&tnid=273&sid=1&pname=Gravis_Wms-Dolly-:-Crimson), which I like very much except it's a bit too small and I carry my lunch in a separate small bag because of this. I was considering the cloth pannier, but it looks like it doesn't have enough little pockets. What about the c-bag, s-bag, or one of the carradice brompton bags? Can owners tell me about the size, inside space, number of pockets, and how comfortable it is to carry off the bike?

Second question: mods! How in the world do you do the skateboard wheel mod to the brompton rollers? Also, I hate the brompton's brakes with a passion. Even my cheapo Kent came with better brakes than this.:notamused: Aside from changing the pads (will run down to the lbs for koolstops today), what's another way to make the brakes better, short of changing them? I was fiddling with them for a while, but no cookie--for someone spoiled with nice v-brakes and calipers on my other bikes the brommie brakes are incredibly horrible. I've been searching the forums, but again, the search function is not cooperating, so if anyone could point me to the link or tell me how to do it that'd be great. Thanks! :)

Hello Nekohime,

I am pleased that you either have a Brompton at present or about to buy one. It is hard to guess which as you did not specify which. Any bike is not perfect, but with a little upgrading and modifications, any Brompton can be brought up to par. Now to address your concerns:


I'm pretty sure this has been discussed before but the search function is being stupid:notamused:, so sorry for the repost.

First question: what's the best brompton bag for city commuting? I need one that will fit my 10in netbook, bottle of water, tupperware with lunch, papers/notebook, the occasional big heavy textbook, small electronics (phone, camera, nds), and the little odds and ends that a woman "needs" to have (e.g. lip balm, moisturizer, hand sanitizer, small packs of tissues...etc.). Lots of tiny pockets and dividers is a must, otherwise the little stuff will get lost and I will scream in frustration every time I need to put lip balm on because I got windburned lips *again* and it hurts! hurts! hurts! but the lipbalm is under the lunch which is under the textbook which is buried in papers...you get the point.

I currently use the gravis dolly bag (http://www.hot-zone.tv/en_GB/index.php?screen=dstore.shop.view&tnid=273&sid=1&pname=Gravis_Wms-Dolly-:-Crimson), which I like very much except it's a bit too small and I carry my lunch in a separate small bag because of this. I was considering the cloth pannier, but it looks like it doesn't have enough little pockets. What about the c-bag, s-bag, or one of the carradice brompton bags? Can owners tell me about the size, inside space, number of pockets, and how comfortable it is to carry off the bike? :)

There are several styles of Brompton bags to choose from. Right now, I am a little short of money and only bought a bare frame and a luggage block. Be sure to buy a Luggage Block when you get your bike. I waited some time since I thought I never needed one. I was sure wrong as my little bike does not have a rear rack. And The Luggage Block is under 50 US dollars and can be quickly installed on any Brompton. As for shopping for bags, do visit the Electric Bikes L.A./Folding Bikes West store in El Segundo. She has a number of bags for the Brompton available to actually see before you buy. I think that is the best way to decide what you actually need to buy. It should save you much confusion & time in the long run. I was there a couple of days ago and saw that they vastly improved their accessories line available right in the store (I rather liked the C bag). Be aware that there are 2 types of bags for 2 different bike stem/handlebar height. The S type uses a shorter frame-hence a more limited bag model selection-as the height is much shorter than the M or P type. Know what you have when you order or buy anything for the bike.





Second question: mods! How in the world do you do the skateboard wheel mod to the brompton rollers? Also, I hate the brompton's brakes with a passion. Even my cheapo Kent came with better brakes than this.:notamused: Aside from changing the pads (will run down to the lbs for koolstops today), what's another way to make the brakes better, short of changing them? I was fiddling with them for a while, but no cookie--for someone spoiled with nice v-brakes and calipers on my other bikes the brommie brakes are incredibly horrible. I've been searching the forums, but again, the search function is not cooperating, so if anyone could point me to the link or tell me how to do it that'd be great. Thanks! :)

When I wheel the bike about, I use a luggage cart. I strap it to the bare frame wrapped in cloth when not in use. I am thinking about replacing the 2 stock Easy Wheels with the far better and wider upgraded Easy Wheel set for the Brompton C or L (2 wheels on frame only). This would be great when I only need to wheel it for a rather short distance. As for the Brompton brakes-now I can discuss this more fully as I had mine done at it's first tune-up 3 years ago and will upgrade as soon as finances allow me to do so. I had my old brake pads taken off and added Kool Stop pads placed on the bike. My hands ached badly after just a couple of blocks. So the mechanic rotated the brakes slightly upwards towards my fingers for improved leverage and great improvement of comfort. I am planning to add the new double pivot brakes added just as soon as I can-after some other issues of the bike are addressed. I already had a tune-up done just this week at Electric Bikes L.A. Now I am planning to add the Marathon tires soon. I am researching some brake levers that will work on the Brompton when I do the brake upgrade. But the rotating of the levers and the brake pads seem to work very nicely for now. I even rode it in pouring rain down hills with no problem-I was not even aware of the brakes being out of adjustment until John the mechanic pointed it out when I picked up the bike last Wednesday.

And don't forget a nice saddle like the Electra or Nirve ones to choose from. I did not need to use the Saddle Adapter Pin Assembly to attach the saddle to the seat post. And I really like the comfort, little extra suspension, and the cruiser look of this saddle. And I did add a little Seat Pillar Rubber Bung to the bottom of my seat post. It protects the floor from scratches and nicks and the bottom of bags from holes plus helps prevent the bike from rolling about easily unintentionally when completely folded up & not tilted to roll about by it's user. It is very inexpensive Brompton part (I think it is the most inexpensive one). I had it placed on the bike when I tuned it up this week.

I am planning to take some more photos of the Brompton's "new look" as soon as I can. I hope I helped in some small way. Enjoy your Brompton!

re; improving brakes, yes add some koolstops or simular.
I recommend you also try teflon coated inner cables to reduce friction.It may allow the callipers to be set up closer to the wheel rim with out fear of scrapping them when not braking. This can be a problem in long cable runs typical to folding bikes as the friction is too great for the calipper spring to retract properly.See sheldon browns site for more advice on cable issuses.

FF, I have a brommie now!!! :D It's a racer green M6L 2008 model (I talk about it more here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=526718)). I'll be taking it out for a charity ride tomorrow and will take lots of pics of Chinatown and the surrounding areas. :thumb:

I'm definitely putting an Electra saddle on it--I absolutely loved the one I put on the Piccolo and will be getting the exact same model (the one with butterflies on it, which is adorable). I have it on order already. Rubber bung--yes, definitely, as I wouldn't want to scuff the tile in the kitchen. Ugraded easy wheels...still thinking about this one, as the skateboard wheels option may be better if someone can just tell me how that poster from a while back did it. As for the bags, do you know how much the c bag+frame+carrier cost from FB West? I will go out there in person maybe next weekend to see the bags (also to see if I can partner with them on June's SoCal folder ride) but I just wanna get a ballpark of their prices before I buy.

@bhkyte: hmmm...teflon coated cables? Perhaps that will get rid of the mushiness of the brommie brakes. But for now I'll keep twiddling with the setup and will go out to the lbs for koolstops, mirror, and velcro bottle cage in a bit.

FF, I have a brommie now!!! :D It's a racer green M6L 2008 model (I talk about it more here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=526718)). I'll be taking it out for a charity ride tomorrow and will take lots of pics of Chinatown and the surrounding areas. :thumb:

I'm definitely putting an Electra saddle on it--I absolutely loved the one I put on the Piccolo and will be getting the exact same model (the one with butterflies on it, which is adorable). I have it on order already. Rubber bung--yes, definitely, as I wouldn't want to scuff the tile in the kitchen. Ugraded easy wheels...still thinking about this one, as the skateboard wheels option may be better if someone can just tell me how that poster from a while back did it. As for the bags, do you know how much the c bag+frame+carrier cost from FB West? I will go out there in person maybe next weekend to see the bags (also to see if I can partner with them on June's SoCal folder ride) but I just wanna get a ballpark of their prices before I buy.

@bhkyte: hmmm...teflon coated cables? Perhaps that will get rid of the mushiness of the brommie brakes. But for now I'll keep twiddling with the setup and will go out to the lbs for koolstops, mirror, and velcro bottle cage in a bit.

I missed your previous post! :cry: I was out of the bike most of the week plus offline without my computer for the same time period. Here is a price list of their prices: http://electricvehiclesnw.com/fbw/br-accessories.htm (http://electricvehiclesnw.com/fbw/br-accessories.htm).

Some of the accessories are not shown on the page that Brompton offers now (they had changed their line-up this year in this area). But you can quickly get a good idea what Brompton is offering at their official Website: . http://www.brompton.co.uk/explorer/accessories/index.asp (http://www.brompton.co.uk/explorer/accessories/index.asp). I think that the C Bag set with it's "....comfortable padded shoulder strap secures neatly when the bag is fitted to the bike. A multitude of pockets finished with water resistant zips keep those small essentials safe and dry and a bright lining means an end to searching for small items in the dark recesses of your bag..." will be a good choice for you. I don't recall seeing this bag specifically there when I was in the shop-although I did see all kinds of Brompton bags there and I really was not looking at the bags then. So I do recommend that you call the shop before you go to see if it is there. She is really serious about stocking Brompton parts and accessories-and the things offered grow very quickly-as they are now the only Brompton dealer in So. Cal. The prices range around $150.00 for the S bag online-after all, it has been offered for a couple of years so it is available for sure. Brompton bikes and their accessories prices are rather kept pretty close from dealer to dealer apparently dictated by the Brompton people themselves.

I have made simple bags for the bike which I will photograph this Sunday if I can. This is one way for me to save up for a proper bag for my bike-or dress it down on purpose. Do buy a proper Cover and saddle bag at 40 dollars for the bike when you are there or at least as soon as you can. It will keep your bike nice looking and might even prevent some scratches when you travel on buses and trains with it. It will also disguise it from anti-bike people so you can travel without problems.

Neko,
Congrats on your brommie!

Here's how I did the skate wheels upgrade:

http://utilitycyclist.blogspot.com/2009/03/roller-blade-wheels-upgrade-for.html

Neko,
Congrats on your brommie!

Here's how I did the skate wheels upgrade:

http://utilitycyclist.blogspot.com/2009/03/roller-blade-wheels-upgrade-for.html

Oh, you just used the existing screws? Wow, I thought there was more to it than that, like the need to buy new screws or some tricky way to mount them, but it really is an easy and inexpensive mod! Will try to use bigger wheels this time around if I can find them--I think they come in 80mm or 84mm too.

Hi Nekohime! Congratulations on owning a quirky little bike that seems to have its own personality :) To answer your questions:

1) Bag choice - The Brompton bag system relies on a carry block to attach the bag to the front of the bike. You have to get this (around $30) and attach it to the head tube of your Brompton. It acts as an anchor for all front Brompton bikes, and works quite well as you can easily 'quick release' all bags at a push of a tab.

Once you have this you have several bags to choose from. It depends on what features you prefer, from a simple folding basket that is simply an open bag to put stuff in, to stylish models with several pockets like the messenger style S bag. All of these bags have one thing in common, which is a metal frame that adds rigidity and support. In fact you can take out the cloth part of the bag and with a little ingenuity attach any bag, milk crate or carry other stuff on the metal frame. I have the folding basket and I got it because it is the cheapest and I am cheap :) It actually works well for me since I just dump my messenger bag or daypack into it and just pedal along. I do photography while biking and it is easy for me to work out of this bag since it is open and I just put and extract my bodies and lenses into the open bag as well. Currently I am looking for a wicker basket to attach to the metal frame, though I have also strapped on a milk crate before. You may want to check out Evans Cycles of UK for the best prices, you may be surprised that they might have the best deal around, even with shipping included.

As for the rear bag, I use an Arkel Tail rider. A bit pricey but it doubles as a camera bag off the bike.

2) Brake Mods - Koolstop Salmon pads is an easy and effective mod. Somewhere down the line you might also want to replace the brake levers, as the current stock levers have no return spring hence the mushy feel. A good choice are the Shimano R550 brake levers. These have a simple look and have a powerful return spring that gives your brakes a snappy positive feel. Best of all, they cost only $15 to $20 online. Another great mod is to insert V brake metal noodles along the brake line where the cable curves a lot.

3) Other Mods - It is easy and cheap to upgrade to skate wheels. You can get these wheels from an old inline skate shoe at a thrift store for $5. I got mine from a nephew who outgrew his skates. For the front, take out the old wheels and bring the screws to a hardware shop and get new ones that have the exact thread pitch, but of longer length to accommodate the fatter skate wheels. The rear wheels are attached via bolt and nut so thread pitch isn't as important, but length is. Just unbolt the stock rubber wheels paying attention to the arrangement of the washers and attach the skate wheels using the longer bolts. Presto! Your brommie will now roll much faster in its folded state.

- I would recommend stubby bar ends, as they offer you a different hold which is essential for longer rides. When properly placed they do not interfere with the fold.

- Saddle: A Brooks would really look nice on a Brompton, though I understand that a saddle is a very personal choice. The Brompton's seatpost does not readily take railed saddles though; you need an adaptor. Brompton offers the Pentaclip which is light and very well made. It is a bit pricey though at around $30. A cheaper alternative is to get a generic adapter at your local LBS. It is heavier as it is made out of steel but quite a bargain at around $2 to $5. Get the one with the metal tab that acts as a positive stop so that your saddle won't slip down.

I hope this helps, enjoy your new ride! check out my old thread on mods, which I will be updating soon.
Some Brompton Mods (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=487234)

Thanks for the info! Lots of nice mods on your thread, bykerouac!

For the bag, I think I'll pick either the c- or s-bag, as lots of pockets and easy carrying off the bike are a must. I can always put a milk crate on the frame if I need something more open.

No springs on the brakes? No wonder they feel mushy. Off to the LBS for better brakes! I think they carry avid ones though, dunno if they will work with these. Shall ask them; otherwise, I'll order them online. I have brake noodles from old cables, so that'll also be an easy mod.

Teh bf has a broken razor scooter I can cannibalize for the front rollers--I don't have a rack, so no need for rear rollers. Bykerouac, when rolling your brommie at an angle, does the suspension thingie hit the ground? I know with Shiny Biker's mod (72mm wheels on the front only) he said it still hit the ground and he couldn't roll it at an angle. If it hits the ground even with the bigger 100-110mm wheels, I'll have to figure out a way to make the mudguard roller roll better--maybe even make my own mount for a skate wheel for the mudguard. Dad has sheet metal lying around from repairs. :p

I would love to put a Honey Brooks Special Flyer on my brommie! It's expensive though; I can't justify spending on it just yet. But someday, oh someday, she will have a Honey Special Flyer. For now, the Electra will do, and it also works well with the color scheme. It comes with the adapter too, so no worries about it not fitting.

Ergon bar grips with bar ends are going on the bike (would love to put the GC3 model, but the GC2 will probably be best). I don't think the gripshift will fit on the m-bars though.

show us a picture please!

In regards to the brake levers....

You'll need levers that will have the correct throw. The Shimano R550 are brake levers that look like the ones you'd find on a mountain bike but are made to actuate road bike type brakes - like the ones on your Brompton.

I'm not sure about the Avids your currently eyeing at your LBS. They maybe made for mountain bikes.

show us a picture please!

Lots of pics on my other thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=526718)!:thumb:

Ok, here's some pics of my skate wheels mod. I used 104mm 82A wheels I grabbed off teh bf's broken scooter (free) and bought 6mmx30mm screws ($0.68+tax). I would go for a longer screw if you can find it; this was the longest my local Home Despot had because they had a limited stock of metric sizes. :rolleyes: I cut up some old business cards to use as a shim because the screws were a wee bit too thin for the skate bearings.

It's an extremely cheap mod, and it makes the brompton roll really well. I tried rolling it once around the house (frontyard-side-backyard-and back again) and it performed beautifully. You can easily roll it across sidewalks and bus/train stations like a cart if you keep the handlebars up. No more carrying the brommie unless I really have to! Also--no heel strike! Although the skate wheels are larger in diameter than the brompton ones, they are thinner.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_SdF0uuk3iUc/Sdk0lFIRnVI/AAAAAAAAB9c/nu_lzajOSSQ/s800/P6260688.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_SdF0uuk3iUc/Sdk0r-CWFFI/AAAAAAAAB9k/Nb2kRSi8A30/s800/P6260689.JPG

The only problem with this mod is that, as you can see from the pic above, the skate wheels are not worn evenly because of the braking mechanism of the scooter--one wheel is fatter and taller than the other. Because of this, on perfectly flat surfaces, the folded brommie tips over and stands on the two wheels instead of the on rollers, as shown below:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_SdF0uuk3iUc/Sdk1RvSIiPI/AAAAAAAAB98/I1Q3_25zeaw/s800/P6260693.JPG

I tried moving the fatter wheel on the other side, but no cookie. The skate wheels are thinner than the original brompton rollers, and are not able to support the weight of the folded side as well, hence the tipping. It's slightly annoying, but it still stands on its own, and the annoyance is assauaged by the ease of rolling. For those attempting a similar mod, try to find skate wheels that are not so unevenly worn; maybe they will work better. :thumb:

Good job, neko. I'll try to find those type of wheels. When you say "scooter" wheels, do you mean from a razor scooter?

Good job, neko. I'll try to find those type of wheels. When you say "scooter" wheels, do you mean from a razor scooter?

Yep, though teh bf's was actually a razor scooter clone.

Congrats on your new Brommie Nekohime. I've had mine almost a year and it remains my favourite and most versatile folder for commute and go in London. I have to say after much deliberation I went for a black Brooks B17 saddle and it really comfortable and looks great. I think the honey brown coloured one suits the British racing green the best but that's always subjective. Funny enough I bought one in that colour and didn't like it as much as the black with my raw lacquer Brommie so ended up with a black one. The honey B17 is lying there unused if you are interested. I'm sure I could arrange free postage to the US and offer a discount off the eBay US average closing prices (Around 80$) PM me if interested.

I'm surprised you find the brakes so bad. Perhaps I was more fortunate with my Brompton? I know the older models pre-2001 were dreadful on brakes and that Brompton had rectified this on all their models. I guess not on all models/editions since. I'm lucky I've found mine dependable then. Yes, the Koolstops are the a good temporary answer but they do wear more quickly. In the long-term a full-on braking mod is best if you can get an affordable quote. Once you sort that, there isn't much to criticise about this lovely little bike. I believe mine is a folder for life. I've snapped chains on a Dahon Helios XX and even a Dahon Cadenza 08 but my Brommie always put up with my abuse and the torque I apply pulling off or going up hills and has proved incredibly reliable over the past year. I'm not a Bromptonite and love many folders but it's my 1st bike of choice when commuting into central London on busy trains.

I think yours have the Schwalbe high pressure 100psi kevlars? While it roughens the ride a little I use these and have them at the full 100psi and my Brompton flies along. I tend to find the steering agile enough to avoid drains and ruts anyway I think the more one rides a 16" wheel folder like the Brommie, the more one changes their opinion that the steering is agile rather than twitchy as you get used to it. Certainly comes in handy in urban situations like pedestrians who don't think bikes can hit them!

Best of luck with yours, I'm sure it will become your 5th limb just like mine did :-) People who know me now find it strange when thney meet me without it lol!

BTW I use the Brompton touring pannier as it is the most versatile with the best capacity. If you get it with the frame you can add other bags in the future on to the same frame to suit your needs o a given day,

{quote**
The only problem with this mod is that, as you can see from the pic above, the skate wheels are not worn evenly because of the braking mechanism of the scooter--one wheel is fatter and taller than the other. Because of this, on perfectly flat surfaces, the folded brommie tips over and stands on the two wheels instead of the on rollers, as shown below:

{reply**
I would use smaller wheels, around 60mm to improve the balance and keep any slightly worn wheels on the non drive side(when the bike is folded). Agressive skates use wheels this size or smaller and in sazzy designs. Get some worn one off a skater for next to nothing? lime green wheels look great!

I would use smaller wheels, around 60mm to improve the balance and keep any slightly worn wheels on the non drive side(when the bike is folded). Agressive skates use wheels this size or smaller and in sazzy designs. Get some worn one off a skater for next to nothing? lime green wheels look great!

Ah, but smaller wheels don't work according to ShinyBiker's blog post (link at post #6). He used 72mm wheels but said they didn't provide any benefit for rolling. I think I wouldn't go smaller than 80mm to keep the easy rolling, but maybe I'll try a smaller size next, around 90mm, but only if I can find them for free. These (http://www.google.com/product_url?q=http://stores.channeladvisor.com/TGMSKATE/items/item.aspx%3Fitemid%3D11616550&fr=AJ2tL1Ox6cP-oBlsYMxkAlce3nfRKOxg-TPJBR7gM0T9A6kM1nnZA2MfhuxzFnEeorrezyybak1VJDZRHJV_0gis_jwyTzFVJYf_PKkatpUPu7yAPAVsvAT-Pl5p-fkg1bYsTQmlIgcoQsTYLXDKztEAAAAAAAAAAA&gl=us&hl=en&sa=title) wheels (http://www.google.com/product_url?q=http://www.adamsinline.com/home/inline-skate-wheels/matter-inline-wheels/348-matter-emt-105mm-green.html&fr=AJUsJEbx5QB549vJUS8inmT_eJrentBCeg4OGVj8YXgPRGqd7ndOqEqB0NFkedjOdPqyg6UqiIv2Zap_jqe4uzXXnb0nJKS-lY31-dfuF_C0Qlcf2Bd0WDVbfA0IAE3j7oZRSiqPzmIDfirgGNkx0gXcLQ-TrplmnAFURhg3BMqhBCwXN3CuAFXrXSBpBx2pOgAAAAAAAAAA&gl=us&hl=en&sa=title) would look awesome on the brommie, lol. I did move the fatter one to the ds (shown in the tippy pic), but it had little to no effect.


I think the honey brown coloured one suits the British racing green the best but that's always subjective.

It's not just you; Honey Brooks on BRG is classic. I would like the sprung version though--I find that I can't really stand unsprung saddles on upright bikes. I'm saving up for a Honey Special Flyer :thumb:



I'm surprised you find the brakes so bad.

I guess I'm just spoiled when it comes to brakes, as the kent and piccolo had v-brakes, and my mixte has some very nice dia compe ones. The thing I hate most is the mushiness of the levers though; stopping power is ok.


I think yours have the Schwalbe high pressure 100psi kevlars? While it roughens the ride a little I use these and have them at the full 100psi and my Brompton flies along. I tend to find the steering agile enough to avoid drains and ruts anyway I think the more one rides a 16" wheel folder like the Brommie, the more one changes their opinion that the steering is agile rather than twitchy as you get used to it. Certainly comes in handy in urban situations like pedestrians who don't think bikes can hit them!


I wish I could put big apples on the brommie! But I'm running the marathons at around 85psi, which seems to suit me just fine. I've actually gotten used to "twitchier" bikes--both the Kent and alicestrong's dahon had shorter wheelbases. Compared to those the brommie is less agile, but more stable. I can ride no hands on the brommie!


Best of luck with yours, I'm sure it will become your 5th limb just like mine did :-) People who know me now find it strange when thney meet me without it lol!

Thanks mulleady! I do love the brommie and it is also quickly becoming my 5th limb. But er...wouldn't it be your 6th limb?:innocent:;):p

Rolfmao Nekohime! I made that very same joke to a friend today lol!!!!!

This is my Brompton about 3 weeks ago, before another massive upgrade (currently featuring a more agressive saddle (Selle D'Italia gel), some superlight conventional pedals (non-folding, non-clipless) and some better-than-standard handgrips).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/2265161737_7e91c95c29_b.jpg

It's an original M-Type, with an S-Type stem/handlebar. As far as I know, it's one of the few S6-E around.

Rear rack, fenders and S-Bag attached acconding to necessity. I'm really happy with all the mods I made. Feel free to ask any questions about what you see.

Ooooo, another internet crush bike! Ok 14R, what size skate wheels did you use and how well do they roll? Are those the stock brakes/levers? My bad eyes cannot tell for sure. If not, what brand are they?

I'm a big fan of the Klickfix system for attaching bags and assorted doodads to my Brompton. Very few American retailers carry the Klickfix range (ThorUSA is a good source) but it seems to be a popular system in Europe.

The problem with Brompton's own system of attaching bags is the aluminum luggage frame. While the frame is excellent for structural support, it would seem to be unwieldy when you have the bag off the bike. I admit that I don't have experience with this setup as I don't have a Brompton bag.

What I have is a backpack with a built in Klickfix brace. When you remove the bag from the bike, you can actually WEAR the bag on your back (i.e. as a backpack). You can't do that with a Brompton bag. To me the Klickfix system is a more elegant one as it allows full us of both of your hands for handling the folded bike then you're getting on/off the bus, etc.

Klickfix also makes a water bottle quick release adapter that I've put on good use on my Brompton. It's called the BottleKlick.

I'm a big fan of the Klickfix system for attaching bags and assorted doodads to my Brompton. Very few American retailers carry the Klickfix range (ThorUSA is a good source) but it seems to be a popular system in Europe.

The problem with Brompton's own system of attaching bags is the aluminum luggage frame. While the frame is excellent for structural support, it would seem to be unwieldy when you have the bag off the bike. I admit that I don't have experience with this setup as I don't have a Brompton bag.

What I have is a backpack with a built in Klickfix brace. When you remove the bag from the bike, you can actually WEAR the bag on your back (i.e. as a backpack). You can't do that with a Brompton bag. To me the Klickfix system is a more elegant one as it allows full us of both of your hands for handling the folded bike then you're getting on/off the bus, etc.

Klickfix also makes a water bottle quick release adapter that I've put on good use on my Brompton. It's called the BottleKlick.

Are you saying that the klickfix mount can be attached to the place where the Brompton front block goes? I have not seen anyone do this (on a brompton).

Are you saying that the klickfix mount can be attached to the place where the Brompton front block goes? I have not seen anyone do this (on a brompton).

No, I think it would go on the seatpost or handlebars. Not sure if the frame adapter for klickfix can go where the front carrier block goes. I know ilovebicycling put his klickfix for the bag on the seatpost, am I right? I did see the pic of it on the subway (?) and it's awesome. I think I will put the klickfix adapter I currently have on the seatpost for the water bottle attachment but I still want the front pannier system for the brommie so I can use the frame for other bags/milk crates/whatever if I want.

After much deliberation and emailing back and forth with Dave at SJS cycles, I have decided on the Carradice brompton bag in green and honey. It is a beautiful thing, a trusted name among cyclists, has lots of space and pockets (even has a padded laptop bag), and it will go nicely with the my future Brooks honey flyer. Plus, I love green, though it clashes with my current red highlights--christmas, lol. :p

......... Currently I am looking for a wicker basket to attach to the metal frame, .........

Hello bykerouac.

Try:

http://www.hembrow.eu/bicycle.html

HTH,
John

No, I think it would go on the seatpost or handlebars. Not sure if the frame adapter for klickfix can go where the front carrier block goes. I know ilovebicycling put his klickfix for the bag on the seatpost, am I right? I did see the pic of it on the subway (?) and it's awesome. I think I will put the klickfix adapter I currently have on the seatpost for the water bottle attachment but I still want the front pannier system for the brommie so I can use the frame for other bags/milk crates/whatever if I want.

After much deliberation and emailing back and forth with Dave at SJS cycles, I have decided on the Carradice brompton bag in green and honey. It is a beautiful thing, a trusted name among cyclists, has lots of space and pockets (even has a padded laptop bag), and it will go nicely with the my future Brooks honey flyer. Plus, I love green, though it clashes with my current red highlights--christmas, lol. :p

Thanks for the clarification on the klickfix. That makes sense. I know I have the front block and the grocery bag pannier and it was pricey. I would imagine the kickflix is inexpensive due to its wide use.

Thanks for the clarification on the klickfix. That makes sense. I know I have the front block and the grocery bag pannier and it was pricey. I would imagine the kickflix is inexpensive due to its wide use.

I bought the "Dahon" Klickfix front block adapter from. It is made specifically for Dahon and is not compatible with Brompton's system, but the idea is the same. I am looking into getting a local machine shop to make an adapter for the Dahon bracket to fit my Brompton.

The bags for the Klickfix system are not affordable. I would say they're priced comparably to the Brompton bags. What you gain by adopting the Klickfix system is the ability to use a lot more bags than is available with the Brompton system.

In my case, I ordered a Freepack Meta 2 backpack from a company in England.

Hello bykerouac.

Try:

http://www.hembrow.eu/bicycle.html

HTH,
John

Or if not wicker, here's another very classy alternative:

http://fjorn.com/1366-6000.html

The one in black would look lovely on any brommie :thumb:

I bought the "Dahon" Klickfix front block adapter from. It is made specifically for Dahon and is not compatible with Brompton's system, but the idea is the same. I am looking into getting a local machine shop to make an adapter for the Dahon bracket to fit my Brompton.

The bags for the Klickfix system are not affordable. I would say they're priced comparably to the Brompton bags. What you gain by adopting the Klickfix system is the ability to use a lot more bags than is available with the Brompton system.

In my case, I ordered a Freepack Meta 2 backpack from a company in England.

Yeah, the klickfix backpacks are really nice and comfortable to wear around. I have the shopper basket and the freepack sport and both are really nice and well-made.

14R - nice looking bike, I was wondering if the brake levers you used have affected how the cables run when its folded? I don't like the brompton levers much but I understand they are designed to reduce the cable bends.

I've just ordered an s-stem to replace my m-type and will be fitting some flat black bars, mini bar ends and some decent grips when that arrives.

As reguards recommending a 60mm rollerdlade wheel size I see where I have gone wrong now. The 100mm rollerbalde mod seen elsewhere in the forum used 72mm wheels on the rear rack in addition.Would it be an idea to get the mudguard rollerbalde wheel altered to something like this size. also the bike is unstable due to three contact points rather than four. The solution might reguire a skate board truck with two wheels to be used in place of the single mudguard roller. But I think the sideways shearing forces would possibly be too great for the strength of the mudguard.

anyone done this on a Brompton with out a rear rack?

I'm new to this forum and I've found it extremely helpful...so thank you to everyone.

Can you please explain the "shim" that's needed when doing the skate-wheel mod? Are there screws that are wide enough for the bearings that still fit the frame?

Also, I read that you were putting on Ergon grips...any ideas as to which would fit better...standard or gripshift?

I, too, just recently purchased an M6L (Black).

Thanks everyone.

There is a KlickFix adaptor for the Brompton. You can use it on the Brompton front block.
More info? Take a look at http://www.bromptonauten.de/forum.html
Look for Brompton-Klick-Fix-Adapter
Wanne see a picture, take a look at http://www.flickr.com/photos/plooifiets/3439477760/

I'm new to this forum and I've found it extremely helpful...so thank you to everyone.

Can you please explain the "shim" that's needed when doing the skate-wheel mod? Are there screws that are wide enough for the bearings that still fit the frame?

A wider screw wouldn't work because you wouldn't be able to screw it in, but my business card shims work just fine. Without the shim the wheels aren't stable enough, but with the shim they don't have much side-to-side play.



Also, I read that you were putting on Ergon grips...any ideas as to which would fit better...standard or gripshift?

I, too, just recently purchased an M6L (Black).

Thanks everyone.


I just received and installed my ergon gc2 grips last saturday. I got the standard length but they were way too long, so I had to cut them with a hacksaw:notamused: So yes, gripshift length would probably be better. It doesn't interfere with the fold, but my only complaint is that the left bar end is already scratched because it drags along the ground sometimes when I roll the brompton along in its folded state. The grips are very comfortable, although I want a slightly longer bar end. BTW, does anyone know of a longer bar end that will work with ergon grips?

I have the Ergon gp1 95mm grips - I love them. They are short so they don't hit the floor (in fact I have a mirror in one bar end extending it even further and even that doesn't hit the floor, although it is close). I have medium-large hands and I find them perfect.

i think the brompton is badass! one of the difficulties using it for touring is sourceing wheels, which lead me to think what about extending (Or in my case buying another and extending im just to chicken:)) the back triangle for a twenty inch wheel and putting some decent front air shocks on the front. i know its a rather drastic mod but here is the place to talk about it :)

it also means more standard components and a bigger fold ofcourse but for some these are a worth while trade and for touring it doesnt need to fold that small.

i think the brompton is badass! one of the difficulties using it for touring is sourceing wheels, which lead me to think what about extending (Or in my case buying another and extending im just to chicken:)) the back triangle for a twenty inch wheel and putting some decent front air shocks on the front. i know its a rather drastic mod but here is the place to talk about it :)

If you try it, post lots of pics!!!

Ergon does make the GR2 (slightly longer bar end than the GC2) and the GC3 (much longer bar end)...and both come in the gripshift format...however, I'm guess if the GC2 bar end gets scratched, these will get even more scratches.

Thanks for the reply to my post as I'll probably purchase the GC2 (gripshift).