Modified Brompton folding pedal - practical?
#1
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Modified Brompton folding pedal - practical?
Check out https://www.bromfoot.com/
Now my question is: does anyone else have a problem with the pedal hitting the frame like that? Mine doesn't even come close to the frame - perhaps it's an earlier model type problem?
Now my question is: does anyone else have a problem with the pedal hitting the frame like that? Mine doesn't even come close to the frame - perhaps it's an earlier model type problem?
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The folding pedal was updated in 2012, i.e. very recently. Looks like this guy may have splashed out on having the tooling made for high quantity injection molding only to find his project somewhat subverted.
Nice idea though.
Nice idea though.
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I see this as very useful for folks with larger feet. I had a major issue with lack of platform width on the folding pedal until I switched to MKS Lambada quick release pedals. This would have solved the problem.
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I just noticed these are for the older style pedals. The new 2012 that I have, comes with the new pedals. The 2012 are the same length front to back, but still shorter crime side to side.
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A simple and cheap modification found within your home. Get an old clean single (thick if you can) sock, slide it over the folded up pedal, and voila!, your frame is protected.
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Yes, I am! I hope it's ok for me to post here!
Appreciate your comment about the 2012 folding pedal, but hopefully some folks will agree its cheaper and easier to buy a Bromfoot instead (the new folding pedal is >$70 in the US). Also, as trrubicon06 points out, the 2012 folding pedal is _still_ narrower side-to-side...and it will still scratch your frame if you overfold - only the 2012-on bikes have very pronounced crank nubs that make overfolding very difficult (although it can still happen..)..
I have a Bromfoot 2 in the works for the 2012 folding pedal as well, so for those with a 2012 bike, keep an eye out...
Appreciate your comment about the 2012 folding pedal, but hopefully some folks will agree its cheaper and easier to buy a Bromfoot instead (the new folding pedal is >$70 in the US). Also, as trrubicon06 points out, the 2012 folding pedal is _still_ narrower side-to-side...and it will still scratch your frame if you overfold - only the 2012-on bikes have very pronounced crank nubs that make overfolding very difficult (although it can still happen..)..
I have a Bromfoot 2 in the works for the 2012 folding pedal as well, so for those with a 2012 bike, keep an eye out...
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Nice to see you here, good to have people involved with design on the forum.
I think I saw some on the Brompton forum an assumption that this was 3D printed; presumably that's not the case and it's injection molded?
I think I saw some on the Brompton forum an assumption that this was 3D printed; presumably that's not the case and it's injection molded?
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Thanks. Yes, the Bromfoot is injection molded using Nylon 6 w/ 30% glass-filled fiber. This offers the greatest strength and durability without being able to scratch the frame. Early prototypes were indeed 3D printed, but that process is way too costly for mass manufacturing, and the materials are not durable enough either...
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There's all manner of third party Brompton accessories on sale on ebay but I don't see bromfoot there. I'd imagine that'd be the easiest way of generating sales/interest since anyone searching brompton will find it.
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Thanks for the great suggestion chagzuki, that's something I need to do. Will get a listing up on ebay shortly. I'm somewhat new to this (first product I've ever brought to market myself) and have been busy fulfilling orders and completing design work for Bromfoot 2 for all the folks with the 2012 pedal... Thanks for all the consideration everyone!
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Chagzuki,
Wasn't able to reply to your PM, since apparently my account is too new. Send me an email at jeffguida@gmail.com and I'd be happy to respond.
-Jeff
Wasn't able to reply to your PM, since apparently my account is too new. Send me an email at jeffguida@gmail.com and I'd be happy to respond.
-Jeff
#17
Banned
Too bad you didn't plan thoughtfully ahead, put the reflectors in flush ,
at least , in designing the mold for the piece.
rather than still sticking them up above the surface...
at least , in designing the mold for the piece.
rather than still sticking them up above the surface...
Last edited by fietsbob; 09-09-12 at 07:28 PM.
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I never had that problem, in fact my Brompton has a good deal of clearance. I'm riding a 2012 model so that may have been fixed as others have suggested.
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I've a 2012 too. It basically doesn't over-fold so as to hit the frame because there is now a little 'stop' on the inside of the crank that catches the spring loaded part of the pedal and stops the pedal moving further than it should.
BUT - if you don't release the spring loaded part in time, it can ride over the stop, so it is true to say the new pedal can still damage the frame though it's far less likely.
The folding pedal is still slightly smaller than the right one. The fore-and-aft dimension is only 3-4mm less so negligible; but, even though the pedal extends slightly further from the crank than the right one, the available foot space is about about 10mm less owing to the width of the folding mechanism between pedal and crank. I can't always fit my shoe fully on the pedal, depending which pair I have on.
These are not major problems by any means, but the pedal as supplied is still a compromise in use, though an acceptable one for me.
BUT - if you don't release the spring loaded part in time, it can ride over the stop, so it is true to say the new pedal can still damage the frame though it's far less likely.
The folding pedal is still slightly smaller than the right one. The fore-and-aft dimension is only 3-4mm less so negligible; but, even though the pedal extends slightly further from the crank than the right one, the available foot space is about about 10mm less owing to the width of the folding mechanism between pedal and crank. I can't always fit my shoe fully on the pedal, depending which pair I have on.
These are not major problems by any means, but the pedal as supplied is still a compromise in use, though an acceptable one for me.
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Thanks everyone for the continued thoughts!
Fietsbob, I'm with you and believe me I tried to design it with the reflectors in flush! Unfortunately, because the black plastic holder that the reflector elements slide into is _soft_ plastic (and needs to be soft in order for the reflector elements to be inserted), and the Bromfoot needs to be _hard_ plastic to endure the abuse of pedaling, we were unable to incorporate the reflectors into the mold. The existing black reflector housings had to be retained, and could not be recessed because it would compromise the stiffness of the Bromfoot.. oh well, function over form at least!
Redbuzzard, thanks for sharing your experience with the 2012 model. Surprisingly, I've been told by a very big Brompton dealer that the frame scratching with the 2012 pedal is actually worse than with the older one - since if the pedal is turned slightly when folding it can bypass the crank 'stop'... And indeed the 2012 pedal is still narrower than the right one - approx 0.45" narrower according to my engineers - and I'm glad to hear you noticed!
The design work for Bromfoot2 (or Bromfoot 12?) is nearly complete, so for those who are unhappy with the narrowness and scratch risk, expect to have a solution available in about 2 months. I'm considering using Kickstarter to help fund the tooling costs for Bromfoot2, so if people are interested please let me know!
Thanks,
Jeff
Fietsbob, I'm with you and believe me I tried to design it with the reflectors in flush! Unfortunately, because the black plastic holder that the reflector elements slide into is _soft_ plastic (and needs to be soft in order for the reflector elements to be inserted), and the Bromfoot needs to be _hard_ plastic to endure the abuse of pedaling, we were unable to incorporate the reflectors into the mold. The existing black reflector housings had to be retained, and could not be recessed because it would compromise the stiffness of the Bromfoot.. oh well, function over form at least!
Redbuzzard, thanks for sharing your experience with the 2012 model. Surprisingly, I've been told by a very big Brompton dealer that the frame scratching with the 2012 pedal is actually worse than with the older one - since if the pedal is turned slightly when folding it can bypass the crank 'stop'... And indeed the 2012 pedal is still narrower than the right one - approx 0.45" narrower according to my engineers - and I'm glad to hear you noticed!
The design work for Bromfoot2 (or Bromfoot 12?) is nearly complete, so for those who are unhappy with the narrowness and scratch risk, expect to have a solution available in about 2 months. I'm considering using Kickstarter to help fund the tooling costs for Bromfoot2, so if people are interested please let me know!
Thanks,
Jeff
#22
Banned
I dont buy that.. the reflector i can be used separately or even ordered from suppliers in whatever
form you can draw a picture of..
and just inserted in the back of that plastic thing of yours as its fixed to the pedal..
but just pulling it the existing pieces off and sticking it back on again was just easier..
form you can draw a picture of..
and just inserted in the back of that plastic thing of yours as its fixed to the pedal..
but just pulling it the existing pieces off and sticking it back on again was just easier..