fwd-bwd

A truly original creation.

smallwheeler

and small wheeler likes littlepixels brompton/merc masterpiece. in fact, it was seeing your work that tilted the scales in favor of buying a brompton way back in 2009.. and my life was instantly changed.. so, thanks for that (i think)..

smallwheeler

thanks!

smallwheeler

yes. that's how it starts.. you buy a 15mm flat wrench..then a crank puller.. then a headset remover tool.. then a bottom bracket tool.. there's no better way to understand how your bike actually works than taking it apart (easy) and then putting it back together (not always easy: "now that i've cleverly reassembled my bike, why do i have three extra screws and what is this little steel ball?")

Sixty Fiver

I really like this.

smallwheeler

me too. it's interesting to contemplate the possibilities. which one do you like? or maybe another suggestion?

badmother

Number three of course , Did see a picture of a bike a day or two ago that made me think that was a good (frame) mod for your bike but was too lazy to post. MNow I must look for that picture..

RWBlue01

Very nice.

How does it ride?

smallwheeler

of course, i made that one for you.

smallwheeler

its nimble. highly maneuverable and responsive. i'm using the skinny, high pressure, primo comets right now. they're pretty sticky tires, so it's easy to lean into turns. the brompton wide range hub gives really nice ratios. i feel like i could go just about anywhere (within reason) with this setup. even the bronx.. im considering shaving some weight. if i replaced the original chromed steel seat post and the chromed steel stem, i could probably get the bike down to maybe 19 lbs. but, it's certainly not sluggish as is. if i stopped eating vanessa's dumplings for two weeks i could probably shave off another couple of pounds..

burnfatburn

here Sir you deserve my likes

and I would choose option number 3, stay classy and sturdy

smallwheeler

terima kasih, hari. selamat datang kembali! you and badmother both vote for the mixte version. i was thinking to do number 1 or 6, but now i'm considering no 3 more closely...

Ozonation

This is just too cool...

JosephLMonti

I would choose option #2. It gives you a nice balance between headtube support and standover clearance.

badmother

So you think he need that much standover clerance do you- with that saddle height? In that case I still say number three- style over comfort! You have to suffer to look good!

On the serious side: I find I do not use the "steptrough" options on bikes much, it needs to be really low to be practical over just slinging the leg over the seat. I also find that when standing over the bike, using my legs to keep it upright a too low standover height forces me to hold the bike with my knees or lower and it is not practical.

If you add weight to the bike by adding tubes I suggest you make sure you get the maximum strenght (stiffnes added) out of the added weight. I therefor think you need some sort of connection between the seattube and the head tube. In the picture with the bag it is all looking good (especially with the bag) but I think that by not supporting the headtube you get a weak point in the angle between the headtube and downtube, and the bulky tube added looks out of proportion (strenghtwise) as it does nothing for the head/downtube angle. I think the angle that you have supported with this method is the weak spot for sure, but not the only weak spot.

But first of all style- so no 3 it is .

Keep us updated on what you do!

JosephLMonti

Good point...I was thinking of myself

I don't know...now I'm thinking #4 which is quite stylish as well.

badmother

Well done . Not sure if the translation service I use is accurate enough but we say something like "(self) bragging is the most sincere type of bragging..

burnfatburn

no...no..no...

absolute number three...... I kinda like the `style over comfort` haha.
@smallwheeler: are you going to put some rattan baskets?

smallwheeler

well, i'm still not sure which configuration i will choose (but the true temper top tubes i ordered have arrived )

as for luggage, i am thinking of commissioning a leather smith from your hometown, yogya, to make some custom stuff for me