Originally Posted by
toppcatt
Hi
I am currently riding an old Brompton (about 10 years old I think). ..............
I am looking for any opinions or suggestions. I am open to the idea of buying a new bike or modifying my existing one. I am not tied to the Brompton, but the compact fold is very important for the train leg of my journey. I have not got around to test riding an s-type yet or anytyhing else, but it is on my list of things to do when I can get over to a shop with them in.
TIA
For the past several weeks, I've been riding almost daily, a M3L fitted with 155 mm cranks. Recumbent riders particularly favour shorter cranks as it apparently alleviates knee problems for them. I do ride a recumbent in summer, but as yet, haven't fitted shorter cranks to it, as mine are 130 BCD, suitable for big chain rings like a Brompton generally uses, but my recumbent needs 110.
I've had no knee problems so far (~ 500 miles), & they're better for going around bends at a decent speed, since I no longer get pedal strike. I fitted a 46t chainring, as that's all I have, & the existing 50 t Brompton ring is swaged to the crank arm, so I couldn't use that.
My inside leg is 30", & I have the standard tube but now with the (standard PU) seat at the absolute top of the tube, to compensate for the 15 mm shorter cranks.
If you get or borrow a set, it might be worth trying?
HTH,
john