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Brompton for an upright rider

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Brompton for an upright rider

Old 03-21-18, 02:03 PM
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You may just be better off ordering a new one if all you can find used, is still $1000..
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Old 03-25-18, 10:19 AM
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So I took my Dahon Mu P8 out yesterday on an extended group ride. This is the Dahon I’ve already owned for 3 plus years, that is MORE upright than the Brompton I test rode.

Long story short: it was a total failure. I should have known better than to ride nearly 30 miles on a bike I wasn’t used to. I leaned forward only about 10 degrees, but that was more than enough to totally kill my neck. Apparently I need to be as close to vertical as possible when riding, wind be damned! My RANS Zenetik allows this.

This makes virtually all folders off limits for me except for short rides, unless extra measures are taken to modify the riding position. I could never buy a Brompton, or any other folder, unless the dealer rectified the situation before the sale!
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Old 03-25-18, 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by smalltalk
So I took my Dahon Mu P8 out yesterday on an extended group ride. This is the Dahon I’ve already owned for 3 plus years, that is MORE upright than the Brompton I test rode.

Long story short: it was a total failure. I should have known better than to ride nearly 30 miles on a bike I wasn’t used to. I leaned forward only about 10 degrees, but that was more than enough to totally kill my neck. Apparently I need to be as close to vertical as possible when riding, wind be damned! My RANS Zenetik allows this.

This makes virtually all folders off limits for me except for short rides, unless extra measures are taken to modify the riding position. I could never buy a Brompton, or any other folder, unless the dealer rectified the situation before the sale!
Your needs push you into custom territory for a folder. Bike Friday will build to your specs, but you will pay for that. Otoh, if you found a used one in your size, you could get them to just make you a longer stem mast to replace the existing one. But the BF is packable, not really multi-modal (except the pakiT). You can get a "brompton" luggage mount welded onto a Bike Friday but it's still not going to totally scratch your itch so to speak. Another way to get stress off your neck is with a recumbent, if that interests you.
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Old 03-25-18, 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by linberl
Your needs push you into custom territory for a folder. Bike Friday will build to your specs, but you will pay for that. Otoh, if you found a used one in your size, you could get them to just make you a longer stem mast to replace the existing one. But the BF is packable, not really multi-modal (except the pakiT). You can get a "brompton" luggage mount welded onto a Bike Friday but it's still not going to totally scratch your itch so to speak. Another way to get stress off your neck is with a recumbent, if that interests you.
Thanks for the Bike Friday idea. Didn’t know they did that sort of custom work.

Actually I’ve ridden recumbents for years and have three sitting in my garage. Only one is ready to ride, a RANS V2. Took me many attempts to find the correct recumbent as there are so many geometries. The V2 is the best compromise with its mid level bottom bracket. I tried a Bacchetta Giro 26, but it killed my neck at a time a few years back before my neck was all that bad. My main reason NOT to ride a recumbent now is that the seat prevents me from rotating my torso to look over my shoulders. With limited neck rotation, I’ve almost pulled out in front of traffic I couldn’t see on several occasions.

Back to folders: I’m going to try and retrofit my 20” Dahon first to see if I can get it comfy first. And folders are an itch I’m scratching. I have to see if I can work out a train commute first before going whole steam ahead with more compact 16” models. Also I can relegate folders to shorter rides, which fits their purpose anyway.

Again thanks for the BF idea!
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Old 03-27-18, 10:10 AM
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Yes, Unlike any other folder, Bike Friday builds several frame sizes.. multiple component options..

JIT made, they are built for the customer as their order comes up in the build queue..









....

Last edited by fietsbob; 03-27-18 at 10:17 AM.
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Old 03-28-18, 10:57 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
Useful .. the S+ mod, used a low rise MTB bar, in place of the flat/straight bar.. so starting with the H new mast , and doing that bar substitute

offers a similar fit option.. not as high as leaving the M bar in place..





seat forward adapter is their Saddle Adapter Pin in Brompton speak ...
I just read this item has been discontinued. The Brompton US says this item is not available online in my region. The SKU is QSAPA...
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Old 03-29-18, 08:36 AM
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Brompton now has so many dealers in various regions , they require you to see your in country dealer..

Where I live, Mine Was in Palo Alto Cal , But he Retired , after being the only one for many years..

my other source now is in Portland Oregon.

Perhaps your dealer can source things within the dealer network.






...

Last edited by fietsbob; 03-29-18 at 08:42 AM.
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Old 03-29-18, 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
Brompton now has so many dealers in various regions , they require you to see your in country dealer..

Where I live, Mine Was in Palo Alto Cal , But he Retired , after being the only one for many years..

my other source now is in Portland Oregon.

Perhaps your dealer can source things within the dealer network.






...
Well I called the dealer who verified the item is discontinued. I wonder if a similar item is available third party?

That said I need to try this other Brompton dealer, who is a different one from my earlier test ride. Perhaps can find another solution to getting me more upright.

Everything I’m reading points to the Brompton in terms of folding size and rolling it around.

Last edited by smalltalk; 03-29-18 at 08:04 PM.
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Old 03-30-18, 09:03 AM
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it is a 22.2 steel tube welded on at an angle to a clamp that grips a 22.2mm tube.. the upper portion of many seat posts..

the angle is such that it's tube is horizontal when mounted.. it is possible to have one made.


Maybe a dealer to dealer stock transfer is possible, have your people call their people... some other retail shop may have one..


By the way .. the older Mk 2 bikes were a little shorter... I had one (AW3 hub dated 94)





...

Last edited by fietsbob; 03-30-18 at 09:07 AM.
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Old 03-30-18, 11:50 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by smalltalk
..Everything I’m reading points to the Brompton in terms of folding size and rolling it around.
Sorry about the fitment issues you are having, neck issues can be a tough problem, but the Brompton really is an ideal multi-modal commuter. I have a Dahon Speed P8 and while it could be used for your application, it's just not in the same league.

In addition to its small size and easy rolling, it's a very fast fold, will cart your luggage while rolling, protect the greasy bits from nice clothing (yours and fellow commuters), and the locking fold is one of the easiest to carry when you hit staircases (I personally shoulder-top it just like a 5gal water cooler jug). Lastly, and this purely subjective, but I sort of enjoy folding/unfolding the Brompton in a weird puzzle game sort of way - cannot say the same for the Dahon.

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Old 04-07-18, 04:50 PM
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I did end up getting a Brompton a week ago. It’s a 2014 H6L Titanium with light use. I put a quick release bolt on the handlebar stem, which allows me pull the bars backwards towards me, and forward again when folding. This has helped me ride more upright.

It has a Brooks saddle with rails that can be moved further forward. I prefer a Selle Royal Look In saddle for comfort. But it doesn’t have the fore/aft range of the Brooks.

It will take some time evaluate whether the Brompton will work for me. Certainly it will work for shorter rides, perhaps less than 10 miles. I don’t expect any folder to match a full size bike. And I certainly can sell it easily if it doesn’t work for me.

Been getting regenerative medicine treatments on my neck. It certainly is working in the short term. Time will tell if the pain reduction will hold. It’s a controversial topic, beyond the scope of Bike Forums. I hope it allows me to ride without discomfort or excessive bike mods. Certainly most bike aren’t designed for my issues.
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Old 04-07-18, 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by smalltalk
I did end up getting a Brompton a week ago. It’s a 2014 H6L Titanium with light use. I put a quick release bolt on the handlebar stem, which allows me pull the bars backwards towards me, and forward again when folding. This has helped me ride more upright.

It has a Brooks saddle with rails that can be moved further forward. I prefer a Selle Royal Look In saddle for comfort. But it doesn’t have the fore/aft range of the Brooks.

It will take some time evaluate whether the Brompton will work for me. Certainly it will work for shorter rides, perhaps less than 10 miles. I don’t expect any folder to match a full size bike. And I certainly can sell it easily if it doesn’t work for me.

Been getting regenerative medicine treatments on my neck. It certainly is working in the short term. Time will tell if the pain reduction will hold. It’s a controversial topic, beyond the scope of Bike Forums. I hope it allows me to ride without discomfort or excessive bike mods. Certainly most bike aren’t designed for my issues.
Can you post a pic of what you did with the handlebars to make them adjust rearward for you? thanks...
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Old 04-07-18, 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by linberl
Can you post a pic of what you did with the handlebars to make them adjust rearward for you? thanks...
How do I post pictures? Looks like photos need to be hosted elsewhere. I don’t have photo sharing setup, at least not recently.

Any recommendations on a sharing service?
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Old 04-07-18, 05:47 PM
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At the reply box, click "go advanced" underneath the box. click on the paper clip icon, then upload =)
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Old 04-08-18, 10:07 PM
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Okay here's a photo of the quick release. Hope it posts okay.

The LBS cannibalized a quick release from a seat post.

Edit: The top of the photo is on the left. Simply rotate in your head!

20180409_040031395_iOS.jpg
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Old 04-09-18, 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by smalltalk
Okay here's a photo of the quick release. Hope it posts okay.

The LBS cannibalized a quick release from a seat post.

Edit: The top of the photo is on the left. Simply rotate in your head!
Ah, so you're using some swept back bars and you rotate position just when you need to fold it? Pretty smart. That might be what I will need to do if I decide to pick up a brompton as the reach was just way to long for my short arms. Never thought of that; simple and effective, Did you have to do anything to the cable length to make it work? Thanks for the pic.
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Old 04-09-18, 10:33 AM
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Nice simple solution but safety's sake, I'd keep a close eye on it. That clamp was not designed for quick-release, and high frequency folding/unfolding of multi-modal commuting could fatigue the steel and/or welds around the clamp. I took a look at my Dahon QR handlebar clamp (which is needed to fold) and it has a robust hinge & pin design.

Another option might be a handlebar stem extension (eg, Aber Halo Stem) but with QR, and then a low riser handlebar to offset that added height so bars don't drag on the ground folded, or need longer cabling.
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Old 04-09-18, 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by reppans
Nice simple solution but safety's sake, I'd keep a close eye on it. That clamp was not designed for quick-release, and high frequency folding/unfolding of multi-modal commuting could fatigue the steel and/or welds around the clamp.
Using a QR on this position on the Brompton is common for at least 20 years. Clearly, it is not a recommendation from the factory, everybody does it at his own risk and it is worth having an eye on the mechanism - but there's no reason to worry as far as I can judge. If it was I wouldn't have recommended the mod.
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Old 04-09-18, 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by berlinonaut
Using a QR on this position on the Brompton is common for at least 20 years..
Well then that's certainly a good testimonial - I stand corrected.
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