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Full titanium Brompton clone, now done (pics)

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Full titanium Brompton clone, now done (pics)

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Old 01-08-19 | 06:53 PM
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Full titanium Brompton clone, now done (w/updated pics)



Overall


3D printed pusher, tensioner and EZ wheels


Handle area


5.84kg

Last edited by Raxel; 01-09-19 at 12:52 PM.
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Old 01-08-19 | 07:58 PM
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Damn...
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Old 01-08-19 | 09:15 PM
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THAT is what Brompton should be evolving to, post-haste!

But 13lbs? Is it safe to ride?
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Old 01-08-19 | 09:26 PM
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Nice bike!
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Old 01-08-19 | 09:35 PM
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Inspiring, well done.
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Old 01-08-19 | 09:39 PM
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Originally Posted by spambait11
THAT is what Brompton should be evolving to, post-haste!

But 13lbs? Is it safe to ride?
It should be - all parts are pretty much standard stuff, and no crazy light experimental ones here. (except for pedals, which will be swapped with detachable flat ones)
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Old 01-08-19 | 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by spambait11
THAT is what Brompton should be evolving to, post-haste!

But 13lbs? Is it safe to ride?
Seems the brake pad holders are backwards on both calipers.
I hope Brompton doesn't copy that.
Front brake 2013 Brompton by 1nterceptor, on Flickr
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Old 01-08-19 | 09:44 PM
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Otherwise, looks good.
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Old 01-08-19 | 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 1nterceptor
Seems the brake pad holders are backwards on both calipers.
I hope Brompton doesn't copy that.

Front brake 2013 Brompton by 1nterceptor, on Flickr
Good call!

2019 Brompton uses integrated brake pads, to prevent dummies (like me) from installing them backwards.
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Old 01-09-19 | 08:15 AM
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So what is story of SJ heart SH? Is this suppose to be a wedding present?

Also does the titanium rear triangle comes with mounting points for the derailleur cables, the chain pusher etc? Did you have to 3D print parts for this project?
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Old 01-09-19 | 09:51 AM
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May I ask how much did it cost? Brompton needs to stop making owner buy after market modifications and partner with these manufacturers. They need to stop with these special paint jobs and really modernize their bikes.
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Old 01-09-19 | 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by dahoneezz
So what is story of SJ heart SH? Is this suppose to be a wedding present?
Also does the titanium rear triangle comes with mounting points for the derailleur cables, the chain pusher etc? Did you have to 3D print parts for this project?
Yes, this bike is a wedding anniversary gift for my wife.
And the rear frame is almost identical to the 2016 Brompton titanium frame (the seller claimed it actually IS one).
I did custom design/print tensioner and pusher though (mostly for fun, but it saved some money and weight)

Originally Posted by Pahana
May I ask how much did it cost?
I have paid $1200 for titanium frame + handlepost (combo deal), $300 for fork and $480 for rear frame. Ultralight wheelset was $190 (Chinese magic!)
According to my spreadsheet all other bits added up to $1400, so total build cost was ~$3600.
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Old 01-09-19 | 06:08 PM
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Impressive!
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Old 01-09-19 | 07:15 PM
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OMG!!! Is she a single speed?
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Old 01-09-19 | 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by tds101
OMG!!! Is she a single speed?
Looks like a 2-speed.
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Old 01-09-19 | 08:03 PM
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Raxel, you are the steely-eyed missile man of folders.
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Old 01-10-19 | 03:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Raxel

I have paid $1200 for titanium frame + handlepost (combo deal), $300 for fork and $480 for rear frame. Ultralight wheelset was $190 (Chinese magic!)
According to my spreadsheet all other bits added up to $1400, so total build cost was ~$3600.
thats 3 bromptons cost!
or 2 black edition costs!
its a hell expensive gift!
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Old 01-10-19 | 07:27 AM
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BTW: What kind of tires are these? I can read something like "champion" on the shoulder but no brand.
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Old 01-10-19 | 01:33 PM
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Bikes: *1998 GT Forte Ti 700c, Totem KDS-D 26" fatbike, BirdyGT 18", Brompton M2LX 16"

This might be the nicest Brompton ever. Did you record the frame weight? I wonder how much is saved over a steel one.

I wish the people that made these frame parts would do an integrated headset like on modern bikes where the stem direct clamps onto the steerer. The Brompton quill stem design is rubbish. Much cheaper Dahons and Terns have these modern stem designs.
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Old 01-10-19 | 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by BromptonINrio
thats 3 bromptons cost!
or 2 black edition costs!
its a hell expensive gift!
Raxel, thank you for sharing with the community the cost of your interesting project. You didn't have to.
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Old 01-10-19 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by ttakata73
This might be the nicest Brompton ever.
Technically and legally not a 'Brompton', which is a trademarked product manufactured in the UK, but I think we all know what you mean. It must be a highly desired dream build given that Bromptonites haven't assaulted the thread with cries of 'Chinese stealing Andrew Ritchie's intellectual property' (note: the relevant patents expired decades ago).
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Old 01-10-19 | 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by tcs
Bromptonites haven't assaulted the thread with cries of 'Chinese stealing Andrew Ritchie's intellectual property' (note: the relevant patents expired decades ago).
Maybe that's why. Just because someone likes Bromptons it does not necessarily mean he or she would be a blind fanboy/girl w/o relation to reality.
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Old 01-10-19 | 04:56 PM
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Remember the first titanium Brompton... Len Rubin's ill-fated Ultimate Folding Bike? Cool to see that the dream is still alive.
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Old 01-10-19 | 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by berlinonaut
BTW: What kind of tires are these? I can read something like "champion" on the shoulder but no brand.
Velotto Champion Mini 28-349. Slightly narrower than Kojak 32-349.

Originally Posted by ttakata73
Did you record the frame weight? I wonder how much is saved over a steel one.
Frame: 1271gr (-730gr)
S post: 461gr (-390gr)
Fork: 311gr (-240gr)
Rear: 423gr (-350gr)

So total saving is 1710gr over full steel Brompton, or 1120gr over Ti Brompton.

Originally Posted by Lalato
Remember the first titanium Brompton... Len Rubin's ill-fated Ultimate Folding Bike? Cool to see that the dream is still alive.
UFB had cassette and forward/rear derailleurs. Now there are wider rear frame available (135mm spacing) OR custom narrow spacing wheelset so you can build a better replica of UFB (2x11 speed)


Last edited by Raxel; 01-10-19 at 07:06 PM.
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Old 01-11-19 | 03:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Raxel
Velotto Champion Mini 28-349. Slightly narrower than Kojak 32-349.



Frame: 1271gr (-730gr)
S post: 461gr (-390gr)
Fork: 311gr (-240gr)
Rear: 423gr (-350gr)

So total saving is 1710gr over full steel Brompton, or 1120gr over Ti Brompton.


UFB had cassette and forward/rear derailleurs. Now there are wider rear frame available (135mm spacing) OR custom narrow spacing wheelset so you can build a better replica of UFB (2x11 speed)
Nice bike. But it save less weight than I thought. I expected titanium frame can be saved more than 1kg but infact it saved 730gr ~ rear + Fork titanium as official Ti Brompton.
How about ride feeling on this bike?
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