vincentnyc

when riding on a brompton, i felt a harsher ride compare to my downtube mini. everytime i go over cobblestones, small pothole, i really feel it. is there any particular reason for this? both are 16" wheel and the only difference is my downtube mini has a suspension at the rear while the brompton just has a solid block at the rear. is it the thin marathon tires on the brompton? the downtube mini tires are kenda 16" x 1.5" and look a bit wider than the brompton tires. or is it lack of suspension on the brompton?

for those ppl that own the brompton and dont like the "bumpiness," what do u do to correct this? do u get a spring brook saddle like this one?

https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...er+Saddle.aspx

and does it really helps?

the rear block that i'm talking about look like this rear block that i rode on:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcusjb/3391852859/

would getting the newer rear block like this one help also?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/warriorwomen/2631793908/


thx in advance.

ddez

Yes to all three questions lol.I use a Brooks flyer and the first pic the block is the firm one,the second pic is the softer riding one meant for folks under i think 165 lbs or somewhere around there.Mine rides quite well although i use the Brompton yellow tires at full pressure(100lbs)so do feel even a rock under it.It actually is getting better riding over time.Im thinking the rubber block is getting weaker maybe.Im sure if i changed out the tires to scwalbes or however it's spelled it would be considerably smoother.When i get it pedaling flat out i feel the suspension moving quite a bit,bouncing along so it works.

vincentnyc

what type of scwalbes tires? the big apples? i thought those are the 305 wheels for the dahon 16" bike and not for the brompton 349 wheel bike?

also what do u recommend to upgrade for most bang for ur bux? the softer block suspension or the brooks flyer? the softer block suspension cost around $16.40 and the brooks spring saddle cost around $125. or to a schwabes tires instead? if it exist for a brompton?

ddez

Well i have no experience with the heavier rubber block or the schwalbe marathons that the Brompton site shows as upgrades,but i do like my saddle.But i suspect and maybe someone else can confirm that the tires would make biggest difference if one had to pick only one thing.I certainly know from experience with other bikes that tires can really change a bike ride.The rubber block being so cheap i think i would get it if i didnt have it already.
I just happened to have the flyer around.Its old now and really broken in and i find stock seat to be uncomfortable.Plus it gave me the extra height i needed with out having to get extended post.I never sell my bikes with my Brookes saddles on,to much trouble to get them broke in.I'm surprised it works well with suspension cause it sure doesnt with suspension seat posts.To much bouncing goin on. Hope this helps.You can also email Brompton themselves and inquire,i find them to be very helpful.

folder fanatic

Have you considered the fact that the Downtube is an aluminum frame and the Brompton is a steel frame? Or the tire might be a bit narrower than the Downtube's? My Raleigh Records on the Brompton are quite narrow. My rubber block is the standard old fashioned one-size-fits-all one. I am not heavy as most men being female. So I am fine with it since it is paired with a Nirve "beach cruiser" sprung saddle (see below).

Getting a special new rubber block might be the solution. The Brooks saddle is for people who like to break in their own saddles. I for one found that a simple saddle with springs in the rear like mine is fine for my purposes.

vincentnyc

which rubber block do u have? the one with the ridges or the one with the firm block? if u have the ridges, have u ever rode on the one with the firm block and does it really makes a difference?

bykerouac

Vince, I bet those narrow tires are giving you a harsh ride. Fast yet harsh. I have the Brompton Greens (Kevlar belted) on my bike and it does give a comfortable ride. I think they are a bit fatter than the Schwalbes hence more cushioning. A side fact is that I have never had any flats in 3 years or so..

vincentnyc

what about the softer suspension block? do u think it will make a difference?

also it looks like ur green kevlar tires is the same specs as the regular brompton tires: 16" x 1 3/8th":

https://www.foldabikes.com/PriceListHTML/plSection.php?6

so are u sure ur kelvar tires are fatter?

and any other "fatter" tires out there that is compatible with the brompton? preferably, 16" x 1.5" or 16" x 2".

bykerouac

Sorry Vince, I misread your post. So you have the yellow brompton tires on right now? If you do then I agree that you might want to change the suspension block if you want a more comfortable ride. I agree that a comfortable seat will help too, I have an unsprung Brooks B17 and it is just great.

badmother

What a weird thing to say. Maybe leave it to us to explain why we use Brooks?

vincentnyc

i dont have a yellow brompton tires...no yellow tag anywhere. but the tires is 16" x 1 3/8" though....what other cheaper saddles are out there that are good for suspension beside the spring saddle? will gel saddle work?

vincentnyc

i think i found a solution to my problem. it is the BioLogic™ Suspension seat post for $46.50 on thor usa:

https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/accessories/seatpost.htm

a couple of question...have any1 try this seatpost on their dahon or brompton before and how well is the suspension? it is .34mm in diameter...and i think the brompton seatpost is also .34mm in diameter. so how do i take out my existing brompton seatpost and replace it with this one? i try to pull it all the way out on my brompton but it doesnt go all the way out.

ddez

Its designed in such a way that it doesnt come out from top.Take saddle off and pull it out from bottom.

vincentnyc

cool...thx man...i will let u guys know how this upgrade goes.

vincentnyc

one last question...when the brompton is fully folded...to unfolded it, first you must pull the seatpost up....i dont know what is keeping the brompton "lock" in its place. otherwise u can't unfold it.

if i get the biologic seatpost, will it also have the same feature?

ddez

The post you put in will have to be at least the same length(or close) as what you took out or it wont lock in place.When the post is down it bumps up against that round post stopper thingy.The piece that attachs rear brake to frame by rear reflecter. You will have to measure it might be able to go 2"shorter ,just guessing didnt really measure just eyeballed it.

vincentnyc

the standard brompton seatpost length is 53 cm:

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-B...QSP0P-3014.htm

the biologic seatpost length is 48 cm.

i'm 99% sure it will work...but what do u think?

vincentnyc

i just thought of something...if i get the biologic seatpost...that mean when i install the biologic seatpost on the brompton, i've to push the seatpost up from the bottom...but from that pix...u can see some sort of an "adaptor" above that "rubber" suspension. and i dont see anyway u can remove the adaptor. if i have to go from the bottom up...i don't think it will fit thru the brompton tube.

the only way i see i can install it is to push the seatpost from the top down. but do u think it will work base on the brompton design?

vincentnyc

i got another route...how about upgrading to a 16" x 1.5" tires like this one?

https://harriscyclery.net/product/gre...-tire-1688.htm

do u think it will compromise on the fold and be in the way of the fenders? i dont like the above tires...it looks like it can't stand nyc street...i can see the tires will be punctures after several miles of nyc st. any1 know other tires that are 16" x 1.5" and compatible with the brompton?

ddez

Should be able to put new seat post down through top.The Bromi post is flared at bottom to stop pulling it through top.New one doesnt look flared.As i said i didnt measure but looks like you might have 1-1/2-2" to play with.Heard those scorchers are good but doubt they ride any better than what you have.With the Flyer saddle and the soft rubber block i dont get much of a rough ride through my butt,but its still rough through bars.But very tolerable,for me.

bykerouac

Vince, just a thought, before going through any major upgrades, perhaps you can change your riding habits a bit. When negotiating potholes or rough sections stand on the pedals with your knees and elbows bent and let the bike float through the rough stuff. This might just be all you need. Now if it is not, then by all means upgrade for a comfier ride.

I got one of my Brooks B17's through Wallbikes (Wallingford Bicycle Parts) at Ebay for less than $50. They are saddles that were returned and sould at a discount. When mine arrived I could not see any sign of use save for very light creases near the rivets. A great deal if you ask me.

vincentnyc

i'm already doing that with that kind of riding when going over big potholes and jumping curbs. and regarding brooks...sorry that saddle aint for me. i dont want to ride like 1000 miles to break into that saddle...that aint my cup of tea.

and i already went to a store to check out the rear suspension with the ridges and it is almost as stiff as my existing rear suspension w/o the ridges. i think my rear suspension is even "softer" than the newer standard brompton rear suspension. look like the biologic suspension seatpost is the way the go for me.

invisiblehand

Check BromptonTalk. I believe they don't fit.

invisiblehand

Another alternative is to use the telescoping Brompton seatpost and replace the telescoping post with a suspension post. I vaguely recall that the OD of the telescoping post is 26.8 ... but you should definitely double check that figure before proceeding.

LWaB

Wider tyres will not fit in a Brompton.