Reflections on swapping a Swift for a Brompton (long)
07-04-11 | 10:35 AM
#52
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 1
Bikes: Brompton, Dahon Vitesse D5
Bendembroski, it's a while that you've had the Brompton, how's it working for you?
I've recently extended the cockpit by rotating the M bars forward as much as possible, creating a bit of extra room for the folded bars by careful tweaking of brake lever position and reach. The cockpit is now the same as on my Dahon and it's a very big improvement. Plus it has effectively increased the stem length making the steering a little more stable. For a while I thought I was going to have to get the longer post-2004 frame to extend the cockpit but I think my solution might be superior in that I'd probably prefer a longer stem to a longer wheelbase.
I've recently extended the cockpit by rotating the M bars forward as much as possible, creating a bit of extra room for the folded bars by careful tweaking of brake lever position and reach. The cockpit is now the same as on my Dahon and it's a very big improvement. Plus it has effectively increased the stem length making the steering a little more stable. For a while I thought I was going to have to get the longer post-2004 frame to extend the cockpit but I think my solution might be superior in that I'd probably prefer a longer stem to a longer wheelbase.
07-04-11 | 10:55 AM
#53
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
I suspect I may just keep both
I was just thinking of trailering my Brompton , folded up ,
over to a friend's house , across town.
And seeing if they want to go for a bike ride together,
towing the trailer with My Bike Friday..
07-05-11 | 03:54 AM
#54
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,027
Likes: 3
From: York UK
Bikes: 2X dualdrive Mezzo folder,plus others
I dont understand your comments on the flex on the Brompton. Perhaps its that i have a S-Type but i do have a Aber Halo riser to increase height therefore should flex more i would think due to leverage and taller stem than M-Type.
I owned 2 Dahons before the local dealer, and in the end Dahon themselves really got beyond rude with me,another story. Perhaps if id known of Thor at the time but again another story.
Anyway Dahons got what i call flex,Brompton dont even come close to that. Even with the stem riser i have little if any flex. And my bars are only prolly about 1" lower than M-Type with the riser installed.
I owned 2 Dahons before the local dealer, and in the end Dahon themselves really got beyond rude with me,another story. Perhaps if id known of Thor at the time but again another story.
Anyway Dahons got what i call flex,Brompton dont even come close to that. Even with the stem riser i have little if any flex. And my bars are only prolly about 1" lower than M-Type with the riser installed.
Last edited by bhkyte; 07-05-11 at 04:00 AM.
07-05-11 | 06:58 AM
#55
Thread Starter
My legs hurt
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 683
Likes: 1
From: Farther behind you than I'd like to be
Bikes: Vaya, Brompton, '73 Schwinn Super Sport, Cresswell Fold-it, '81 Trek 610
Bendembroski, it's a while that you've had the Brompton, how's it working for you?
I've recently extended the cockpit by rotating the M bars forward as much as possible, creating a bit of extra room for the folded bars by careful tweaking of brake lever position and reach. The cockpit is now the same as on my Dahon and it's a very big improvement. Plus it has effectively increased the stem length making the steering a little more stable. For a while I thought I was going to have to get the longer post-2004 frame to extend the cockpit but I think my solution might be superior in that I'd probably prefer a longer stem to a longer wheelbase.
I've recently extended the cockpit by rotating the M bars forward as much as possible, creating a bit of extra room for the folded bars by careful tweaking of brake lever position and reach. The cockpit is now the same as on my Dahon and it's a very big improvement. Plus it has effectively increased the stem length making the steering a little more stable. For a while I thought I was going to have to get the longer post-2004 frame to extend the cockpit but I think my solution might be superior in that I'd probably prefer a longer stem to a longer wheelbase.
This is the bike as I received it:
I've since popped my Brooks Flyer on it, added an extended seatpost, easy-wheels and some stubby bar-ends.
It's about to get a double chainring up front, new chain & rear cog. The current transmission is pretty worn out.
More pics to to follow once I get that all setup.
In the main, the two of us are getting along just fine
. I'm slowly coming to realise just how versatile the little thing is. It doesn't ride as nicely as my Swift did, but I don't really care. It performs well enough on the road that I'll happily cruise along on it for 25-30 mile rides without hesitation. I'm even getting used to the brakes. 
The fold! The thing just comes with me everywhere. I can pop it into the boot of the car, along with the stroller, shopping, and bunch of other things no sweat. With the Swift, the bike would fit without issue. Adding other things and the bike, could be a bit of a problem. Now, I can meet the wife and kids after a ride, pop the bike in the boot and off we go... It's a shift from asking "Should I bother taking the bike?" to "Is there any reason I shouldn't take the bike?" The answer to the question is usually "Nope." As a result, I'm putting more miles in.
I'll be tweaking things to get it 'just so' over the summer, but aside from the double up front, the only other thing I'd really like to change is the pedals. The standard issue Brompton pedals are pretty bad.
I'm tempted to swap the Marathon's for Kojaks. The bike does see a fair amount of wet, greasy, muddy canal path so I'm not sure Kojaks are the right compromise.
I'm also wondering if I need a rear rack or not.
More to follow in the coming weeks.
BTW, I did sell the Swift in the end. I will miss it, but I needed the cash more than I needed a surplus bike.
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07-17-14 07:59 PM
