Brompton is just a great bike
08-17-12 | 09:17 PM
#26
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 237
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From: Idaho
Bikes: 2002 Novara Ponderosa HT MTB 2011, Brompton M6L
I guess it all depends on how one rides. I ride for fun, exercise, pleasure, etc. So I haven't noticed any of the issues that some of you folks that don't like Bromptons notice. I find it a great bike and easy to ride 20-30 miles. Everything just works the way it's supposed to. What do the Brits say? Horses for courses. If you're a young guy and ride hard maybe they aren't good bikes for that but Bromptons have toured the world and probably far more than any other folder.
I didn't find a folder that came close that fit me so well or rode as smoothly as my Brompton.
I didn't find a folder that came close that fit me so well or rode as smoothly as my Brompton.
08-18-12 | 01:31 AM
#27
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 1
According to the official website Terns are heavy.
I've found flex to be a major problem with the Brompton and, indeed, it's frustrated me greatly. In a way it's ludicrous as most of the stem is thick steel tubing with zero flex (way stiffer than aluminium varieties) but it attaches to the steerer via a puny 1" wedge insert which totally defeats the purpose of the upper section being so beefy. This is just crap design, but it almost works, i.e. for certain riding styles and particularly for the S model the flex is within tolerable limits. I've managed to improve matters slightly by installing a better headset and inserting the stem all the way down contrary to the advice of the manual. Having it buttressed against the headset nut improves rigidity a little, hopefully it won't cause any problems.
I've found flex to be a major problem with the Brompton and, indeed, it's frustrated me greatly. In a way it's ludicrous as most of the stem is thick steel tubing with zero flex (way stiffer than aluminium varieties) but it attaches to the steerer via a puny 1" wedge insert which totally defeats the purpose of the upper section being so beefy. This is just crap design, but it almost works, i.e. for certain riding styles and particularly for the S model the flex is within tolerable limits. I've managed to improve matters slightly by installing a better headset and inserting the stem all the way down contrary to the advice of the manual. Having it buttressed against the headset nut improves rigidity a little, hopefully it won't cause any problems.
If the M flex too much for you but the S is better maybe the main problem is the M bars??
08-18-12 | 07:41 AM
#28
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,984
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Bikes: Brompton, Dahon Vitesse D5
I'm using the s stem with aberhallo extension. There's not much flex in the m handlebar, it originates from other areas of the bike and the extra height of the m bar exacerbates the problem.
Good point, actually I don't know the thickness of that tubing, I've assumed it's similar to other sections of the bike but your experience says otherwise?
I've considered modding a stem to add height adjustability; do you have any pics online?
Good point, actually I don't know the thickness of that tubing, I've assumed it's similar to other sections of the bike but your experience says otherwise?
I've considered modding a stem to add height adjustability; do you have any pics online?
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