That was the first thing I did, lol. I'm an Ebay freak and search for everything on there first.

I'll be interested to see what you come up with. I don't mind the size or weight of the Brompton cover, but I wish it were quicker to put on. Like if it had a very stretchy shock cord at the bottom so you could just put it on the bike like a shower cap. But I would still want it to be "fitted," without a lot of excess (since that tends to make the bike look smaller).

Snapped a few indoor pics with my phone...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7...4efbe5ec_z.jpg


Changed out the grips and installed some V-levers(work just fine) I had lying around, until I find new ones I like.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8292/7...690e68a4_z.jpg


Replaced plastic casters with 54mm skateboard wheels. I also only installed bearings on one side of the wheel and spacers between. That way the wheel doesn't stick far out and I don't hit my heels on them.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8425/7...592d5165_z.jpg


Put a skewer spring in between the latch and handle on the frame. Keeps the latch pushed against the frame when tightening...that way it doesn't spin.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7...cd68f36d_z.jpg


This last one I thought was cool because my phones flash was on.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7265/7...7525b965_z.jpg

Although I prefer all my stock parts on my Brompton, I must say, the spring on the latch is very clever. Nice job. :thumb:

Nice mods. It is kinda late for my contribution, but flat bar road levers work fine. I am most likely running the ones featured on the moulton above though. It is about time to upgrade SOMETHING on my Brompton.

I have a Alfine 8 with Brompton handlebars, adapted Ergons & gripshift mod if you fell tempeted. You just need to widen the rear triangle a little or I know an LBS that supplies the rear triangle pre-widened to the right OLD.

The grips and levers were the main things that really needed to go in my eyes. The grips were too small and became very slick when my hands perspired. I do plan on getting more attractive grips and levers...these are just to take care of the issues i had for now.

You are making very nice mods and it's a beautiful bike. Best of luck with it!

Is the Strumey Archer thumb shifters for the 3 speed an indexed shifter, friction shifter, or both?
It looks like it will work as a bar end or mounted on top of a flat bar...
I'm wondering if a Dura Ace bar end front 3 speed shifter would work on the Brompton?

Thanks,
Brian

I agree with op. There is some cheap kit for a grands worth of bike. The main issue is the hub and gears in my experiences. Stuff upgrades ok but the gearing upgrade to more modern kit needs some problem solving or large expense. I sold my brommie, there are cheaper upgrades on other bikes. I have bought and upgraded 3 brompton type bikes and sold them to get other bikes that achive my goals cheaper.
Many people love the package. I would sooner have a spare bike than upgrade a brommie. However, I putt a dahon adres stem extender and cut down upside down drops on my previous brommie and managed to get the best riding position on any 16 inch folding bike I have tried. There is a thread on this mod. It was a fast road race type upgrade. Worked a charm, but it ment the rack had to be taken off. I could have used another qr stem extender. It was so much lighter and cleaner looking than the racked bike.

For commuting many people are happy with standard set up and see no reason to change it.

yes you did, on another thread .. look there..

FWIW..

the newest models replaced the swaged crank/chain ring with a 130bcd replaceable chainring spider crank .

there area bunch of aftermarket companies making Brompton upgrades around the globe..

I find the stock parts are just fine. Some might look a bit cheap, but they are functional and they do last. I've had my Brompton near a year and a half and I've been out riding almost every day. No problemo with the parts wearing or breaking.

I do have a few minor complaints about the bike. In regards to the shifter that the op mentioned. The only problem is that it rattles (three speed shifter only) a bit on a rough road surface. Where the cables rub on the frame, they should have placed clear protectors. Lastly - for an expensive bike like the Brompton, they should have provided a better paint finish - metallic or lacquered. I find the paint bland/flat.

A bodge on that was posted a while ago ~ cut a length of plastic drinks straw off (they were specific , I cant repeat that) & stuff it in the gap.


Brompton is Manufactured in Metropolitan London England that fact alone adds a significant Cost .

It's a very simple and effective mod that's on every third-party latch out there. Surely Brompton should include that in the next iteration?