Starting a small folder parts business. Need opinions on parts wanted. Brompton/Dahon
 

Note to MODS...I'm not trying to sell anything in this thread. I'm only seeking opinions. So, please contact me with any issues.

Ok, I'm trying to start up a small business selling hard to find or specialty folding bike parts. The 2 main brands I'm gonna focus on are Brompton and Dahon at this point. What I need is to hear is people's interest on specialty parts and to find items that will sell.

I've aquired dealer pricing for the items on the following links below. Please list items that are of interest in your post. This way I can compile a list of what items are hotter then others.

http://www.thecyclopedia.com/page8/index.html
http://www.thecyclopedia.com/page7/index.html
http://www.thecyclopedia.com/page5/index.html

I've also sourced and have 6 Titanium seatposts on the way for Bromptons. They are 31.8x540mm. They are almost identical to the ones sold by Bromfication. Except these will have a stronger seatpost mount and will have height numbers on the back.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=279006
I did remove the companies name for myself

I'm trying to source as many parts from overseas companies that North Americans have trouble getting.

Thanks

what a coincidence.. i was just thinking about this and looking at litepro™ brand upgrade parts for the dahon dove. its a great idea. dont forget to get the 14" rims. and while youre at it, why not source a dealer price on dahon dove frame sets? i think these would sell.

Are there any specific Lite-Pro parts that you are looking at?

I would also like to add... I'm in the process of making a universal bag mount that works with the Brompton carrier block. The mount will allow the user various ways of attaching their own bags to the mount and use it on the front of the brompton. Anything from bags to baskets to panniers. I'm almost complete my first prototype. Just sourcing the molding supplies and tools. Hopefully in a working stage in the next month. Ill keep everyone posted on progress.

litepro stuff looks supercool.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=279009http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=279010http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=279011

yes. all the parts you see in the dahon dove pics.

I would say concentrate on parts that make the bike lighter.
I'm guessing many folding bikes are often carried up stairs or wherever and so making a bike lighter is on people's minds.

I wrote a detailed thread up on what I bought to lighten my Dahon Mantis, just search for it if need be.

Defintely parts to make the bike lighter, also trouble finding Kinetix Pro wheels/rims. I myself looking for Kinetix Pro front 14 hole wheel and rear 28 hole rim, both in Red. Also SRAM Automatix 2 speed 28 hole hub. The only places I able to find them is either in Germany or UK, either shipping cost to high or don't ship to US. That will be great you get this started. :)

I'm definitely gonna look into the automatix. I was actually looking at putting one on my Speed Uno.

Also LitePro has the 20" Kinetix wheelset in red.

http://www.thecyclopedia.com/resourc...c-wheelset.jpg

http://www.milianparts.com
http://www.capproblema.com/produ.htm

Steve Parry is a UK based brompton Modifier, no website, all Ive seen was a phone number
he makes a kit to put a FD hanger on Bromptons.

hand built Wheels , with narrow hubs ex: PanTour With hub suspension.

the reinforcing parts for the heavily used rear roller wheels http://www.eerdermetaal.nl/

For Bromptons I think kits to offer more reach on bars - ie aberhallo stems paired with a quick-release bolt for the fold.
Custom Drop bolts for road-callipers?

These are things I've done to mine (bespoke custom hacks) and I get a lot of interest in where I got the parts.
Velocity rims in 451, 406 and 349 sizes in as many drillings as you can get.

Harder to find fast tyres like Primo Champs and Panaracer Paselas.

For my Brompton I'd love some more choice in mudguards / fenders - stock Brompton ones are always silver and wide (and totally not sporty to look at).
I run skinnier tyres and would love to find a source for maybe 1" or less black chromoplastic guards like the ones you see on a Bridgestone Moulton.

KHS removable pedals might be a good thing to stock as would bling accessories like Copenhagen Parts magnetic LED lights (less good for alloy bikes obviously)

Very nice input guys! I'm hoping to source as much as I can. Brompton parts are what I wuld like to mostly achieve, but I know there's a big majority of Dahon riders out there. That's why I chose those 2 brands.

I'm working on the Sram A2 hub. I called the headquarters in Chicago and they didn't even have 28h on their list. So, I must be a German/European special hub. Found a few, but for a hefty shipping fee.

Rims especially 16" (305mm, 349mm). Spokes for small wheels, especially lighter gauges.

Here are few products that interest me.

An airline legal (62") case for Brompton that is less expensive and lighter than the B&W case.

A kit for replacing the Brompton chain set so it can accept standard chainwheels, i.e. for having lower GI.

A Brompton seatpost that does not slide (e.g. rough CNC machined part)

A GoPro adapter that fits on the Brompton mounting block

A water bottle mount that fits the Brompton (or the Vincero Design variation Brompton just announced)

Kam,

I resolved the slipping chrome seatpost, with a second QR band clamp,
they are made with a lip, I filed off the lip enough to slide it over the seat post.

closed it sits right on top of the bushing, and the frame QR.
like double levers

but will open and slide up the seat post again to slip the post down to fold the bike..

fietsbob, this is what I did per your recommendation few months ago in the mechanics forum. I used a regular clamp, not QR, and also cut the flare at the bottom of the seatpost. When I put the bike in my car I just take the seatpost off. This reduces the lifting weight by about 5lb (heavy sprung Brooks + full saddle bag). I use a wide velcro to secure the fold.

I saw a 53T chain/bashguard. If you could get your hands on a 55T chain/bashguard, I would straight up be your first customer.

Sorry I haven't been posting. Consumed by research and sourcing.

Yea the regular clamp, around the seatpost,
Instead of QR one does defeat the quick fold up,
seems like if you have to dismantle a folder , then a Moulton ,
Separable, is a 'folding bike'..

another scheme Using The Saddle Adapter Pin, Modified to
use a QR instead of the bolt, (CM Wasson sells them like that)
lets it come right off the top.
Then the seatpost, down still uses the stop disc to lock the
rear end folded..

likewise using the telescopic seat post,
user, would just remove the upper section.

I have a TSR 27 somewhere. Did not use it since I got the Brompton.

maybe a Porteur rack that fits on the mounting block..

Get thru the Proprietary access that has the Ortlieb bag mount only selling thru Brompton
and having a DIY option , instead of a $300 bag that though an Ortlieb is rather small ..

BTW: http://www.driveline.com.tw/ they have a 55T chainguard among others, they might be a nice compliment to your other products.

Here's a sneak peek...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8189/8...55709efe_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8470/8...b7b2ed13_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8327/8...4578598a_z.jpg

I will definitely get in touch with them on the Super Lightest guards.

Love the look of this rig. Very nice :).

yes, indeed!

litepro bits needed:

crankset
rims/novatec hubs
litepro 660mm x 33.9 seatpost
flat bar
stem extension

what else?

this is going to be brilliant!

Exactly, this would be a good call getting a bunch of the superlightests in the popular folder bike chain ring sizes.

16"-20" wheels, rims, and hubs. Foxson for instance:

http://www.faxsoncycle.com/

I'm working on sources, but a lot of these company don't respond or don't like what I'm trying to accomplish. So, I'm hoping to start with a few niche items and hopefully my own creations. Always gonna be on the lookout for new stuff.

Still thankful for any incite or ideas from the crowd.

Thanks guys