19 years later its time to buy another Brompton!
In 1995 my wife and I bought two shiny new Bromptons from SJS Cycles. My wifes a red L3 and mine a black T5. Well the L3, fitted with a ladies sprung Brooks has been used sparingly and still looks next to new - my wife would never sell it. My T5 on the other hand led a hard life but soldiered on for 5 years until an argument with a speeding white van killed it. Nearly killed me in fact! RIP trusty T5! Not long after I didnt need to take a bike on the train for my daily commute so returned to big wheel bikes. Faced with the prospect of having to commute by a combination of train and bike this month I decided to return to the 'fold'
As a result I bought a 2 year old M3 and instantly fell in love with the Brompton experience again. Fitted with a Carradice pannier (from eBay - I love the look), a cape roll and Brooks Swift it feels and looks just right. Here it is next to my wifes 1995 model:
This morning I popped out to do some shopping - it was nice not to have to worry about carrying a heavy lock and faffing about securing things when I got there. I simply slung the pannier over my shoulder, folded the bike up and took it into Waitrose with me. No one gave it a second glance.
Search found 91 matches
- 16 May 2014, 7:22pm
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: Pictures of your bike(s)
- Replies: 1924
- Views: 583812
- 7 May 2014, 7:11pm
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: Spokeless folding bike
- Replies: 8
- Views: 4415
Re: Spokeless folding bike
Interesting but I cant see that there will be thousands of cheap Bromptons on eBay as a result anytime soon
- 18 Apr 2010, 6:20pm
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: Lack of aircraft overhead
- Replies: 46
- Views: 1846
Re: Lack of aircraft overhead
I live under the Heathrow flight path - about 40 miles out though so they arent low - you cant usualy hear them in doors but can whilst in the garden. The silence and lack of large jets & vapour trails is oddly eerie but I woudnt mind getting used to it.
Little chance of that though - it will all be back to normal soon I suppose.
Little chance of that though - it will all be back to normal soon I suppose.
- 17 Apr 2010, 8:02am
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: Suggestion to replace cycle-to-work-scheme
- Replies: 32
- Views: 3269
Re: Suggestion to replace cycle-to-work-scheme
hubgearfreak wrote:Velorum wrote:Heavy and old fashioned = bad?
i think that's the gist. your old junky dutch thing's for the chop
Oh dear, looks like I will be on a steep learning curve.
Is it possible to touch up carbon fibre with Hammerite?
Will my Brooks B66 fit on an alloy micro adjustable seat pin?
Is it possible to part exchange my tweed jacket for a skin tight lycra one piece suit?
And thats just for starters...........
- 17 Apr 2010, 12:22am
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: Suggestion to replace cycle-to-work-scheme
- Replies: 32
- Views: 3269
Re: Suggestion to replace cycle-to-work-scheme
HoWB Dave wrote:(BSO's are notoriously heavy)
Light & modern = good
Heavy and old fashioned = bad?
- 14 Apr 2010, 7:28pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: What kick stand to use for fully loaded??
- Replies: 34
- Views: 19876
Re: What kick stand to use for fully loaded??
I use one of these - albeit on a heavy dutch roadster:
Despite the buky appearance its suprisingly light due to the resin construction and very stable. As the Sparta has a brazed on mount there are no worries re chainstay damage. Much better than the basic prop stand it replaced.
I bought it from SJS who have a pretty good range
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/category-Propstands-323.htm
Despite the buky appearance its suprisingly light due to the resin construction and very stable. As the Sparta has a brazed on mount there are no worries re chainstay damage. Much better than the basic prop stand it replaced.
I bought it from SJS who have a pretty good range
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/category-Propstands-323.htm
- 8 Apr 2010, 7:49pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Obsolete tyre size?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2173
Re: Obsolete tyre size?
As a matter of fact I can stand metric figures - its just that I cant figure our how to type fractions on the laptop
27" x 11/4" doesnt look right to me............
27" x 11/4" doesnt look right to me............
- 8 Apr 2010, 7:35pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Obsolete tyre size?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2173
Re: Obsolete tyre size?
I bought some 27"x1.25" Schwalbe's last year for the Dawes Galaxy and they were ace.
- 5 Apr 2010, 11:04pm
- Forum: On the road
- Topic: Faster in the rain?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1290
Re: Faster in the rain?
I think that it gives a greater sense of speed especialy when its coming down hard and the streams of rain drops seem to race towards you - in short its something of an illusion.
A quite nice one too - at least theres a minor compensation for getting soaked I suppose...........
A quite nice one too - at least theres a minor compensation for getting soaked I suppose...........
- 4 Apr 2010, 9:40am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Schrader to Presta Issues ?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2207
Re: Schrader to Presta Issues ?
Ive had tubes tear at the valve seat running Presta fittings in rims designed for Schrader valves when at high pressure.
I now run Schraders at high pressure - which is not a problem. I have a good quality foot pump with accurate guage for use at home - the only downside is getting hold of a pump to carry on the bike that will reach the required pressure in the event of a puncture- this is where Presta is superior IMO.
I now run Schraders at high pressure - which is not a problem. I have a good quality foot pump with accurate guage for use at home - the only downside is getting hold of a pump to carry on the bike that will reach the required pressure in the event of a puncture- this is where Presta is superior IMO.
- 29 Mar 2010, 10:26pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Truly maintenance free??
- Replies: 36
- Views: 2629
Re: Truly maintenance free??
Single speed dutch bike with coaster brake. 'Nuff said.
- 24 Mar 2010, 8:34pm
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: Pictures of your bike(s)
- Replies: 1924
- Views: 583812
Sparta update!
Having nearly finished modifying the mighty Sparta to my taste I thought that I would post an update for those interested in things more traditional.
As mentioned in another tread I have ditched the dyanmo system and gone all LED/battery. The new front lamp is a Bobbin's retro special - I think that it looks great and I am particularly pleased by the bright beam. It operates on constant or flashing. Link to Bobbin: http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/Retro-Front-Light
A good match for the mudguard mounted rear LED via forum member 'workhard' viewtopic.php?f=32&t=34971
Ive had my eye on one of those Busch & Muller stubby rear view mirrors for a while - I took the plunge and ordered one from DOT bikes: http://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP3041.as ... aign%3dDPL Im really pleased with this - very good quality and a good rear view whilst being very small and unobtrusive
The original prop stand was fine when the bike was unloaded - but with the panniers full it just wasnt up to the job. This Hebie bipod propstand was expensive but well worth it. Great quality and pretty light. Think a sturdy prop stand is an unecessary addition? Try one if you regularly load up your rear panniers and you will think again! Link to SJS: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/category-Propstands-323.htm
And thats pretty much as I want it. The only thing that I now hanker after is one of those new Sturmey Archer 2 speed auto coaster hubs - hopefuly later in the year!
Cheers
Ian
As mentioned in another tread I have ditched the dyanmo system and gone all LED/battery. The new front lamp is a Bobbin's retro special - I think that it looks great and I am particularly pleased by the bright beam. It operates on constant or flashing. Link to Bobbin: http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/Retro-Front-Light
A good match for the mudguard mounted rear LED via forum member 'workhard' viewtopic.php?f=32&t=34971
Ive had my eye on one of those Busch & Muller stubby rear view mirrors for a while - I took the plunge and ordered one from DOT bikes: http://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP3041.as ... aign%3dDPL Im really pleased with this - very good quality and a good rear view whilst being very small and unobtrusive
The original prop stand was fine when the bike was unloaded - but with the panniers full it just wasnt up to the job. This Hebie bipod propstand was expensive but well worth it. Great quality and pretty light. Think a sturdy prop stand is an unecessary addition? Try one if you regularly load up your rear panniers and you will think again! Link to SJS: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/category-Propstands-323.htm
And thats pretty much as I want it. The only thing that I now hanker after is one of those new Sturmey Archer 2 speed auto coaster hubs - hopefuly later in the year!
Cheers
Ian
- 23 Mar 2010, 8:16pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Panniers
- Replies: 4
- Views: 663
Re: Panniers
My first three touring bikes had only one eye on the rear dropout (and these were expensive ones!) the mudguard stays and rear rack were fitted to these eyes using a good quality stainless steel bolt with nyloc nut. The bolts needed to be long enough to accomodate the stays and carrier mounts. Despite some very heavy loads I never suffered any problems with this set up.
Good luck with the trip!
Good luck with the trip!
- 19 Mar 2010, 8:24pm
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: symbols on cars
- Replies: 43
- Views: 2255
Re: symbols on cars
I have this in the rear window of my car
- 14 Mar 2010, 11:37pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Bottle dynamo noise
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2648
Re: Bottle dynamo noise
Or on the other hand....
http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/Retro-Front-Light
I am giving this serious consideration
(With emergnecy LED's in the pannier this might be a good option)
if i go for this option then the B&M front lamp and AXA dynamo will be availale.......
http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/Retro-Front-Light
I am giving this serious consideration
(With emergnecy LED's in the pannier this might be a good option)
if i go for this option then the B&M front lamp and AXA dynamo will be availale.......