Search found 35 matches

by GOHughes
22 Sep 2021, 5:39pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Folding Bike recommendations?
Replies: 28
Views: 2363

Re: Folding Bike recommendations?

I would highly recommend the Dahon Curve as a cheaper alternative to the Brompton. I have a custom model from C. H. White with Big Apple tyres. I lowered the gearing with a 16T rear sprocket and replaced the horrible saddle with a Brooks.

My Curve weighs 10.5 kg and is easily folded and carried. It also fits into a 'Dimpa' bag from IKEA (only 3.00!) so can be carried on as luggage if necessary. Rear panniers are not an option even with a rack due to the 16" wheels. A range of bags can be fitted to the front Luggage Socket Headstock, though I prefer a small rucksack.

They do come up frequently on Gumtree and ebay.

Although Dahon does not currently have a UK distributor you can buy a new Curve from Bikester.co.uk for 661.99 plus 29.00 postage. Their model has a rear rack and hub dynamo lighting so is a bit heavier at a stated 12.23kg

I would have inserted links for all of the above recommendations but the process using this forum is frustratingly counter-intuitive. :(
by GOHughes
26 Jul 2020, 2:28pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Brompton electric scooter
Replies: 4
Views: 574

Brompton electric scooter

I received an email yesterday from Brompton, as I'm sure many other members have, with a link to a survey on electric bikes and electric scooters. This made me wonder whether Brompton is developing an electric scooter now that the law is changing to make them road-legal.
by GOHughes
13 Jul 2020, 12:00pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: The Worst Bike Shop Review Ever
Replies: 67
Views: 7484

Re: The Worst Bike Shop Review Ever

Does anyone remember Fox's bike shop in Penny Lane in Liverpool? I'm talking about the mid-1960s here. It wasn't a bad shop , just that the owners were quite eccentric. The shop, which was quite large, looked as if it hadn't been updated since the 1920s. When he was in Mr Fox was interminably working on an old Austin Healy inside the shop, which I never saw move. When he wasn't in Mrs Fox, who actually looked like Mrs Fox from Dad's Army, would look after the shop. She was always very pleasant but knew absolutely nothing and couldn't answer the simplest question. She often asked me to go on errands for odd items of groceries while waiting for Mr Fox to return. I was a boy at the time and used my bike for my three paper rounds and often needed basic spares and repairs. My two older brothers both had racing bikes, one a Harry Quinn and the other a Jim Soens. Neither of them would have dreamt of going to Fox's though I always found them very pleasant if eccentric.
by GOHughes
3 Apr 2020, 2:09pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bike building UK
Replies: 58
Views: 2724

Re: Bike building UK

Aren't Bromptons and all their components made in Britain?
by GOHughes
7 Dec 2019, 2:34pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Argos road bikes ( i.e. Argos the utility shop )
Replies: 44
Views: 6148

Re: Argos road bikes ( i.e. Argos the utility shop )

All three models are currently on offer at half price on the Argos website so you could get the top of the range model for £174.99. Note that models 2.0 and 3.0 are the same bike - the models number refers to frame sizing.

A lot of LBS now offer an assembly from the box service for about £20.00 - £30.00. Some will even allow you to have the bike in its box delivered to them. They will also be able to check the bike over for any possible manufacturer's defects, sell you some more suitable pedals and I'm sure once you have experienced their expertise and knowledge you will return to have the bike serviced and buy accessories, tyres and tubes etc.

It's hard for an LBS to compete on price for new bikes but for servicing and expertise they are still the best there is.
by GOHughes
29 Oct 2019, 6:35pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Tall person seeks fast, reliable commuting bicycle
Replies: 31
Views: 2405

Re: Tall person seeks fast, reliable commuting bicycle

It seems a shame to spend up to 2000.00 on a quality bike and then store it outside. Info. about storage solutions here:

https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/guide ... urity-home
by GOHughes
26 Oct 2019, 5:07pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Tall person seeks fast, reliable commuting bicycle
Replies: 31
Views: 2405

Re: Tall person seeks fast, reliable commuting bicycle

Bikefix may have neglected to mention that the T700 from vsf farrhadmanufaktur has the 11 spedd Alfine hub and Gates belt drive. Again, though, the gears may need some alteration as I suspect that you would find 46/22 too low given your stated preference for higher gears.

You would find it cheaper to change the rear sprocket rather than the chain ring, especially with a Gates belt drive. That said, Shimano do specify upper and lower limits (for chain rings and sprockets) as the Alfine 11 hub can be subjected to excessive torque outside of its usual operating limits, though I understand that 2019 models of the Alfine 11 are more tolerant.
by GOHughes
23 Oct 2019, 12:05pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Tall person seeks fast, reliable commuting bicycle
Replies: 31
Views: 2405

Re: Tall person seeks fast, reliable commuting bicycle

Hub gear calculator here. Make sure you uncheck the box at the top where it says 'Brompton-compatible data only':

http://xldev.co.uk/bgc.html
by GOHughes
23 Oct 2019, 10:05am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Tall person seeks fast, reliable commuting bicycle
Replies: 31
Views: 2405

Re: Tall person seeks fast, reliable commuting bicycle

You could look at the T300 from vsf farrhadmanufaktur. These are quality bikes with cromo steel frames, high end components and fully equipped for commuting with rack, mudguards and hub dynamo.

Largest frame size is 62cm, which might suit. There is also an 68cm XXL with additional frame tube for strength though I thnk this for exceptionally tall people.

The biggest chainring on both is 48T, but this could easily be replaced. The T300 is also available with a Shimano nexus hub gear, though this would give you a top gear of only 88" as it is set up with a 38T chainring and 18T rear sprocket. That said your current 53T chainring if combined with the smallest 11T sprocket would give you a top gear of 135", more suited to a time trial than commuting!

They are fairly expensive - the T300 is about 900.00. They are only available from two places in the UK, Chris's bikes in Cambridge and Bikefix in London.

https://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/en/fah ... ingrad.php

I have had aT100 for years and have recently bought an open framed S300. Both are reliable, well built and equipped and finished to a very high standard.
by GOHughes
8 Sep 2019, 11:02am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Shortening chain
Replies: 1
Views: 404

Shortening chain

I have just ordered a 39T chain ring to lower the gearing on my Brompton. it currently has the standard 50T chain ring. How many links do I have to remove?
by GOHughes
7 Aug 2019, 12:38pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Penny farthings
Replies: 36
Views: 2824

Re: Penny farthings

Cycle King do a half size modern penny farthing by Ammaco with front and rear caliper brakes and a steel frame.

The front wheel is 700c so very low geared.

The saddle looks terrible!

https://www.cycleking.co.uk/ammaco-penn ... rsion.html
by GOHughes
16 Apr 2019, 1:11pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Brompton B75
Replies: 9
Views: 9460

Re: Brompton B75

To upgrade this to the current spec. of the M3L, you would need to add the following:
Mudguards and stays £60, Folding pedal £35, Front luggage carrier block £15, total £110. Added to the £745 cost of the B75 this totals £855, £160 less than the current M3L.

There B75 does have a few other minor differences, however:

It has the old style ‘M’ handlebars and handle post. The old style ‘M’ bars are a deeper M shape and are more prone to flex.

There is no choice of seat post, the extended seat post supplied gives a slightly less compact fold.

The tyres do not have reflective tape.

The saddle is not the current model so not compatible with Brompton’s Cateye Mini rear light, which clips under the saddle. However, you can attach a standard Cateye mini to the extended seat post without compromising the fold. Also, you may want to spend some of the £160 you have saved on a new saddle. As saving money is the point of this model I’d suggest a reasonably priced leather one from Spa Cycles.

It comes with –12% lower gearing. I can only see this as a benefit unless you live somewhere very flat as the standard gearing is far too high, IMHO. I’m sure very few of us ride bikes with a lowest gear of 49”, which is equivalent to 42/24 on a bike with 700c wheels – most road bikes with a compact chainset would have a lower bottom gear.

Arguably the unique ‘water blue’ frame colour gives the B75 the cachet of a limited edition.

Not only will the price of the B75 give pause to though for those who have recently paid full price for a three speed Brompton, it will also affect the second-hand price achievable for those with a recent model to sell. That said, I wouldn’t expect the B75 to have an extended production run as it appears to make use of superseded components.
by GOHughes
23 Sep 2018, 5:42pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Ergon grips for 2018 Brompton ‘M’ handlebars
Replies: 5
Views: 2887

Re: Ergon grips for 2018 Brompton ‘M’ handlebars

Thanks for the replies. I have ordered a pair of the GP2 gripshift, both left and right grips of this models are 95mm. Good to know that the standard grips on the 2018 Brompton are locked with an allen key bolt - glad I found out before I set about them with a Stanley knife!
by GOHughes
22 Sep 2018, 1:52pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Ergon grips for 2018 Brompton ‘M’ handlebars
Replies: 5
Views: 2887

Ergon grips for 2018 Brompton ‘M’ handlebars

Which of these can be fitted to the M type handlebars without cutting them to fit? I have measured the standard Brompton rubber grips at 110 mm.

I don’t want to cut them to fit or move the brake and gear levers

Having searched online it seems that the only Ergon grips that would fit are the GS1 dual grip shift (95mm).

It’s especially confusing as the product numbers on the Ergon website do not seem to match those used by most retailers.
by GOHughes
16 Sep 2018, 11:47am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Valuing a vsf fahrradmanufaktur tx400 (2012)
Replies: 1
Views: 540

Re: vsf fahrradmanufaktur tx400

These are excellent, well-spec'd, steel frame bikes. Though the TX400 is a little heavy, it's capable of serious expedition touring.

If it's still in excellent condition I'd suggest 60% of what you paid for it - the current model retails at c. £1360.00 so it's a premium bike.

Not so long ago I sold a T100C (with suspension forks) on this forum for £375.00, having paid £620.00 for it in 2009, so that was 60% of the purchase price.

if you don't get much initial interest you might consider throwing in the panniers as a sweetener.