Couple of Brompton questions

[fatboy]

Father Xmas brought me a second hand Brompton for Xmas (I had been good!). It has taken a bit of setting up but I really like it however I have a couple of questions.

1. Is it normal for the handlebars/stem to be flexible in the fore/aft direction? It has the H style handlebars.

2. I have fitted a spare Brooks B17 but I see that there are Brompton specific Brooks saddles. Am I going to break the saddle if I use an ordinary saddle (the seat clamp is an old style one).

Thank you for your (hopefully) reassuring words!

[Claireysmurf]

I have a M3L model Brompton and my handlebars flex on the rare occasions I have tried to get out of the saddle to pedal.

[fatboy]

I have a M3L model Brompton and my handlebars flex on the rare occasions I have tried to get out of the saddle to pedal.

Thanks for that, it doesn't sprise me, just wanted to be sure that the second hand bike wasn't going to self destruct on me.

[[XAP]Bob]

Bars do flex on the Brommie I use, so I just don't haul on them....

[simonineaston]

Have used all sorts of Brooks saddles on all my Bromptons, without issue.

[fatboy]

Have used all sorts of Brooks saddles on all my Bromptons, without issue.

Great news thank you. Again what I guessed but wanted to be sure:)

[Claireysmurf]

Something else to add is that I have had a new suspension bush fitted to my Brompton as I was experiencing 'bouncing'. I am fairly heavy!
Also, the tyres need to be kept very hard. I have destroyed a rear tyre by running it at about 50-60psi.
I am tall (for a woman) at 180cm. I needed a longer seat post.

[TonyR]

.....just wanted to be sure that the second hand bike wasn't going to self destruct on me.

How old is the Brommie. The very early M bars did have a fatigue problem fixed by adding the handlebar brace. If you have a more modern version the brace both stiffens up the bars and provides a well place handhold for pushing the bike along or pulling it folded.

[fatboy]

.....just wanted to be sure that the second hand bike wasn't going to self destruct on me.

How old is the Brommie. The very early M bars did have a fatigue problem fixed by adding the handlebar brace. If you have a more modern version the brace both stiffens up the bars and provides a well place handhold for pushing the bike along or pulling it folded.

I think that it's from the late 90's but I'm not completely sure. It's a 5 speed SA.

[nez]

Be sure they are always tight. I have had one for more than 20 years and a little bit of looseness in that clamp can lead to flopping forwards if you hit a pothole and catastrophic loss of control. Guess how I know! I didn't fall off, but only just.

[TonyR]

I think that it's from the late 90's but I'm not completely sure. It's a 5 speed SA.

In that case have a check of http://www.fa-technik.adfc.de/Ratgeber/ ... ar.02.html

For post 2000 bikes the first four digits of the Serial Number are the year and month.

[fatboy]

I think that it's from the late 90's but I'm not completely sure. It's a 5 speed SA.

In that case have a check of http://www.fa-technik.adfc.de/Ratgeber/ ... ar.02.html

For post 2000 bikes the first four digits of the Serial Number are the year and month.

Will take a look tomorrow

[Brucey]

the hub should also have a date mark on it, shouldn't it?

cheers

[fatboy]

The date on the price list that came with the bike (no receipt sadly) is February 1999 and the serial number is not a date stamp, so the handlebars needed checking however they have been upgrade which is good news.

Thanks for the advice etc.