Let's see your Brompton
Discussion
I don't have the Rohloff hub, and therefore am not speaking from experience, but when I took mine in for a service, I was chatting to one of the mechanics, who didn't rate the conversion.
His opininon was that the Alfine 8 speed was a much better spend of money.
His reasoning? The ones I can remember are that the Rohloff one is pressurised, which means it can't be serviced by just anyone, the 14 gears are too much and no one can rotate their wrist through them all in one go. (Though I'd dispute the rationale behind this, because how often do you need to immediately go from 14 to 1 without using any other gear in between?)
As for the Ti thing, of course it would be nice if a Brompton was lighter, but the additional money versus weight saving when the bike is already heavy seems a pointless waste to me. It's like putting a lipstick on a pig.
Of course they're compromised as a bike, but as a multi-modal bike, I don't think they can be beaten at any price. Other bikes do one thing better, but none (that I've come across) are a better package.
Things I'd like to see as Brompton factory options:
Disc brakes.
Proper transmission that doens't require 2 shifters for just 6 gears.
A proper way to pull/push the bike when it's folded. The EZ wheels...aren't.
His opininon was that the Alfine 8 speed was a much better spend of money.
His reasoning? The ones I can remember are that the Rohloff one is pressurised, which means it can't be serviced by just anyone, the 14 gears are too much and no one can rotate their wrist through them all in one go. (Though I'd dispute the rationale behind this, because how often do you need to immediately go from 14 to 1 without using any other gear in between?)
As for the Ti thing, of course it would be nice if a Brompton was lighter, but the additional money versus weight saving when the bike is already heavy seems a pointless waste to me. It's like putting a lipstick on a pig.
Of course they're compromised as a bike, but as a multi-modal bike, I don't think they can be beaten at any price. Other bikes do one thing better, but none (that I've come across) are a better package.
Things I'd like to see as Brompton factory options:
Disc brakes.
Proper transmission that doens't require 2 shifters for just 6 gears.
A proper way to pull/push the bike when it's folded. The EZ wheels...aren't.
I have a raw lacquer with titanium bits, and realistically, I'm never going to sell it, or get another one. I don't use it enough to justify doing so. It also has the look I like for this bike, a sort of vintage look, kinda, with the Brooks seat, silver wheels and mudguards.
- An Alfine conversion won't work, (I'm lead to believe), as this is wider than normal, and stretching the Titanium rear frame is a bit
. Apparently there is an 8 speed Sturmey Archer hub that fits though, and is on one controller. I'm very much interested in this. I need a decent spread of gears, as where I live is pretty lumpy, and when I do use it, I use them all on the 6 speed. - Discs are a too, as I don't want to mess about with the Titanium loveliness, but hydraulic rims came along, I might be tempted.
- I'd also like a Titanium telescopic seatpost. It needs to be telescopic as I'm 6'8'' tall. They're properly pricey though, so may have to wait.
BaronVonVaderham said:
It is by far the least fun bike I own and I only use it out of necessity!
quite surprised by this statement. i think the Brompton is great fun.on the point of the Ti addition, i didn't see the point paying £500-600 for a 0.9kg weight saving (S2L). but then i'm very rarely lugging it around.
velocgee said:
quite surprised by this statement. i think the Brompton is great fun.
on the point of the Ti addition, i didn't see the point paying £500-600 for a 0.9kg weight saving (S2L). but then i'm very rarely lugging it around.
A fair chunk of the weight saving is due to not having a pump! on the point of the Ti addition, i didn't see the point paying £500-600 for a 0.9kg weight saving (S2L). but then i'm very rarely lugging it around.
However the anti-corrosion properties could be beneficial..
To respond to the replies to my post;
Brompton and cycle surgery were contacted regarding the wonky front bag mount, and they did offer to replace the headtube section, but as this would involve drilling out and then repinning the main hinge, I declined as didn't want a brand new very expensive bike to undergo such major surgery. Also whilst riding with a bag on it's pretty hard to notice and so I've accepted it as part of the character of the bike.
When the annual train ticket cost is £3.7k, it was very easy to justify another £600 for the Ti!
One thing I forgot to mention in the good section though is the fact that it enables me to have cycling as part of my daily routine, which is a truly wonderful thing - I badly smashed up my knee before Christmas and have had to endure the tube this week...
I will be a far less reluctant Bromptoneer when I get back on it!
Also, to qualify the 'least fun bike I own' comment, my other bikes are all MTBs (DH, FS trail, jump/4x) and a BMX. This is my first road only steed.
Brompton and cycle surgery were contacted regarding the wonky front bag mount, and they did offer to replace the headtube section, but as this would involve drilling out and then repinning the main hinge, I declined as didn't want a brand new very expensive bike to undergo such major surgery. Also whilst riding with a bag on it's pretty hard to notice and so I've accepted it as part of the character of the bike.
When the annual train ticket cost is £3.7k, it was very easy to justify another £600 for the Ti!
One thing I forgot to mention in the good section though is the fact that it enables me to have cycling as part of my daily routine, which is a truly wonderful thing - I badly smashed up my knee before Christmas and have had to endure the tube this week...
I will be a far less reluctant Bromptoneer when I get back on it!
Also, to qualify the 'least fun bike I own' comment, my other bikes are all MTBs (DH, FS trail, jump/4x) and a BMX. This is my first road only steed.
Leithen said:
Just ordered one - Steel, M-Type, 6 Speed -12%, Version L Mudguards, Tempest Blue Frame and Extremities, Battery Lighting, Brooks Saddle, Standard Seat Height, Standard Suspension, Marathon Tyres and 0-Bag.
WooHoo! Just have to wait 8 weeks or so....
Sounds great and good choice with the Brooks saddle, I'm loving mine. WooHoo! Just have to wait 8 weeks or so....
Welcome to the eccentric club
Johnnybee said:
I did it at Goodwood a few years ago, and enjoyed the day. I'll ask the wife. 
Leithen said:
I'd love to, but fear I'd be far too slow.... 
In my experience, you'd struggle to be last. The Goodwood one last year had a broad reach of abilities. There were some proper whippets. There were also a few older, weightier folk who had clearly been on the gin beforehand.It was a great, fun atmosphere, and most definitely not all about the race time. I may have lapped some people twice.
hora said:
The myriad of options is confusing. What's a good 'cheap' but light Brompton?
Can you combine those two attributes?
Nothing really about Brompton is cheap, it all comes with a hand built quality premium. Can you combine those two attributes?
And anything you do to lighten a Brompton like wheels seat post or many other bespoke products are ££££'s
You can't even strip them down as most of the parts serve a function.
All said if I want light I'll use my road bike
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