My photography skills are more aimed at practicality than perfection & probably limited through impatience & an inability to “see” what the ideal shot may offer? Where blog (or Twitter) posting is concerned, I’m happy with a topical or unusual subject pic & then the mind turns to the words that will accompany it. Hence, the effort to frame the shot is minimal & my concerns on what I could have achieved isn’t too much of a factor (& hopefully not too much embarrassment with the result?). Also, by sticking with iPhone or compact camera pics, the postings are simplified – & the equipment is my excuse for lesser output quality?
Looking through some recent pics, I noticed a collection of shots that are related through the difficulties in obtaining suitable shots. Mostly, my problems came through my preparations or foresight – or lack thereof?
First off, my classic pic of the finish of my cycling club’s major event (the inaugural Rob Hodgson Memorial Race – marking a sad loss through cancer). I waited beside the road for a finish pic but didn’t allow for a mitt holding a GoPro being stuck out at the last moment!
At the Australia Day CARnivale & admiring a Fiat Abarth & an immaculate engine-bay, I thought a side-on snap was the best I could do – without thinking that “shooting blind” into the compartment (as this visitor was probably doing) may have been worthwhile?!
Another CARnivale shot & here the professional foresight of a photographer (Mrs Aussie, I confess), captured a far more pleasing perspective of this tiny 1982 Honda folding motorcycle, designed to fit into a Honda City car (the equivalent to a Brompton in a Smart? – or maybe an Abarth?)
Finally, some successful preparation/foresight? Wanting a shot of Peregrine in new on-road unfolded pose (refer my “Pristine Peregrine” blog post) & in a perspective similar to how Peregrine originally looked via the Brompton Bike Builder system (as shown in blog post “Price shock”), I felt a need for a temporary stand? (quite effective although admittedly version 3)
Aussie on a Brompton 
Hi
I just came across your blog site and have enjoyed reading it. I bought a Brompton M6L late last year and am heading to Europe for some cycling at the end of May. I have been considering a few mods and it seems you have done some of them. Could I ask your advice on the following:
1 Ergon grips. I was wondering re the GP2 and how easy it goes on and if it affects the fold and does it improve comfort over the existing grips? I live inTamworth Australia and wonder if you know where they can be purchased here?
2 Have you experience or do you know of the extra bar for the M handle bar and where they can be purchased.
3What GPS were you using in 1 of the photos and how helpful do you find it? Also have you used a trip computer and if so what brand to fit the bike?
4 Have you been able to buy the Brompton tool kit here? I had heard they were taken off the market.
I have been impressed with the bike in the 100 or so kms I have used it. Look forward to your comments
kind regards
David Moore
Hi David,
Thanks for your comments & glad you find the blog useful. Some brief answers to your queries:
1. GP2-S is what I use (GP2-L has a slightly fatter grip) & doesn’t impinge on the fold. Barends are short & are facing inwards with the fold but bike folded width is slightly wider owing to Ergon palm rests sticking out. Their comfort comes from the shape & rubber compounds & provides a support area for the outer palms. Fit on the latest M bikes (with black brake levers) should be easy but I’m unsure whether you need to trim a little off the inner ends. (Older bikes require more trimming work owing to the brake lever mounts.) If local bike shops don’t have them then online sites such as CellBikes, Wiggle or ChainReaction will ship (although I’ve never used Cell). Don’t settle for “look-alikes”; the German design is spot-on.
2. The Brompton M-bar crossbrace was designed to provide reinforcement for the very earlier M bars & probably isn’t necessary. I’ve dispensed with the one I bought when swapping a bike from P bars to M but it’s fiddly to fit & adjust & isn’t a good accessory mount point. The Aust distributor Kobie sells most things for Bromptons.
3. The computers you probably saw in pics are a Cateye Strada wireless model & an IBike power meter. My GPS is an old Garmin Edge 705 & the latest 810 version sounds like a good choice. I have a variety of bar extenders (eg Profile Design) that allow me to mount computers away from the front of the bars & avoid issues when folding the bike (eg contact with cables or forks – & the Cateye is too easily zeroed accidentally).
4. The Brompton Toolkit tyre levers were redesigned before any kits came to Australia. I’ve seen the new kits at a couple of dealers in Sydney & Kobie have it on their online website.
Two good sources of info are the BromptonTalk Forum (on Yahoo) & the London Brompton Club (on Facebook) – as well as many blogs. Best wishes for your travels & happy Bromptoneering.