Aussie on a Brompton

Some QR pedals seem more prone to self-releasing than others – possibly due to the pedal platform shape? While my lightweight Aceoffix pedals have never budged, a TiParts Mini-Q pedal surprised me recently by falling off while I was stepping off. Did I fail to snap it on properly or did I nudge the release mech while pedaling?

Time to start using the yellow nylon retainer clip, even if my old style retainers are fiddly to remove? With newer retainers having a small protusion/handle, maybe I could match them?

Voila! A small cable tie around the clip (& the head of another tie as a grip handle) seems very workable?

However, tinkering is essential so I ordered a new types clip pack of 10, in case my modded clips proved fragile or ineffective. A comparison showed the new type to be made of a stiffer nylon, harder to insert (unless you aligned them with the “spanner flat” on the adapter) & quite hard to remove. No doubt some practice may help to develop “the knack” but for now my “hack” of the old type clip is great. I even tried doubling up the cable tie “heads” but the grip handle feel is similar.

As for storage of the clip when the pedal is removed, there a few options: insert the clip back on the QR adapter, slip it on the rear frame lower tube or on the pedal storage adapter (if you use one) – eg on the adapter stub near the lock ring or on the axle of the pedal?

Time provides new ideas. The current status here is three 5speed Brommies but from different starts.

BromTi has a Silverock 7speed wheel, running 5 cogs (11/13/16/20/24T) with varying spacers to match a Shimano XT shifter. (Works well; couldn’t get consistency with the XT with 6 or 7 cogs – & the chainline with 5 cogs isn’t so extreme?) Now with a Kinlin XR 18C wheel rim fitted (wheel initially came via eBay with Kinlin NBR 13C) & good spokes & nipples.

BB has a BrommiePlus custom build lightweight Hubsmith 2/3speed hub & fitted with a 5speed MiniMods UniBody cassette (11/13/17/21/25T).

Clarence has a Brompton 2speed wheel & a BrommiePlus 5speed freehub & fitted with a 3speed MiniMods UniBody cassette (11/14/17T) & additional cogs (21/26T).

The shifters for Clarence & BB are Sram GX 11speed.

I think the accurate machining of the UniBody cassettes is better for shifting than using separate Shimano 11/13T shouldered cogs (with seeming spacing inconsistencies?).

BromTi has a Thx4Ride parallelogram derailleur while the other two use similar H&H units.

So, there they are; all setup at different times with what seemed ideal (& available) then. At present, BB gets the favourite vote for simplicity & lightness – although for effectiveness, it’s a 3-way tie.

Lightish wheels with good gearing range & minimal hub drag.