Aussie on a Brompton

GoPro is go

Misc 12/02/2014 Leave a comment

Santa has a lot to answer for! My recent pressie of a GoPro was mentioned in an earlier blog post & I really did think that a video posting would soon follow? In reality things weren’t so simple & I’ve been surprised at everything that needed arranging. Yes, another of those “How hard can it be?…” moments!

Newly opening the GoPro box gives a hint of what happens next; searching for suitable adapters to mount the GoPro on the flat bars of my Brompton! Once the mounting was resolved (including being able to fold the Brompton with GoPro in place) it was time to get some footage! Oh dear, now I’ve learned about mount stability & slippage issues when encountering “less-than-ideal” road conditions, driveways, etc. Lots of test rides resolved the probable resolution for the camera & indicated that my thoughts of videoing “anywhere & everywhere” to be impractical – it’s probably best to avoid motion-sickness for any viewers from rough conditions & slow steep climbs?!

Reviewing the videos captured then started to highlight the production issues in producing reasonable output. As with my blogging, I’m wanting to keep the processing simple & mobile; my iPad & iPhone are the weapons of choice. With the GoPro creating videos in mp4 format & being able to transfer them readily, I’m hoping to leave my Mac computers out of the process completely. (Prior experience in transferring video from older cameras & using powerful video editing software has me keen to keep things simple & mobile & work around any limitations that the iPad & iPhone will present.)

So, time for a serious look at iMovie on the iPad & see what it can do? Well, it’s taken a while but I can report that I’m reasonably comfortable so far & pretty confident that I can produce something suitable! Next step was to resolve how to present any videos within the blog. So many choices/requirements but I decided to use YouTube for housing the video & linking any blog post to it. Whoops, another chunk of time taken up getting the correct setup & making sense of what I need!

Finally it’s time for a blog post & YouTube link! I should point out that it’s very underwhelming but just a first step for future ideas. I hope you understand. Here’s my little test video

Difficult shots

Misc, Tweaks 04/02/2014 Comments: 2

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)

Pristine Peregrine

Bits, My Brompton, Tweaks 02/02/2014 Leave a comment

Phew! All done now! Pristine Peregrine has become Practical Peregrine in being modded to take the new Brompton S6E to a state ready for anything that Mrs Aussie is likely to tackle? (There is one issue still undecided but this is unavoidable for our scenario: buying a new stock Brompton at a “cannot resist” price. Yes, the stock Brompton comes with the stock 6-speed gearing & it will be interesting to see whether Mrs Aussie will cope? But then, that’s the beauty of the new crankset design in that the reduced (or raised?) gearing is available through just the change of crank rings – & a longer chain if the raised gearing option is desired?)

I must admit to feeling a little sad in now seeing Peregrine modded with various essential/desirable/irresistible bits. Where is that shiny new Brompton of a week ago? Maybe there is something to be said for keeping a Brompton absolutely stock standard? Oh well, perhaps next time? In the meantime, Peregrine has some mods that are all proven delights & all go to improving an unbelievably good flat-bar folding bike!

First off the rank for the mods was swapping saddles & installing a Brooks B17 Aged Ladies model (hmm… must give some thought to that wording?) from Robinson (my original Brompton currently running as an M6R with reduced gearing). Next was installing MKS removable pedals from the “squirreled parts bin”. A number of other bits came from the same source, before a new set of Ergon GP2-S handgrips went on.

Rubber choices were non-options by virtue of purchasing a stock Brompton, where Peregrine’s spec of a flat-bar, 6-speed Cobalt Blue Brompton with a firm suspension block & a luggage block were pre-ordained by Kobie, the Australian Distributor. Hence, I was going to have to take my own actions if I wanted Presta-valve tubes & Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres (to replace the standard Schraeder-valve tubes & Brompton tyres). I have no experience of the new issue Brompton tyres; I just preferred to fit a known “bullet-proof” (or perhaps, “Mrs Aussie-proof”?) set of rubber – that had, incidentally, seen service on Ralph during last year’s UK-tour! The fitment of the M+ tyres wasn’t an issue (well, just the usual M+ fitting issues?) & I can’t say that the new Brompton double-wall rim design was any easier/harder for fitting? What I was pleased/surprised about was that the tyre swaps were achieved without having to touch a tyre lever! ie the Brompton tyres (once deflated) were able to be pulled off the rims without much effort!? (Not something that I ever expect to hear of for the M+ tyres! – & with sidewalls that seem as tough as some tyre treads?)

The final steps were to pop a Brompton Toolkit & a spare tube into the main frame sections & then to fit a new Lezyne Micro-Drive front light to the handlebars. (This model light is the only good/small light that I’ve seen, that will mount back from the front of the handlebars; avoiding issues with the fold, where an overhanging light will clash with the front wheel, forks or cables, etc.)

I tried to remember to weigh various of the components & the whole bike at certain stages. For the components I’ve included some of the weights within the mods listing below & for the whole bike I can report that the initial weight of 11.42 kg (11.3 according to Brompton?!) has grown to 12.85 kg (ie on-road weight complete with tools).

Full listing of mods:
Brooks Ladies B17 Aged saddle in place of Brompton item (590g vs 460g)
MKS Ezy removable pedals in place of Brompton items (430g each pair)
Removable pedal storage bracket mounted on rear frame (storage of LH pedal)
PDW rear light mounted at top of seatpost
Eazy wheels in place of roller wheels
Cateye Strada Wireless bike computer (fitted to Profile Design UCM on handlebars)
Brompfication hinge clamps & springs in place of Brompton items
Bidon cage (my “non-patented” design mounted on stem)
Ergon GP2-S handgrips in place of Brompton items (230g pair vs 0g?)
Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres in place of Brompton units (480g each vs 240g each)
Schwalbe Presta-valve tubes in place of standard Schraeder-valve tubes
Lezyne Micro-Drive front light mounted to handlebars
Brompton Toolkit in mainframe
Spare Schwalbe Presta-valve tube stored in mainframe

One from abroad

My Brompton 26/01/2014 Comments: 4

It’s been an anxious week. When would CheekyTransport advise that “Wotsitsname” was ready for pickup? Yes, the new Brompton S6E for Mrs Aussie was eagerly awaited & all we’d had was an email after the order to say the new bike was on the way… Hell, how do people cope with the B-Spoke order time-frame?

Eventually I took the decision to phone the busy boys at CheekyT & ease the planning concerns for the week. A couple of days later, I phoned to confirm the Brompton was ready & the journey commenced…

The Brompton pickup was pretty quick & then it was off for a celebratory coffee stop. Once home, the new Brompton was quickly unloaded & welcomed, admired, inspected & test ridden. (As for my attire on the day, Mrs Aussie produced this T-shirt as a Christmas pressie.)

Mrs Aussie does seem rather pleased with her new flat-bar 6-speed bike & I’m certainly envious (although there’s probably no sympathy for me, as Ralph (my own flat-bar Alfine 11-speed Brompton) is a buzz).

Just when I thought the “Wotsitsname” name may have been final, it seems the new Brompton is to be called “Peregrine”. (Now that I’ve consulted Wikipedia I’m quite impressed – although it certainly shows up my lack of imagination with names?)

So here we are – first flight of Peregrine…

Price shock

Misc 25/01/2014 Comments: 3

Funny how things change. It’s always hard to keep up but recently I was checking out the Brompton Australia Distributor’s website (http://www.kobie.com.au/brompton-bikes.html) & was rather shocked to see how prices have changed. I’m not talking about all the Brompton parts on the website (those parts & accessories that would previously have required an online purchase from overseas – or very slow supply via a dealer order?) but indeed the prices for the stock Bromptons available on the website!

It’s been quite some time since I first noticed Bromptons included on Kobie’s site & what was immediately disappointing was that prices seemed so much higher than what the Brompton Bike Builder system suggested should be the A$ MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price). When the local pricing is hard to define for Bromptons that need to be ordered as B-Spoke supplies & with inordinate/vague lead-times, perhaps the Kobie site prices were true local prices? Still, no need to involve myself as Ralph & Robinson were sitting happily at home & our Brompton family seemed settled? Of course, another o/s trip is always an appealing way of picking up a new Brompton (at a competitive price?) isn’t it?

However, my recent Kobie website shock was in fact, a very pleasant surprise. First, the number & range of Bromptons listed had grown. Next, the later entries were shown with prices the same as Brompton’s A$ MSRP figures! Finally, I was amazed to see “Special prices” listed for these new entries, with discounts that seemed about 10% Surely I was dreaming? A bit of research needed here, I decided.

Back at the Brompton website, there were more surprises in store! (How does one keep up with change?) Aside from seeing that Australia was now listed as having a 2014 Brompton National Championship event (albeit still to be confirmed), the Australian dealer listing was nothing like I remember & for example, showed 5 dealers in Sydney. Gotta look into this I thought & headed out for some visits. At the end of the day (as some are fond of saying?) I was still confused. While those dealers I visited were mostly still pale imitations of what I expected a good Brompton dealer to look like (decent stock of bikes & accessories, professional display of product, knowledgeable staff?), at least things are happening? As for the new prices I’d seen at Kobie’s website, I got the impression no-one knew much about it? (Belatedly a CheekyTransport dealer website update appeared about the “supplier receiving a huge shipment” – but with nothing up-front about pricing?)

With the tantalising new prices & some stock bikes that were very appealing, it wasn’t long before an order was placed for the S6E Brompton in Cobalt Blue for Mrs Aussie. Woohoo!

Cool trip

Trips 21/01/2014 Comments: 3

Wanting to start 2014 with a little mid-week break away from the heat of Sydney, we thought that taking the Tardis (our VW T5 Campervan) to the coast for a few days was going to push us into the school holiday crowds that we would normally avoid. So instead, we headed for the Blue Mountains to take advantage of that possible 5-10° cooler environment? Also, a chance to check out how the recovery from the recent bush fires was going? The likelihood of getting a site at BM campgrounds was slim so we headed further west to Lithgow for a couple of days (much quieter & cooler). Off for a ride the next day, we took in Blast Furnace Park, a memorial to the Steel-making days in Lithgow.

Stopping for lunch in town & parked at a cafe & did our mini-security act of folding the handle bars. A “resident laptop user” in the cafe noted our bikes as folders but thought they were recumbents; reminding me of a lady on a train that thought my folded Brompton was a folding wheelchair?

Our stay in Lithgow took in more of the Coal & Steel historic sights & then it was time to move on – even for no other reason than escaping the overnight single-figure-degree temperatures? (A lot cooler than we were expecting.) Heading for Mudgee we detoured via the Kandos/Rylstone road & came across a great little cafe occupying the old railway station at Kandos.

Settling in at Mudgee, we reflected on the current temperatures: Sydney 30+°, Lithgow 12°, Mudgee 24° – a good decision!

Strolling the short distance into town for dinner, the old saying came to mind, “Red sky at night, a farmer’s delight”?

Awoke the next morning to see some funny little bubbles all over the van & awning? I suppose farmers may have been delighted to see some rain but it wasn’t what I was expecting. Oh well, good excuse to settle down with some wine-tasting & lunch at a winery?

Cluttered cockpit

Bits, My Brompton, Tweaks 30/12/2013 Leave a comment

For my last 2013 blog post (along with my best wishes to you for the new year) I wanted to show the rather cluttered cockpit of Ralph, my Alfine 11-speed Brompton. The handlebars have become somewhat crowded over time with an assortment of old & new gadgets. Now, Santa has apparently thought that my blog could benefit from including some videos & so I’ve gained a GoPro camera (the Hero3 White unit).

In 2014 I’m expecting that I’ll have some blog postings to explain the what, why & how of all these bits & tweaks – including how the Brompton fold is affected (or not, in my case)

So, a brief summary of what to expect from the above:
I foresee the GoPro featuring in various posts, both with setup/use & (hopefully?) for some decent video output?
My “work-in-progress” with the iBike Newton power meter may take some time before I can disclose how/why this has replaced my Garmin Edge 705 computer?
The Lezyne Micro Drive front light is great – & particularly relevant to use on a Brompton!
Long overdue is a post about my computer mounting system that avoids conflicts with the Brompton fold?

And no doubt more…

Let’s have a happy new year!

Seasons greetings

Misc 22/12/2013 Leave a comment

Christmas: rather a busy time & the blog bears the brunt? A family gathering here on Christmas Day has the top priority & there’s lots of work around the house & yard to be done (still…). Not helping is Mr Brush Turkey, who has the hide to keep showing himself around the remains of his nest (it’s slowly being demolished although he seems drawn back? – until the garden hose is pointed in his direction).

So, just to prove AussieOnABrompton hasn’t forgotten you, I should share something from the eCard I received from Brompton Bicycle

Sorry Miles

Bits, Tweaks 07/12/2013 Leave a comment

My original version of a Bidon Cage was fitted onto both Bromptons, Ralph & Robinson, & have proved to be an excellent setup (if I do say so myself!?). They were really meant as an interim solution, until Brompton released their rumoured “magnetic water bottle” or something else came along that I was happy with. One unit that I’d read about (but never encountered in Australia) was the Monkii bidon cage & Brompton stem mount adapter. The reviews were good & once seeing them with the designer, Miles, at the CycleMiles stand at BWC2013, I figured they would be a quality addition to my Brompton tweaks (or at least deserved an evaluation?).

Once back in Australia, I started to have some reservations but fitted one to Ralph anyway. My concerns were minor & there were some good points about the Monkii cage, so I just had to give them a go…

My evaluation went well for about a month & I became quite comfortable with their different operation to a standard bidon cage (ie the Monkii cage has a Velcro strap to hold it to the bidon & the cage clips onto an adapter bolted to the Brompton stem). I also found that I coped with (mostly) leaving the bidon strapped to the cage when off the bike & when using the Tardis “cup holder” (in our VW T5 Campervan). When folding Ralph, I made sure I unhooked the bidon/cage first & then clipped it back on after the handlebar was folded. (This avoided any fluid spill & accidental unclipping of the cage when the bidon was inverted with the handlebar fold.)

The turning point of the testing process came about when I needed to double-back on my ride to retrieve my bidon laying on the ground after being ejected vertically from the adapter clip through the jolt of riding up a driveway ramp! Not ideal & I could see no easy way of improving or tightening the cage clip onto the adapter lug. Sorry Miles, maybe I should have advised of my misfortune & maybe you’d already had a solution? With my version of a bidon cage having held up so well & so long – & survived all trips & travel without needing to be removed from Ralph or Robinson – it was a no-brainer to resume using it.

Refer pics of “Mr Aussie’s (non-)patented Brompton Bidon Cage” (ie 2 bits of bent alloy strip, some dense foam (with adhesive), stainless nuts & bolts, 2 O-rings & a proprietary standard cage)

Idealic week

Misc, Trips 06/12/2013 Leave a comment

While spending just over a week at South West Rocks we devoured all the local “what’s on” material & I noticed a brochure referring to SWR as “an idealic location…”. At the time I imagined the real estate jargon was mangling various words into a new one & it seemed quite appropriate. Later I discovered the urban dictionary definitions of “to be thinking of many good & bad ideas” or “close to or somewhat alike”. Now I am confused as to whether I’d seen a boo-boo or a secret message?

We’ve visited SWR a number of times & quite like the small town feel but with all the facilities that are essential in a beachside location. This time we were bringing along Mrs Aussie’s mum in the Tardis, our VW T5 Campervan, for some sunny beach days & swimming. We’d booked a beach house & were also looking forward to some local cycling & expected to support many of the surrounding eating houses.

Leaving Sydney on time suddenly became difficult when the heavens opened & drowned my lawn bowling club greens on the day of my Novice Singles championship final.

With the match postponed to the next day, we resolved that I would remain at home for the game & catch an XPT country train the next day, & be picked up from a station along the journey to SWR. A proper “urban idealic” situation? Aside from being delayed over an hour with a mechanical issue, all went well for my (overdue) first XPT trip. Not a true long distance train, it still had all the features: sleeper berths, first class & economy seating choices, buffet car, etc.

Unfortunately my ignorance of the “buffet car” vs “restaurant car” differences came as a surprise & disappointment when looking to sit down with a meal – hence the return to my seat with a snack!?

Arriving at our rental beach house, we weren’t sure who was more surprised: us or our lawn mower/gardener?

We confined our cycling to shorter trips, eg taking in the local sights via Mungo & Daisy.

I ventured to the Country Club a number of times on Mungo to undertake more research into bias & weight control of lawn bowls. “Very fast greens” was my reaction during games & practice sessions! Many thanks guys, for the borrowed equipment & game-time – & I loved the mini-fridges on each of the rinks!

Beach visits were the intention of the holiday trip & we certainly managed some days of sun, sand & water (balanced with a couple of days of rain?). Here’s a “beach walk following rain” pic, also showing in the distance, the historic ruins of the Trial Bay Gaol.

A visit to Crescent Head showed we weren’t the only ones with a VW T5. Probably saw about 10 (& the odd original Kombi) & amongst their numbers were these T4 & T5 models with home-made camper setups.

Some interesting sights during the week with “the Mum” – & sounds! The breakfast toast & coffee-making were a sight to behold although quite understandable with new or different equipment to work with? (Ah, the challenge of travel…?) A “testing” of the smoke alarm was rather/very ear-splitting & so memorable was her response to what happens at home? – “I just run outside with it [the alarm]…”.

“Next time” I’ll be prepared with all my bowls equipment (& expect Robinson’s (M6R) luggage carrying capability to be employed), hope to do more cycling, should do those bush walks, must get to some more of the restaurant & cafés – & drink more coffee?

BTW, my lawn bowls final was also “idealic”: good weather, close result, but just the runner-up prize money!