Aussie on a Brompton

Almighty Velo

Trips 24/07/2013 Comments: 3

I couldn’t resist a visit to the Singapore folding bike shop “Mighty Velo”, listed as selling Bromptons, as well as Strida & Montague bikes. Situated within a light industry area (containing a typically Asian endless variety of fascinating shops dealing in absolutely everything?), the neat, small frontage opened into a well stacked display of bikes & accessories. Immediately I could see that my trip was going to be worthwhile, with lots of Bromptons & neat shelf displays of folding bike stuff to review. Just looking, mind – but the small shop layout was a delight to observe.

Topping one rack was 4 Limited Edition Bromptons; my first sighting of such bikes was to be this set of Royal Wedding, London, Jubilee & Barcelona models! Another first sighting was the coloured solid-rubber tyres that I’d read about. With about 10 varying colour Bromptons in sight, as well as coloured tyres & grips to choose from, it was fascinating to watch customers “mixing & matching”. Singaporeans seem to like colours with their bikes!

After checking out various accessories, including Monkii cages & Akslen lights (more first-sightings for me), I could have happily walked away. However, while taking some photos & chatting with the assistants, I was told by one female assistant, “oh, you should meet the owner…” & they disappeared into the workshop. Out came the owner, Vivian & introduced herself, chatted & proceeded to give me a full tour. What had seemed to me to be a good stock of Bromptons, turned out to be just the demonstrators! (in every handlebar style, various saddle-types, all the transmission models – along with the frame colours & coloured & normal tyre choices!) To assist the choice, a customer could be taken into the workshop & able to see all the shelves of stock bikes (according to Vivian, “the most two-colour bike stock of any shop”), which I estimated at over 70 bikes – but then there was the storeroom behind! At this point I was distracted by being shown a couple of Mando Footloose electric bikes (from the designer of the Strida bike, Mark Sanders) & having an explanation of Singapore’s eBike rules & regulations! All very exact & restrictive in an emerging market?

Yes, I couldn’t resist a purchase or two. While a customer picked out a Brompton Oratory jacket, I snapped up a pair of Brompton cycling socks (I had been wondering if my choice of socks for the BWC would do?). Also, I just had to take some Singaporean Brompton Velcro straps. I have a use in mind for securing things, although Vivian explained how they came about: it seems that Singapore’s MRT transport system is very specific about bikes being folded before travel – so R-model Brompton owners can fold their bike but leave the seat up to ease pushing/rolling & still retain the frame locking via the strap fastened around the frame & rear wheel? Some practical “local bling”?

Oh yes, a few Montague bikes were sighted as well as probably about 20 Stridas? My apologies but the Bromptons were a bit overwhelming… Now let me see, maybe another trip to Singapore & a visit to Vivian’s workshop & storeroom, finishing with a thorough explore (on the new Brompton) for a couple of weeks?

Singapore fan

Trips 22/07/2013 1 Comment

I like Singapore – although my visits have been few & just shortish flight stop-overs. An ideal stop-over before our UK trip: as in Australia, RHD vehicles & lots of English spoken? Sadly I’m not sure when or if there will be a repeat, as this one was booked prior to the Qantas/Emirates tie-up & it seems that Dubai is the new Singapore for Qantas Aust/Europe flights (maybe I should say no more until I encounter a Dubai stop-over on the way back to Australia?).

I was almost blown-away by the hotel breakfast on the first morning. Well. yes the food was good but I encountered a gale when entering the serving/seating area. Looking up, there was probably the fastest, biggest, most-bladed fan I think I’m ever likely to see! Having a closer look, I noticed the name on the body. Later, for curiosity I thought I’d Google it to learn more. Just as the website selection was starting, my hotel WiFi login screen was presented (again?). Once (re-)agreeing to the terms & conditions I found that another search returned nothing anything remotely like it!? Momentarily puzzled, I then realised the WiFi was filtering out my search term (too offensive?). Oh well, I’ll resume my search for “Big *ss Fans” on another leg of the journey.

Ralph & Robinson seem to have survived the journey unscathed – as far as I can feel? They’ve remained bagged so far – owing to the shortness of stay? – & even though a Brompton is a great way to get around, seeing the Singapore sights involves a lot of looking up! Also, the weather is mostly “hot & steamy” & I gather that good riding times here are very early & very, very late – times inconvenient for now?

The last day of the stay here is Monday & that’s an opening day for the Singapore Brompton dealer, “Mighty Velo” (closed Sunday & Tuesday?). I shall try to find this little shop; sounds appealing by what I’ve read?

Packing

Trips 19/07/2013 Comments: 8

Ralph & Robinson have been packed for some days, awaiting their trip “home” (& their participation in the BWC 2013). We’re almost ready to go, just “fine tuning” what & where everything else will go. The pressure’s off really, because the theory seems to have worked out, with my expectation that we could get by with just a Brompton bike bag & a single cabin bag each.

For more than a year I’ve been looking at bag systems, wondering how to cope with the air travel baggage allowances for economy patrons such as us. Buying Robinson & inheriting a Brompton B bag was the start but I later realised that the bag was an earlier model & was an extremely tight fit (maybe from the Brompton SWB-days?) let alone having much space for travel clothes, etc. Researching other choices wasn’t very encouraging but then I noticed the new Vincita bag for Brompton (B132 model). This bag from Thailand seemed a similar style to the Brompton B bag – but much larger. It was even thought by some users to be too big & the manufacturer had also produced a more tapered-shape bag. My preference was for the earlier bag & as it was still available, I crossed my fingers & ordered one. If it worked out, the plus point was going to be that it seemed astonishingly good value; even with a large air-freight cost it was half the price of a B bag! When it arrived it looked like it was going to be ideal; good quality, spacious & well-engineered?

When Ralph was obtained, it came with a (well-worn) B&W hard-case. For me, one factor against using it was the issue of storing/transporting it while traveling around by rental car. Once Ralph was equipped with Ergon grips & come the final planning for a trip to the UK, the possible use of the case was resolved when I found that the lid wouldn’t close – I was going to be up for some bike disassembly! Back online to Vincita & an order for another B132 bag, this time not bothering to request the earlier large bag & expecting that the later bag would be suitable.

So, this week saw everything come together & I was rather relieved that there are no last-minute dramas or changes of plan! My slightly smaller Vincita bag has Ralph (wearing a Brompton cover), the small Axiom on-bike luggage (containing various spares & bits), 2 pair of shoes, a lightweight suit-bag (containing clothes – definitely no suit!) & a couple of small stuff-sacks. Robinson (also wearing a Brompton cover) in the other Vincita has a Brompton C bag (with frame & bag separated) & a myriad of packing cells!? (It probably wouldn’t be safe to describe what my wife is packing – but it seems to have fitted?) Onto the scales & they’re in the range of 26-27 kgs – fitting within the checked-luggage allowances for our planned flights. Oh, & the bags comply with the 158cm dimensioning restrictions! Rather weighty & bulky but then it’s not just the BWC we’re heading for!

Oh, & how’s the Brompton packing been arranged? Most travelers seem to recommend removing the saddle so off it came & got bubble-wrapped & placed between the front end of the wheels, with straps containing the saddle & tensioning the wheels together (with partially deflated tyres – just in case?). Next the hinge bolts & Brompfication clamps (& springs) came off & got bagged (although I wondered about some advice to just do up the clamp bolts? It seemed risky for any major strike to the bolt head area & so I decided that naked was best – but added padding to the hinge faces). Padding was also attached (via tape, straps or removable cable ties) to the handle bars, seat-post top, LH crank arm (remembering that I run MKS removable pedals), along with a large piece of dense foam placed inside the bag on the RH side (ie extra padding for the handle bars?). That’s it – now to trust the Vincita padding & clothing (in a suit-bag placed inside the bag on the LH side).

Our adventure awaits…

Hill performance

Misc, Trips 14/07/2013 Leave a comment

“That Lance” was quoted recently as saying about the TdF, “…impossible to win without doping because the Tour is an endurance event where oxygen is decisive” & there was (rightly) lots of negative reaction. Part of the statement though, strikes a chord with me – the bit about oxygen being decisive in endurance events – & so for my insight…

Do you fly up hills on your bike? (whether it’s a Brompton or whatever) Do you wonder why your effort seems so ineffective in comparison to others? There are lots of variables that affect our ability to get up hills comfortably & there are many theories as to what you need to do to improve (eg lose weight, buy a lighter bike, ride the bike more, harden up, etc). For me, some years of cycling club riding gave me plenty of opportunity to witness those riders who could “disappear up the road”, especially on big or long hills. On the flats or smaller rolling hills maybe I coped & kept with riders of an assortment of body shapes & sizes? Throw in the longer hills & there was still an assortment of rider sizes, but once the toughest of hills came along then probably the first up were the “weight weenies”? (can’t be sure from where I was on the road?). Time trialling was an enjoyable thing (sort of) but illustrated how some riders had astounding performance. What was their secret?

A few years ago I gained my insight after coming down with a virus. Just a bad ‘flu it seemed but once back on the bike it was a real struggle; no speed, no power, so tiring? Tests were inconclusive for some time & probably confused by previous heart surgery & abnormal heart wave patterns? An early diagnosis was erratic electrical signals controlling the heart muscles & I was fitted with a Pacemaker. Later a heart ultrasound measuring heart chamber sizes & blood volumes indicated my weakened heart muscle pumping less blood between chambers. Time for the Pacemaker to be retired & exchanged for a Defibrillator. All very complex but from my layman’s understanding of it, blood from the heart gets pumped through to the lungs where it picks up oxygen which then gets delivered to the muscles through the blood flow. For me the lessened blood flow & an electrical signal restriction of my heart rate results in reduced oxygen to the muscles & leads to earlier fatigue when my load increases via hills, headwinds, etc. For others: more blood, more oxygen, less fatigue? Some people are blessed (genetically)…

So, how’s my hill “performance” post-virus? Hmm… definitely slow on long hills but I’ve come to relish my Brompton, Ralph. If I slow down before I’m fatigued, put Ralph into my super-low Alfine 11-speed first gear & then just pedal slowly, look at the scenery & keep going (until I feel like stopping/walking?) then the hill disappears. Maybe “almost normal” & with my limited blood oxygen supply, if I operate at a level where the muscles are satisfied then riding’s good! I recommend it for everyone!

Countdown

Trips 09/07/2013 Leave a comment

All the tinkering is over & Ralph & Robinson are ready for their little UK trip & BWC appearance! There’s possibly just the Sydney Tweed Ride to negotiate (damn you, TdF & cold mornings!) & then the packing can begin…

Thumbs up

Bits 28/06/2013 Comments: 2

My thumbs have survived today’s task: fitting Marathon Plus tyres onto Ralph, my Brompton Alfine 11-speed. No big deal, you might say? I’m sure some would understand the struggle & pain that can accompany M+ fitment but I’m also sure not many would recognise the significance of my achievement; my Alfine hub is laced to one of those wonderful Sun rims – that have virtually no well, or valley, to the rim profile! Boy, can they be tough for fitting any tyres, let alone the rugged M+ tyres?

I recall the pain when I fitted a new Kojak to the rear wheel. I have never damaged my thumbs as much with a tyre fitting! At the time I hoped never to have to go through that again but now Ralph needs to be readied for an all-terrain trip (& I’d been getting nervous about retaining the Kojaks for it). However, I was confident (or maybe just hopeful?) that I had the answer? You see, some time back I came across some much thinner rim tape – & promptly squirreled it away for future use. Fingers crossed today!

I can’t say that it ALL went well; just the fitting! When I had trouble fitting the Kojak, I never expected to have trouble getting it off! So it was: I actually failed (initially) to get the tyre off with tyre levers! My usual practice is to use a pair of Michelin plastic tyre levers – but no luck! I thought a third lever may do & I then proceeded to destroy a few non-Michelin levers before turning to another Michelin set. Ouch, a Michelin bent & ruined?! At this point I stopped to rest & think. Of course, get rid of the rim tape! A slash & tug of the Velox rim tape & I soon had most of it out – & then had no trouble removing the tyre with my remaining Michelin levers!

From this point it was all straight-forward; first rummage into my squirreled bits box & extract my expected salvation – some BBB 16mm rim tape! (16mm width to suit the flat profile Sun rim, as compared to the 13mm I use on the Brompton rims). On went the tape, hey presto with the tyre (well, a teeny bit of a struggle – after all, we’re talking about M+ tyres!). The front wheel was next & here there’s nothing much to say – easy enough & the thumbs were holding up fine!

The important stats: (rim tape thickness)
Velox – 0.60mm
Zefal – 0.60mm
BBB – 0.35mm
– it made all the difference!

Updated: 29/6/13 – pic of Sun rim profile –

Ergon grips fan

Bits 25/06/2013 Comments: 13

Ergon hand grips? I’ve found it bloody hard to do a concise write-up that covers all aspects – so I’ve given up & just present these pointers, comments & notes –

My favourite? GP2-S (wonderfully comfortable for me on Ralph, my S bar Brompton – more so than I expected? because of increased body weight onto S bar bikes, definitely a must!?)

S = small grip size, concentric along length of grip
L = large grip size, ovalised along grip (messy for trimming length?)

GP1 has no bar end, uses cap
GP2 has shortest bar end & likely suitable for S, M or H bar clearances when folded (using them on S & M bar bikes)
GP3 is longer bar end & tried on S bar bike without fold issues – although GP3 does get close to the rear edge of the front wheel when folded (but I didn’t need the longer bar ends)
GP4 & GP5 are longer (make sure they work with the fold! do you really need them?)

I expect the bar caps & ends are all interchangeable (I’ve swapped between 3s & 2s without swapping grips).

Ergons available in 2 lengths: shorter for bikes with grip-shift gear changers, longer for everything else (although I’ve just remembered that there’s a 3rd version that has grip-shift length on one end only!). The shorter grip-shifts may not suit larger hands but don’t need trimming for length to fit with the brake levers (hope I’ve got that correct?). Longer grips will probably have to be shortened for any model bars, depending on brake levers used (& width of hands?). eg My S bars have Shimano brake levers (similar to the latest Brompton brake levers?) with more clearance than earlier Brompton brake levers but moving the levers inwards to avoid cutting the grips wasn’t desirable (fold clearances to cables? grips too wide for my ergonomics?). Moving levers further inwards probably impossible with M or H bars? Grips may be better “notched” (rather than a straight cut) when used with earlier brake levers?

No experience of BioCork grips. May have seen negative comments somewhere about their suitability in sweaty conditions?

Notes:
1. Ergons only clamp to the bars on the bar cap/end area. Make sure you trim enough grip length to ensure the grips are properly clamped!
2. If I was shopping for another set of GP2-S for my bikes & all I could see were GP2-L, GP3-S or GP3-L grips then I’d take them & don’t expect that I’d have any issue for comfort/use?

M bars GP2-L with late model 30° brake levers (my trimming not the neatest?) –

S bars GP2-S with Shimano (Alfine) brake levers –

M bars folded – GP2-L close to ground but ok (bar ends rotated upwards for riding would probably contact the ground when folded?) –

S bars folded – GP2-S plenty of clearance to ground –

Ralph refreshed

My Brompton, Tweaks 21/06/2013 Leave a comment

Ralph has been suffering a bit of late. I could see the chain needing replacement & I wasn’t happy with the chain tensioner alignment, so it was time to take action. My earlier postings on “Ralph’s flaws” probably cover my issues with the chain tensioner & occasional chain loss on unfolding. Having removed the rear wheel & taken off the rear cog for inspection prior to obtaining a replacement to go with a new chain, I felt compelled to look further & wanted to check out a “chewed up” Alfine 11-speed hub seal under the rear cog. I shall not repeat here my embarrassing boo-boo with the seal (refer my “Extra tools” post for the sordid details) but then set out to source all the parts I would need.

Checking an exploded diagram of hub parts, I determined that I needed to obtain the seal (or dust cap, to give it its correct name), a chain guard (missing from Ralph?), rear cog & chain. Thinking I should support the local bike industry, I sought the Alfine parts from Shimano – only to find that I could only get the dust cap by purchasing the whole internal hub assembly! Rather than spend a few hundred dollars (at least?) locally, I turned to SJS Cycles, my UK online Brompton parts source who also deal in Shimano parts. Yes, no problems with the individual parts & everything arrived promptly (about $15 total for the dust cap & chain guard). I had already obtained the dust cap tool via eBay (no prizes for guessing that I couldn’t readily obtain it locally).

The distorted chain tensioner & poorly engineered sprocket wheel mounting (once again, this background in earlier blog posts) were definitely to be addressed but I first needed to obtain better spacers to fit between the sprocket wheels & chain tensioner arms. No luck with finding anything to fit or adapt, so I considered getting some spacers turned out of alloy but then it occurred to me that 3D Printing the spacers would be the ideal solution. A bit of Internet research, a phone call & my simple spacer requirements (no need for me to generate 3D imaging for the basic cylindrical spacer) were produced & delivered in about 2 working days. I’m very pleased with my first foray into 3D Printing!

Refer pics of an ABS plastic spacer & the chain tensioner components – showing new & old (stainless steel) spacers –

The reassembly work started with grinding a protrusion off the new plastic chain tensioner body (something included for the normal use as a 2/6-speed derailleur unit) & creating a little more clearance to the Alfine gear change mechanism. Then I could assemble the jockey wheels with my new spacers & the chain tensioner was ready for installation. For the rear hub refresh, I fitted the new dust cap & then the chain guard (missing from Ralph & I’m pretty confident that it was left off through being impossible to fit, once somebody had mangled the dust cap through not using the correct fitting tool). The new rear cog went on & was retained by its circlip & finally the gear change mechanism went back on. The rear wheel was then refitted, a new chain added & the chain tensioner attached. Done!

How has it worked out? Ralph is purring! The new dust cap & chain guard now provides less chain drag, noticeable when back-pedaling, which allows the tensioner to maintain pressure on the chain during the fold & unfold operations, thereby curing the chain drop issue? The new chain tensioner & better sprocket wheel support has improved the chain alignment & probably also lessened drag on the chain. (I had thought that the chain drop came just from the distorted chain tensioner, bad chain alignment & maybe from the tensioner spring action appearing to be weak but hadn’t recognised the effect of the damaged hub dust cap.) Ahhh… bliss is an efficient bike!

Before & after pics below –

Extra tools

Bits 17/06/2013 1 Comment

I needed an extra tool for maintaining my Bromptons recently & thought it was time to think about serious servicing (ie just preparing; nothing necessary yet). Aside from a sole Brompton dealer in the city area, I’m probably now more knowledgeable about Bromptons than most local bike shops. Converting Robinson, my first Brompton, from 3-speed to 6-speed BWR was an interesting first-up project & it was “highly educational” in researching specs, gear ratios, parts requirements & sourcing. Obtaining parts & accessories has been an issue, with choices of traveling for them, ordering locally (too slow/traumatic?) or ordering online. Here I’ve found a good appreciation of Bromptons is really handy in ensuring I end up with the correct parts. I expect that taking a Brompton in for major servicing is going to very inconvenient for travel or turnaround time (not to mention the worries of local shop service quality or understanding?) & so who better to trust with the work than me? “How hard can it be…?”

So, I’ve now got myself prepared with the various specialised tools that I’ll probably need. (Of course, whether I take the plunge & use them is another matter but we’ll see.) I’ve also found that Internet research on maintenance issues beforehand is a wonderful thing – as long as you think to do it. My recent boo-boo with Ralph’s Alfine 11-speed rear hub dust cap was a bit sobering but it just looked so much like a snap-on rubber seal & it came off & went on (mostly) & all was well – until I put the rear wheel back on. Hmmm… lots of drag in the chain & unrideable? Numerous strip-downs & reassemblies later, I turned to the Internet & found an exploded diagram of the hub parts – & noticed a funny-looking tool. More research & then it hit me: it was to screw on the dust cap! And who would have expected the cap to be secured with a left-hand thread? Hmmm… (Something in my defence was that the dust cap was rather chewed-up & the “tighten/loosen” directions were unreadable. I had thought the marks on the dust cap were from the chain coming off (Ralph does some funny things at times) but on closer inspection I think someone’s “butchered” the cap through not using the correct tool for removal/installation? A new dust cap – & the correct tool – later & Ralph is purring like new.)

Here’s my Brompton “extra maintenance” tools collection (some new although others have seen service on other bikes) –

Top row –
Alfine hub right hand dust cap tool
36mm headset spanner set (thin & thick)
Crankset removal tool
Bottom bracket spanner
Bottom row –
Cable cutter
Circlip pliers
Relevant cone spanners

I’m still undecided about the Alfine 11-speed hub lubrication plans… create a DIY oiling kit? purchase the genuine Shimano item? & of course, sorting out the oil to be used?

Finally, a pic of my “office” – ideal for little wheels TLC?

Bigger little wheels

My bikes, Tweaks 05/06/2013 1 Comment

My 20″ Dahon Vector X27h preceded my Bromptons & was an easy choice for a folder when most of my bike-time was spent on a carbon frame race bike. It has a great road-bike feel & the specs make it one of the best performance folders you could ever want (well, until it’s superseded via the usual later-model upgrade-cycle?). Funny about the 20″ moniker though; the wheel size is 18″ on all the Dahons (& Terns) that I’ve seen.

To say, “what lets it down…” may give the wrong impression; it’s a great bike – it’s just that Bromptons are so good & show it up in the fold & engineering departments. However, being a performance bike it probably lacks some of the versatility that a good folder needs. My Vector has also had a number of upgrades (sometimes just to “correct” the engineering?) & our lives together have been a learning experience (often frustrating but better for the learning?). The one aspect of the spec that is pretty unique is also the item that is (almost) the “Achilles Heel” – the 27-speed transmission, with 3-speed hub gears & 9-speed rear derailleur. Once sorted & aware of the quirks; no problems?

Without any great detail, here’s some notes about what’s gone on –

Fitted MKS removable pedals – none supplied (just like a big performance bike?)

Added mudguards – for my comfort

Added side-stand – so convenient

Changed saddle – race-type Kore System saddle swapped to more comfortable saddle “that I just happened to have laying around” (but first needed an adapter to convert Kore System to standard rail system)

Swapped to Kojak tyres – great ride on Sydney roads after the rock-like Durano tyres?

Installed front derailleur – not for derailing the chain (bike only has single chain ring); just for holding the bloody chain in place (a flaw in short chain-stay bikes having multi-speed rear derailleurs which force the chain to extreme angles?)

SRAM dual-drive rear hub – similar ratios to Brompton standard 3-speed; hub changer gearbox with actuator rod & push/pull connection to Tiagra shifter not ideal (too much friction? inadequate cable retention at shifter?); initially very finicky in maintaining adjustment but learnt that axle gearbox needs to be squeaky-clean & well lubed?; rear wheel refitting requires precise gearbox handling to avoid reassembly issues? (acquired skill?)