It’s been about six months since we first took a look at the Brompton folding bicycle. I’ve ridden it more than ever lately and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned in the last six months.
First, there are a couple of details that I left out of the last review. Both my wife and I purchased Bromptons with M-type handlebars and 6-speed (BWR Hub standard ratio) gearing. Each of us also chose to replace the stock Brompton saddle with a Brooks saddle and the stock grips with a more ergonomic-friendly pair.
We chose the M-type handlebars because they accommodate standard after-market grips but still tilt forward or back to adjust to different riding styles. The decision to get a 6-speed was a bit impulsive (it’s what they had in the shop that day) but it has certainly come in handy when I’ve ridden it on some roads in Portland’s West Hills.
And although Brooks are a bit heavier than a standard saddle, it was no contest when it came to comfort. The standard saddle was a perfectly decent saddle, but we both prefer Brooks.
The stock grips, however, were uncomfortable from the start. Handlebars on a Brompton are not as wide, left to right, as standard handlebars. If you have average to broad shoulders your hands come in at an angle, which is uncomfortable on the stock round foam pads. The simple solution is to get a pair of wider grips with enough room to rest your palm.
Neither of us chose to get a rear rack, although I’m now considering the idea. Bromptons are equipped with a front cargo block which allows you to attach bags straight to the front of the frame with a proprietary clip. There are lots of options for front bags and most are big enough to carry anything you need (I’m an especially big fan of my Ortlieb Brompton bag). But I’ve occasionally been in a situation where my front bag is full and I need to carry another large box, crate, or something else. In those rare occasions where the front bag doesn’t offer enough room, it’s be nice to have a rear rack.
Alicia and her Brompton
Even without the rack, my Brompton has become my most-used bicycle. It allows me to travel simply, by taking it into stores or on busses when necessary, and it can carry a lot of stuff. The last six months it’s been a nearly constant companion while I’m traveling around and I hope it will be at my side for much, much longer.
If you frequently work on your own bicycles, a repair stand can be a big help. Instead of flipping a bike over or having a friend lift up the seat, you can clamp your bike in and have easy access to all its bits and pieces.
I recently bought a Park Tool PCS-10 Home Mechanic Repair Stand to help me out in my garage and I thought I’d share how it’s turned out.
I chose this particular stand because it’s easy to set up and fold down, allowing me to stash it out of the way when I’m not using it. It’s definitely sturdy (it holds my heavy Batavus Fryslân just fine) but its stability comes from two long legs that take up a lot of floor space.
The height, angle, and spacing of the clamp are all adjustable. Adjusting the clamp to fit your bike is a snap; it adjusts by turning the crank on the side of the clamp, which also serves as a quick release when you want to quickly open or close the clamp around your bike.
It’s been a good addition to my garage and it serves my amateur home mechanic needs well. And although the stand is capable of holding all my bikes, it bends a bit when I load up the heavier ones, especially the Fryslân. If I were doing daily maintenance I would probably go with a sturdier stand with a smaller footprint to keep it out of the way.
