Brompton in old-fashioned upright style - completed

[snazpizaz]

Hi - An update for all those here who helped advise - After many lock down months i've got the basics in place for a cycle round Hyde Park London....

This is an H-type superlite conversion btw..
1. The pinstripe is protected by just applied frame protector which is why it looks a bit bubbly
2. The Andros stem works a treat
3. Waiting for Brooks saddles to recommence orders and i'll get a Brooks b67 to pop on the frame
4. Metal mudguards amd chain guard by https://www.brommiemods.co.uk/
5. Basket : Exact same size as Brompton's nylon design, even fits the rain cover. From a Cornwall artisan, England.
6. Handlebars - Vienna style - same width as H type, - no cable adjustment required when coupled with Andros stem - i tried the slightly bigger and smaller style - but issues with cables and steering control emerged.
7. Folds just like a Brompton - however generally speaking slightly wider by about 3-4 cm - but still a tidy, tiny storage footprint.

Some folk said it couldn't be done - that the Brompton is designed for forward weight riding only. Not so - this rides well with full tall-in-the-saddle upright position just like a Pashley or old Oxford bicycle.

Why ? Well i grew up in Oxford, England - always ridden an old English or Indian upright. Now i live in London, space is tight.

The result is a bit 'steam-punk' meets 'Parisian baguette carrier' - but that's ok with me as it's got the laid-back comfort i was after ....

Cheers to everyone who helped !

 

[steveindenmark]

I dont usually like Bromptons that are messed about with. But this is great. I really like the look. You have done a great job. Love the John Player Special paint job.

 

[cougie uk]

Wow. That looks amazing. Nice work.

 

[steveindenmark]

Could you post a couple of photos when it is folded please?

I hope you dont mind but I posted this in the London Brompton Club FB page. I think there will be a lot of interest.

 

[Justinitus]

I think you’ve done a splendid job there, it looks excellent!

 

[shingwell]

Very nice! Love the basket! 😊

 

[snazpizaz]

Hi folks - thanks for your feedback - happy some appreciate the project.

1. Below - more pics of bike in folded positions as requested
2. The basket is from: https://www.kosmopolitan.co.uk/product/small-tall-narrow-storage-basket/ and is simply strapped to a large size Brompton luggage brace : https://www.aliexpress.com/item/330...exp_id=085649c5-fddd-4729-8410-cc966a5cbd54-0
3. The basket carry handle and waterproof pouches you cant see but which are strapped inside the basket are from Alixpress - their range of 'molle pouches' which work very well as frame bags due to their wide variety of design and exessive range of built in loops, straps etc:
https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20210615024653&SearchText=molle+pouch

sp

 

[rogerzilla]

They never fold to the claimed size unless you have the saddle rather far forward (and the standard seatpost, too short for most UK men), do they?

It looks very cool. I'd be scared of scratching it on a train, but maybe you don't need to do that.

 

[Schwinnsta]

Curious to know what make / model handlebars?

 

[snazpizaz]

hi

@rogerzilla - the bike has a well cut - purpose designed frame protector applied - but - no generally i am not a busy multi-transport commutor - but it is portable for trains - it's only 3 cm wider
https://www.condorcycles.com/products/bike-shield-full-pack-for-brompton

@Swinnsta
The handlebar choice was in the end - a bit like fitting cinderella's slipper - a matter of a couple of cms either side made a big difference - also i selected the flatest handlebars i could find as some have up to 6cm rise designed into them.

Vienna
The one i went for is a vintage style widley available on internet - generally referred to as 'vienna' . It is the same width as the brommie h type handlebar at 53cm and looks proportionally in keeping when fitted.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/38416844...&customid=16238445594916218120712021000008005
https://www.lovelybikes.com/aluminium-handlebar-vienna-style.html

Toulouse
I tired the ergoctec 'Toulouse' which is 56cm wide / 3cm more than the vienna - which were potentially doable but i found the cables strained a tad when folding and in terms of proportion, they looked a little wide to the eye for the over all proportions of the Brompton. Maybe good if you're looking for a 'cruiser' style handlebar conversion tho.
https://www.ergotec.de/en/products/lenker/sub/city-trekking-lenker/produkt/toulouse-bugel-25-4.html

Porteur
The Velo Orange 'Porteur' has attractive non-flared side-bars - but 12boy on this forum had already tried them out and reported steering stability concerns because they are only 48cm wide / 5cm less wide than veinna's 53cm - so quite a drop in width .
https://freshtripe.co.uk/velo-orange-porteur-handlebar/

It attaches to stem via Tern andros - there are 2 designs - modern and classic
https://www.ternbicycles.com/uk/accessories/472/andros-stem
https://www.ternbicycles.com/en/accessory/support/703
I made my own chimms to fit between the handlebar and andros. Also applied additional rubber stops onto handlebar to help secure the Andros in the centre of the handlbars. (see photos)
You'll need a 4mm hex key handy to adjust position / tighten when required.
Having gone the Andros route - there's no reason why you couldn'y use a cheaper riser - but pick one wihere you only have to tighten/loosen only 2 bolts - not the usual 4 - the Andros has the added bonus of securing in different positons though. i I like mine set 30 degrees forward-facing for example.

sp

 

[12boy]

Actually tried a VO Milan bar as well but the leverage caused it to rotate in the clamp. It also set a little too far back but your Andros would have taken care of that. I assume those are decals which look bitchin fer sure, but where did they come from? You have done a very nice job tying that all together and I agree a Brooks would be totally the crowning point.

 

[snazpizaz]

@12boy - hi there - i sourced alot of bits n bobs from all over - decals are ripped up from a number on google / ebay / Alixpress - type any combo of 'gold metal decal car bicycle brompton' to source - there are available generic as well as bromtpon custom specific :
https://www.google.com/search?q=bro...&bih=513&biw=1098&rlz=1C1VDKB_en-GBGB935GB935
Flourettes and folding bike decal is cut out and re-arranged from this style:
https://www.dinokiddo.me/shop/flowe...rame-decal-metallic-die-cut-sticker-titanium/
The pinstripe is for car - but i went for a chinese double 2mm rather than the usual 4/2mm - i used a leather hole punch to create corner dots.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273821388524?_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item3fc106ceec:gW4AAOSwMnZcwd6n&amdata=enc:AQAGAAACkPYe5NmHp%2B2JMhMi7yxGiTJkPrKr5t53CooMSQt2orsSlHY%2FYTip4QFVjNQrCEJt6m2lY8Dbt6DZ%2B%2Bk%2Flgzk1wN12RGQA244iWpUo2l5bDzxUi%2FSoWRfL5Mr0ossBfh6QPKkpONXBvl6aytZD%2B48QB3n2nriTdJ9qmVqh%2F0RccSzIRIfH%2FmWKlNuNDVibzYkqtrhRRthdSk7CjE%2B2WDTYIPOC21HH3pwzfi6r24zI8p8Xl%2BMBiVur%2BYnnAtIGIaofDh3w0DASu6toH2KzA7pHUEK6ovS15uoHyxpS2T%2BZghuTOKficKufs4pTyINYMHiUl3BSEByfOeXrHwvWGlXufEO4DN2VFapCPksBHccQeRnzejUn2AGrdXp4fJVhwU113DIIVUjKB074Onn%2FGD3aa04kxAke9wKwB0EDEwGXOtXkd%2Fb6MJhM%2FViwlAAW6AhcqU40ZxaPLpN4zrXYExbWU4GrwGrVix3CJKVOna6qgLsiIer5ZF1vnBa1dT8aeyyzBDVr%2BDdw%2FGrfZAs8gFwFciTjIM12iYBFfLEhM60w4yNojlW5TBoSNEgfbU5rBZW90c3Wh9WFdwqKhfH%2FeykZs%2F6qn%2FLX0%2FRgv5zWyQWac3HIf7TJHReSbVXyT96UGqObfpuAUVOWyd7%2BXCRHTqerPQADZalCblPL2kuoXDwsd8MgsyRZ3o9ww85SdTFGwH78DZ0V5ElR6S97uyD11J84AJdM%2BFXLSE%2By%2BsoI%2FciMLjqN7P2140EOj%2BEbZCxvFK4zbdvBqDcmyQ8BBpTjQoHoFuPYOUKz2WdGBRZ7SWPf2enY1VMOVjmHIddsih%2BZR5qAzCRNPZvd4F87sUUdaHCFwawVQjl%2Bn1ymde0ei3%2FjXzw|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2334524
sp

 

[12boy]

Thanks, snaz

 

[savannah3107]

That’s a very nice alternative Brommie. Where did you get your Andros stem from. I followed your links, but it doesn’t show up on the UK store, did you have to import it?

 

[Comfyride]

hi

@rogerzilla - the bike has a well cut - purpose designed frame protector applied - but - no generally i am not a busy multi-transport commutor - but it is portable for trains - it's only 3 cm wider
https://www.condorcycles.com/products/bike-shield-full-pack-for-brompton

@Swinnsta
The handlebar choice was in the end - a bit like fitting cinderella's slipper - a matter of a couple of cms either side made a big difference - also i selected the flatest handlebars i could find as some have up to 6cm rise designed into them.

Vienna
The one i went for is a vintage style widley available on internet - generally referred to as 'vienna' . It is the same width as the brommie h type handlebar at 53cm and looks proportionally in keeping when fitted.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/38416844...&customid=16238445594916218120712021000008005
https://www.lovelybikes.com/aluminium-handlebar-vienna-style.html

Toulouse
I tired the ergoctec 'Toulouse' which is 56cm wide / 3cm more than the vienna - which were potentially doable but i found the cables strained a tad when folding and in terms of proportion, they looked a little wide to the eye for the over all proportions of the Brompton. Maybe good if you're looking for a 'cruiser' style handlebar conversion tho.
https://www.ergotec.de/en/products/lenker/sub/city-trekking-lenker/produkt/toulouse-bugel-25-4.html

Porteur
The Velo Orange 'Porteur' has attractive non-flared side-bars - but 12boy on this forum had already tried them out and reported steering stability concerns because they are only 48cm wide / 5cm less wide than veinna's 53cm - so quite a drop in width .
https://freshtripe.co.uk/velo-orange-porteur-handlebar/

It attaches to stem via Tern andros - there are 2 designs - modern and classic
https://www.ternbicycles.com/uk/accessories/472/andros-stem
https://www.ternbicycles.com/en/accessory/support/703
I made my own chimms to fit between the handlebar and andros. Also applied additional rubber stops onto handlebar to help secure the Andros in the centre of the handlbars. (see photos)
You'll need a 4mm hex key handy to adjust position / tighten when required.
Having gone the Andros route - there's no reason why you couldn'y use a cheaper riser - but pick one wihere you only have to tighten/loosen only 2 bolts - not the usual 4 - the Andros has the added bonus of securing in different positons though. i I like mine set 30 degrees forward-facing for example.

sp

Hi Snazpizaz,

I love this upright handlebar and I am about to copy your wonderful work. Thanks.
Can I ask the width of the tube which joins the Andros to the Brompton steering tube.
I am about to order a short length of 25.4 mm stainless steel, but don’t know, can you help please?