Brompton tool options

[chriscross1966]

This +1.

+2

 

[chriscross1966]

Has anyone ever actually needed any of those tools they carry with them on a Brompton while away from home?

Genuine question - I can understand taking tools for a multi-day tour, but not for a day ride.

Yep.. luggage blocks spontaneously loosen and that endangers your headlight, also the spanner and tyre levers are invaluable in puncture situations. Folks having issues with a Brompton pump need a Zefal Z-Hose in their lives, being able to pump with the pump head on the floor transforms that pump and the Z-hose gets you a pressure gauge...

 

[srw]

They've upgraded it!

[edit]

No they haven't - that's the same pile of poo as used to be supplied with the bike. It's probably still in the garage somewhere. If I get around to it I'll try it out and report back

To come back to this. In 2017 I bought a new Brompton. It came with the same old apology for a pump as before. Last year I got a slow puncture and used the supplied pump as a get-me-home measure. It just about got 30psi into the tyre, after 100 pumps. That was just about tolerable for a 15 minute ride through Hyde Park. I'd have been better taking the tube, even though it would have involved two deep-level lines at rush hour.

 

[srw]

Yep.. luggage blocks spontaneously loosen and that endangers your headlight, also the spanner and tyre levers are invaluable in puncture situations. Folks having issues with a Brompton pump need a Zefal Z-Hose in their lives, being able to pump with the pump head on the floor transforms that pump and the Z-hose gets you a pressure gauge...

24 years of Bromptoneering and I've never had to tighten the luggage block, and have had so few punctures that any investment in a portable pump would have been a waste if time. Any tool takes up valuable bag space.

 

[oldwheels]

I have had 2 visits from the fairy and used the standard pump which came with the bike. No idea what the pressure came to but certainly felt hard enough. For tools etc I probably have too many but I am often well away from any help so better to have them. The tools live in a bag behind the saddle which remains on the bike even when folded. In the attached pic. ignore the front bag which carries jacket,food etc.

 

[12boy]

My tool kit with pump, 4, 5, and 6 mm Allens, couple steel tire irons, park patches, a couple zip ties and a screwdriver allows mecto fix quite a few things even when far from home.

 

[snazpizaz]

I agree an OTG tool-kit lite is worth having - mine resembles @12boy -
Wasn't sure what the spanner was for @chriscross1966 when you get a puncture on a brommie .....?

 

[12boy]

Gotta have a 15 mm wrench for the axle nuts. Mine is a cut down one with a wooden handle which allows for more pressure without hurting the hand. I see I cdidnt metion it above.

 

[chriscross1966]

I agree an OTG tool-kit lite is worth having - mine resembles @12boy -
Wasn't sure what the spanner was for @chriscross1966 when you get a puncture on a brommie .....?

Yeah, and when you're in the workshop putting the rear wheel in, use the same spanner... doing it up with a standard length spanner will make it hard to get off with the kit one in an emergency....

 

[Gunk]

Gotta have a 15 mm wrench for the axle nuts. Mine is a cut down one with a wooden handle which allows for more pressure without hurting the hand. I see I cdidnt metion it above.

My 2001 Brompton has 15mm nuts on the rear axle and 13mm on the front, the Brompton tool kit only has a 15mm spanner, I presume later bikes have 15mm front and rear?

 

[12boy]

Tis 15 mm, just checked.

 

[12boy]

Tools...Nice to have along just in case. Since I replaced the 10 mm bolts that pinch brake cables with Allens I can do most things on the road that might need a little TLC.

 

[Gunk]

Tis 15 mm, just checked.

Thanks