Let's See Your Folding Bike

[ianrauk]

Miss Molletts tea room Appledore

View attachment 771471

I've cycled past more time then I can ever remember, always thinking I must stop one day for a visit.

 

[tinywheels]

I've cycled past more time then I can ever remember, always thinking I must stop one day for a visit.

How is that even possible! Are you allergic to cake?
Forgot to mention in my original post,the prices are more than reasonable.

 

[CycleCat]

My first post, this is Billy Brompton, P Line - 12-speed in Bolt Blue (Advance roller rack added since this photo):

This is Basil Brompton, G Line with Roller Frame - 8 - speed:
(I did not cycle over the Bluebells)

Both bikes new in the last few weeks, and I'm loving both of them. P Line is the favourite, but the G Line opens up a world of adventures in the woodlands.

 

[PedallingNowhereSlowly]

That blue is a very nice colour.

 

[Kevberlin]

My first post, this is Billy Brompton, P Line - 12-speed in Bolt Blue (Advance roller rack added since this photo):
View attachment 771760

This is Basil Brompton, G Line with Roller Frame - 8 - speed:
(I did not cycle over the Bluebells)
View attachment 771762

Both bikes new in the last few weeks, and I'm loving both of them. P Line is the favourite, but the G Line opens up a world of adventures in the woodlands.

That’s interesting for me as I’m waiting for the G line demo bike to arrive at my local dealer. My eyes are on the G line or alternatively the 12 speed P line. I live in a hilly area so adequate gearing is essential.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

My new Brompton G line, fully laden for a 3 day camping tour on the N Wales coast.
This beast is proving a most capable tourer, especially on rough surfaces. The fat tyres cope well and absorb bumps just fine.
I am loving this bike.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

That’s interesting for me as I’m waiting for the G line demo bike to arrive at my local dealer. My eyes are on the G line or alternatively the 12 speed P line. I live in a hilly area so adequate gearing is essential.

I've swapped the 54t chain ring on my G line for a 50t and a 38t. I swap them with my foot while stationary, depending on upcoming terrain. Quite happy with how it works after a recent camping tour.

 

[Kevberlin]

I've swapped the 54t chain ring on my G line for a 50t and a 38t. I swap them with my foot while stationary, depending on upcoming terrain. Quite happy with how it works after a recent camping tour.

Geoff. Interesting. Have I understood you correctly……….you change from 50 - 38 manually, while stationary?
Kev

 

[Kevberlin]

My first post, this is Billy Brompton, P Line - 12-speed in Bolt Blue (Advance roller rack added since this photo):
View attachment 771760

This is Basil Brompton, G Line with Roller Frame - 8 - speed:
(I did not cycle over the Bluebells)
View attachment 771762

Both bikes new in the last few weeks, and I'm loving both of them. P Line is the favourite, but the G Line opens up a world of adventures in the woodlands.

What is the reason for your P Line preference over the G Line?
Kev

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Geoff. Interesting. Have I understood you correctly……….you change from 50 - 38 manually, while stationary?
Kev

Yep. I should add, it wasn't my idea. My friend has used it on his 16" Brompton for some time and did it on his G line. I just copied. I use the 38, the lowest you can use without changing the crankset, only for steep climbs. My pal has taught me how to do this using the sole of my shoe. One only changes if expecting hilly terrain rather than shifting regularly as with a 2 or 3 ring set up. On a recent camping tour I only used the 38 once, on a steep approach to a camp. It's not easy to add a front derailleur primarily due to the fold. It's not as hard as it sounds and I'm told its a common hack in the Brompton community.
I'm 71 and bought the G line for camping tours so need all the help I can get.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

My first post, this is Billy Brompton, P Line - 12-speed in Bolt Blue (Advance roller rack added since this photo):
View attachment 771760

This is Basil Brompton, G Line with Roller Frame - 8 - speed:
(I did not cycle over the Bluebells)
View attachment 771762

Both bikes new in the last few weeks, and I'm loving both of them. P Line is the favourite, but the G Line opens up a world of adventures in the woodlands.

Beautiful cat!

 

[Kevberlin]

Yep. I should add, it wasn't my idea. My friend has used it on his 16" Brompton for some time and did it on his G line. I just copied. I use the 38, the lowest you can use without changing the crankset, only for steep climbs. My pal has taught me how to do this using the sole of my shoe. One only changes if expecting hilly terrain rather than shifting regularly as with a 2 or 3 ring set up. On a recent camping tour I only used the 38 once, on a steep approach to a camp. It's not easy to add a front derailleur primarily due to the fold. It's not as hard as it sounds and I'm told its a common hack in the Brompton community.
I'm 71 and bought the G line for camping tours so need all the help I can get.

Understood thanks. If I like the G Line after a test ride, my intention is likely to be replacing the original chain ring with a 44 tooth ring.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

That would be a sound idea. I just wanted a little more and have no regrets.

Understood thanks. If I like the G Line after a test ride, my intention is likely to be replacing the original chain ring with a 44 tooth ring.

 

[a.twiddler]

Yep. I should add, it wasn't my idea. My friend has used it on his 16" Brompton for some time and did it on his G line. I just copied. I use the 38, the lowest you can use without changing the crankset, only for steep climbs. My pal has taught me how to do this using the sole of my shoe. One only changes if expecting hilly terrain rather than shifting regularly as with a 2 or 3 ring set up. On a recent camping tour I only used the 38 once, on a steep approach to a camp. It's not easy to add a front derailleur primarily due to the fold. It's not as hard as it sounds and I'm told its a common hack in the Brompton community.
I'm 71 and bought the G line for camping tours so need all the help I can get.

After seeing how others have managed the extra chainring in various places, on here and elsewhere, I've come up with a similar solution. The gear range is 1st 24.66, 2nd 32.88, 3rd 43.47, 4th 43.6, 5th 58.2, 6th 77.6. 1, 2 and 3 are on the small ring, and 4, 5 and 6 are on the big ring.

A smaller ring, such as a 26” would give 2 distinct ranges with no overlap but as it is with a 28 + 50 X 14 the highest gear on the low range is virtually identical to the lowest on the high range.

The chain must be on the big ring when folding, and 50/28 is near the limit of the Brompton chain tensioner's capability -I must remember not to backpedal when on the small ring. With no instant gear changer between rings, it would be difficult to make it work with the overlap as in the Brompton 6 speed system, so I’ve set it up to work as a separate high set of ratios and low set of ratios.

I can tolerate spinning in 3rd for a short time between climbs, and mashing in 4th for short moderate climbs.

My Brompton is a 2012 M3R with the one piece crankset.It came with a 50T chainring and a 13T rear cog. How anyone is expected to pedal the ratios as given is beyond me. I found an inexpensive 44T Brompton chainset on ebay which still didn't bring the ratios down far enough, then fitted a 14T rear cog which made things more bearable.

After looking at the 50T chainset I did some measuring up. The lightening holes match up with 86mm BCD, equivalent to Stronglight 88, 99, 100.
I managed to get hold of a 28T chainring in one of SJS' sales. I initially tried mounting it on the outside of the big ring, but the chain alignment wouldn't quite work with it, and when mounted on the inside the chainring bolts just touched the paint of the rear triangle when folded. I took the BB out, put a 4mm spacer on the RH side, and then the set up worked.

I can change to the small ring by getting the chain to derail from the big cog with my shoe, but changing up is such a big jump that it's the greasy finger or a handy screwdriver.

It's simple, and it works, though I would agree that using the small ring is something usually reserved for long uphills.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

That would be a sound idea. I just wanted a little more and have no regrets.

Understood thanks. If I like the G Line after a test ride, my intention is likely to be replacing the original chain ring with a 44 tooth ring.

After seeing how others have managed the extra chainring in various places, on here and elsewhere, I've come up with a similar solution. The gear range is 1st 24.66, 2nd 32.88, 3rd 43.47, 4th 43.6, 5th 58.2, 6th 77.6. 1, 2 and 3 are on the small ring, and 4, 5 and 6 are on the big ring.

A smaller ring, such as a 26” would give 2 distinct ranges with no overlap but as it is with a 28 + 50 X 14 the highest gear on the low range is virtually identical to the lowest on the high range.

The chain must be on the big ring when folding, and 50/28 is near the limit of the Brompton chain tensioner's capability -I must remember not to backpedal when on the small ring. With no instant gear changer between rings, it would be difficult to make it work with the overlap as in the Brompton 6 speed system, so I’ve set it up to work as a separate high set of ratios and low set of ratios.

I can tolerate spinning in 3rd for a short time between climbs, and mashing in 4th for short moderate climbs.

My Brompton is a 2012 M3R with the one piece crankset.It came with a 50T chainring and a 13T rear cog. How anyone is expected to pedal the ratios as given is beyond me. I found an inexpensive 44T Brompton chainset on ebay which still didn't bring the ratios down far enough, then fitted a 14T rear cog which made things more bearable.

After looking at the 50T chainset I did some measuring up. The lightening holes match up with 86mm BCD, equivalent to Stronglight 88, 99, 100.
I managed to get hold of a 28T chainring in one of SJS' sales. I initially tried mounting it on the outside of the big ring, but the chain alignment wouldn't quite work with it, and when mounted on the inside the chainring bolts just touched the paint of the rear triangle when folded. I took the BB out, put a 4mm spacer on the RH side, and then the set up worked.

I can change to the small ring by getting the chain to derail from the big cog with my shoe, but changing up is such a big jump that it's the greasy finger or a handy screwdriver.

It's simple, and it works, though I would agree that using the small ring is something usually reserved for long uphills.

I think I understand but not quite clever enough to follow everything. Remember though the G line has the 8 speed Shimano Alfine hub gears.