Thinking about getting a Brommie

[Shreds]

Welcome to the Brompton World. Far better than the far eastern copies and with genuine customer service that is second to none.

Yes, you need to get to know how to maintain your Brompton which can be unique in some respects and varies between models (the T Line is fabulous for ease of maintenance and repair but it does come at a premium for a 7kg bike!)

I, like others prefer the front bag option compared to the rack that my old Brompton had. I have even securely had telescopic ladders on that!

Touring, racing, hill climbing and even off road tracks are all within its range, though I consider that weight is probably the most important consideration if you are taking it on public transport, escalators and carrying it a lot.

 

[blackrat]

Local auction house in Nottingham sold this immaculate-looking Brompton today - Estimate was £50 to £100.
Guess they don't know a lot about them!
https://auctions.mellorsandkirk.com...7b/fine-art-antiques-collectors-sale-lot-408/
View attachment 800014

Spoiler: Hammer price?

£500, plus at least 28.8%. Still a bargain!

That is a very pretty bike. I'd have bought it just to have it sitting in the garage out of the cold and rain.

 

[blackrat]

Welcome to the Brompton World. Far better than the far eastern copies and with genuine customer service that is second to none.

Yes, you need to get to know how to maintain your Brompton which can be unique in some respects and varies between models (the T Line is fabulous for ease of maintenance and repair but it does come at a premium for a 7kg bike!)

I, like others prefer the front bag option compared to the rack that my old Brompton had. I have even securely had telescopic ladders on that!

Touring, racing, hill climbing and even off road tracks are all within its range, though I consider that weight is probably the most important consideration if you are taking it on public transport, escalators and carrying it a lot.

"..for a 7kg bike!"
A little over 15 lbs, are you sure?
From Brompton for the G line: From 32.63 lb

 

[EckyH]

It functions but squeaks*. Plenty of scuff marks on the paintwork. The flap on the front mudguard is past its best. There's so much oil on the chain I'll struggle to find the quick link. I expect it's beyond 1% stretched so will likely replace and new chainring/sprocket too. The dynamo works but not sure if I'll use it.

Welcome to the folded side of the world.

The chainring on your bike is the old type that is bonded with the crank. Therefore I'd go for the newer model, where the chainring comes with a standard 130mm bcd. Probably the bottom bracket is at the end of it's life, too.
When the front rim will be worn down eventually it's a good time to think about a hub dynamo. I don't want to miss mine - reliable light whenever it is needed.

If I spotted it correctly, then your bike has the dual pivot brakes already. That's good.

For the record: I'm also in the front bag camp.
If you've got a large one and it's fully loaded than you can ride in the draft of the front bag. 😉

E.

 

[MontyVeda]

Nice choice of colour. ...

It appeared to be green in the photos on Ebay, but the spec section stated it was black so i wasn't sure what i was getting. I guess 'black' referred to the colour of the chain. It is the mankiest chain I've ever seen. Got a couple of days off work after today so will start getting it fettled.

 

[brommieinkorea]

The rear rack is not useless. I installed rear racks on the Brommies because they would get bent rear mudguard stays riding in the closet of the HGV I drove, they ride rough and the bikes bounce about.

 

[MontyVeda]

Welcome to the folded side of the world.

The chainring on your bike is the old type that is bonded with the crank. Therefore I'd go for the newer model, where the chainring comes with a standard 130mm bcd.
...

Will any* JIS square taper crankset fit?

*Obviously i won't be trying to put a triple on it

 

[EckyH]

Will any* JIS square taper crankset fit?

It depends.

Your Brompton has got the old BB with the ISO spindle.
Basically every JIS tapered crank will fit on the square taper of the new spindle with JIS taper.
That doesn't mean that the chainring arms won't hit the frame and doesn't mean that the chain line is right.
The working solution is to use the original parts because they are known to fit correctly and they don't cost a fortune: BB £20 and the cranks £90 (including a chainring) - current prices of Brilliant Bikes. Disclaimer: My only relationship to them is watching their videos on Youtube. They obviously know the Brompton parts history very well and they provide good information on their product pages.

For my "Romped On" (S1L from 2017) project I plan to replace the original cranks with Shimano FC-6207 cranks from the fund and the chainring mounted on the outer position, because I don't like the look of the Brompton square taper cranks. So I'm in a similar situation like you.

E.

 

[MontyVeda]

It depends.

Your Brompton has got the old BB with the ISO spindle.
...

I have ordered a JIS BB.... and £90 quid for a Brompton crank is extortionate IMO.

 

[EckyH]

Fingers crossed that the new BB and your new crank (which one?) will be a working combination.
I don't know anything about the gerade hub in your bike. Is there any room on it to adjust the lateral position of the sprocket?

E.

 

[biggs682]

Local auction house in Nottingham sold this immaculate-looking Brompton today - Estimate was £50 to £100.
Guess they don't know a lot about them!
https://auctions.mellorsandkirk.com...7b/fine-art-antiques-collectors-sale-lot-408/
View attachment 800014

Spoiler: Hammer price?

£500, plus at least 28.8%. Still a bargain!

It fetched £500

 

[Poacher]

It fetched £500

Hence the spoiler!