Origamist
Legendary Member
Agreed. Can't see any reason why not increasing the length of the tiny horizontal brace to a full triangulation.
23.16 x 38 / 11 = 80. The gearing range seems sensible to me, and in any case can easily be raised by a larger chainring.
I prefer my folder to have rim brakes, and for the design DP calipers might have been possible - discs are just too easily bent when knocked about in the boot etc. Having said that I like it a lot, if they can deliver it at the price. It is what a modern Brompton should be like and I really hope these guys succeed - Brompton have rested on their laurels for too long.
Thanks. I was going to contradict you as well but I double checked and you're right on the 80" GI, I must have hit a 6 instead of an 8 when I bashed the chainring size into my calculator. Apologies to TheDoctor.
However, for me it's still too low. I don't want to be riding in the bottom two sprockets on the flat. I don't think it's as simple as just swopping out to a larger chainring, or at least not a considerably larger ring (i.e 50t) as in the FAQs it raises the issue of fouling the frame with larger rings. Hopefully, they will clarify the max usable size soon.
The rotors are more vulnerable. Whether better braking in the wet and the lack of rim wear are an acceptable trade off is going to depend on how you transport the bike when folded (and the frequency of course).
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