Full titanium Brompton clone, now done (pics)
01-08-19, 06:53 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 339
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 105 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
20 Posts
Full titanium Brompton clone, now done (w/updated pics)
Overall
3D printed pusher, tensioner and EZ wheels
Handle area
5.84kg
Last edited by Raxel; 01-09-19 at 12:52 PM.
Likes For Raxel:
01-08-19, 09:15 PM
#3
Señor Mambo
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 1,406
Bikes: TST roadie, Cannondale CAAD 3, Surly Karate Stokemonkey Leap, Tern Cargo Node, Helix Alfine; 36er and 29er Triton Unicycles; a couple Bike Fridays; one Brompton; RadPower Radburro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 28 Times
in
12 Posts
THAT is what Brompton should be evolving to, post-haste!
But 13lbs? Is it safe to ride?
But 13lbs? Is it safe to ride?
01-08-19, 09:26 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 1,498
Bikes: Many Downtube Folders :)
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 282 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 24 Times
in
17 Posts
Nice bike!
__________________
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
01-08-19, 09:42 PM
#7
LET'S ROLL
I hope Brompton doesn't copy that.
Front brake 2013 Brompton by 1nterceptor, on Flickr
__________________
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
01-08-19, 09:44 PM
#8
LET'S ROLL
Otherwise, looks good. 
__________________
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
01-08-19, 09:46 PM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 339
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 105 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
20 Posts
Seems the brake pad holders are backwards on both calipers.
I hope Brompton doesn't copy that.
Front brake 2013 Brompton by 1nterceptor, on Flickr
I hope Brompton doesn't copy that.
Front brake 2013 Brompton by 1nterceptor, on Flickr
2019 Brompton uses integrated brake pads, to prevent dummies (like me) from installing them backwards.
01-09-19, 08:15 AM
#10
Senior Member
So what is story of SJ heart SH? Is this suppose to be a wedding present?
Also does the titanium rear triangle comes with mounting points for the derailleur cables, the chain pusher etc? Did you have to 3D print parts for this project?
Also does the titanium rear triangle comes with mounting points for the derailleur cables, the chain pusher etc? Did you have to 3D print parts for this project?
01-09-19, 09:51 AM
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 144
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 72 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times
in
16 Posts
May I ask how much did it cost? Brompton needs to stop making owner buy after market modifications and partner with these manufacturers. They need to stop with these special paint jobs and really modernize their bikes.
01-09-19, 11:05 AM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 339
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 105 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
20 Posts
Yes, this bike is a wedding anniversary gift for my wife.
And the rear frame is almost identical to the 2016 Brompton titanium frame (the seller claimed it actually IS one).
I did custom design/print tensioner and pusher though (mostly for fun, but it saved some money and weight)
I have paid $1200 for titanium frame + handlepost (combo deal), $300 for fork and $480 for rear frame. Ultralight wheelset was $190 (Chinese magic!)
According to my spreadsheet all other bits added up to $1400, so total build cost was ~$3600.
And the rear frame is almost identical to the 2016 Brompton titanium frame (the seller claimed it actually IS one).
I did custom design/print tensioner and pusher though (mostly for fun, but it saved some money and weight)
I have paid $1200 for titanium frame + handlepost (combo deal), $300 for fork and $480 for rear frame. Ultralight wheelset was $190 (Chinese magic!)
According to my spreadsheet all other bits added up to $1400, so total build cost was ~$3600.
Is she a single speed?
01-09-19, 07:31 PM
#15
On yer bike
01-09-19, 08:03 PM
#16
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,621
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1666 Post(s)
Liked 1,818 Times
in
1,057 Posts
Raxel, you are the steely-eyed missile man of folders.
01-10-19, 03:37 AM
#17
Stardust
or 2 black edition costs!
its a hell expensive gift!
01-10-19, 01:33 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bangkok: hottest average temperature :(
Posts: 628
Bikes: *1998 GT Forte Ti 700c, Totem KDS-D 26" fatbike, BirdyGT 18", Brompton M2LX 16"
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 88 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
This might be the nicest Brompton ever. Did you record the frame weight? I wonder how much is saved over a steel one.
I wish the people that made these frame parts would do an integrated headset like on modern bikes where the stem direct clamps onto the steerer. The Brompton quill stem design is rubbish. Much cheaper Dahons and Terns have these modern stem designs.
I wish the people that made these frame parts would do an integrated headset like on modern bikes where the stem direct clamps onto the steerer. The Brompton quill stem design is rubbish. Much cheaper Dahons and Terns have these modern stem designs.
01-10-19, 02:14 PM
#20
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,621
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1666 Post(s)
Liked 1,818 Times
in
1,057 Posts
01-10-19, 02:26 PM
#21
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,621
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1666 Post(s)
Liked 1,818 Times
in
1,057 Posts
Technically and legally not a 'Brompton', which is a trademarked product manufactured in the UK, but I think we all know what you mean. It must be a highly desired dream build given that Bromptonites haven't assaulted the thread with cries of 'Chinese stealing Andrew Ritchie's intellectual property' (note: the relevant patents expired decades ago).
01-10-19, 03:13 PM
#22
Senior Member
Just because someone likes Bromptons it does not necessarily mean he or she would be a blind fanboy/girl w/o relation to reality.
01-10-19, 04:56 PM
#23
Senior Member
Remember the first titanium Brompton... Len Rubin's ill-fated Ultimate Folding Bike? Cool to see that the dream is still alive.
01-10-19, 06:46 PM
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 339
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 105 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
20 Posts
S post: 461gr (-390gr)
Fork: 311gr (-240gr)
Rear: 423gr (-350gr)
So total saving is 1710gr over full steel Brompton, or 1120gr over Ti Brompton.
Last edited by Raxel; 01-10-19 at 07:06 PM.
01-11-19, 03:04 AM
#25
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 6
Bikes: Brompton S2L-X Raw Lacquer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Velotto Champion Mini 28-349. Slightly narrower than Kojak 32-349.
Frame: 1271gr (-730gr)
S post: 461gr (-390gr)
Fork: 311gr (-240gr)
Rear: 423gr (-350gr)
So total saving is 1710gr over full steel Brompton, or 1120gr over Ti Brompton.
UFB had cassette and forward/rear derailleurs. Now there are wider rear frame available (135mm spacing) OR custom narrow spacing wheelset so you can build a better replica of UFB (2x11 speed)
Frame: 1271gr (-730gr)
S post: 461gr (-390gr)
Fork: 311gr (-240gr)
Rear: 423gr (-350gr)
So total saving is 1710gr over full steel Brompton, or 1120gr over Ti Brompton.
UFB had cassette and forward/rear derailleurs. Now there are wider rear frame available (135mm spacing) OR custom narrow spacing wheelset so you can build a better replica of UFB (2x11 speed)
How about ride feeling on this bike?