Is there a Brompton style frame for 20 inch (406) wheels?
#1
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Is there a Brompton style frame for 20 inch (406) wheels?
Is there a Brompton style frame for 20 inch (406) wheels? I vaguely remember someone posting photos of such a bike here some time ago, but my searching skills are somewhat lacking and I didn't turn up anything just now, so I'm beginning to wonder whether or not I imagined it.
I have a set of Cliffhanger 406 rims built with 100 OLD disk front hub and 135 OLD rear hub (Alfine 11) and am starting to get ideas about finding a Brompton style frame that can accommodate these wheels and building up a bike.
But does such a frame exist? If it does, I'd appreciate any info, links, pointers anyone can offer. Thanks!
I have a set of Cliffhanger 406 rims built with 100 OLD disk front hub and 135 OLD rear hub (Alfine 11) and am starting to get ideas about finding a Brompton style frame that can accommodate these wheels and building up a bike.
But does such a frame exist? If it does, I'd appreciate any info, links, pointers anyone can offer. Thanks!
#2
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Tyrell is similar; rear folds like brommies , the front fork collapses
#3
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The Tyrell bikes are too small for me, unfortunately. I checked out the model range a dealer in Tokyo a while ago, and the maximum saddle to peddle length even with a non-standard long seatpost was still about 4cm short. The seat to handlebar distance is also quite short.
I think the bike I'm thinking of is a Chinese clone (possibly a titanium frame) that was redesigned for 406 wheels.
I think the bike I'm thinking of is a Chinese clone (possibly a titanium frame) that was redesigned for 406 wheels.
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All those bikes are much bigger folded than the Brompton. The Vello and Ahooga do not have a folding fork (only the Vellobike+ has a folding fork, not the Vellobike).
I also saw pictures of a 20" Brompton clone with a titanium frame but I do not know where the frame comes from and if it is available.
20" ETRTO 406 Brompton clone
I also saw pictures of a 20" Brompton clone with a titanium frame but I do not know where the frame comes from and if it is available.
20" ETRTO 406 Brompton clone
https://www.facebook.com/tipartsworkshop/photos/ms.c.eJxFzskNRDEIRMGMRtDs~_Sc2~_iDwtfTcGGVZgFcYo0h~_GNABPMgBXXBTjrI40GgoXIEpYiGkwX0h7RvNfEVNQQvFDZoHSqkO3itC1kB8hfdo7BVBfQW~;fyT3E9gWTH0FdZADOyoSPSr2B4tJPrU~-.bps.a.2958922347512938/2958922697512903/?type=3&source=49
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https://www.facebook.com/tipartsworkshop/photos/ms.c.eJxFzskNRDEIRMGMRtDs~_Sc2~_iDwtfTcGGVZgFcYo0h~_GNABPMgBXXBTjrI40GgoXIEpYiGkwX0h7RvNfEVNQQvFDZoHSqkO3itC1kB8hfdo7BVBfQW~;fyT3E9gWTH0FdZADOyoSPSr2B4tJPrU~-.bps.a.2958922347512938/2958922697512903/?type=3&source=49 " class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">Facebook Post
Note that a 20" Brompton must be bigger folded than the original ETRTO 349 Brompton because the rear wheel folds under the main frame tube and to manage place for a 20" ETRTO 406 wheel, the frame and rear triangle must be enlarged. The fork must of course also be enlarged.
Also the front and rear OLD of the Brompton are smaller than the standard 100mm/135mm of your wheels.
The Birdy is compatible with ETRTO 406 wheels.because its rear wheel folds besides the main frame tube, not under that tube and because it is designed to accept 50mm wide tires on its ETRTO 355 wheels giving a total diameter of about 455mm, so ETRTO 406 wheels with 28mm or 30mm tires (total diameter of about 462mm or 466mm) fit on the Birdy (and Pacific Cycles now sell the Birdy R20 11SP factory equipped with ETRTO 406 wheels and Panaracer Minits Lite PT tires).
The folded Birdy is only slightly bigger than the Brompton and much smaller than the Tyrell with ETRTO 406 wheels.
Last edited by Jipe; 06-28-20 at 04:26 AM.
#6
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About a year ago, I actually emailed Vello multiple times but never got a reply. The Vello distributor in Australia even emailed Vello on my behalf, and he didn't get a reply either. Despite being their distributor!!! That raised alarm bells with me, so Vello is a not an option now. Ahooga is one I hadn't seen before so thanks for the link!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers that photo!
I'm assuming that particular frame has been enlarged somewhat to accommodate 406 wheels in its fold (I'm ok with the fold being larger).
I'm aware of the OLD size differences but IIRC that particular bike had disk brakes so I assume its OLD is 100/135. Now to find that frame!
I've test ridden and handled several Birdy bikes. They seem quite nice but the fold while smallish seemed quite cumbersome to me, with both wheels pointing off at an angle to the frame.
I'm assuming that particular frame has been enlarged somewhat to accommodate 406 wheels in its fold (I'm ok with the fold being larger).
I'm aware of the OLD size differences but IIRC that particular bike had disk brakes so I assume its OLD is 100/135. Now to find that frame!
I've test ridden and handled several Birdy bikes. They seem quite nice but the fold while smallish seemed quite cumbersome to me, with both wheels pointing off at an angle to the frame.
#7
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You may be able to hire a custom built bike using the main Brompton frame, custom fabricating new forks on front and rear portions..
Or you could buy a 20" wheel Bike Friday and drop the 20" wheel Brompton dream. or be OK with Bromptons as they are..
Or you could buy a 20" wheel Bike Friday and drop the 20" wheel Brompton dream. or be OK with Bromptons as they are..
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I understood that you have a set of ETRTO 406 wheels but building a whole bike just to reuse a set of wheels seems a lot of work.
What improvement do you expect from a ETRTO 406 Brompton vs. an ETRTO 349 Brompton ?
The main drawback for me of the Brompton is its lack of comfort and low performances on bad roads that are the consequence of high pressure, relatively narrow tires, poor rear suspension and lack of front suspension.
The ETRTO 406 Brompton of the picture with its even narrower tires won't provide any improvement for comfort and ride on bad roads.
There are more pictures on FB:
What improvement do you expect from a ETRTO 406 Brompton vs. an ETRTO 349 Brompton ?
The main drawback for me of the Brompton is its lack of comfort and low performances on bad roads that are the consequence of high pressure, relatively narrow tires, poor rear suspension and lack of front suspension.
The ETRTO 406 Brompton of the picture with its even narrower tires won't provide any improvement for comfort and ride on bad roads.
There are more pictures on FB:
Facebook Post
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Facebook Post " class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">Facebook Post
Last edited by Jipe; 06-28-20 at 03:19 PM.