Wanted Brompnot- aka Brompton clone
#26
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Avoiding IGH for this particular purposed (quick fold for multi modal transportation) b/c its extra weight and had a few old bikes (1970's) with 3 gear SA IGH that never shifted well. Also could not find anyone who repairs IGH locally either. Did have a 8 speed Nexus IGH that worked perfectly while I had the bike.
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City biking: Yeah, if mostly on the flats and mild hills, in traffic biking and not covering long stretches of ground rurally, 30-70/75ish gear inches should be enough, especially if the bike is "empty". My (non-frequent) folder is fully racked and panniered with trunk bag full of tools and for shopping (and hopefully touring as some point) so 55 lbs all the time (with panniers empty except for backup warm clothes), and my city has San-Francisco-steep hills, and I really need that 21" low, and even then, on the most steeps (like 15-20% grade), need to stand on the pedals or walk it up. Out of the city, I do use the 85" high, but usually only if the wind is at my back or on a mild downgrade.
This Brompnot trifold is strictly for taking on public transit to reach final destinations since I'm car free now. Its not for long rides or carrying stuff. I do want a front bag but that's about it! Which is why I thought anything from 3 to 6 gears would be more than enough for last mile kind of riding.
#28
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More than 16t difference between chainrings doesn't work well with most front derailleur.
With a very big chainring, such a big difference in teeth is necessary to have a big enough difference in percentage (16t difference with a 60t chainring is only about 27%)
The shape of the front derailleur is also usually not designed for chainrings above 53 or 55t
With a very big chainring, such a big difference in teeth is necessary to have a big enough difference in percentage (16t difference with a 60t chainring is only about 27%)
The shape of the front derailleur is also usually not designed for chainrings above 53 or 55t
I am impressed with current doubles that do a 16T difference effortlessly (though I am using a triple FD, just to have a cage with greater height, so less likely to drag the chain, even if on the small/small combo), even with a stamped large ring that does not have distinct added lift pins. With lift pins, my bet is I could stretch my 50/34 into a 52 or 53 high, but like you said, that's a small percentage increase. I'll be watching the industry in coming years to see if they stretch that 16T standard. But it appears I can't go smaller than 34 on 110mm BCD, so I'd probably need to have the inner on a 74mm BCD, but if set up like current triples, that's too far inboard, I'd need the same chainline as current, which I think someone mentioned 43.5mm in a different thread, that sounds familiar.
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You want a trifold. Gotta be a Brompnot trifold. Okay.
Dahon K3+ (the little folder on the right)
Bifold. So you don't want it. Cool. That's fine. But maybe it would work for someone else reading this thread.
The weight of a Brompton P Urban with its titanium bits. Around 1/3rd of the cost.
Less expensive than the Aceofix, Mint Bob, and some of those other bikes you are considering. Sold by a US retailer with a US warranty.
External gears. Suitable gear range. Finer gear steps.
Discs brakes.
Yeah, yeah, it* does multimodal transit.
But, and it's a big but - not a Brompnot trifold.
*K3 in this image is not the + model
Dahon K3+ (the little folder on the right)
Bifold. So you don't want it. Cool. That's fine. But maybe it would work for someone else reading this thread.
The weight of a Brompton P Urban with its titanium bits. Around 1/3rd of the cost.
Less expensive than the Aceofix, Mint Bob, and some of those other bikes you are considering. Sold by a US retailer with a US warranty.
External gears. Suitable gear range. Finer gear steps.
Discs brakes.
Yeah, yeah, it* does multimodal transit.
But, and it's a big but - not a Brompnot trifold.
*K3 in this image is not the + model
Last edited by tcs; 01-31-24 at 12:08 PM.
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#35
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Good info above, but if I were to get a 16"/349, it would have to be a trifold, for folded size; The only reason I would buy it would be ease of flying with it, either checked baggage, or even carryon if disguised, as some have done. For local or train trip, my 20" bifold goes in a trunk or luggage space just fine, and it's way better racked and panniered than I could do on a Brompnot, both size, and it would impede the fold.
A friend of mine just informed me he is in Vietnam, been there two weeks, and there another two weeks. He's not a big biker, but I gave him a brief rundown on the general Brompton philosophy, and mentioned that asia has much cheaper copies, and he wouldn't need to pay $300 shipping as I have seen. I don't think he has the need, he doesn't do multimodal commuting. But if there is a particular 6 speed model that is sold there (I don't think the Dahon Curl D9 is available yet), that is a great deal, please let me know, thanks.
A friend of mine just informed me he is in Vietnam, been there two weeks, and there another two weeks. He's not a big biker, but I gave him a brief rundown on the general Brompton philosophy, and mentioned that asia has much cheaper copies, and he wouldn't need to pay $300 shipping as I have seen. I don't think he has the need, he doesn't do multimodal commuting. But if there is a particular 6 speed model that is sold there (I don't think the Dahon Curl D9 is available yet), that is a great deal, please let me know, thanks.
#36
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Hadn't heard of it, just looked... I can't see the advantage of it over a bifold 20", and some disadvantages. Am I wrong that, folded size being equal, 20" is better for ride and gearing? For me, the killer app of 349 is an ultrafold like a Brompton or clone, and for flight travel where I wasn't loaded-touring, I can see the magic.
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Hadn't heard of it, just looked... I can't see the advantage of it over a bifold 20", and some disadvantages. Am I wrong that, folded size being equal, 20" is better for ride and gearing? For me, the killer app of 349 is an ultrafold like a Brompton or clone, and for flight travel where I wasn't loaded-touring, I can see the magic.
the huge LPG gas tank that powered the vehicle. It took a bit of finagling but finally I was able to load my 16" folder. A larger, 20" bike would definitely not have fit, and the locals dont take kindly to loading a dirty bicycle in their taxi seats. An advantage of a 305 or 349 wheel folder, bifold or trifold is that they fit where other larger folders don't, like in tiny rooms for example. Another, of course, is lower weight. And a third advantage is that they are highly maneuverable, agile and nimble like no larger, longer folders. They are are a blast to ride.
The whole endeavor is here.
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It's a problem that's largely in your effete head. It's a First World problem. The rest of us, more canny and resourceful folk, live in the real world and make do just fine. The decline of Europe is evidently terminal.
Last edited by Ron Damon; 02-01-24 at 03:26 AM.
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#41
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My hat's off to Andrew Ritchie, he really sweated the details on the Brompton fold. One of the great advances in bicycle design, yet I see no mention of it, nor any other folders like the first Dahon, on the bicycle history timelines I have seen. Should be.
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So does water and soap. Except for Europeans who are not accustomed to washing and are allergic to bathing, that is. You are familiar with these practices, right? Eau et savon, Water en zeep. Does that ring a bell?
Last edited by Ron Damon; 02-01-24 at 03:56 AM.
#43
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Tell you a little story. On my last tour, I ended up here after nightfall at around 19:30 hours, and my hotel was on the other side of a mountain here. Not wishing to ride around the mountain at night, I took a taxi. As I opened the boot/trunk to load my folder, I saw a
the huge LPG gas tank that powered the vehicle. It took a bit of finagling but finally I was able to load my 16" folder. A larger, 20" bike would definitely not have fit, and the locals dont take kindly to loading a dirty bicycle in their taxi seats. An advantage of a 305 or 349 wheel folder, bifold or trifold is that they fit where other larger folders don't, like in tiny rooms for example. Another, of course, is lower weight. And a third advantage is that they are highly maneuverable, agile and nimble like no larger, longer folders. They are are a blast to ride.
The whole endeavor is here.
the huge LPG gas tank that powered the vehicle. It took a bit of finagling but finally I was able to load my 16" folder. A larger, 20" bike would definitely not have fit, and the locals dont take kindly to loading a dirty bicycle in their taxi seats. An advantage of a 305 or 349 wheel folder, bifold or trifold is that they fit where other larger folders don't, like in tiny rooms for example. Another, of course, is lower weight. And a third advantage is that they are highly maneuverable, agile and nimble like no larger, longer folders. They are are a blast to ride.
The whole endeavor is here.
I get your point, I just admire so much the compactness that a 349 trifold allows. If I fly with my bifold 20", it's gonna be a major hassle, not much different from a Bike Friday packing, as the wheels, racks, and other parts will need to come off. Others here mention 20" trifolds, haven't looked yet, but only reason I would get that instead of 349 is if I needed touring racks, and then it doesn't fold right. Maybe if the racks come off and nest around something, or fold. I'd probably get a 349 trifold for non-camp-touring travel, if I need frequent folding. No trip yet planned, have other life problems to solve first. A friend is currently in vietnam for a couple more weeks; I wonder how good a deal can be found on a 349 trifold to bring back, asia prices, no shipping cost? Not needed yet, and he goes to asia annually. Maybe I'll go, buy a bike there, and just credit card tour; I have a feeling I don't want to camp in a tropical country, and the room prices may be much more reasonable than in the USA.
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But a bike with a chain that is really riding, requires lubrication on its transmission.
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No that's correct, if a manufacturer designed a folding bike around 16" wheels that inexplicably folded no smaller than a folding bike designed around 20" wheels, the 20" bike would have ride and gearing advantages. Is this just a theoretical musing, or do you have a particular 16" model in mind that folds in no smaller envelope than a similar folding 20"er?
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Before I get one… can someone who has used both to carry the max ~10kg as recommended by Brompton tell me how those lighter and smaller alternative carrier blocks fare compared with Brompton's?
No difference? Wobbly, not as stiff, can't carry as much?
I'm interested because the base on eg. Litepro's is flat, so I won't need to file it down to fit on a standard bike.
No difference? Wobbly, not as stiff, can't carry as much?
I'm interested because the base on eg. Litepro's is flat, so I won't need to file it down to fit on a standard bike.
#48
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I have had both. The only difference I have seen in practice is that I have had Aceofix that the bag would not click into place, but they were cheap. I have an H&H with aftermarket support on my Zizzo and I don't in use see any difference.
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Before I get one… can someone who has used both to carry the max ~10kg as recommended by Brompton tell me how those lighter and smaller alternative carrier blocks fare compared with Brompton's?
No difference? Wobbly, not as stiff, can't carry as much?
I'm interested because the base on eg. Litepro's is flat, so I won't need to file it down to fit on a standard bike.
No difference? Wobbly, not as stiff, can't carry as much?
I'm interested because the base on eg. Litepro's is flat, so I won't need to file it down to fit on a standard bike.
FWIW, I've had Raze, Muqzi and Aceoffix front-blocks, and while I haven't taken them to the max of 10kg, they are all uniformly solid, with good finishing and fit on the actual front block on the head tube. No issues with bags clicking/locking in.
Muqzi
Raze
Wrong type of bolts, I know.
Aceoffix
Last edited by Ron Damon; 02-02-24 at 02:11 AM.
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For technical reasons I do not recommend these aluminum blocks!
The Brompton block in industrial plastic is much wider than the threaded rod brazed on the bike head tube and its material has some elasticity.
When it is attached on the bike, its sides are pressed against the bike head tube what provides an excellent lateral stability.
The aluminum block are narrow and only hold on the brazed rod they do not touch the bike head tube at all, their lateral stability rely only on the two bolds and their thin sides.
They are definitely not good for heavy load or wide bags (some brands are honest and specify a max load lower than the 10kg allowed by the Brompton block).
The Brompton block in industrial plastic is much wider than the threaded rod brazed on the bike head tube and its material has some elasticity.
When it is attached on the bike, its sides are pressed against the bike head tube what provides an excellent lateral stability.
The aluminum block are narrow and only hold on the brazed rod they do not touch the bike head tube at all, their lateral stability rely only on the two bolds and their thin sides.
They are definitely not good for heavy load or wide bags (some brands are honest and specify a max load lower than the 10kg allowed by the Brompton block).
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