by Peter on September 7, 2010
That’s right everyone, tonight is the night! After closing up the shop Mark will be holding a laid back but informative workshop to guide all you Brompton folding bike riders through the basics of keeping your Brompton in good shape.
Mark is explaining Brompton road-side repairs
It’s not like there is anything particularly unique or intimidating about working on a Brompton, most of the basic repairs can be done in a few minutes on the side of the road with minimal tools. In fact the Brompton is great when it comes to packing tools because you pretty much only need a 5mm allen key and a 10mm open end wrench to do simple adjustments. Brompton managed to make servicing their incredibly complex folding bike a simple matter.
So why come to our Brompton folding bike workshop?
Well, it’s a given that most people aren’t going to be tuning up their bikes at home and many will never change a flat tire. That’s not the point of our get together. Sure, by the end you’ll have the knowledge to change a flat on the front or rear wheel, do minor adjustments to brakes and shifters, and a few other odds and ends, but don’t expect any over technical procedures or mechanical jargon being thrown around. Come by and enjoy the company of other folding bikers as we all learn more about the Brompton folding bike together.
Hey, even if you don’t want to work on your bike you can still learn a thing or two about how it works for you. Satisfy your curiosity! With some patience and willingness to learn we’ll send you away better prepared for the next time you and your Brompton are caught in a pinch.
by Mark on September 4, 2010
A hobby shop Brompton bike that folds?
This just goes to show how widespread the Brompton epidemic has spread. The crafty Japanese Hobby magazine at Zone Otaku have crafted this miniature Brompton folding bike model that, when assembled, is actually fully functional!
No, we’re not kidding. This folding bike obsession has spread across the world and infecting hobby-shop enthusiasts in the Far East. If you’re a lucky subscriber to Hobby Japan, you can purchase a kit with your October issue for 1,143 Yen (about $15). Now THAT is a deal!
This Brompton can be carried by your action figures
by Peter on September 2, 2010
August pulls his Brompton folding bike backwards! It's a great way to get your folding bike through tight spaces.
I seem to learn something new about the Brompton folding bike everyday. For example, did you know that even if you don’t need the Brompton telescopic seat pillar you can use it as a more compact way to pull your Brompton in “cart mode.” I didn’t either…
For the past few weeks August, a young physicist (you CAN be one and not be old you know?), has been tapping my brain on every detail of the Brompton folding bicycle. It’s actually a typical approach to buying a Brompton and I enjoy helping people on their way to discovering which features they need and which they can do without. Anyway August ended up picking out a really nice all black Brompton with a rack and eazy wheels. It seems to suit him to a T.
But why the heck would anyone pull a Brompton backwards by a telescopic seat pillar which they don’t even really need to get the right extension for their legs? The answer all comes down to the commute.
You see, August needs to get through Penn Station at rush hour. No small feat indeed and even with a compact folding bike like the Brompton he still has to shoulder his way through the crowd now and then. That makes having the handlebars up for “cart mode” a bit of a problem. Apparently while he was doing some poking around online August found a man who had a similar problem on his commute and who came up with a very ingenious solution. You can keep your folding bike much closer to you when you extend the seat post up and pull it backwards! That way you can turn on a dime and cut through any crowd.
So next time you need to get through a thick mob of commuters or just squeeze your Brompton into a tiny storage space raise up your seat and pull it on through! (this won’t work with the standard or extended seatpillars unfortunately…)
Be sure to check out the comments section of this post for some IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION!!!
by Peter on September 1, 2010
His Brompton folding bike standing watch Steve attempts to make away with this evergreen powered motorboat.
I’m sad to announce the immanent commitment of Brommie Yummie Steve to the Bellevue hospital for the insane…
The tragic story of how one of the Brompton folding bike‘s greatest champions lost his marbles begins with the very folding bike that he so adores. You see, when you fall so deeply in love with a folding bike like the Brompton you begin to realize the possibilities that surround you everyday. And it’s not so unreasonable either when you consider that he’s used to magically turning jumble of metal the size of a briefcase into a full sized bike all day everyday. This may even be one of the emerging signs of folding bike addiction… Who is to say?
I honestly don’t blame Steve for trying to drive that motor boat.
But I’m not really one to judge after all, I ride my Brompton everywhere too. The only explanation I can possibly think of to explain this photo is that Steve thought perhaps he had found a greener form of transportation than the Brompton folding bike. I mean, this boat clearly has little green trees where the engine should be so perhaps Steve thought it was powered by the fresh pine scent. Hey, fry grease worked!
by Mark on August 31, 2010
Twice the BionX power on a single tandem bike
When Larry first contacted us about turning his tandem bicycle into an electric tandem bike, we didn’t think it was possible. With a long frame, two riders, and lots of extension cables, electric tandem bikes don’t usually go very far. After much persistence, he decided to take his chances with the BionX electric motor kit and do the entire conversion himself in his garage. Using a BionX PL350 with a rear rack mount, Larry was able to rig up the entire system to his tandem. Surprisingly, he’s getting over 20 miles out of the BionX battery, and is having a blast. He’s even named his motor “Max” for “Max Power.”
Larry's BionX Battery and Motor
Thinking about putting a
BionX electric bike kit on a bike of your own? There are a lot of options for motor power, wheel size, and battery mount. It’s pretty evident that
BionX has enough power and capacity to push two riders on a tandem bike, as well as electric recumbent bikes, electric folding bikes, and electric mountain bikes. Read about some other
BionX conversion kit reviews.
