50,000 views!

Wow, this site has now had over 50,000 views!  Back when I started I was pretty ecstatic to have more than 2 views a day!  I hope that I have helped some of you out there... that's really what makes me happy.  In addition, I've also learned so much from everyone's comments.

I've got a few more posts in the pipeline, so hopefully during the holidays I'll have some time to finish them.  Thanks for tuning in!

RIP Bert Cebular from NYCeWheels

In case you haven't heard the news, Bert Cebular, the owner of NYCeWheels, died last week in a tragic accident.  Bert was a pioneer in showcasing how awesome folding bikes are by opening his shop in NYC, doing Brompton tours in the city and fun rides like Brommie Yummie, and of course his famous videos on NYCeWheel's YouTube channel which have helped thousands of riders decide on a bike (myself included).

I was glad to have had the opportunity to contribute to the NYCeWheels site.  I've never been to the store, but I am actually heading to NYC later this month and will take the opportunity to drop in.

Condolences to Bert's family, friends and crew at NYCeWheels.

Ergon GP2 Grips - Installation

The first aftermarket upgrade most people do to their M, H or S bar Bromptons are to change out the underwhelming foam grips.  The Ergon line of grips are the most popular by far, and for good reason.  They are intelligently designed to be more comfortable.

After fondling a selection of Ergon grips at Metrognome Music & Cycle to go,  I decided to go with the GP2 small sized grips.  These grips have a small bar end that will allow you to change hand positions during a ride.  It's kinda hard to tell how these will feel without riding them... I hope I chose wisely!

Ergon GP2 grips (small size).

Loosening 2-speed gear shifter with a 3mm hex key and moving it towards the center.

Loosening the brake lever mounts with a 3mm hex key and moving them both to the center.

I tried to remove the grips non-destructively, but ultimately I just cut them off with a box cutter.

Use a razor blade to scrape off the old adhesive.

Slide on the Ergon GP2 grips with the bar ends removed so that you can see when you reached the end.  This is how I initially set it up (with the end of the grip is flush with the end of the handlebar) and Jeff from Ergon states in the comment below, THIS IS NOT HOW YOU WANT TO DO IT!

The correct distance is used by this template included in the packaging.  I used a permanent marker to mark the spot where the inner edge of the grip should be.

THIS is how much the handlebar should stick out from the grip!

Bar ends snapped on.  They are a bit tough to get on... I used a rubber mallet to help get it in position.  Use a 4mm hex key to tighten on the bar ends after adjusting to taste.  Re-adjust the brake levers and gear shifter.

The Ergon GP2 grips do not affect the fold.  No cutting of the grips were necessary on a S-bar Brompton.

Meet the newest addition, Mondrian.

I’ve been looking to get a second Brompton for a while, both as a lighter weight option for quick rides and also just to have another bike if I have company in town.  I’ve been riding a few S-bars and felt at home on them.  I bought Mondrian at MetroGnome Music and Cycle to Go.

Mondrian started life as a S2L Brompton, but I took off the fenders and made it a S2E.  I had seriously considered making it a single speed, but decided against it.  The main frame is red and the extremities are cobalt blue, which match the colors of the University of Arizona very well.  When Todd from MetroGnome was doing his initial order way back during the Brompton US Championships I suggested this bike configuration, with the idea in the back of my mind that if it didn’t sell I would pick it up.  I added the sunflower yellow saddle from Brompton that I had bought a week earlier, which should make it pretty unique.

I had originally planned to call this brommie Wilbur, after the UofA mascot, but decided on Mondrian.  Why Mondrian?  Check this out…

Piet Mondrian was the father of cubism a cubist a cubism-influenced abstract expressionist, which seems appropriate since the Bromptons look very cube-like when they’re folded up.  Also, MetroGnome’s building was influenced by Mondrian.

I already have a few plans for Mondrian, most urgently is installing some Ergon grips and perhaps cutting the handlebars narrower.  I’m also going to try to find a small Wilbur sticker to decorate it just a little.

Tragedy at El Tour de Tucson

The weather was the worst it's ever been for this year's El Tour de Tucson.  Usually the weather is just about perfect, but this year it rained pretty hard and the temperature was about 50 degreees F.  This was the first year it had ever rained substantially during the 107-mile event.  A number of riders had to be treated for hyperthermia after the race.

In addition, a cyclist was killed in an accident near the end of the race.  John Henderson was struck from behind by a Nissan Leaf.  The incident is still under investigation, but it was believed that the driver had a medical episode that caused him to lose control of the vehicle.  This was especially sad because I have friends who know John well.

Additional info at Tucson Velo.

Installation of 2013 Brompton brake levers

I recently installed a set of the new (2013) brake levers made available as an aftermarket upgrade from Brompton.  I did a little step-by-step for anyone interested in seeing what is involved in swapping the levers.  It's been a few weeks since I did this, so I hope my recall is correct.

The 2013 Brompton Brake Levers in box

Brake lever unleashed

Cool logo on the inside of the handle.  Shame that it can't really be seen.

For the weight weenies, the weight of the single lever is 77 grams (2.7 ounces).

Disclaimer:  THIS IS AT YOUR OWN RISK!  If you are not comfortable with working on your bike, have a professional do it.

Tools needed:
10mm wrench (spanner)
2.5mm & 3mm hex keys
Brake cable cutter and crimper

Supplies required:
New brake levers
New brake cables
Crimps

Original brake levers

Step 1: Have your bike unfolded, and on a bike stand if possible.

Step 2: Loosen the 10mm bolt that retains the brake cable and loosen the cable.

Step 3: Cut off the crimp on the brake cable using heavy duty cable cutters.

Step 4: Remove handle grips if necessary.  This may require cutting them off.
(Since I have a p-type handlebars I didn’t need to remove them)

Step 5: Loosen the bolts on the old brake levers and gear levers using the 2.5mm and 3mm hex keys.

Step 6: Slide off the old brake and gear levers.

Step 7: Pull the brake cables out of their housings.

Step 8: Thread a new brake cable through the new brake levers and the old brake cable housings.

Step 9: Reverse steps 6 - 4.

Step 10: Squeeze the brake caliper and re-tighten the 10mm nut to lock down the brake cable.

Step 11. Adjust the tension required to squeeze the brakes.

Step 12. Cut the excess cable length and crimp.

The brake levers are a good upgrade from the previous version...if I ever need to, I can now do a skid stop!

New savings milestone set!

I ended up taking the long way home today and according to my worksheet, I've saved over $200 USD in fuel costs since owning the Brompton!  It's been about about a year and 3 months since I've had the Brompton, and I would have reached this milestone earlier but I had to take some significant time off of it this summer.

I know that I've got quite a ways to go to recoup the money that I used to buy the Brompton, but at least I'm having fun and that's worth something.