Know what you are buying?

We just had a customer ring looking for a 3 speed Sturmey Archer gear indicator chain for his Brompton - just purchased on e-bay.

The Brompton was described as:
3 years old
3 speed
As new (hardly used) condition

We checked the rear wheel and frame number (the customer said the bike looked pretty beaten up) with Brompton - and both were made in 1999 - and it was 5 not 3 speed.

If you are not sure - check the frame number with us or Brompton (it's on the main frame below the seat post) BEFORE buying.

Brompton Ortlieb Bag - shocking

The new "O-bag" from Brompton and Ortlieb is finally available.

It comes in two colours:

Pink and Black (shown out in the field - literally)

Black

It's the high quality you would expect from these two companies but doesn't come cheap at £160 RRP.

Unlike most of the Brompton bags it attaches directly to the Brompton front carrier block (rather than using a removable frame like in the S, T and C bags)

Key data:

Bag capacity - 20 litres

500mm (Width) x 300mm (Height) x 150mm (Depth)

To see more visit: http://www.BrilliantBikes.co.uk

Brompton Kevlar Tyres and Inner Tubes

Strange as it may seem, we ran out of stock of our two best selling products!

This is both good and bad:

Good because maybe we are selling more (definitely more than we had in stock).

Bad - because we are letting people down who want our products combined with great price, free delivery and brilliant service.

Today there is some good news at least:

The Brompton Kevlar (a.k.a. the Brompton "green") is now back in stock and available at: http://www.brilliantbikes.co.uk/tyres/117-brompton-tyre-16-x-13-8.html and we are going to try really hard not to run out again!

Thanks for your patience.

Brompton Luggage - piece by piece

Brompton make a nice range of luggage to make lugging your stuff about town easier (if you are riding a Brompton)

The starting point is what is nicely known as a front carrier block assembly (Brompton part number QFCBA). This is needed in order to be able to attach your Brompton front bag to your beautiful Brompton folding bike.

The front carrier block attaches to the front of the main frame and because of this allows you to carry the bag with little effect on steering.

The following YouTube video shows how the front carrier block is fitted (click here).

Once the front carrier block is installed, you get to choose which piece of Brompton luggage you would like to use for carrying your stuff (unless you have a S-type Brompton - the one with the straight across handlebars - in which case you are limited to the S-Bag). We'll discuss the different bag and basket options very soon - see you then........

Brompton US championships

For those who ride Bromptons and like to race and happen to live or are able to travel to the US (that narrows down the field a bit), there is to be the first Brompton US championships.

When: Saturday 20th March 2010
Where: Memorial Hall, West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

More info: Brompton US championship

Who loves ya baby?

The 16" Schwalbe kojak now comes in three guises. As said before, this is the replacement for the Stelvio which was discontinued in 2009.

All share the same ETRO size: 329-349 (or 16 x 1.25 or 16 x 1 1/4 inches)

The standard Schwalbe Kojak - weighing in at 230g with a RRP of: £15.99

The lightweight Schwalbe Kojak - weighing in at 175g with a RRP of: £29.99

and new for 2010 the Brompton lightweight Schwalbe Kojak (shown in the picture) - with reflective side wall - weighing in at 185g (according to our scales) with a RRP of: £27.50

Brompton say "replacing the Stelvio for 2010, the Kojak is the fastest tyre we've ever fitted on the Brompton; lighter and more puncture resistant (thanks to a RaceGuard strip) than its predecessor; a Kevlar bead also allows it to be folded, making it easy to pack as a spare. Finished with reflective sidewalls."

Brompton 2010 Tyres

So ... it's now 2010, a whole new decade.

It's January - so time to start getting fitter, and what better way than a daily commute by Brompton bike.

There are in fact 3 tyres being offered as standard on the Brompton folding bike range from the beginning of this year - as follows:

Brompton kevlar (the one with the green label) with a RRP of £19 (a reduction from last year presumably due to the fact the old yellow standard tyre is no longer available)

Schwalbe Marathon - a heavier duty (and heavier - a pair will add just over 370 grammes to your ride weight) tyre with a RRP of £24.50

Schwalbe Kojak - a lighter (saving 232 grammes if you have a pair), racing slick tyre with a kevlar bead meaning it can be folded (so takes less storage space - so you could keep a spare in the desk at work .... just in case) with a RRP of £27.25

So get on, push yourself and have an healthy and happy 2010.

New Brompton Shimano Hub Dynamo for 2010

New for 2010 from Brompton is a hub dynamo using a Shimano hub. This is available in 3 ways:

1/ A hub alone (£50.40 RRP)
2/ A wheel containing the hub (£68.05 RRP)
3/ A retrofit kit containing wheel with Shimano hub, lights, looms, fitting kit etc (£133.75 RRP)

This should be available from mid-end January 2010.

This is a cheaper option than the current Son hub dynamo (£336.75 for full retro fit kit)

*Note - prices correct at time of publishing

Brompton Tyres 2009

As of now - these are the tyres recommended by Brompton for your Brompton folding bike.

Brompton Yellow 16" x 1 3/8" tyre

This is the standard Brompton tyre.

It seems to be on it's third generation.

Originally it was a plain black tyre.

Then came the mark 2 with a reflective bead on the sidewall - to help you keep safer and be seen better at night.

And now, Brompton tyres are a two tone black and grey - still with the reflective bead on the side wall.

Brompton Green 16" x 1 3/8"

This is the same as the Yellow (Brompton standard tyre) but with the addition of a kevlar strip to help reduce the risk of punctures.

This increased puncture protection comes at a slightly increased cost. (I guess the stuff they make bullet proof vests from doesn't come cheap - as there must be a large demand at the moment)

Schwalbe Marathon 16" x 1 3/8" tyre

This is a heaver tyre with more tread (so better for canal paths etc) than the Brompton Kevlar tyre.

Again it comes with a Kevlar belt to help reduce punctures - and a thicker sidewall.

Again - it has a reflective strip around the sidewall.

Schwalbe Stelvio 16" x 1 3/8" tyre - oh no - discontinued

This was the Brompton "racing" tyre - less tread, narrower and inflatable to higher pressures. More or less the Brompton equivalent of a racing road tyre.

However - it has been discontinued by Schwalbe in 2009.

Schwalbe Kojak 16" x 1 1/4" tyre

According to Schwalbe - this is the replacement "racing" tyre for your Brompton.

It comes in 2 versions:

With a wire bead - and no reflective sidewall.

With a kevlar bead - meaning that it can be folded and comes delivered in a box, and is lighter. Again no reflective sidewall - so you should put reflectors on your spokes.

Note: Due to the thinner tyres - your dynamo will not function as expected with this option.

Kojak "slick" tyre for your Brompton.

More Brompton stuff on its way to Brilliant Bikes

So - something goes wrong with your Brompton?

What's the most likely with such a reliable bike as your Brompton - could it be a puncture?

At Brilliant Bikes we already have a range of inner tubes and tyres for your Brompton ... In fact the Brompton Kevlar tyre s our top selling item.

It's fantastic to announce that very soon, we will have more Brompton stuff - a full range of Brompton spares / accessories.

Check back soon - we'll add details here - or check out www.BrilliantBikes.co.uk

Together we can create a better place where more people use bikes for transport (as well as recreation of course!)