Brompton Dynamo Light

Seems not really used Blogger since 2008! Anyway thought it would be useful to record the fitting of a dynamo lighting system to my Brompton. Had a so far positive experience of dynamo lights on my tourer which has a Shimano XT dynamo hub plus a
B + M Lumotec IQ Cyo T senso plus 60 lux light (http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/product/detail/aid:457434)

Brompton do a range of dynamo lighting kits either based around a Shimano hub or a SON hub, the latter adding an extra £200 to the price tag. The kits come with wiring, lights and brackets. You get a better light with the more expensive dynamo hub. You can also just buy a complete wheel. I plumped for a complete front wheel based on the shimano hub for £83 from Simpson Cycles in Chalk Farm
(http://www.simpsoncycles.co.uk/product.php/2573/brompton-front-shimano-dynamo-hub-wheel). Simpson's is a really excellent shop fast mail order but they also run a proper shop with lots of stock that many other shops just don't carry. I ordered the light from Rose as the euro suppliers are far cheaper then the UK suppliers.. assume this is because dynamo's are more popular in the rest of euro land.

The standard position for a dynamo light on a Brompton is just above the front wheel. From observing Brompton's fitted with such lights seems a great place to illuminate the road from. For me though the low position seems to be less visible to other road users, especially if you also have a front bag mounted and you in an amongst traffic. So I decided to Mount on the handlebars.

Most handlebar mounts seem to put the light ahead of the bar, not an issue on a non-folder but on  Brompton can interfere with the fold. To solve this ordered a Supernova handlebar mount (http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/product/detail/aid:642327) as this would allow the B&M light to sit above the bar.

The Cyo T comes prewired for both connection to the dynamo and to a rear light. I disc connected the wires for the rear light (snipped plus heat shrink the ends nearby he light and tucked out of the way). However the wires to the dynamo are designed for a fork crown mount on a 700c / 26" wheel bike so were short for Brompton bars to hub. Used the redundant rear wire and connectors to to extend the wiring with the connector in line with the Brompton cable gatherer. Wires run up the fork leg, behind the front brake caliper the from there follows the front brake cable to the bars. This means the wiring folds with the existing cables.

If you buy the wheel and light separate, then you do not get the little Shimano plug, so remember to order one ( http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/product/detail/aid:117991).

So how does it perform? Fab! You really don't notice any drag from the hub and the amount of light is great, like a scooter/moped light. And unlike the torch type cycle lights it has a proper reflector like a car so it directs light correctly without dazzling other road users.

Only bad bits are it had increased the weight of the bike a little which I noticed when doing stairs at stations, and on the Shimano based wheel Brompton has used cheap fat unbutted spokes..

If I was buying a new Brompton now, getting a dymano from the start would be a no brainer and is the cheapest way to do it.

Singular Swift Test Ride

Went for the Singular Ride today, my sister came out on the ride as well on a her full sus Giant. Took a geared Swift out, though the shop did have a alfine equipped swift as well - but this was in a medium and far to small - though did have a quick whizz around Dorking town centre to have a go with the alfine - feels good if a little 'indirect' feeling - but on the whole good.

Went for a 16mile ride starting and finishing from Westcott to the west of Dorking and taking in Leith Hill and Holmbury Hill.. some really nice riding on a really nice day.

Pics: me at the Swift + my sis and her Giant.

Well the Swift rides really nice though def would need an XL frame as the large was too small for my lanky frame.. only bad point of the day was towards the end route back down to Westcott the rear mech got caught up in the rear wheel on a downhill and got wrapped around, bending the hanger in the process - managed to free it all and bend the hanger back enough so could finish the ride - def a reason for going single speed or a hub gear!
Head for the Hills were cool about the damage despite me offering to pay for the damage which was a relief as i was quite embarrassed at it happening.. also bought a new pair of Endura 3/4 Hummvee shorts - these are one of the best cycle garments of all time!
Head for the Hills also do a nice little pack of route maps for the Dorking area which not knowing the we purchase a full pack for £9 - these were really good so if you are thinking of cycling round the Dorking area.
As for the Swift - it rode really nice and has real 'natural' feel to it.. now do i buy a complete bike or just frame and forks only and uild up myself.

Singular Test Ride

After contacting Sam @ Singular Cycles I got in touch with a Dorking based bike shop, Head for the Hills as Sam said they had Swift Demo bikes..

Think if i was going to build one / get one i would use a one of the Shimano 8 speed hub gears like the Alfine which is now rated for offroad use and is disc compatible. Using a hub gear like the alfine, a single chainwheel should give the eqivilent ratios to a middle chainring on a triple and a rear cassette...

plus all out of the of muck and rubbish.

Phone Head for the Hills, spoke to a chap called Roger - seemed pretty helpful and have booked a test ride on their large size swift....

Singular Swift

Went to the Cycle Show today - took the train to Clapham Junction and cycled to the show from the station.

met up with my folks - not a bad show, but when i go to shows of all sort, you often can't help thinking that you have scene it all somewhere else before or that there is not much of interest.

There were only two stands with 29ers on display - those from Salsa bikes and some really nice looking ones from a brand called Singular. They have a real nice clean looking bike called a Swift which can be set up as a single speed, hub gear, derailleur and rigid forks or suspension ones - all with 29er wheels.

i thought the light ble looked really nice... think I might have to take more of a look.

Getting back into MTB

Whilst I have been bromptoning over the last couple of years to get to work, not done any mountain biking since 1996 - which is quite a long time..

Looking to get back into mountain biking and looking at the kit these days stuff has really move on, lots of suspension that works, disc brake etc etc something else that is alos apparent is there is a new wheel size known by the moniker '29er'. This wheel size is effectively the road 700c size but wth a big fat knobbly mountain bike tyre fitted giving an overall dia if 29" or so. Supposed to be lots of reasons why these size is better than the standard 26", but for me the best bit is that if you are tall and need a gate zized frame 29er wheels look more in proportion.

Planning to go to the Bike Show @ Earls Court to meet up with my sister and stepdad you are coming down to the show - hoping that there will be some of these 29er bikes their.

BWC 2008

BWC 2008..... the results are in!

I came 42nd with a time of 25mins 19secs... Steve did 25mins 37secs for the 13km / 8.5mile course


hey I won! - though to put it all into perspective the winner did it in 22mins...


Full Results

Brompton World Championship 2008

Just got back from taking part in the 3rd Brompton Bicycle World Championship...

The BWC is a fun cycle race for those with Brompton folding bikes and due to their considerable use for communtors you have to race wearing a shirt, collar, tie and jacket to ape the work atire.

Pic of Steve (r) and me before the start.
The course was two laps of a 6.5km circuit within the grounds of Bleinheim Palace - the hills were longer than the course diagram suggest.

nearly 500 people took part going off in groups of 100 at 5 minutes intervals - but my key competitor for the day was my best mate Steve. The start was Le Mans style where you had to run to your brompton, unfold it then ride off onto the course.

Did not stay for the results as we both had to get going after the event - all we know is that is was close...