Hey. Not sure if you remember me. Been following you for a while. You inspired me to get a Brompton and I just picked it up from to Covent Garden shop. Over the moon with it. 💕
This video will be very helpful, particularly the tip about taking photographs prior to dismantling the rack from the brake caliper mounting bolt. I just ordered your book on Amazon and am very much looking forward to enjoying it. Congratulations on getting yiur new Brompton, it will be interesting to see your videos on how you find this latest version.
Thanks Felix! Using the new one for the first time on a trip in Europe. Still seems a very familiar bike. Main change is the gearing system. So far so good!
It's a while since I have done but I explain at the start why you have to remove it, so I believe you have to or at least it makes things much simpler.
I was thinking of removing the front wheel, rear wheel, rack and fenders and put just those things in checked luggage. I'm not sure how small the brompton folds without wheels, but it might just fit in carry on luggage!
You have to be careful with those things. Rules at airports in what can be carried on board vary and also depends on the security personnel judgement and so on. Although it is a bike they might refuse it on the ground of being a large piece of metal and having sharp parts and what not... I am not saying it won't work but I wouldn't want to risk it if it was me. I have heard of people in the US having carried a folded Brompton in the cabin. If it goes wrong you have to let them put the bike as it is in the haul and that would increase risk of damage. By packing it carefully before, as I show in another video you do limit the chances of damage.
@@BromptonTraveler Yeah I would still put some foam around the sharp edges. And I guess it would look more like some sort of weapon when the wheels are off..
is the mudguard that is installed with the rack different from the one that stands alone? I see they sell it as "L-version mudguard" and I don't understand why they specify that. I thought they are exactly the same (albeit with different attachments).
Hello Ioana, I have never looked into different versions of mudguards. I think the difference is not on the plastic mudguard but the attachments like you say. Stand alone mudguards have the small wheel on top for example. The rack mudguard has the attachments that fit the rear rack. Thanks.
Why does the nut and bolt fit the way it does for the stays to the frame? If that nut/bolt was other way round you wouldn't need to remove the rear wheel or let the tyre down. You'd save half the time.
The way the bolt is, if it was reversed it would touch the sprocket so that wouldn't work. That is why it has to be mounted that way. Whether one can have a shorter bolt instead and find a way around it I am not sure and I wonder if Brompton ever thought about that as after all removing a rack is not what the average Brompton owner does that often. Cheers
Thanks for the video, G. Planning to replace my rack on my Brompton someday instead of letting the bike shop do it for me which will cost extra for manpower.
Hi Ioana. The rack is attached in one point in the middle of the mudguard. When mounted to the bike there is another bolt through the rear break caliper that goes through both rack and fender to further secure it. You can see it in this part th-cam.com/video/j5-OtGmID_E/w-d-xo.html where it is attached in the middle and a metal hole in fender and rack are loose on the left. Hope this helps! Thanks
@@BromptonTraveler @Brompton Traveler Hi, thanks for your prompt reply. Are you refering to an L- or an R-type mudguard? I thought the R-type has two atachment spots... I'm trying to find the most efficient and cost-effective combination of fenders and rack, so these chats help :) I'm not sure what you mean by hole in the fender and what is loose...
@@tandago7281 R type is the one that comes with the Brompton rack . there are 2 small metal parts with a hole attached to the mudguard. One is fixed towards the rear of the rack at the same levels of the metal stays the other one at the front is fixed to the brake caliper. Harder to explain than it is but if you watch the video I think it will show what I mean. Thanks
Hello Peter, thanks!.As plain as it gets but I also like it. I was blessed to complete the trip to Patagonia before the world stopped with the virus... I usually take another trip end of summer or early autumn. As an Italian after what is happening there, I think I might take a tour in my country. One option I am thinking about is a tour around Sicily. Let's hope things calm down and we get over this big bump first! Take good care and stay safe.
Brompton Traveler Oh please, I hope you will make a video of your Italian tour! I think we will be all stuck in our own countries... I miss the ocean so much, I will try the Atlantic coast with my Brompton bike and my dog as soon as I can! TAKE CARE
Yes Ioana, you can remove the mudguard from the rack via a couple of screws. The mudguard is set very tight to the wheel but I still like to keep it on as it saves a lot of mess if you ever ride in wet condition, mud and so on...
Haha yeah, but I feel better for it. I now have a much deeper understanding of the brake system, gearing and how to get a tyre on off etc so every cloud 😀
Gianni, I just discover your channel and in a couple of days I ve learned many things, even though I am a Brompton owner since 2008. In this video I ve noticed that you have a black bike with the new speed and brakes levers. Could you possible tell us how it compares with the previous model. You are a very experienced Brompton cyclist and I count a lot on your opinion in order to decide an upgrade.
I recently did 2000 km on new bike. The brakes to be honest I wasn’t able to tell the difference but was told they have been improved. I kiked the new gear system. Much smoother than what I was used with the old one. Saying That you will find TH-cam videos that claim it doesn’t perform as well in very humid and hot places. Apparently the shifter can jam in those conditions. Otherwise the bike was very reliable before and it still is. Thanks
Nice to see your new Brompton Bike. I got my bike 2 weeks ago and I like it so far. But I have a problem with my seat post slipping. Did you got this problem on your bike? Did you have any tips what I can do to fix it? I Already tightened the clamp a bit more and I cleaned the post. Still some slipping tho.
No I haven't had that problem. My new one had the side bolt a little loose and was slipping a little but once tightened it was fine. If after doing that it is still slipping I would contact Brompton or ask the shop you bought it from as they must fix it for you. Enjoy the bike!
A lot of people have this issue, I also do sometimes. Make sure that you you tighten the clasp properly (not too tightly, but tightly enough), then fully open it each time you you lift the seat, so that you don't damage it over time.
Nice video. I was looking for this exact thing last week when I took mine off. Then realized mud guards are too handy to not have on because of rain. It was way more work than I thought it would be. Have you ever had to replace your internal hub? Mine is making a weird humming noise in first gear
Thanks Brenton! I also find mudguards are very useful. The only thing is that on Bromptons due to the folding mechanism they seat really tight on the tyre and if there is any damage on the rack they can obstruct the wheel. Therefore it is good to become used to remove it if necessary... I am not a wizard at fixing bikes and when it gets to replacing parts like the hub or building a wheel I take the bike to a reliable bike store. I do replace parts before they fail too, loosely following Brompton recommendations. My hub though was still good after 7 years on my old bike. I replaced both wheels halfway and swapped the bottom bracket before they had any issues. Thanks!
Hi Fernando I can't be 100% accurate in answering. I try to keep the rear lighter because your weight is already on the back wheel, so what I do I use the backpack who is about 45L volume, for bulky but light things. Clothes, sleeping bag, mattress, bags to carry the bike and so on go in there. Front bag as a limit of 10kg and I probably get very close to the limit. Front is where I put heavier stuff like gadgets for filming, tent, tools, water, food and so on. If I carry about 17kg total luggage it is a 10 front and 7 back. Hope that helps! I have a packing series of 3 videos where I go through things I carry. Thanks th-cam.com/video/z8jclyfxSBg/w-d-xo.html
Hi Petar. I am 1.80 and I have always used the extended seat post so far. I also have a regular one and I thought I would give the telescopic one a try so I have them all! Telescopic one does pack more compact than extended one and you can remove the saddle easily. Otherwise it is meant mostly for people much taller than I am. Thanks
@@BromptonTraveler Ok, thank you for fast answer, now I undestand :) I see that you bought M type again... I am thinking to buy S type (more stable handling), because now new T bag (borough bag) should not interfere with steering... what is your opinion on this?
@@djpetarmalesevic Yes I bought a standard M type as I am used to it. I don't have experience with the S type. All I have read is that if you use a T-Bag and it is full it might interfere with the brakes or the steering. Others say it is fine provided the bag is rolled down a little and not too full. It depends what you use the bike for I guess. If you use it for touring there are times when I fill my T-Bag with groceries before going to a campsite for example. Otherwise it is usually rolled down a little with all the things I carry at the front. I would recommend anyway to ask Brompton as they would give you a final answer before you decide. I believe you can't change S type to M type easily after you bought it so better be safe than sorry. Cheers.
Hi Gianni, thanks for the great videos ! Can you let me know how the non-stock rack worked out for you ? If I remember it was eBay, but now I can find the link. When I saw your comments, you hadn’t yet toured with it. Do you also need to remove the wheel for that rack? Thanks in advance
No wheel removal on that one which is very handy. I installed it on the old bike and I would like to test it with weight to see its reliability but no chance yet! Hope to get round to it one day. That one could also be removed prior to flights which is when a rack is damaged...
Brompton Traveler thanks so much ! If you recall, could you remind me in which video I can find the link you shared with someone? I’ve rewatched so many but am missing the relevant comment.
dance2135 I can’t find it myself but I looked on eBay where it was bought and you can find it by searching for ‘bicycle rack for Brompton bike cargo’ hope it helps. Cheers
Brompton Traveler I just thought as you rotated the wheel it looked like there was a slight bulge on the tyre. I’ve ordered a rear rack for my bike... I will refer to this video shortly when it arrives!
What a complete and utter faff!! A rotten design by Brompton. Why could they not have made separate bosses or braise on mounts for the rack itself rather than using the brake mount bolt???!!! And also why did they not position the hole in the frame for the lower rack mounts fractionally further back so that a nut attached against the inside surface of the rear drop out did not foul the rear sprockets??? It just shows what a total balls up that Brompton originally made of fitting and securing a rear rack and I am glad I do not have one on my M6L. I didn't choose one because I think they look ugly and they are heavy but I am so glad I chose a model without the Brompton rear rack now having seen this video. It's ridiculous of Brompton. I think they designed it like this to keep costs low and have never addressed making the poor design better. More Brompton owners should complain. A rack should just take a few minutes to remove and install. You shouldn't have to strip down the bike to remove or install a rack. Unbelievable. Nevertheless thanks for making this video. Clear and thorough.
You raise valid points and I also feel that they made fitting the rack much more complicated than it should. I am no engineer but one thing I would say is that the Brompton has become the bike we love thanks to exceptionally good and simple design choices that make such a tiny bike so functional. Always room to improve though... Thanks!
After watching and reading comments on here, what happened to having a bicycle when you were younger? Did you not fix it yourself? How the snowflake world is failing even with push irons.. Not sure we will make it to the next decade 🤔
I used bike shops and have it fixed for me unless it was a flat tyre.... Lots of people do that and unless you tour and need to fix things on your own there is no need to mess about unless you like it that is. Cheers
Brompton doesn’t have official instruction video for this £100+ accessory, wow. You saved me mate, thanks!
You are welcome!
Best Brompton Channel on TH-cam. Every video is pure gold.
Most appreciated! Thanks.
Very helpful, thank you. I actually used this to figure out how to remove the rack entirely when I no longer wanted it.
You are welcome.
Hey. Not sure if you remember me. Been following you for a while. You inspired me to get a Brompton and I just picked it up from to Covent Garden shop. Over the moon with it. 💕
I do, that sounds great. Hope you will enjoy the rides!
@@BromptonTraveler 💕
This video will be very helpful, particularly the tip about taking photographs prior to dismantling the rack from the brake caliper mounting bolt.
I just ordered your book on Amazon and am very much looking forward to enjoying it.
Congratulations on getting yiur new Brompton, it will be interesting to see your videos on how you find this latest version.
Thanks Felix! Using the new one for the first time on a trip in Europe. Still seems a very familiar bike. Main change is the gearing system. So far so good!
Is removing rear tyre absolutely necessary?
It's a while since I have done but I explain at the start why you have to remove it, so I believe you have to or at least it makes things much simpler.
I was thinking of removing the front wheel, rear wheel, rack and fenders and put just those things in checked luggage. I'm not sure how small the brompton folds without wheels, but it might just fit in carry on luggage!
You have to be careful with those things. Rules at airports in what can be carried on board vary and also depends on the security personnel judgement and so on. Although it is a bike they might refuse it on the ground of being a large piece of metal and having sharp parts and what not... I am not saying it won't work but I wouldn't want to risk it if it was me. I have heard of people in the US having carried a folded Brompton in the cabin. If it goes wrong you have to let them put the bike as it is in the haul and that would increase risk of damage. By packing it carefully before, as I show in another video you do limit the chances of damage.
@@BromptonTraveler Yeah I would still put some foam around the sharp edges. And I guess it would look more like some sort of weapon when the wheels are off..
What a clever way to stabilize the bike for repairs
I should get a bike stand I guess ... thanks!
is the mudguard that is installed with the rack different from the one that stands alone? I see they sell it as "L-version mudguard" and I don't understand why they specify that. I thought they are exactly the same (albeit with different attachments).
Hello Ioana, I have never looked into different versions of mudguards. I think the difference is not on the plastic mudguard but the attachments like you say. Stand alone mudguards have the small wheel on top for example. The rack mudguard has the attachments that fit the rear rack. Thanks.
Why does the nut and bolt fit the way it does for the stays to the frame? If that nut/bolt was other way round you wouldn't need to remove the rear wheel or let the tyre down. You'd save half the time.
The way the bolt is, if it was reversed it would touch the sprocket so that wouldn't work. That is why it has to be mounted that way. Whether one can have a shorter bolt instead and find a way around it I am not sure and I wonder if Brompton ever thought about that as after all removing a rack is not what the average Brompton owner does that often. Cheers
Thanks for the video, G. Planning to replace my rack on my Brompton someday instead of letting the bike shop do it for me which will cost extra for manpower.
It is a little fiddly but not too hard to do with a little patience. Hopefully the video should help you. Cheers
Hi, so it is still a bit unclear to me in how many points the rack is attached to the fender... sorry, did you mention it and I miss it?
Hi Ioana. The rack is attached in one point in the middle of the mudguard. When mounted to the bike there is another bolt through the rear break caliper that goes through both rack and fender to further secure it. You can see it in this part th-cam.com/video/j5-OtGmID_E/w-d-xo.html where it is attached in the middle and a metal hole in fender and rack are loose on the left. Hope this helps! Thanks
@@BromptonTraveler @Brompton Traveler Hi, thanks for your prompt reply. Are you refering to an L- or an R-type mudguard? I thought the R-type has two atachment spots... I'm trying to find the most efficient and cost-effective combination of fenders and rack, so these chats help :) I'm not sure what you mean by hole in the fender and what is loose...
@@tandago7281 R type is the one that comes with the Brompton rack . there are 2 small metal parts with a hole attached to the mudguard. One is fixed towards the rear of the rack at the same levels of the metal stays the other one at the front is fixed to the brake caliper. Harder to explain than it is but if you watch the video I think it will show what I mean. Thanks
Like the new “urban” black ride. Any new trip planned ?
Hello Peter, thanks!.As plain as it gets but I also like it. I was blessed to complete the trip to Patagonia before the world stopped with the virus... I usually take another trip end of summer or early autumn. As an Italian after what is happening there, I think I might take a tour in my country. One option I am thinking about is a tour around Sicily. Let's hope things calm down and we get over this big bump first! Take good care and stay safe.
Brompton Traveler Oh please, I hope you will make a video of your Italian tour!
I think we will be all stuck in our own countries... I miss the ocean so much, I will try the Atlantic coast with my Brompton bike and my dog as soon as I can! TAKE CARE
Can one add a rack without adding the mudguards?
Yes Ioana, you can remove the mudguard from the rack via a couple of screws. The mudguard is set very tight to the wheel but I still like to keep it on as it saves a lot of mess if you ever ride in wet condition, mud and so on...
You don’t have to take the wheel off just let the tiredown and this will save you time .
Thanks for the tip! Will give it a try next.
Yup I agreed with you. Its too long winder.. 😅
Hey! It's possible to do a video how to replace both the brake and gear cables please? Grazie mille
I have changed cable only once under supervision from a mechanic! I will keep it in mind and see if i can have another go.one day...
Thanks this video was so helpful. I don't think I could have done it with out this!
Great to hear it helped. It is a bit complicated unfortunately…
Haha yeah, but I feel better for it. I now have a much deeper understanding of the brake system, gearing and how to get a tyre on off etc so every cloud 😀
Gianni, I just discover your channel and in a couple of days I ve learned many things, even though I am a Brompton owner since 2008. In this video I ve noticed that you have a black bike with the new speed and brakes levers. Could you possible tell us how it compares with the previous model. You are a very experienced Brompton cyclist and I count a lot on your opinion in order to decide an upgrade.
I recently did 2000 km on new bike. The brakes to be honest I wasn’t able to tell the difference but was told they have been improved. I kiked the new gear system. Much smoother than what I was used with the old one. Saying That you will find TH-cam videos that claim it doesn’t perform as well in very humid and hot places. Apparently the shifter can jam in those conditions. Otherwise the bike was very reliable before and it still is. Thanks
Nice to see your new Brompton Bike. I got my bike 2 weeks ago and I like it so far. But I have a problem with my seat post slipping. Did you got this problem on your bike? Did you have any tips what I can do to fix it? I Already tightened the clamp a bit more and I cleaned the post. Still some slipping tho.
No I haven't had that problem. My new one had the side bolt a little loose and was slipping a little but once tightened it was fine. If after doing that it is still slipping I would contact Brompton or ask the shop you bought it from as they must fix it for you. Enjoy the bike!
A lot of people have this issue, I also do sometimes. Make sure that you you tighten the clasp properly (not too tightly, but tightly enough), then fully open it each time you you lift the seat, so that you don't damage it over time.
Thank you! Very helpful - realized that I needed different spanners before I started the project!
More than welcome! Good luck with project
Nice video. I was looking for this exact thing last week when I took mine off. Then realized mud guards are too handy to not have on because of rain. It was way more work than I thought it would be. Have you ever had to replace your internal hub? Mine is making a weird humming noise in first gear
Thanks Brenton! I also find mudguards are very useful. The only thing is that on Bromptons due to the folding mechanism they seat really tight on the tyre and if there is any damage on the rack they can obstruct the wheel. Therefore it is good to become used to remove it if necessary... I am not a wizard at fixing bikes and when it gets to replacing parts like the hub or building a wheel I take the bike to a reliable bike store. I do replace parts before they fail too, loosely following Brompton recommendations. My hub though was still good after 7 years on my old bike. I replaced both wheels halfway and swapped the bottom bracket before they had any issues. Thanks!
Gianni, in your regular trips, how much liters and weight do you normally carry in the front and in the rear of your bike?
Hi Fernando I can't be 100% accurate in answering. I try to keep the rear lighter because your weight is already on the back wheel, so what I do I use the backpack who is about 45L volume, for bulky but light things. Clothes, sleeping bag, mattress, bags to carry the bike and so on go in there. Front bag as a limit of 10kg and I probably get very close to the limit. Front is where I put heavier stuff like gadgets for filming, tent, tools, water, food and so on. If I carry about 17kg total luggage it is a 10 front and 7 back. Hope that helps! I have a packing series of 3 videos where I go through things I carry. Thanks th-cam.com/video/z8jclyfxSBg/w-d-xo.html
Great video as always! I like your new brompton, and I see you have telescopic seat post. Why did you bought telescopic one, how tall are you?
Hi Petar. I am 1.80 and I have always used the extended seat post so far. I also have a regular one and I thought I would give the telescopic one a try so I have them all! Telescopic one does pack more compact than extended one and you can remove the saddle easily. Otherwise it is meant mostly for people much taller than I am. Thanks
@@BromptonTraveler Ok, thank you for fast answer, now I undestand :) I see that you bought M type again... I am thinking to buy S type (more stable handling), because now new T bag (borough bag) should not interfere with steering... what is your opinion on this?
@@djpetarmalesevic Yes I bought a standard M type as I am used to it. I don't have experience with the S type. All I have read is that if you use a T-Bag and it is full it might interfere with the brakes or the steering. Others say it is fine provided the bag is rolled down a little and not too full. It depends what you use the bike for I guess. If you use it for touring there are times when I fill my T-Bag with groceries before going to a campsite for example. Otherwise it is usually rolled down a little with all the things I carry at the front. I would recommend anyway to ask Brompton as they would give you a final answer before you decide. I believe you can't change S type to M type easily after you bought it so better be safe than sorry. Cheers.
@@BromptonTraveler Thank you very much, now I have time to decide :) looking forward to your future videos!
Thanks, helpful video though you don't need the music.
Good it was helpful. Cheers
Hi Gianni, thanks for the great videos ! Can you let me know how the non-stock rack worked out for you ? If I remember it was eBay, but now I can find the link. When I saw your comments, you hadn’t yet toured with it. Do you also need to remove the wheel for that rack? Thanks in advance
No wheel removal on that one which is very handy. I installed it on the old bike and I would like to test it with weight to see its reliability but no chance yet! Hope to get round to it one day. That one could also be removed prior to flights which is when a rack is damaged...
Brompton Traveler thanks so much ! If you recall, could you remind me in which video I can find the link you shared with someone? I’ve rewatched so many but am missing the relevant comment.
dance2135 I can’t find it myself but I looked on eBay where it was bought and you can find it by searching for ‘bicycle rack for Brompton bike cargo’ hope it helps. Cheers
thanks your tutorial
You are most welcome!
Hi dear. I'm from Pakistan 🇵🇰
How was ur visit to Pakistan?
Do u like.it?
mehmood arif beautiful mountains and wonderful people. I especially liked Hunza Valley! Thanks
You appear to have a bulge on your rear tyre. (7:23sec)
It is the black gear cable! Thanks for checking!
Brompton Traveler I just thought as you rotated the wheel it looked like there was a slight bulge on the tyre. I’ve ordered a rear rack for my bike... I will refer to this video shortly when it arrives!
What a complete and utter faff!! A rotten design by Brompton. Why could they not have made separate bosses or braise on mounts for the rack itself rather than using the brake mount bolt???!!! And also why did they not position the hole in the frame for the lower rack mounts fractionally further back so that a nut attached against the inside surface of the rear drop out did not foul the rear sprockets??? It just shows what a total balls up that Brompton originally made of fitting and securing a rear rack and I am glad I do not have one on my M6L. I didn't choose one because I think they look ugly and they are heavy but I am so glad I chose a model without the Brompton rear rack now having seen this video. It's ridiculous of Brompton. I think they designed it like this to keep costs low and have never addressed making the poor design better. More Brompton owners should complain. A rack should just take a few minutes to remove and install. You shouldn't have to strip down the bike to remove or install a rack. Unbelievable. Nevertheless thanks for making this video. Clear and thorough.
You raise valid points and I also feel that they made fitting the rack much more complicated than it should. I am no engineer but one thing I would say is that the Brompton has become the bike we love thanks to exceptionally good and simple design choices that make such a tiny bike so functional. Always room to improve though... Thanks!
After watching and reading comments on here, what happened to having a bicycle when you were younger? Did you not fix it yourself? How the snowflake world is failing even with push irons.. Not sure we will make it to the next decade 🤔
I used bike shops and have it fixed for me unless it was a flat tyre.... Lots of people do that and unless you tour and need to fix things on your own there is no need to mess about unless you like it that is. Cheers
@@BromptonTraveler exactly what I said then xx