<
While manufacturing bicycles in a factory setting, Brompton bicycles are each custom assembled for customer, built to their preferences and style. There are a few standard configurations available, but the vast majority of bikes are customer-spec’d for their intended use. Many of the parts choices on a Brompton are not available elsewhere, having been designed and honed to perform on this unique folding platform. The bars and post are perhaps the most noticeable non-standard parts, but just about everything that follows – from the pedals to the hubs, brake calipers to tail light – is also a Brompton original. This is not done simply as an engineering exercise but to allow for the design freedom to make a Brompton fold and ride in the manner that it does, something that has been deemed impossible with off the shelf parts.
Paint is an easy customization, with a number of colors available to mix and match the mainframe and extremities. A powdercoat studio is one of the few production facilities not under Brompton’s roof, as they utilize a local vendor for the color options.
For steering precision and design simplicity, the stem height is not adjustable on a Brompton, leaving handlebar height a function of bar choice. Flat, riser and u-shaped bars are all available as options, each outfitted with their own brake and shift levers.
Wheels are an important part of the puzzle, they tend to dictate more of the ride quality of a bike than they are given credit for. Singlespeed, two-speed cassette and internally geared hubs are available, even a Brompton wide range internally geared hub paired with a two-speed cassette yielding a gear range from 33 to 99 gear inches. Even the derailleur that does the shifting is a unique part with only a single pulley, functioning as a chain tensioner and derailleur during riding and then swinging about to take up the slack in the chain as the bike folds and the distance between the chainring and rear wheel shortens.
Pedals too are Brompton designed to fold just right, and most importantly not into the frame when it is stowed. The detailed thoughts into every component is one benefit of manufacturing a stable bicycle design. With few changes year to year no detail is too small to refine, and most parts are backwards compatible with other Bromptons for a decade or so. The product stability speaks volumes about the solid design behind it all.
Coming up, look for a review of the Brompton SL-X, the lightest of the models which I had the good fortune of borrowing for a few days in order to navigate the streets and underground of London.
Be sure to check out Parts 1 and 2 of the Brompton factory tour.
0 Responses to “Brompton Folding Bicycles Factory Tour Part 3”