I’ve a 16inch 2018 steel brommie and need to improve ride comfort as I’ve moved to a city with a lot of cobbled streets; can anyone help?
After watching this video I’ve gone and bought a titanium seat post, and will lower my PSI slightly on my continental contact urbans.
However, suspension blocks seem like dark magic and I’m unsure where to begin looking as to whether this is a viable part to change to improve comfort when riding over cobbled stones. I’ve still got the standard 2018 block.
Anyone have experience with different blocks?
by Luis_McLovin
5 Comments
Wider tyres and less pressure, but a brimpton is a short beast with small wheels, your titanium seatpost won’t make a dent. Unlrss it is designet to flex. My entire bike is titanium, and it is not meant to flex.
But wider tyres and much lower tyre pressures will make it more comfortable. Well, apart from a longer bike with even just 20″ wheels.
Go tubeless and air down a bit.
I switched from the Schwalbe Marathon *37*-349 to the Continental Urban Contact 35-349 and the difference is huge in how much you feel the bumps/cobblestones. The marathons have lower tire pressure and they are wider. They have more rolling resistance of course, so the Contacts make the ride lighter but comfort is not their thing.
I’ve found having a saddle with suspension really handy for that. One of the ones with springs on it. It’s made it way more comfy on bumpier ground without the need to change anything else from stock!
unfortunately the right answer is G-Line or full size bike. but if u have to stretch the use of Brompton 16″ I guess u need the try widest tyres u can fit (37-349 with mudguard) and air down a little. titanium / carbon-ti seatpost might help a bit, but if you have deep pocket, get Joseph Kuosac telescopic seatpost with 27.2mm upper part and place the upper part with redshift suspension seatpost 27.2mm and brooks spring saddle. your body would still have to take the beating from the ground but at least your butt and back will thank you. carbon handlebar and cockscrew ergon grip might help too to certain degree but don’t count too much.