Thanks everyone who contributed to my thread yesterday.
I went and did it – funny story, meant to just go see what was available and run some errands around Sol. Stopped into Calmera Atocha and there it was, the exact model I wanted – C-Line, 12-speed, M bars, Amethyst Lacquer, no lights (don't want the complication of a dynamo, and I already have battery lights). They had the rack in stock. Too them 15 minutes to install, and out I went to meet my partner down by the river…
…Who then went "what, is that NEW?!?"
In a good way, she's awesome like that.
Anyway, then we went on a little ~15km ride up the Rio path and back up through Parque San Isidro home, and now I'm in love. Even managed to hit – unavoidably – a few gravel-esque sections, along with the cobbles around Puente del Rey, and it handled it so well that my G-line GAS was quenched [for now].
I'll get around to doing a full impressions review next week, after I spend a little more quality time with it, but here are my thoughts from the hour I spent today:
- Surprisingly stable, and feels "quick".
- Not too twitchy, but I think some weight on the front could be helpful.
- Glad I went with the M bar, the H felt way twitchier to me when I tried it. 2cm can be a lot on a bike!
- FAST. Like, way faster than I expected. No issues smoking my partner on her Trek hybrid. Again, in a good way!
- Handled the slight rough stuff way better than I had feared. By no means something I'd like to take on actual trails like my Grizl, but for everyday "hey, this road sux" I am relieved!
- I think it is funny that the whole bike folded is around the same size as a single 700C wheel on my gravel bike…
- Not in love with the saddle, and I think I want to swap the chainring to something smaller. Those top couple of gears are basically useless, and the bottom climbing gear could be a bit granny-er. I'll look into a 39T or 40T in a month or two, if that thought sticks in my head.
- The 12-speed thing is a bit weird to get my head around, but seems better executed than I feared. Like I said, the only disadvantage is that the top speed gears are just too big and the climbing ones a bit too small. I dunno about you, but I'd rather spin out on a downhill than chug up an uphill out of range.
I'll write a full review in a couple of weeks, and thanks again to those who helped me make the decision!
by dented42ford
6 Comments
Did you drop paint over your canyon, sir
Welcome to the club OP excellent choice, just need to get rid of that awful extended warranty sticker and then go for more rides.
That colour is awesome!
That colour is fantastic.
Welcome to the fold!
Great coice of colour. My C line 4-speed hase the same 🙂
Congrats on your new 12 speed C Line! A few tips I can share if it can be of help to you:
1) If you are looking for more usable gears for hill climbing, you can have the shop swap your 50T chainring for a 44T chainring (my default Brompton. That is what I did and it makes hill’s a bit easier, although for super steep hills, it is still effort. Here is a link to the default Brompton 44T Chainring in case you are interested:
https://www.brompton.com/p/1038/chain-ring-guard-spider-44t-black?Colour=Black
Keep in mind, that they will have to shorten your chain to make it compatible. I’ve enjoyed the 44T as I never rode on the 50T chainring as I had them swap it prior to delivering my 12 speed P Line to me, and after reading your initial assessment of the 50T chainring, it seems like I made the right decision to go with 44T for useable lower gears for hill climbing.
2) I would suggest not buying the EZ Clamp Springs. Even though when folding and unfolding your Brompton, you may have to use 2 hands to center the hinge clamps each time, I feel it is worth the hassle. I made the mistake of purchasing cheaper EZ Clamp Springs, and then later on the more reputable EZ Clamp Springs from the UK, but ultimately I removed them as I felt it added too much force when tightening the hinge clamps. The unfortunate side effect of trying the cheaper EZ Clamp Springs, is that in my first few folds, it caused my paint to chip (the points where the hinge plates meet), and was sad to see it happen to my brand new P Line.
3) I waxed my new P Line with Silca’s immersion wax system (by de-greasing the new chain, sprockets, pulley wheels, and drivetrain), and also bought their Silca Secret Wax Drip, and oh my goodness, it is a joy to not have to deal with black gobs of oil/dirt/etc each time I ride. I just use a microfiber after each ride to clean my waxed chain, along with the chainring/sprockets and they look so clean! I can easily touch them with my hands and don’t ever have to worry about oil residue plus oil marks on my clothing. Plus from my research, it seems a properly cared for waxed chain, can lengthen the life of your chain and chainring/sprockets! Downside is, if you ride it in the wet/rain, you will have to reapply the Silca Secret Wax Drip after each wet ride.
4) I’ve recently experienced with my advance rack and the 66mm advance roller wheels that come with it, that if you ever fold your rear wheel to park, or for a photo shoot with your Brompton, be very careful if the floor is uneven, especially if it is off road with dirt/rocks, as sadly, the 66mm advance roller wheels are not high enough to give proper clearance to your rack, and it will scratch up your brand new (relatively expensive add on) advance rack. I experienced the new scratches on my new advance rack just a week ago, and I am still sad about it. Wish they made some protective covering for the advance rack to help prevent the scratches. Makes me consider looking into the G Line 70mm or 80mm roller wheels to replace the 66mm one day, perhaps for added clearance and allowing the Brompton to roll around easier in shopping cart mode.
Lovely color choice and glad you are enjoying your Brompton and benefiting from the amazing portability, fold!