I was given an old Brompton (from around 2008-2009) that needs some love to get back on the road. So far I’ve identified the need for: new tires, cables, chains, rear rack, headset, handles. Then a full cleaning of the 6 speeds drivetrain, and all hinges maybe… so why not a full respray at this stage? Also I’m quite tall and I’m afraid the head tube / stem is a bit low for me, can it be swapped?
How can I improve this bike so it looks and drives look a recent one? What aftermarket parts would you recommend? Thanks!
by AnalogReborn
6 Comments
Those are the highest bars ‘H’ sweet saddle btw. Other than changing/cleaning parts I wouldn’t
re-paint trying to look like a new bike. Appreciate the Patina & all its “Vintage”. If anything get an Emblem or Decal showcasing its year. I collect 19thC bikes (amongst many other bikes) the more original the better unless absolutely necessary
Repowdercoating it properly is a lot of work and quite expensive, I wouldn’t advise paint as unless it’s done properly it will chip off very quickly and for a Brompton it’s certainly not as durable as powder coat anyway.
You always have the old style H bars you can’t go any higher unfortunately as it likely won’t fold if you got the new H style stem.
What a babe!
Also consider, in additions to the many small improvements Brompton made over the years, that in 2013, Brompton started building the Bromptons with a 130 mm spider crankset of similar stiffness as most road bicycle 130 mm bolt circle cranks. This current brompton 130 mm bolt circle spider crankset flexes much less under pedaling force, as compared to the swaged crankset of the 2008-2009 Brompton model years and earlier. The 130 mm crank improves efficiency of pedaling power transfer, maybe by 2+ %, and the stiffness of the crankset can be noticed as a definiteness to the Brompton’s response when you pedal, particularly during the moments of a sprint. The new 130 mm crankset does have to be fitted with a new bottom bracket (crankset is approx. €150 and the bottom bracket is approx. €25 for the part).
Looks to be in good shape. Would keep as is save for a tune up and a wash and call it a day
Careful of fitting a new chain, that crankset and sprockets might only work with that chain due to amount of wear.