e-Brompton after thousand of miles

[cwah]

Hello there,

Didn't put news since a while, but I have to because I've done so many miles since... last years. I have minimum 3000 miles done with this little Brompton.

And yeah... it seems that it starts to get old... lol


First of all, look at my new "hand" windshield:

As you probably can see, it's made of HIPS I purchased before as charger box, and re-purposed it as windshield.

I tried 2 design (left and right) to see which one would perform better. And I did everything with the heat gun.

Only 1 problem: IT'S DAMN UGLY!!!!


My bike also starts to get old:

Everything is soooo damn rusted. Not sure what to do about that. Maybe a bit of engine oil?


The tyre also start to wear... probably have to change them soon:

Going to buy the new marathon plus tyre:
Schwalbe Marathon Plus 16 x 1.35 tyre with SmartGuard


The easywheel are finally not strong enough for my heavy weight brompton... the left one has been completely killed:

Have to find new roller wheels.... for now I can roll my bike anymore...

 

[cwah]

And here the wheel seems a bit bent...
[video=youtube;2y_dej9XVfc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y_dej9XVfc&feature=youtu.be[/video]


I was thinking of using a hammer to put back the wheel in place... not sure if it's a good idea.



This bike really made quick a long journey with me: through cold, snow, rain, jump.... and still alive. But need to be maintained

 

[NRG]

Bit of EP90 gear oil for your chain cwah...dribble a bit on, let it soak and wipe of the excess...works a treat but smells a bit.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

You can't bang your wheel straight. You have to do it by adjusting the spokes. Take it to a bike shop or watch the Youtube videos on how to true a wheel.

 

[cwah]

Thanks NRJ. Going to put a bit of engine oil then.

Dave, it's literraly the rim that is bent. I don't think adjusting the rim would solve that. I may bring it to a bike shop but I usually don't like doing that. I've never had any quote less than £100 even for small jobs

 

[benjy_a]

Haha OMG, how can you let it get that bad and rusty!?

I've done over 5000 miles on mine and it's virtually like new. I have cleaned it and lubed it at least 2/3 times a week through the winter.

You must have much more money than me, I have to make mine last.

 

[cwah]

Benjy, what do you use to clean and lube it?

And doing it 2/3 times a week... it's a loooot of time spent for maintenance!!

 

[benjy_a]

Benjy, what do you use to clean and lube it?

And doing it 2/3 times a week... it's a loooot of time spent for maintenance!!

Doesn't take long to clean, I use soapy water (sometime a product called Muckoff) and a hose to get the worst off with bike cleaning brushes....say 5 minutes. Then degreaser on the chain and a few sacrificial rags to get all the crap off that....say another 5 minutes. Then I let the bike dry inside before re-lubing the chain (wet bicycle chain lube). I also use teflon spray on all other moving parts, brake cables, levers etc.

I'd say the whole thing takes less than 15 mins, usually twice a week, 3 times on a few occasions as it's been awful with the snow / mud and crud that's been everywhere lately.

I'm looking forward to hopefully having some drier weather when I won't have to do it so much.

For me it's worth it, the bike cost me more than my car so I'm going to look after it. Also I can't afford for it to let me down.

The payoff for half an hour per week is that my bike looks like new, and yours looks like it's been recovered from the bottom of the sea!

 

[cwah]

I see what you mean... but that's the result of 1 year of non maintenance...

Was wondering... if I spend 30 mn a week... after 52 weeks it's 60 hours spent on cleaning the bike!

Wouldn't that be better... to just buy a new chainset every year?

And brake have to be replaced anyway!

 

[103Alex1]

Doesn't take long to clean, I use soapy water (sometime a product called Muckoff) and a hose to get the worst off with bike cleaning brushes

... if you clean the bodywork when it's come in wet you can just use these and even do it in the house where it's warm in the Winter.. Just chuck some newspapers on the floor and wipe away

Buy Dettol Anti-Bacterial Multi Action Complete Clean Wipes Green Apple (40) online in Tesco at mySupermarket*

It's just the pedals for me which seem to take a hammering ... my first pair of SPDs pedals were rusty in 3 months even though I sprayed them with WD40 and everything ...

Wouldn't that be better... to just buy a new chainset every year?

The thing is that when the chain gets dirty the shifting is rubbish and the bike does not ride well, they usually feel much smoother and nicer nide when the chain has been cleaned. I do it every 2 weeks or thereabouts. Except on Sunday the cleaning tool slipped and cut my monkey light cable and I was VERY upset for a few minutes ... it was one of the first things I ever bought for my bike - not to mention another £40 down the toilet after only using for 4 months

 

[benjy_a]

Well that would be 26 hours if it was twice a week, every week for the whole year but it won't be. When the weather changes I'll just be re-lubing the chain once a week hopefully. I have done twice the mileage you have on the original chain, tyres and brakes; all still going strong and look in nice condition.

Cleaning the bike does more than preserve the drivetrain. I regularly come across bolts and bits that need tightening just through taking care of the bike. Also, your drivetrain must be very very inefficient in that state. I can tell the difference in how hard it is to pedal with just a few days of winter crud caking the bike.

I doubt you'll find many other people advocating zero maintenance and cleaning if you want a reliable bike. I think it's pure luck that your chain hasn't snapped and nothing completely seized yet. Tyres in that state massively increase your risk of punctures, dirty brakes and wheels will wear your rims, bolts coming loose may mean luggage blocks shearing off etc etc etc

 

[johnc461165]

Good to see you still around, but got to say get some oil on that chain, that is an ORDER from me OK. You have been told. John

 

[jerrysimon]

Good to see that the bike is serving you well cwah. As others state just need a bit of TLC every week or so in the winter, less in the summer. Don't you have another Brompton ?

Marathon Plus would be good though I think you will find it a challenge fitting it if that is a Sun CR18 rim. As others stated your wheel just needs truing. Have you hit a lot of pot holes with it ?

Bromptons still seem to go for a lot of money s/h. This just sold on ebay for £200!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brompton-bicycle-frame-/130841659697?ru=http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=130841659697&_rdc=1&nma=true&si=b05sXVkxRkFzrq1E%2BtAkKGr3Iko%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

The guy even states next stop the tip.

Regards

Jerry

 

[cwah]

Ok ok I'll clean the bike... but there is a LOT of work. Need to clean the chain with degreasing spray, something to remove the rust and dust, then re-lube it.
Rear brakes suffer severe tear and need to be changed...
I'm thinking of a new chainset...
Easywheels need to be replaced as it gets smashed with the weight
Replace the rear tyre, true the rear wheel.
Re-solder rear lights, re-align the bike wirings....


Hmmmm... seems that I will spend few weeks doing that. I should call it the yearly maintenance month.

 

[cwah]

Also I probably need a new rear mudguard as this one is quite damaged...
And probably it's time for me to solder the controller brake wire...
And last thing, that is to be worried a bit, is that now the central hinge doesn't fold easily. It's maybe a bit bent due to the bag weight...? Not sure if I can do something.

i've lost few parts from my bike during the years...the plastic chainset protector is gone (twice) and I have to buy a new one, I've lost my brake pad twice too during my journey and was unable to find it back. Worst even thay happened is when the brompton rear suspension bloke disapeared when I was in france. I didn't have any tool to fix it.... and the rear brakes were just moving around.... sorted it buy replacing it with a nut lol.

So yeah, i haven't always been lucky with my bike.... riding with a missing brake pad is an awful and dangerous experience!

 

[benjy_a]

I think Cwah you've proved the point I was trying to make. The 15 minutes a couple of times a week would have prevented most if not all of these things happening.

Why are your brake blocks and suspension block falling off and disappearing? Nothing has ever fallen off my bike other than the tyre pump which I didn't put back on properly (luckily I heard it fall and got it back).

Look after you bike and it will not fall to bits!

Get all the parts ordered, it doesn't sound like more than a few hours work to sort it all out, there's not that much to a Brompton.

If you're having problems with the fold, the bushes can be changed.

 

[barrycoll]

the worrying thing is, that some people drive cars that are probably in a similar mechanical state to that bike....plus no MOT and no insurance
amazing!

....and I must say that the readership are very polite in their responses to those pics

 

[jerrysimon]

....and I must say that the readership are very polite in their responses to those pics

That is probably because we all know and love cwah

Barry makes a good point though. Its important to at least keep your brakes in good condition and working well, more so when you have power assisting you.

Regards

Jerry

 

[Scimitar]

I see what you mean... but that's the result of 1 year of non maintenance...

Was wondering... if I spend 30 mn a week... after 52 weeks it's 60 hours spent on cleaning the bike!

Wouldn't that be better... to just buy a new chainset every year?

And brake have to be replaced anyway!

NO!
There's no excuse for lack of maintenance, so don't be a lazy sod!
Just do it.

 

[muckymits]

NO!
There's no excuse for lack of maintenance, so don't be a lazy sod!
Just do it.

Even a quick squirt of chain lube once a week will only take 30 sec