My Brompton Electric brings out the very worst in me!

I love my Brompton Electric. Mine has 12x gears and often I only engage the motor when a largish hill looms ahead. I still do this occasionally to take the pressure off my right knee that has previously been an issue but more of less totally fine since - ironically - I had my Brompton Electric for a few months!

The other day, I started my ascent of Swain's Lane. A couple of lycra-clad types cycled past. I have to report that I had no intention of following in their wake, however the Terry Thomas in me was channelled and the power turned on. 

They had a considerable head start and started to slow, just as they past the East/West entrance to the cemetery and Waterflow Park. The motor kicked in and soon I was behind them. One was out of his saddle, grinding along. I passed quickly enough and said, 'morning.' The other was not far ahead and in little time I was doing and saying the same thing. 

Yes, I know that with the power off, I would not have stood much of a chance. (Typing that, I think I might have). However, the compulsion - at times - to switch the power on is considerable! I do not know if those two chaps knew I was on a Brompton Electric but I strongly suspect they did not. Was I rather naughty to have done this? Answers on a postcard. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people!

Tyre change for my Brompton G-Line

My G-Line, which came fitted with the Brompton G-Line specific, 'Schwalbe G-One' tyres and it would be true to say that I have been vey happy with them. However, the prospect of better weather and some longer rides, I decided to make a change. 

If you have read my previous blog post CLICK HERE you will know that the off-road aspect of the G-Line is somewhat of a novelty to yours truly. I decided to swap the Schwalbe tyres for some 'Continental Contact Urban.' It also marked the first attempt at taking the front and rear wheel off. After watching the Brompton video, I took the plunge and did not actually find it too bad at all. I think that performing a puncture repair in the field might be a little more effort but doable. After using a torque wrench and pumping them up to the higher psi, I put the bike aside for the next day. 

As I put the G-line away with my standard Brompton next to it, the new tyres, in my opinion, make the bike look even better. In addition to that, as my standard Brompton had the same tyres but on 16x inch wheels, it really highlighted the size difference between the bikes - perhaps more so than previously. 

The day arrived for taking the G-Line out with its new tyres and as I headed off, straight away the bike felt different in terms of how it rolled. It did so more freely and I could get up to and maintain higher speeds more easily. Cycling up Swain's felt easier than it had with the Schwalbe tyres on. 

Ironically, the group ride I went on involved a sizeable chunk of cycling on a gravel path - a former railway line in North London. I did feel the bumps and lumps a little more but it was still pretty good, comfortable ride and not really a huge difference as the tyres are still a wide diameter. 

As mentioned, the Continentals definitely roll better, make it easier to cycle and require less effort get to and maintain higher speeds. They are obviously not as good off road as the Schwalbe tyres, nor do they absorb the ruff stuff in quite the same way. 

They will now stay on my G-Line until the winter and the Schwalbe's will be safely stored away until the weather gets really grotty. I will let you know I how get on with them in a few weeks but after cycling about 60 miles with them, I am impressed. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people!

Top 5 reasons why a Brompton G-Line is a must for the discerning London user!

Now. I say, look here. It won't take a great deal of effort on your part dear reader to find examples of daring do as far as a Brompton G-Line is concerned. You will find many examples of the G-Line being used in the wild, on dead hard gravel tracks, butch forest trails, coastal paths and even - for those who possess a bivi bag - bikepacking! All perfectly legitimate uses, however I feel there are a number of important factors for a Londoner that make a G-Line a near must! In fact, I feel there are five!

#1 Ever so slightly off road

A frequent route for me is cycling south through Hampstead Heath. Here you will find that the paths cyclists are allowed on are horrid.  Mud, dirt, gravel, tree roots, grass, tarmac and various combinations of these can be found. I have completed this route several times on my Brompton Electric and it has been a case of taking things slow and steady.  

Hampstead Heath and its High Street is not an area I am overly fond of. Getting from slightly further north to its southerly point and beyond quickly is a must. Being ever so slightly off road at times and traversing its paths efficiently and quickly can be achieved on the G-Line. Its wider tyres, disc brakes and wider bars together make a more comfortable and faster ride. The Heath does not make things easy. Tourists, dog walkers, joggers, dogs, walkers, little dogs with clothing and heaven forbid...those from the acting profession all compete to get in your way. Believe me, it has been touch and go on more than one occasion. Owning and using my G-Line provides a confidence boost that when things get ever so slightly off road, I can cope!

#2 Cobbles

Many streets in London retain and preserve their historic cobbles. On a normal Brompton it is doable but not pleasant. On my G-Line it is as if the cobbles are not there. The other day, I cycled down a SW7 Mews, cobbled from one end to the other. The G-Line took it in its stride and made it effortless. 

#3 Accidentally going off road and not losing face. 

I recently found myself in Richmond Park with no intention of #1. However, in my haste in trying to find a short cut, I strayed onto part of the 7.5 mile Tasmin Trail that follows the perimeter of the park. I was on my G-Line and perhaps know what you are thinking. Did I suffer a rush of blood to the head and decide to go 'off road?' No, I most certainly did not! Once on the Tasmin Trail, I cycle along giving the look of someone who loved off road. As I passed other real off roaders on gravel and mountain bikes, I perhaps betrayed the true nature of my presence on the Tasmin Trail by my attire. I was the only cyclist wearing anything remotely like my navy blue blazer, pale blue shirt, powder pink chinos and a pair of oxblood brogues! Despite this, for a few minutes I gave the impression that I was at one with off road! Once I had regained my bearing, I was back on tarmac and out of the park. On a normal Brompton I might have got off and wheeled it along. With my G-Line and all that Brompton marketing whizzing around in my head, for a few brief moments, it was as if I were in gravel bike harmony. 

#4 Not actually going off road but you might as well be!

Roads in London can be pretty shocking. There are sometimes holes so large, one might conclude that a sink hole has opened up. Others are so deep, groups of recreational potholers, wearing head torches and boiler suits, could explore their depths! In addition to them just organically occurring, many holes appear with a person wearing a hardhat etched with the livery of various utility companies, who have dug it up for repairs/installation. Owning a G-Line in London, with those larger, wider tyres and disc brakes just make navigating all of this easier.

#5 Gravel!

In some parts of leafy N6 and SW13, after rain certain roads seem to acquire gravel. People cannot really tell you where is comes from and I have no proof but it is as if, like a farmer from the 1800's, someone goes out with a bucket of gravel and throws in across said roads as if they were feeding chickens. Cycling over this makes things twitchy and magnified when brakes are applied. The G-Line makes this phenomena so much easier to deal with. I have been thankful I have had my G-Line on more than one occasion!   

Some people have bought or are thinking of buying a G-Line for all the off road, bikepacking and adventure stuff. For me, in London, it just makes sense to have a bike capable of everything I have described and more!

Until next time, stay safe out there people!