Transporting (more) luggage with a Brompton

Contents:

The Brompton rear carrier

Stowing luggage on the rear carrier

The rear carrier's bungee straps

Ann Jones, Apr 1998:
Having very recently become the proud owner of a brand new T3, I had my first excuse to take the bike out (thanks to all the lovely weather we've been having) and use the rear carrier.
I tied my stuff to the rear carrier using its own straps, and put the bungees on just as a bit extra support. What I was carrying was *not* anything sizeable by any stretch (pardon the pun) of the imagination, merely a small package. 3 miles later the bungees had stretched badly and had the elastic properties of something not very elastic. Now the damn things won't hold themselves to the carrier...
Anyone else had this problem?

Weight capacity

Heal hindrance

David, Nov 1997:
using the rear rack means you have to pedal with your heels or they can bump against what you are carrying... small irritant in an otherwise fine object...

Adding a rear carrier to an L-model

Reparing the carrier

Alternative front/rear luggage racks

Stowing luggage on the front

The Brompton front carrier block

A standard Brompton accessory to easily mount the cloth pannier or shopping bag.

The Brompton cloth front pannier

You also want the front carrier block to fix it (Transporting (more) luggage with a Brompton - The Brompton front carrier block).

Is it waterproof?

Making it waterproof

Brompton touring bag

Other panniers on a Brompton

Front bag jumping off: front carrier block maintenance

David Edge, Sep 1998:
On two occasions recently I have had the standard front bag jump off the front. In both cases the bag was fully laden to 15kg and in both cases I was traversing speed bumps in industrial premises which were a bit steep. Nonetheless, I had slowed to about 8mph, it wasn't as if I was caught unawares at high speed.

A laptop in the front bag

Saddle bags on a Brompton

Storage of emergency equipment inside the frame

Baby-seats on a Brompton

Hans Langen, Aug 97:
Is there a safe and simple way to use baby-seats for bikes on a Brompton?

Dave Holladay

Dave Holladay (<<CUSTOM=FOLDER>>)
PO Box 15174 Glasgow G4 9LW
0141 332 4733 Phone/Fax
is extraordinary enough to deserve his own section. He comments on products he developes, uses and sells:

I ride 100" fixed wheel on 27", and used to ride up to 128" including up moderate hills with a geared machine - I have sheared 4 TA cranks off at the axle socket in 15 years, and frequently fractured chainstays, seatstays - the only crank axle housing which has survived without 'belling out is the Nervex on the Scot, all others have to use cartridge bearings. [...] I broke an AW axle aged 14, and continue to bend all but the best quality solid rear axles, and break SA hollow, slotted ones. [...] My weight 95Kg - say 210lb, plus occasional 60lb pack, and up to 250lb on the trailer, and the front pannier......
My original 1989 front forks (about the only original bit on the bike) appear to have given up the ghost - I'm wary about riding it with the trailer (although the last trip -walked home with 70 sheets of hardboard (at least 150Kg)), once I get both brakes up to scratch. The problem is that the forks 'knock' from side to side, suggesting that the steerer has fractured and the steerer bolt & wedge are the only things holding the whole lot together. Not bad considering that I've seen out at least 3 sets of frame units (front/rear) and 4 or 5 rear triangles - interesting that the current rear triangles seem to be lasting with no problem, now the pivot spindle must be wearing more (going by the wear on previous exchanges).
I used to build 36 spoke 27" wheels in the 50 minute train trip between Edinburgh & Glasgow, and usually reckoned to fix a puncture in the 8 minutes between Paisley and Glasgow.
The main tube meets the rear wheel assembly (triangle), adorned with Dave's replacement suspension unit, retaining strap, and half of the skatewheel conversion kit. Also a Blackburn MP-4 pump fitted through Dave's adapter instead of the standard mini pump.
Hinge connecting the front wheel assembly (left) with the main tube (right) including Dave's clamp plate retaining kit to secure the plate and bolt (far right).
Nordlicht dynamo fitted on front fork, B&M Lumotec Plus front light, and V-brakes!
T-model rear rack with a B&M Toplight and a 4D-Lite Plus on the mudguard, and the other half of the skatewheel conversion kit (notice the alu extensions).
With Dave's custom carrier fitting to the standard Brompton luggage block, you can move a lot at once...
And since that's not enough, Dave is developing a trailer built around a waterproof box...
... or around a bike carrier. Notice the chopper handlebars on the black Brompton and a smaller custom version on the white Brompton. The black Brompton has two chainrings and a simple freewheel. The white one features an early version of the castor kit.
Shopkeeper to Dave's business partner:
"Your husband will call in?"
"Yes he's coming through on bus"
"Oh but it's heavy, he'll need a car"
"He'll decide when he arrives"
At the shop:
"Oh your wife said you'd be bringing a car"
"I don't have a car and I don't have a wife."
"How can you take the package?"
"Just put it on the carrier" and leaves the bemused shopkeeper.
One PC & 17" monitor. Note that the bike is now fully HS 33 hydraulic braked - nice daglo casting finishes. The led lumotec conversion is fitted in its wooden plate, as is a freecoaster hub (1-speed) and a SON 80 dynamo. First of 2 Secutec B&M experimentally mounted on rear rack stay. Note how using the Smartbox on rear kept heel clearance for my size 11's. Sorry about the pedals - need to get new set...

Estimated GVW based on riding over weighbridge (digital 0kg-50,000kg) at Dover Eastern Docks with a similar load is c. 200kg including 100kg of me. Very smooth ride, no major problems apart from limited handlebar swing.

A Cresswell Micro equipped with, among other stuff, a Brompton luggage block.