So I've owned a Brompton for about a year at the time of writing and have picked up a few hints and tips along the journey. They're fabulous machineries of joy that you can just fold up and take anywhere with you
1. Decathlon bottle bag for handlebars
Decathlon sell a fabric pouch for handlebar mounting for £7. This is perfect for Bromptons and it attaches with 3 velcro straps. It's great for bottles or for chucking keys or phones. Just close the top or remove the contents before you fold! Buy one here
2. Lighting
Whilst I am a huge advocate of dynamo lighting, the kit for the Brompton is expensive.
Whilst only in at certain times, both Lidl and Aldi sell really good and cheap rechargeable light sets. It's well worth keeping an eye out for them. The sets are also often available on eBay too. The sets are German svtzo compliant so have beams that focus light onto the road, and don't flash.
3. Computer & camera mounts
The Brompton mid and high rise handlebars have distinct lack of room for mounting accessories.
A quarter turn garmin mount for the stake bolt is very handy, but the Lidl light mount I have needs to be horizontally mounted. To accommodate that I used an old reflector bracket and repositioned the computer mount next to a brake lever.
My front camera is a Willcycle camera and I'm using a tripod screw adaptor on a GoPro mount to host the camera clamp. Protip: use alloy mounts as the plastic GoPro mounts tend to disintegrate with the vibration.
4. Rear light & camera mounting
My Brompton is fitted with a standard length seat post and there is very little space on the post for mounting anything.
A saddle rail go pro adaptor and a double bracket bridge means that I can fit my rear camera and a rear light (that's a bryton radar light and recommended) and am still able to drop the saddle all the way.
5. Cable tie for the luggage block
A useful little tip is to thread something, I used blue cable ties, through the hole in the luggage block release lever and around the bag if the headtube.
This makes it easier to release luggage than fiddling under the block
6. Shopping.
One of the best things about the Brompton is that you can fold it and take it anywhere with you. Especially when you can put it in the trolley.
Better still, Lidl have little (Lidl?) fold out racks on their trolleys which are perfect for a Brompton.
7. Fill the holes! Tools and tubes.
A great place to stash your toolkit and spare tube is inside the main frame on the Brompton
The Brompton toolkit is gorgeous but it will hopefully never need to be used. It's also quite pricey at £65. I got a basic kit for about £12. It doesn't include any tyre levers but I have some with the tube.
8. Decathlon packaway rucksack
I have a Carradice city folder Brompton bag and like most it's cavernous. There are times when I need a little more space and a packaway 20l rucksack is perfect and always has a space in the main bag. It weighs next to nothing. And is available here
9. Ez springs
These are a great little invention which keeps the clamps always aligned and as you unscrew keeps them away from the hinge. I love em. Don't buy the cheap ones with little metal springs though, but get the originals from here
10. Every Brompton needs a mascot
Here's mine.
