I’d forgotten to get touch-up paint when I first collected Basil; when I returned to NYCEwheels, David, who’d been so helpful when I ordered my Brompton, and, later, during the awful non-delivery in September, checked Basil over for me, and answered a few more questions. Here’s what the guys at the shop told me, along with a few more things I’ve learned along the way.
- David explained most clearly that it was important not to put weight on the pedals when using the right shifter. Apparently that’s a common new-user error, and can damage the internal hub. So, right shifter: take weight off the pedals before moving the lever, which affects the internal gears. The left shifter affects the external dérailleurs, and can be shifted at any time.
- I thought learning the gearing on Basil (M6R) would be difficult, but it wasn’t. Maybe it was an advantage that I’ve never ridden a conventionally-geared bicycle? I’d pretty much gotten it within thirty miles, and by eighty coordinating the gears was second-nature.
- Remembering how to fold the pedal was challenging. Alex suggested that I think of the inner creature on the folding pedal as eating the end of the pedal. Wacky, but, yes, it works! Chomp, chomp, and you’re all set. (That’s the “tail”, not the “mouth”, at the left. The “mouth” is actually missing, as is the “head”, but you get the idea. Headless, four-limbed, creature swallows Brompton pedal.)
- Don’t roll your extended Brommie with the pedal folded. It’ll knock the frame, and maybe chip a bit of paint. Don’t ask me how I know.
- Don’t lower the seat all the way if you plan to roll your Brompton while folded; the stopper at the bottom of the seat post will drag. The fold will lock even with the seat up a fair bit.
- On the other hand, if you wish to brake your folded Brommie, make sure the rubber stopper hits the ground. That should keep the bicycle from rolling.
- There’s a bell incorporated into the left shifter. It’s pretty loud, too!
- There’s a nylon nub on the front wheel nut. Don’t lose it! You want it to protect the frame. At lunch on my second day with Basil, I noticed that my inexpert folding had knocked it a bit aside. Since then, I’ve noticed that mine is cracking, and probably not long for this world. Hmmm. Will have to deal with this.
That’s it for the moment. It’s amazing how quickly all the “new” things become second-nature, baffling and daunting as they may seem at first.
Update: The white cap is easily replaced with a sturdier one, details here.
2 replies on “Newbie Tips and a Couple of Notes”
Ah, the little white cap. This summer, I was on a longish day out cycling with a friend in the countryside, when somehow I lost both the white cap *and* the metal fastener at the end of the axle on the same side (I suspect this was due to them being loosened on a previous trip to Bruges which has far too many cobblestones for my liking). After much searching in the area where I thought I lost it, I gave up. Luckily, my friend was prepared and had a nut which I could use as a temporary replacement for the fastener. When I got home, I tried finding a replacement for both that and that white cap online, to no avail. I did end up ordering a new axle/fastener set online, though, which doesn’t come with the cap. I asked at a local Brompton dealer if they could provide me with one, but they said they had none. Hopefully when I take it in to my shop for its annual maintenance check, they’ll have one. So you’re right – don’t lose it! To be honest, though, I can’t see that it makes much difference in practice.
Yikes! Losing the white cap would be sad, but losing the fastener could be a really bad thing. Maybe the little white cap matters most when You’re first learning to fold,and are most clumsy . . . later, the actions really do become second nature. It sounds as if carrying a spare axle/fastener set might be a good idea, though, or checking regularly for tightness. Now we know to fear cobblestones, and check that the bolts are tight, after!