Time to get the Brompton serviced



I usually get a full service of the Brompton in August but I have recently found that the seat post is sticking instead of sliding smoothly and not going all the way down without a push. I also have also noticed that the gear switch on the left handle bar has moved slowly down and I have to move my hand further to reach the bell and switch gears. Speaking of gears, the change is now a bit sluggish.

So do I take the bike to Compton Cycles or should I give Brixton Cycles a go this year?

Comments

Piskian said…
Compton all the way!!I have got so much help from them re:parts for my old Brompton.Always quick and courteous.
19 July 2011 at 21:09
GreenComotion said…
Go to the shop that offers free coffee or a nice cold pint?

I wonder if I should service mine after 6 months of riding....

Any suggestions?

Peace :)
20 July 2011 at 04:10
Cycling in Heels said…
Brixton Cycles are more friendly but Compton Cycles have more experience.

Compton C gave me a free 6 month service when I got my bike.
20 July 2011 at 17:14
Gareth said…
In the main, I've had good experiences with Comptons. In my first year of owning a Brompton I've had a broken chain, a broken pedal, and a failed rear hub replaced- all repaired fine. My only negative experience was when I wasn't told my bike was not ready to collect which involved a 30 mins walk there, 30 mins walk back home and time off work- all of which could have been avoided by a phone call. That said I haven't has much experience of Brixton cycles.
20 July 2011 at 17:54
Anonymous said…
I too got a free 6 months service at my dealer in Ostend.
20 July 2011 at 20:34
Mark said…
Think you should upgrade the saddle brooks B17 change grips to Ergon massive difference
20 July 2011 at 21:24
ACL said…
Got my bike from Comptons, but you know I think you could fix some of that yourself; I went to a Brompton maintenance course run by cycletraining.co.uk in Bermondsey, and we really took a lot of the bike apart. One of the easiest and most significant tweaks we made was to just apply an allen key to the bolt on the metal ring that holds the bell and gears (I think it's one piece of my bike) to loosen it, and then angle it so that I don't have to curve my wrists so far downwards, and can keep my fingers resting on the brake handles more easily.

You can't dial them too far forwards otherwise the bike won't fold, but it was so easy and intuitive to do: the instructor literally only had to tell me to do it, damn my passivity!

Looking at yours, you could simply loosen, pull up and angle up a shade. Would take you less than a minute!

Maybe the seat post just needs removal and the tube the holds it needs a good brush?

I'd leave the brakes to Compton's though!

Andrew
20 July 2011 at 22:49
Cycling in Heels said…
Thanks for the advice A. I will check to see if that Brompton service course is still running.
21 July 2011 at 20:25
Cycling in Heels said…
Mark. I saw a black Brooks saddle on Brompton this week and once again I wanted one.
21 July 2011 at 20:33
recoil1977 said…
I picked up a b17 Aged from bikefix this week for a bargin £60, absolutely love it, treat yourself :)
22 July 2011 at 07:43
Gareth said…
ACL- I went on the same course in Bermondsey and found it very useful- albeit by the end of a full day I was flagging somewhat. The most useful part I found was changing the tyres in the event of a puncture.
22 July 2011 at 10:04
Will said…
I've had my Brompton for 8 months now (love it!) and ride about 10k every weekday, on average, in a rather hilly city. I notice the brakes are less responsive now (ie: I have to push harder to get the bike to slow down). Is this something which is fairly straightforward to fix myself or will I need to have my planned 1-year service earlier than expected?
23 July 2011 at 19:06
Anonymous said…
Do you know how much it costs to fully service the Brompton?

J
24 July 2011 at 03:47
Cycling in Heels said…
W. Didn't the shop offer you a free 6 month check with your new bike?

J. I think including the clean up it was about £70.
24 July 2011 at 21:28
Anonymous said…
Hi G,

Be aware that a brooks saddle will add about 200grms to the weight of the bike and make it a little less friendly to pick-up from the front of the saddle - although not impossible. I bought a B17 for my Brompton had it fitted and then removed it again. I might put back on later when the rain stops but for now I am happy with my Brompton Saddle.

Kevin (Melbourne)
25 July 2011 at 00:07
Will said…
Hi again. My free service was after 6 weeks, not 6 months, which would have been much better! A special Belgian offer, I suppose.
25 July 2011 at 18:11
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