[Closed] Brompton university concept project

also, if anyone is feeling extremely kind could you fill in this survey for me, it would be massively appreciated! [b]who knows you could be part of something big 🙂 [/b]

http://freeonlinesurveys.com/s.asp?sid=8ngtlxp4tdfxmgt147101

Is it just me, or have there been several Brompton-esque student threads on here of late?

Wouldn't a spray can of tyre weld puncture sealant be a better idea?

I can't imagine that that wheel is likely to be any lighter or macho than the wheels I already have on my s2ti Brompton.

I imagine it would be cheaper just to have a spare pair of standard wheels and tyres, and just as quick as you'd have to remove the wheel to change over the swap-out rim anyway. Novel idea though.

allowing the owner to quickly replace a puncture (sic) rim

I've never punctured a rim.

men who want a bit more macho from their Brompton

You really haven't understood the Brompton user, have you? The reasons they have them, for example.

a bit more 'boom' in their Brompton

Really?

Oh dear.

Why not just design an inner tube that is not circular and doesnt need the wheel removed to replace it. Maybe use velcro or some similar idea.

Damn - I've just shown my genius that I've been hiding all these years.

Instead of velcro - have overlapping tapered ends that look like dogfish testicles.

mainly men who want a bit more macho from their Brompton, who miss their agile, quick road bikes on the daily Brompton commute, and want a bit more 'boom' in their Brompton.

Don't they buy an Airnimal? 😉

thanks for the feedback guys, i guess this task has been set on a couple of courses?

to begin, 'captain flasheart', i used the term 'rim' to label one of the two main components, i understand puncturing a rim is a rarity. could you give me more of an insight into bromptons demographic,
and why people buy bromptons? it would be most helpful, i am here to gather an understanding after all!

This idea is based upon my research into inner city cycling trends, which is currently aimed at fixies and high end classic customs. Fashion and simplicity are playing a big part at the moment in bike design, but it seems i have little understanding of the essence of brompton.

if the idea was applied to an existing more conventional wheel, as opposed to a tubeless race wheel, would it be a practical solution? to save having bulky wheels in cupboards, and allow you to change tyre types, or quick change a puncture and not have to worry about getting it repaired asap?

i used the term 'rim' to label one of the two main components, i understand puncturing a rim is a rarity

Firstly, it's "I understand" as opposed to "i understand". 🙂

Secondly, it's not a "rarity", it just doesn't happen! Rims don't puncture! Also, on a Brompton, there are, I suppose, three main wheel components, namely rim, tube and tyre.

my research into inner city cycling trends, which is currently aimed at fixies and high end classic customs.

People buy Bromptons as they fold up small. They buy them to nip across town from a station to their office. Not to race, not to have good handling or anything like that. They fold up small. They get people to the office. They're bought because you can put it under the table in the pub when you meet friends, etc. No one buys a Brompton for any "performance" aspirations. In fact, most owners I know love theirs as much as they love their other, proper bikes!

If you wanted something innovative, single sided wheels (A la GoCycle) and/or solid tyres are the way for urban cycling.

To answer your question, the product would not sit well

You need to do way more research in every area, and proper research, not just sitting in front of a computer

I dont get it, if you unbolt the rim, it will still be trapped in the frame/fork and only removing the axle will free it. Am I being dumb or is the design fundamentally flawed?

I dont get it, if you unbolt the rim, it will still be trapped in the frame/fork and only removing the axle will free it. Am I being dumb or is the design fundamentally flawed?

Hence my point above re single sided wheels (Giant/Mike Burrows, 'Dale Lefty and GoCycle have certainly got that right so far. Much easier to fix a punctured [s]rim[/s] tube.

If it's of any concern, from an engineering point of view, I think your wheel design is poor.

That's a tricky brief as they really only have one product. Can see why you've gone for wheels as frame is a design icon so if it's going to be part of the bike then you're very limited.

Hence my point above re single sided wheels

Whilst some of the above isn't putting it very politely, the points are valid. You'll not temp Brompton owners into turning their bikes into some kind of small wheeled fixie by supplying trendy components, nor will you get hipsters onto Bromptons, even if you get some girls jeans and brompton brand beard wax into the catalogue. They are entirely about the practicality, so that's what you need to target.

Off the top of my head, some kind of integrated lock or one that stows in the seatpost. It's quite a difficult brief, as there's lots of luggage and stuff already available and there's very few weaknesses in the deign that could benefit from improvement.

edit - I'll fill in your questionnaire as I used to have one.

The 3 silver bits on the exploded view which match up with the 3 attached to the rim - would it not be best if they are also attached to the rim and you just removed the bolts and rotated the spoke part/rim relative to each other?

Other than that I think it would end up being heavier etc.

A much better idea in my eyes would be a puncture proof tyre with retractable (like Bonds Aston) studs for winter 😀

Thanks for the constructive crit guys, it is a tough brief, so I am trying to gather some insight from these forums. The idea I proposed was just an idea, I'm not going to produce it tomorrow or force it into the market so let me change the angle at which I approached this thread.

[b]What would you Brompton users like to see in the next Brompton catalogue?[/b]

dont be scared to get imaginative!

[quote=glupton1976 ]Why not just design an inner tube that is not circular and doesnt need the wheel removed to replace it. Maybe use velcro or some similar idea.
Damn - I've just shown my genius that I've been hiding all these years.
Instead of velcro - have overlapping tapered ends that look like dogfish testicles.

Don't give up the day job....

* cough *

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/sidewinder-sidewinder-easy-fit-schrader-tube-for-16-and-20-inch-wheels-prod11127/
[img] [/img]

Double post glitch!

Aw - whit. I have this other idea - I reckon that in a vacuum everything would fall to earth at the same speed. Dont tell me that's been discovered too.

What would you Brompton users like to see in the next Brompton catalogue?

Attractive ladies, not sure whether to specify footwear - mid length boots I think - skirt or culottes (can't decide).

What would you Brompton users like to see in the next Brompton catalogue?

A larger manufacturing facility. Have you seen the waiting times these days? It's as if they can already sell everything they make. Oh, wait, they do already sell everything they make, very quickly!

Must be getting something right somewhere, mustn't they?

re punctures

http://www.michelin.co.uk/motorcycles/michelin-bib-mousse

What would you Brompton users like to see in the next Brompton catalogue?

How about a dayglo manbag cover to increase visibility and rain protection..

Oh hang on a minute......

How about a spare inflatable Brompton that you could fit in the saddle bag?
That way when your Brompton has a failure - any failure, not just punctures. You can just get the inflatable Brompton out of the saddle bag, inflate it with a C02 canister and pedal off.

regarding inner tubes, I really like these:

[img] ?1311451555[/img]

Fly Bikes cobra,

[quote=IanMunro ]How about a spare inflatable Brompton that you could fit in the saddle bag?
That way when your Brompton has a failure - any failure, not just punctures. You can just get the inflatable Brompton out of the saddle bag, inflate it with a C02 canister and pedal off.
Can you imagine trying to get the air out of the now failed Brompton. It would be a right PITA with all those dead-end tubes. You'd end up with discarded Bromptons hanging off every lamppost in town.

I have aimed the product at a road/race market and appearance to attract a target market, mainly men who want a bit more macho from their Brompton, who miss their agile, quick road bikes on the daily Brompton commute, and want a bit more 'boom' in their Brompton. However i feel the practicality and function can be applied to a more conventional wheel.

No puctures = marathons or marathons plus
Speed = Kojaks

also the design of that wheel looks very heavy -

by comparison the normal spoked wheels is one of mans greatest inventions

sorry for the dampener.. also the design looks more like a GoCycle:

[img] [/img]

mono stays and the wheels can be taken off without tools - 3x levers per wheel. - Gocycles look far from 'Macho'

anyhoo will do the survey

My brompton is pretty well knackered. It is not a racing machine, but a functional tool that I use home - station, station - work & between offices in London.

Things I'd like on Bromptons as stock or as options (some of which I've already bodged onto mine).

Better lighting that is a) built in and b) doesn't affect the fold

A better system for cables - being so low to the ground and used in city traffic, they suffer quite a bit - especially the hub gear cable

Better brakes & levers

Some sort of integrated, lightweight security device to work when it's folded and unfolded. Such a device would be useful to lock the Brompton to something whilst it's curled up on the train whilst you are sitting / sleeping on a seat

Better folding pedals - must fold small and be very strong - stock ones to not like being caught on kerbs!!

Gocycles look far from 'Macho'

They lent me one for a few months. It had been "chipped". It was teh ossumnez. Wouldn't buy one, though, but was great fun to hoon around town for a summer! 🙂

Better brakes & levers

New levers for 2013 bikes already

Some sort of integrated, lightweight security device to work when it's folded and unfolded.

Yep good idea.

I changed the levers on mine for some Avids - improved things quote a bit. Replacing the outers made a massive difference! If only they were better as stock items when I bought it