Thursday 11 June 2020

I take better care of my Brompton than my car!

This morning I cycled to work as has been customary for quite a while now on my Brompton. By lunchtime I knew that I would have too much to carry home - even my T-bag would be unable to cope - so I cycled back home to collect my car. This got me thinking.

Every other morning I am there with my track pump pumping the tyres of my Brompton so that they are at my preferred 110 psi. I cannot think of when I last inflated the tyres on my car?

After a ride in wet or muddy conditions I can be seen with my Brompton sitting on my Park Tool work stand ready to be cleaned. I think I wash my car every other week!

There is a theme here isn't there. I am sure that if I were in to cars things might be different but I do think it is rather telling where my priorities are! 

Are you the same? Do you rush for the cleaning products after a ride in rain? Let me know by leaving a comment. Surely I am not alone?!

Stay safe out there people!!

8 comments:

  1. 110psi? I must say, I used to do that, but after sometimes feeling like I was going uphill on a shallow descent on some road surface around Surrey and Sussex especially, I've tended to go for more like 80psi these days, and find the rolling that much better on a variety of surfaces. Seems to work fine with kojaks and marathons, especially if you're pumping up regularly.

    On the cleaning front, perhaps not quite as quick to do it as you, although cleaning and lubing the drivetrain I'll probably do more than clean the rest of the bike, especially in poor weather.

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    1. One day I'll give 80 a go but it is so much of a habit to pump tyres to the max it is all but ingrained.

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  2. I have to admit, if its been raining the Brompton gets a good wipe down with a soft cloth to try and get it as dry as possible. Not always 100% thorough, but enough to try and reduce any corrosion.

    Yesterday was 'light' rain, but I still go a soaking and so did the B, so when I got back home it got a thorough wipe down of the frame and wheels (in the hall) before being folded down and put away. Today was just wet on the roads so a fast wipe of the underneath bits was all that was needed.

    Compare that to my car, and that gets cleaned underneath more than on top (a Defender so I like to get the mud off) and they kind of look good when a bit scruffy. Thats my excuse anyway......

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    1. I don't think I've ever seen the underneath of my car but can understand why you do it on a Defender (lovely car).

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  3. Dear Mr. O.
    I'm the same. I don't clean my Brompton as often as you, but I do keep it clean. I also clean my classic motorbike. But my car, which I've owned from new for over 10 years, has only been cleaned by me once! Occasionally it gets cleaned by the garage staff after servicing, which is only once a year. But my car is never cleaned by me. Why bother? I'd rather ride my Brompton!
    Best regards,
    TB-L

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    1. I am glad I am not alone! Stay safe out there brother.

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  4. You wash your car every other week? I wait till ours is going in for a service and let the garage do it for me :-) 100% with you on the bike pampering, though; I'm obsessive about cleaning, drying and re-lubing after a wet ride. Haven't ridden the M3L in the rain yet; how easy are Brommies to keep clean compared to ordinary bikes, in your experience? And are the mudguards effective?

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    1. Hello Nick. Remember, I was a little vague about how often I washed my car. Stay safe out there brother.

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