A new Cloud Blue Brompton to join the fleet!

A few weeks ago I managed to place an order for a new Brompton in the quite wonderful and new 'Cloud Blue.' On Tuesday the box appeared and my new Brompton had arrived.

Ever since the 'Cloud Blue' was announced I have admired it from afar. Seeing one in the flesh was even better. It has a strange quality when photographed. Outside the colour is a subtle pastel blue-grey. Inside or in lower light it, it appears darker. 

Okay the Specs:

• M6L
• 44T chainring 
• Extended seat post 
• Came with a Brooks Cambium but replaced with a Brooks C17 Cambium Carved
• Standard M-type bars replaced with a rider bar (but still might just go back to the original)
• Came with Schwalbe Marathon Racers but replaced with Continental Contact Urban tyres
• Brompton inner tubes replaced with Schwalbe AV4s
• Rear reflector replaced with Bush and Muller 2C rechargeable light/reflector
• Front carrier block - which I think now comes as standard
• Standard grips replaced with Brooks Cambium grips (but to be perfectly honest the standard Brompton grips are better and going back on again)

Different colour, same moniker 

I was toying with the idea of putting on the spare hub dynamo wheel I have and front/rear dynamo lights however taking the bike for a couple of mini runs, I just like it as is. The option is of course there should I change my mind. 

So why buy it? As always the moon and stars did seem to align to make this all happen and I went with the flow. The colour is quite a big draw for me and in short I love it. I have had a few Brompton bikes that weren't orange and they have all gone.  This one is different. The colour Orange has a rather special meaning to me and for reasons I won't go in to. This shade of blue has a rather similar sentimental attachment. I will say no more than that. 

Going off soon as I don't like them

I am looking forward to getting to know this bike well and suspect it will have to appear centre stage on one of two night rides. Watch this space. Until then, stay safe out there people!!

My nod to all things Orange!

Going fully Continental

I have been using a pair of Continental tyres on my Titanium Orange Brompton for some time now, cycling a good few hundred miles on them. I recently bought another pair and will fit them to my Orange Black Special Edition soon. 

Previously I have used the standard Marathon tyre by Schwalbe and do think that they are pretty good. I have never got on with the Marathon Plus version, although some swear by them. These Continental tyres roll really well and noticeably lighter. I have cycled on some truly horrid London roads, cycle paths and also lots well away from London and been very happy with them. 

If you are soon to replace your tyres you might want to give them a go as I know a few fellow Brompton riders who have converted. 

A friend who lives in Calgary, Canada previously only had Kojak tyres on his Brompton but even he swears by these Continentals.

Stay safe out there people. 

Brompton bag material wish list

I have quite a few Brompton bags. The front carrier block is such a clever idea that fixing bags of various size and colours is easy. There is one thing I wish Brompton would do that I suspect will only ever be a wish list of mine. 

Brompton front bags are made out of all types of material but the one I wish they would make a bad out of is some of the old London Underground seat patterns. In many ways these are as iconic as the Brompton is.

My personal favourite is the district line. I think this would look rather special and really do wish that Brompton or a selected partner come up with something. It it were available I would be first in the queue to buy one. 

The District Line pattern

Of course there are several more tube lines to choose from with all sort of different colours. I think that they would sell rather well, if they weren't silly money. What do you think? 

Stay safe out there people!!