hand strap for towing folded Brompton?

[congokid]

I've been thinking that my Brompton might be easier towed by hand if I
had something easier to hold on to than the back of the saddle (not the
original one, which started to break apart shortly after I bought the
bike new).

I have in mind a short strap or handle grip that I could attach to the
post or the seat - a bit like some of those grab handles that enable one
to tow some suitcases along a pavement on their wheels.

I didn't find anything mentioned on The Brompton Folding Bicycle FAQ,
apart from one contributor in 1998 who had a similar need.

Anyone know of something that might be suitable? Are attachable suitcase
grips available at luggage shops?

--
congokid
Eating out in London? Read my tips...
http://congokid.com

[Richard Bates]

On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 21:40:53 +0100, congokid >
in > wrote:

>I have in mind a short strap or handle grip that I could attach to the
>post or the seat - a bit like some of those grab handles that enable one
>to tow some suitcases along a pavement on their wheels.

You *may* find it quite unstable to use a flexible strap. Once the
bike wobbles, it will wobble and wobble and wobble ad infinutum (or
until it falls over). Try towing it with an inner tube first to see
how stable it is.

Love and ideas from Rich x

--
If ingnorance is bliss then I am the erm er
luckiest thingy in the whatchamacallit.
To mail me, change the obvious bit to richard

[Tony Raven]

"congokid" > wrote in message
...
>
> I've been thinking that my Brompton might be easier towed by hand if I
> had something easier to hold on to than the back of the saddle (not the
> original one, which started to break apart shortly after I bought the
> bike new).
>
> I have in mind a short strap or handle grip that I could attach to the
> post or the seat - a bit like some of those grab handles that enable one
> to tow some suitcases along a pavement on their wheels.
>
> I didn't find anything mentioned on The Brompton Folding Bicycle FAQ,
> apart from one contributor in 1998 who had a similar need.
>
> Anyone know of something that might be suitable? Are attachable suitcase
> grips available at luggage shops?
>

My solution is to fit skate wheels in place of the standard Brompton wheels
which makes it run much easier. Then get the Brompton handlebar brace
fitted. That way you just leave the handlebars unfolded and pull or push it
by holding on to the brace. I don't think the stability is enough to trust
to a strap except on the smoothest surfaces.

Tony


"We haven't failed. We now know a thousand things that won't work, so we are
much closer to finding what will."
Thomas Edison

[congokid]

In article >, Richard Bates
> writes

>You *may* find it quite unstable to use a flexible strap. Once the
>bike wobbles, it will wobble and wobble and wobble ad infinutum (or
>until it falls over). Try towing it with an inner tube first to see
>how stable it is.

Good one - although I'd be pulling it relatively short distances along
*very* smooth floors in the local supermarkets.

If it works, I may be able to create something more permanent from an
old inner tube.

--
congokid
Eating out in London? Read my tips...
http://congokid.com

[congokid]

In article >, Tony Raven
> writes

>My solution is to fit skate wheels in place of the standard Brompton wheels
>which makes it run much easier. Then get the Brompton handlebar brace
>fitted. That way you just leave the handlebars unfolded and pull or push it
>by holding on to the brace. I don't think the stability is enough to trust
>to a strap except on the smoothest surfaces.

Will look into this - I'd like to be able to trail the bike round my
local M&S.

--
congokid
Eating out in London? Read my tips...
http://congokid.com

[Richard Bates]

On Thu, 31 Jul 2003 20:33:38 +0100, congokid >
in > wrote:

>In article >, Tony Raven
> writes
>
>>My solution is to fit skate wheels in place of the standard Brompton wheels
>>which makes it run much easier. Then get the Brompton handlebar brace
>>fitted. That way you just leave the handlebars unfolded and pull or push it
>>by holding on to the brace. I don't think the stability is enough to trust
>>to a strap except on the smoothest surfaces.
>
>Will look into this - I'd like to be able to trail the bike round my
>local M&S.

Attach one of those special trolleys to the front and cycle round M&S.
If anyone challenges you just claim that the brompton is a mobility
aid. (Sounds a but like Bromakin who make wheelchairs).

I regularly saw somebody cycling in my local shopping centre when I
lived in Amsterdam. He rode a recumbent trike and displayed a blue
disability badge on it.

--
If ingnorance is bliss then I am the erm er
luckiest thingy in the whatchamacallit.
To mail me, change the obvious bit to richard

[Tony Raven]

"congokid" > wrote in message
...
>
> Will look into this - I'd like to be able to trail the bike round my
> local M&S.
>

Just dump it folded in the shopping trolley. The strap will work on a
smooth M&S floor but I suspect you will have problems going round the
corners as they are a bit sharp. You are both having to pull sideways which
tends to pull it over and go well past so the Brommie is clear of the corner
before you start to turn which is a real pain.

Tony

--
"We haven't failed. We now know a thousand things that won't work, so we are
much closer to finding what will."
Thomas Edison