Brompton handlebar brace

Ric said:

My 2002 Brompton has a handlebar brace - a tensioner strap that tightens the
two vertical parts of the handlebars. I understand that this was an addition
after occasional handlebar failures.

I see that newer Bromptons no longer have one. Are the handlebars now
stronger? Or was the brace finally disregarded as unnecessary?

My brace has recently snapped and so I have removed it. Just wondering what
the consequences might be.

I'm surprised it is fitted to a 2002 version, as the safety notice only
appies to 1988 to 1999 bikes

http://www.bromptonbicycle.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=ownerinfo.safetynotices.

I've got one on mine, and it is quite sturdy

Pete Whelan said:

Ric said:

My 2002 Brompton has a handlebar brace - a tensioner strap that
tightens the two vertical parts of the handlebars. I understand
that this was an addition after occasional handlebar failures.

I see that newer Bromptons no longer have one. Are the handlebars
now stronger? Or was the brace finally disregarded as unnecessary?

My brace has recently snapped and so I have removed it. Just
wondering what the consequences might be.

I'm surprised it is fitted to a 2002 version, as the safety notice
only appies to 1988 to 1999 bikes

http://www.bromptonbicycle.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=ownerinfo.safetynotices.

I've got one on mine, and it is quite sturdy

I've fitted them to my two too. It makes a very convenient hand hold
for pushing the bike along single handed or for pulling it folded on its
rollers with the handlebar up like a wheelie bag.

Tony

Ric said:

I see that newer Bromptons no longer have one. Are the handlebars now
stronger? Or was the brace finally disregarded as unnecessary?

AIUI the design was modified and strengthened to make the brace
unnecessary. Mine is ca. 2002 (I think!) and that was past the
time they were suggested.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Peter Clinch said:

Ric said:

I see that newer Bromptons no longer have one. Are the handlebars now
stronger? Or was the brace finally disregarded as unnecessary?

AIUI the design was modified and strengthened to make the brace
unnecessary. Mine is ca. 2002 (I think!) and that was past the
time they were suggested.

Sounds to me as if you should get a replacement brace at least.

The Brompton site linked to recommends that the brace
should be used in ALL cases for hard use.

Maybe you are tough on the 'bars?

If you have the older 'bars it looks like a
replacement will be free.

Quoted message said:

Peter Clinch said:

Ric said:

I see that newer Bromptons no longer have one. Are the handlebars now
stronger? Or was the brace finally disregarded as unnecessary?

AIUI the design was modified and strengthened to make the brace
unnecessary. Mine is ca. 2002 (I think!) and that was past the
time they were suggested.

Sounds to me as if you should get a replacement brace at least.

The Brompton site linked to recommends that the brace
should be used in ALL cases for hard use.

Maybe you are tough on the 'bars?

If you have the older 'bars it looks like a
replacement will be free.

Going OT a little,I recently suffered a fourth spoke breakage in the
rear wheel of the Brommie.This was after a complete wheel rebuild with
added washers at the hub end.

I informed Brompton who said that yes they were aware of a problem and
had recently changed spoke suppier to Sapim.They also offered to rebuild
the wheel again for free with Sapim spokes.

We shall see how long this lasts,hopefully that will solve the problem.

Sam Salt