I did this with a steel bike while in Thailand. Two minutes away from an autobody repair shop. Welder welded it in about 5 minutes, charged me $2, and the repair lasted another 3 years.
I recall this happened to my bike when I was a teen and my friend suggested going around the corner to a neighbour who was a welder. We begged for help and he welded the bike back together.
Came here to say the same. Steel frames are easy to weld, can be repaired at any car repairing shop. Was doing it many times with BMX bikes. Cracked and bent BMX bars MUST be replaced though.
Hi Brian. Wow 😮 Thank God nothing happened to you & the Bromy can always be repaired & or replaced. I enjoy watching your videos. All the best on your New Bromy!
Hi Brian, you’re probably the most valuable tester of Brompton globally! I guess the London’s engineering team is scratching their heads to figure out how that failure was possible. Formally they’d probably tell you the bike should not be stressed to that extend to be covered by the warranty. However I might count on their gratitude for your honesty in sharing the story. For that I’d suggest you contacting any authorised Brompton dealer in your area and present your broken bike. Sooner you do it more you might gain allowing Brompton to respond in a non-standard way. If I were you I would wait any moment.
I’m with you brother: my c-line has done thousands and thousands of kilometers for years and I love it. I’ve worn through tubes, tires, bottom brackets, pedals, igh and this week I broke a jk crank arm. I own other 4-speed p-lines, but still ride my 6-speed c-line every day. I ordered a 12-speed yesterday but am torn on repairing my origial c-line or moving on. Anyway, I’ll keep riding brompton.
Sad news about your brompton but i suppose you do give it a good thrashing every time you ride it.The positive to come out of this is that you didn't sustain any injuries except on your bank balance, which can always be replaced. Keep the vids coming.
I was thinking the same thing but I would probably go with the 18” myself. 18” (355) x 2.4” would stay closer to the original fold size but still manage single track.
Assuming you registered your Brompton when it was new you should be covered under the 7 year warranty on the frame and rear triangle!! Brian, definitely a WARRANTY job!!
Yo Brian, love the vids! Your US community might be interested to know that Brompton is huge in Singapore. You can’t take a full size bike on the MRT (train) and just about everyone lives in an apartment so that’s why they are so popular along with other folding brands. I have an Element Troy folding bike made in Indonesia that I am very happy with. It’s rare to see Bromptons getting hammered although some people use them for the triathlon series here and in Malaysia as it’s hard to store a full size bike unless you are hardcore rider (also popular in Singapore), you would be right at home here (when you get used to the heat haha)!
I am actually planning on visiting the Philippines and thought I would visit Singapore as well since it’s so close…. I was actually planning on retiring in Southeast Asia..
Is there a brazing shop near you? If the braze separated, it can be brushed and rebraze back together. Bromptons do not take well to welding, the tubes are too thin for that.
Sorry to hear about the break of the frame. That's quite serious. Fortunately nothing happened to you. How old is your bike and how many miles have you made on it? Looking forward to hearing about your tour.
Thank goodness you didnt wreck badly! On that note it is indeed a sad day. I guess the Forte is up until the new replacements manifest? Thanks for doing what you do! Love the honest content. 💪
Not as catastrophic as you might think. It's steel, the easiest of all the bike materials to repair. If I was an ultra-distance adventure rider, I would choose steel because of its ride quality and also because almost any local welder in the world could fix the frame should it crack or break. If you can find a bike builder to help you out, that would be best, but in a jam anybody with a welder will do. Titanium, aluminum, carbon repair requires more specialized skills and know-how, making those types of repair persons more difficult to find and much more costly. This type of repair will cost way less than what you might think. Good luck with whatever decision you make moving forward.
I hate carbon bikes, but you don't even need a jig or any specialist tools to fix a carbon frame. It's just a bunch of resin, carbon sheets and patience. Easiest frame material to fix by far.
Thanks so much. I'm a super heavy cyclists and thought about getting a used Brompton for travel but I'm sure it will fail on me. Sadly Brompton doesn't want to make a high load version.
In case the info is helpful, I ride a C-Line almost every day and I’m ~105kg and I use a kid seat with my son who is ~16kg… and once a week I do shopping with loaded front and rear bags (not near the 10kg limit though). I do ride gently when it’s very overloaded like that, but the bike handles it like a champ, so Brompton are being (rightly) very conservative with their stated limits.
@@henryjtodd It might be a quality issue or a difference of build year and type. I know many die-hard users that use their Brommie for hard action but I also know casual overweight riders around 100-120kg with frame damages. They rode only on pavement within city limits. I'm way above that weight and ride steel frames myself. 0 defects. But I don't want to push my luck, especially because Bromptons are also very expensive. Not want to waste several thousand Euro in case of denied warranty.
@@ibikeunfolded yes. The Brompton is heavy anyways so 2kg extra won't change much. People only lift it for storing. Most people push them folded. That is not impacted by more steel. Just call it "rugged version" or something.
As an owner of a former 2019 Superlight, my only complaint is that it haven't the wire for a pump. So I would order a Titanium Triangle from an Eastern Company, making Brompton-like parts! I'm sure that the price is about the same as an original new triangle? Finn. Denmark
So sad this happened Brian, but no-one got hurt. If you can get the bike repaired for a price that mkes sense, and it is a repair you TRUST, then I say go for it.
I have the poor man’s Brompton, the Dahon Classic iii with a 2 speed kickshift rear hub with a coaster brake, it’s an old bike from the late 80’s but it’s probably one of the most bulletproof bikes i’ve used, if you’re just riding along and the frame just snaps going over a speedbump that’s definitely not something you want to be buying.
Hi Brian. Did this happen before or after you sent it to the bikeshop for some major overhaul? I did remember seeing this plan of yours in a recent video.
@@ibikeunfolded Hi Brian. Wishing you the best on the repairs... or for your new Brommie! Would like to see your touring adventures with the newly-acquired Vincita luggage in the future!
I'm not too fond of the stock pedals that come with the Brompton. I always go back to my trusty and indestructible shimano SPD pedals. Yes they don't fold, but I don' really miss that.
You can fix that anytime with a new rear triangle, so if it were me, I would take off the triangle, bring it to a welder and get him to weld and brace and strengthen it. You must know someone with a welder who can do that for a few dollars and with a bit of black spray paint you wont even see it. You cannot make it worse so its worth having a go, if it is not right you haven't lost anything (you will still need a triangle). Its a steel bike so it would be a good solid repair. Sure it wont look factory, but it will look modified 👍 . Your bike will be fixed and 100% functional. It will still serve as a winter beater if you don't want to put the money into a new triangle, or have lost a little confidence in its reliability for a tour. Andrew Ritchie (Brompton inventor) did a lot of welding, cutting and welding again of prototypes to achieve the geometry of the tri fold design, the art of brazing came later. I had a mountain bike snap the rear triangle at the axel on the same side, I too was stunned by the failure got out the welder , welded it back together and carried on for another 5 years with that bike. I currently have a 2023 C line 6 speed, best bike I've owned, The weakest part of it is me 😄
It is quite a difficult job to replace the Triangle, as you can't just take the bolts out and replace it with a new. I have seen films here showing how to do it!
@@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188 no mate , triangle is really easy, rear bushing is really difficult, look I understand if you are not mechanically minded it might be daunting but know your strengths, yours could be the ability to earn money and pay someone to do it. Nothing wrong with that, sincerely.
@@tomcurran65 I have seen a film about changing the bolts in both sides of the triangle, and it was by no means easy, though I have a new center-part ready, from titanium. But near anything else has been changed to new and lighter parts, also the crank to titanium, with ceramic bolts.
@@tomcurran65 I have a Center Piece made from titanium, for a coming change, when needed, but as my present 2019 SuperlightM6LXBrompton bike is now below 9 kilo, with mudguards (as a Dane) it doesn't matter that much! I have seen a film here about changing and servicing the hinge for the triangle, and it is indeed far from easy!!! You can't just remove the bolt in each end!
@@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188 I see, that's impressive to get it below 9 kilo! I'm Irish, but back in 2009 I was working in Hillerod, where I purchased a kildemoes bike, I brought it back to Ireland, everyone was very impressed with it. I don't use it much but it is such a good quality bike I cannot sell it. The Danish cycling infrastructure and culture has to be one of the best in the world.
The C-Line six-speed starts at UKP1,495 what’s the entry level price in US dollars now? My 6-speed is 10 years old and going strong, but I mostly only use it around London.
You kinda have to buy Reynolds 725 or better steel nowadays or this happens. The air hardened steel welds become much stronger when welded, standard Cro Moly doesn't, and they use the least skilled welder on the team to do the standard CroMoly frames nowadays, unlucky. Couple years back I snapped the bottom bracket right off a Surly Steamroller in about 3 years, couldn't believe it.
Hey Brian, do you think Brompton engineers would want the triangle back? Maybe they would trade for it so they can assess the area where the break occurred.
If you registered it online with Brompton when you bought it and are with-in the 7yr frame warranty, it might be covered, so that part wouldn't cost you. Refitting hinges would likely be pricey. Anyway, if the frame can be fixed under warranty that would be great, so good luck. edited for typos
Hello Brian, I am writing to you after a long time, thank you for sharing your experiences, I continue to enjoy your trips and gatherings, I will continue to watch the videos you publish, and I hope it goes well for you with your new Bromptons, greetings 👍😊🚴♀️✨💫
Everything breaks. Eventually. Good to see the failure, sort-of-catastrophic as it was, allowed for a controlled stop and no injuries. Which is about about the most one can hope for in this case. Betcha that crack was propagating for a long time before you noticed it.
I had two of the Chapter 3. Nice bike. I eventually got rid of them. Too expensive for the name and accessories used. I had to change the seat and handlebar grips for better comfort. In hindsight it is better off to get the P-Line, which is essentially the same bike minus the added advertising name. Additionally, the Chapter 3 has a noticeably heavier rear end compared with the P-Line because of the Sturmey Archer rear hub. There is some sacrifice in the gearing ratio with the P-Line but I’m okay with it for my riding style.
Worth a query to Brompton. They may be happy to help you out as you've been a loyal rider for them. Besides, any feedback you provide them could be beneficial to the community.
bro. just make the dive into clipless on the pedal. you don't need a folding pedal. at most you need to remove the left pedal when you pack it to travel to another country. otherwise I have never fold the left pedal and switched to a Shimano spd pedal. get that extra power
It broke the tube right at the end of the reinforced lug. Where the stress is highest. Still, it could be worth contacting Brompton over this, they might be interessed in this kind of failure.
I honestly wondered for what use I had my low gears, of 6, till I met a steep serpentine road going up, and had to walk on top! But pedalling hard and being able to walk faster, I find at best, funny! So 12 gears, yes. But the limited speed range of a Brompton I hardly find any need for 12 gears. Finn. Denmark
@@ibikeunfolded If you proceed with a warranty claim, I would love to see an update video on the process and results, how well Brompton stood behind their bike, etc.
A skilled weld shop would probably have a brazer on staff that could do the repair? Should be covered by warrantee? I'll finish watching the vid now. 😅
@@ibikeunfolded When I bought my C line, it was from a shop, and the registration happened more or less automatically. I gave them my email address at checkout and I have the certificate somewhere. Even if you don't have a receipt/certificate, check with the store you bought it from. I am sure they wouldn't want to disappoint their brand's biggest UA-cam fan :)
Check out the warranty Bryan. When you bought yours the warranty was for 5 years, 7 years once you registered it. Just like the new ones. Do you still ride your CHPT3? Or is that just a beautiful sculpture you admire occasionally?
@@ibikeunfolded Happened to my C Line, their just not designed to carry weight over rough terrain, on smooth tarmac it will be okish. Now I just use my Tern Link B7, basic but you could put your house on the back and it can take the weight over anything.
@@HolgerNestmann Well the Brompton was invented to be the ultimate commuting bike not touring bike and nothing much has changed. As far as curbs and potholes, they can be avoided and cobblestone roads are few and far between depends on which country your in I suppose. In my original comment I was referring to a packed touring setup on off road terrain where you cant avoid such rough ground, maybe I should have made that clear, my bad.
@@Dave-L-F Thank you - I wasn't criticising or questioning anything you said. It does make sense. I just try to find where communiting ends and touring starts. You can haul groceries or maybe a larger person. Also bumpy roads exist. I believe the horizontal stress is a factor which happens off road and that happens more often on touring. We do have a few cobble stone roads in germany and eastern europe, but I suppose if you'd have one on your daily commute you wouldn't use a brompton. It's no fun.
I think you are right about the metal fatigue. You've used and abused it pretty well 😅 I was going to sugest the 20 inch conversion but it seems better to convert it to wall art in a way so that nobody that finds it in the future can take it out and get hurt on it ☠️ - maybe the factory would like to analyze it 🤔 maybe they'll feel obligated to give you a new bike😅 well have a nice day and best wishes all the way from Denmark 🚲
I’m doing the same….i’m gonna ride my brompton to the ground and get a new one if it ever breaks on me and cost about the same of fixing it vs buying a brand new one.
Personally i ride a electrified Dahon impulse(hub motor 1500w. 40kmh max). I have a piccolo made from aluminum 16 inch that is just a normal folding bike. But the one i ride is a impulse (steel frame) instead of 16 inch its 20. I have the seat post all the way up and its aluminum. But looking at how thick it is (on both that is). Its almost a joke Brompton make such thin steel seat posts.
Good philosophical perspective on the damage! Another C-Line makes a lot of sense for what you’re doing. I upgraded to a 4-speed P-Line after the theft of my C-Line. I absolutely love it but it is not simply a lighter C-Line. The titanium forks and rear triangle, and overall lower weight, provide a very different riding experience. It is amazing in urban/city riding, it is considerably more nimble and responsive than the C-Line, but it is also more demanding and less ‘cruisey’. These differences are, of course, the point in having different models in the product line… If I had the money I would have one of each. I’d have the P-Line for the fun and excitement it brings to my daily commute and also for my short multi-mode tours that require a lot of folding and carrying on and off overnight trains. The C-Line would be for the ‘heavy lifting’ bike packing stuff.
unfortunate but looks like you squeezed every ounce of performance from the bike. do you track how many miles you have ridden? what is the typical lifespan of a bike?
Whatever. I have been riding my steel triangle frame five days a week to and from work for four years and not a thing wrong with it (standard maintenance performed). Brian experienced a freak snap - rare. Has nothing to do with the material.
I actually bought those off Amazon. You see I loose shades and I refuse to spend 200$ on a pair of Oakley’s or some other expensive brand…here is the link.. www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CP7R4FK1/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Perfect! I agree with you I would rather have a drawer full of 15 to $30 frames. I made the mistake of buying an expensive pair of oakleys once and an expensive pair of Wiley X once and was involved in a bike accident and a kayak accident. I'm okay before $400 worth of glasses or either crushed or floating at the bottom of a river
If you put a bag and mount it on the rear rack, you may or may not have broken triangle. I never wear a backpack while riding before. It's adding weight to the saddle and more butthurt.🤣
@@ibikeunfolded Get a Vincita Big nash...that's what I use to carry items around when touring and a another 23L bag in front to carry my laptops, shirts etc 20miles daily to work. Pretty abused 5 days a week. 😂 with your trailer...thats a huge allowance of spaces.
The Brompton bike frame design is not the best for loaded touring. A long seat post of continuous wall thickness coupled with a heavy top weight is a recipe for disaster. The seat tube needs to have an internal tapered wall where the tube is thicker at or near where it comes out of the seat tube. There is a lot of stress where the seat post exits the seats tube. The small diameter tubing in the rear triangle would see a lot more stress specially at welded joints. It’s better to go bigger diameter at welded joints or use butted tubing to spread the stress loading over a larger area. Perhaps, Brompton never intended to design/build the bike for any kind of loaded touring or stump jumping.
Brian! I'm so sorry you broke your Brompton but you didn't get injured. Thank goodness. You know, this is an opportunity to make lemonade out of lemons. How about closing your eyes, sending a Hail Mary, and forking over the credit card for T-Line? You deserve the very best, don't you think?
@@ibikeunfoldedI’m curious why you don’t like the T line (not as a challenge to you, I sincerely would like to know because I was thinking it would be my next bike.) Definitely look into getting a replacement frame from Brompton. They have a 7 year guarantee. Yeah, there’s the extra weight that might affect that warranty, but they may work with you anyway, especially since you make videos featuring them. My customer service experience with them has been stellar. I’ve taken my Brompton to the Brompton Junction store in DC and they’ve fixed some issues for no or extremely minimal charge, under the warranty.
Ya know. Brompton just found its long term test reviewer. The question will always be: Did Brian break it? I feel a Brian prototype has just been put on a design table.
Bummer! But: 1. you're ok, no crash. 2. You ride lots and hard, so this could happen. 3. Thats the Brompton, you wanted to have overhauled anyway. Its sad, anyway.☹️
I will be up there soon to talk about if I can get that frame triangle covered under warranty and I’ll take a look at the black lacquered bike while I’m there.😁
I did this with a steel bike while in Thailand. Two minutes away from an autobody repair shop. Welder welded it in about 5 minutes, charged me $2, and the repair lasted another 3 years.
I actually thought about welding it. I could borrow a welder as I do have the know how from working on cars for 15 years.😁👍. Good ideas..
I recall this happened to my bike when I was a teen and my friend suggested going around the corner to a neighbour who was a welder. We begged for help and he welded the bike back together.
Came here to say the same. Steel frames are easy to weld, can be repaired at any car repairing shop. Was doing it many times with BMX bikes.
Cracked and bent BMX bars MUST be replaced though.
Hi Brian. Wow 😮 Thank God nothing happened to you & the Bromy can always be repaired & or replaced. I enjoy watching your videos. All the best on your New Bromy!
Thank you, I appreciate it…. As my brommie has taken a beating over the years, my body had had it worse.
Glad you’re ok. Really enjoy your vids.
Thank you! I appreciate you coming to watch!
Hi Brian, you’re probably the most valuable tester of Brompton globally! I guess the London’s engineering team is scratching their heads to figure out how that failure was possible.
Formally they’d probably tell you the bike should not be stressed to that extend to be covered by the warranty. However I might count on their gratitude for your honesty in sharing the story. For that I’d suggest you contacting any authorised Brompton dealer in your area and present your broken bike. Sooner you do it more you might gain allowing Brompton to respond in a non-standard way. If I were you I would wait any moment.
I’m with you brother: my c-line has done thousands and thousands of kilometers for years and I love it.
I’ve worn through tubes, tires, bottom brackets, pedals, igh and this week I broke a jk crank arm.
I own other 4-speed p-lines, but still ride my 6-speed c-line every day.
I ordered a 12-speed yesterday but am torn on repairing my origial c-line or moving on. Anyway, I’ll keep riding brompton.
Sad news about your brompton but i suppose you do give it a good thrashing every time you ride it.The positive to come out of this is that you didn't sustain any injuries except on your bank balance, which can always be replaced.
Keep the vids coming.
Thanks, yeah there is always a silver lining…. Just not inside my wallet😄
It’s steel you can weld that, Either that or it’s an excuse to get that Kinetics 20” conversion :D
I like your thinking👍😁
I was thinking the same thing but I would probably go with the 18” myself. 18” (355) x 2.4” would stay closer to the original fold size but still manage single track.
Not to mention, disc brakes and 14 speeds Rohloff hubs to go with the Kinetics kit. Will make a reliable touring machine!
Things happen you really enjoyed it,it’s just time for a new one,that’s life!!!!
Keep giving us vids Brian.
Thank you! And thanks for watching and putting up with my nonsense🙃😃
Assuming you registered your Brompton when it was new you should be covered under the 7 year warranty on the frame and rear triangle!! Brian, definitely a WARRANTY job!!
Exactly
Yo Brian, love the vids! Your US community might be interested to know that Brompton is huge in Singapore. You can’t take a full size bike on the MRT (train) and just about everyone lives in an apartment so that’s why they are so popular along with other folding brands. I have an Element Troy folding bike made in Indonesia that I am very happy with. It’s rare to see Bromptons getting hammered although some people use them for the triathlon series here and in Malaysia as it’s hard to store a full size bike unless you are hardcore rider (also popular in Singapore), you would be right at home here (when you get used to the heat haha)!
I am actually planning on visiting the Philippines and thought I would visit Singapore as well since it’s so close…. I was actually planning on retiring in Southeast Asia..
you can also take the chance to upgrade to a titanium triangle. :)
Is it the original rear triangle or an aftermarket one?
Original one.😁👍
were you close to 110kg weight combined (rider and luggage)?
brompton has modular parts right ? just replace the rear triangle with a new one ?
Is there a brazing shop near you? If the braze separated, it can be brushed and rebraze back together. Bromptons do not take well to welding, the tubes are too thin for that.
Sorry to hear about the break of the frame. That's quite serious. Fortunately nothing happened to you. How old is your bike and how many miles have you made on it? Looking forward to hearing about your tour.
Thank goodness you didnt wreck badly! On that note it is indeed a sad day. I guess the Forte is up until the new replacements manifest? Thanks for doing what you do! Love the honest content. 💪
I’m going to buy another Brompton regardless. I love riding it too much..😁
Not as catastrophic as you might think. It's steel, the easiest of all the bike materials to repair. If I was an ultra-distance adventure rider, I would choose steel because of its ride quality and also because almost any local welder in the world could fix the frame should it crack or break. If you can find a bike builder to help you out, that would be best, but in a jam anybody with a welder will do. Titanium, aluminum, carbon repair requires more specialized skills and know-how, making those types of repair persons more difficult to find and much more costly. This type of repair will cost way less than what you might think. Good luck with whatever decision you make moving forward.
I will probably replace the triangle at a later date…. Right now I am going to get a new Brompton for my bicycle tour..
I hate carbon bikes, but you don't even need a jig or any specialist tools to fix a carbon frame. It's just a bunch of resin, carbon sheets and patience. Easiest frame material to fix by far.
Another analogy is touring on a bike with hydraulic disc brakes. I’d much rather travel with cable operated disc brakes. They’re easier to fix.
Really enjoy the vids, best on you tube. Could the frame be welded up ?
Yes…. I think so…. But I might just buy a new one for the time being.
Glad to see you are not hurt, fellow Brompton racer.
A Brompton broke⁉️⁉️ Surely such a travesty can’t be real!!😱
Thank you😁👍
can the triangle not be replaced?
Thanks so much. I'm a super heavy cyclists and thought about getting a used Brompton for travel but I'm sure it will fail on me. Sadly Brompton doesn't want to make a high load version.
In case the info is helpful, I ride a C-Line almost every day and I’m ~105kg and I use a kid seat with my son who is ~16kg… and once a week I do shopping with loaded front and rear bags (not near the 10kg limit though). I do ride gently when it’s very overloaded like that, but the bike handles it like a champ, so Brompton are being (rightly) very conservative with their stated limits.
@@henryjtodd It might be a quality issue or a difference of build year and type. I know many die-hard users that use their Brommie for hard action but I also know casual overweight riders around 100-120kg with frame damages. They rode only on pavement within city limits. I'm way above that weight and ride steel frames myself. 0 defects. But I don't want to push my luck, especially because Bromptons are also very expensive. Not want to waste several thousand Euro in case of denied warranty.
I know! I was thinking the should make a XL version for us heavy load riders.😁👍
@@ibikeunfolded yes. The Brompton is heavy anyways so 2kg extra won't change much. People only lift it for storing. Most people push them folded. That is not impacted by more steel. Just call it "rugged version" or something.
is the triangle made from steel or alloy?
It’s steel.👍
As an owner of a former 2019 Superlight, my only complaint is that it haven't the wire for a pump. So I would order a Titanium Triangle from an Eastern Company, making Brompton-like parts! I'm sure that the price is about the same as an original new triangle? Finn. Denmark
It’s on the list of things to repair…. Right now I am going to buy a new Brompton…. Fix the old one later👍😁
So sad this happened Brian, but no-one got hurt. If you can get the bike repaired for a price that mkes sense, and it is a repair you TRUST, then I say go for it.
I will go for a repair at a later date. Right now I’m in the market for a new Brompton👍😁
I have the poor man’s Brompton, the Dahon Classic iii with a 2 speed kickshift rear hub with a coaster brake, it’s an old bike from the late 80’s but it’s probably one of the most bulletproof bikes i’ve used, if you’re just riding along and the frame just snaps going over a speedbump that’s definitely not something you want to be buying.
Hi Brian. Did this happen before or after you sent it to the bikeshop for some major overhaul? I did remember seeing this plan of yours in a recent video.
It happened just before I was set to drop it off at the bike shop..🤔
@@ibikeunfolded Hi Brian. Wishing you the best on the repairs... or for your new Brommie! Would like to see your touring adventures with the newly-acquired Vincita luggage in the future!
I popped a titanium rear triangle onto my 6 speed.
Why don't you take light weight kits
I'm not too fond of the stock pedals that come with the Brompton. I always go back to my trusty and indestructible shimano SPD pedals. Yes they don't fold, but I don' really miss that.
You can fix that anytime with a new rear triangle, so if it were me, I would take off the triangle, bring it to a welder and get him to weld and brace and strengthen it. You must know someone with a welder who can do that for a few dollars and with a bit of black spray paint you wont even see it. You cannot make it worse so its worth having a go, if it is not right you haven't lost anything (you will still need a triangle). Its a steel bike so it would be a good solid repair. Sure it wont look factory, but it will look modified 👍 . Your bike will be fixed and 100% functional. It will still serve as a winter beater if you don't want to put the money into a new triangle, or have lost a little confidence in its reliability for a tour. Andrew Ritchie (Brompton inventor) did a lot of welding, cutting and welding again of prototypes to achieve the geometry of the tri fold design, the art of brazing came later. I had a mountain bike snap the rear triangle at the axel on the same side, I too was stunned by the failure got out the welder , welded it back together and carried on for another 5 years with that bike. I currently have a 2023 C line 6 speed, best bike I've owned, The weakest part of it is me 😄
It is quite a difficult job to replace the Triangle, as you can't just take the bolts out and replace it with a new. I have seen films here showing how to do it!
@@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188 no mate , triangle is really easy, rear bushing is really difficult, look I understand if you are not mechanically minded it might be daunting but know your strengths, yours could be the ability to earn money and pay someone to do it. Nothing wrong with that, sincerely.
@@tomcurran65 I have seen a film about changing the bolts in both sides of the triangle, and it was by no means easy, though I have a new center-part ready, from titanium. But near anything else has been changed to new and lighter parts, also the crank to titanium, with ceramic bolts.
@@tomcurran65 I have a Center Piece made from titanium, for a coming change, when needed, but as my present 2019 SuperlightM6LXBrompton bike is now below 9 kilo, with mudguards (as a Dane) it doesn't matter that much!
I have seen a film here about changing and servicing the hinge for the triangle, and it is indeed far from easy!!! You can't just remove the bolt in each end!
@@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188 I see, that's impressive to get it below 9 kilo! I'm Irish, but back in 2009 I was working in Hillerod, where I purchased a kildemoes bike, I brought it back to Ireland, everyone was very impressed with it. I don't use it much but it is such a good quality bike I cannot sell it. The Danish cycling infrastructure and culture has to be one of the best in the world.
The C-Line six-speed starts at UKP1,495 what’s the entry level price in US dollars now?
My 6-speed is 10 years old and going strong, but I mostly only use it around London.
You kinda have to buy Reynolds 725 or better steel nowadays or this happens. The air hardened steel welds become much stronger when welded, standard Cro Moly doesn't, and they use the least skilled welder on the team to do the standard CroMoly frames nowadays, unlucky.
Couple years back I snapped the bottom bracket right off a Surly Steamroller in about 3 years, couldn't believe it.
Brompton don’t use cro moly steel for frame sections but hi tensile steel.
@@rk-fc1he That's much worse, Bromptons aren't that cheap. They use cold worked Cro Moly, look on their page.
Hey Brian, do you think Brompton engineers would want the triangle back? Maybe they would trade for it so they can assess the area where the break occurred.
Wait till the C-line Explore 12 Speed is released, within weeks.
That will be awesome.
If you registered it online with Brompton when you bought it and are with-in the 7yr frame warranty, it might be covered, so that part wouldn't cost you. Refitting hinges would likely be pricey. Anyway, if the frame can be fixed under warranty that would be great, so good luck.
edited for typos
Hello Brian, I am writing to you after a long time, thank you for sharing your experiences, I continue to enjoy your trips and gatherings, I will continue to watch the videos you publish, and I hope it goes well for you with your new Bromptons, greetings 👍😊🚴♀️✨💫
Thank you! I appreciate you coming and watching my nonsensical antics😁👍
you can get a used Brompton rear triangle in good condition online for less than a hundred dollars. Easy fix.
Brian, have you ever considered a career as bike (destruction) tester. "It survived Brian" being the best certificate.😉
Nice….i could make certified bike abuser stickers…. That way people know it’s for real!😁👍
Make it into one of those ridonculously modded bromptons! Like with the aftermarket 7-speed derailleurs and random colorful bits and things.
Great time to rebuild it with larger tires, some great stuff out there.
Someone already mentioned it, but surely you have a frame warranty. Definitely worth checking IMHO! 🚲
Bromptons have a 7-year frame warrenty, when registered. I am pretty sure this applies world-wide.
How long have you had it, Brian?
@@effyleven mine came with a 5 year warranty, purchased June 2021. 👍
Brian don T forget to show us your new Bromies when you get them.
Can't get any better excuse than that to get a titanium triangle! They are difficult to fit though, gotta find a guy for that!
Ti rear triangles are no stronger, in fact they are more prone to failure.
Everything breaks. Eventually. Good to see the failure, sort-of-catastrophic as it was, allowed for a controlled stop and no injuries. Which is about about the most one can hope for in this case. Betcha that crack was propagating for a long time before you noticed it.
Is it a c line or p line?
My Brompton is a c line..
Time to ride the Chapter 3 as your daily commuter.
You maybe right😳
I had two of the Chapter 3. Nice bike. I eventually got rid of them. Too expensive for the name and accessories used. I had to change the seat and handlebar grips for better comfort. In hindsight it is better off to get the P-Line, which is essentially the same bike minus the added advertising name. Additionally, the Chapter 3 has a noticeably heavier rear end compared with the P-Line because of the Sturmey Archer rear hub. There is some sacrifice in the gearing ratio with the P-Line but I’m okay with it for my riding style.
Worth a query to Brompton. They may be happy to help you out as you've been a loyal rider for them. Besides, any feedback you provide them could be beneficial to the community.
bro. just make the dive into clipless on the pedal. you don't need a folding pedal. at most you need to remove the left pedal when you pack it to travel to another country. otherwise I have never fold the left pedal and switched to a Shimano spd pedal. get that extra power
I may get removable/detachable pedals but I don’t like SPD…. I’m not a clip in kinda guy..🤷♂️😁
You are rough on equipment, nice wheel upgrade on zizzo forte
Unfortunately I am too hard on bikes…. 🤷♂️. Oh well… time to buy a new one.😁👍
Sorry to hear about your broken triangle. Glad that nothing happened to you.
It broke the tube right at the end of the reinforced lug. Where the stress is highest. Still, it could be worth contacting Brompton over this, they might be interessed in this kind of failure.
I’m hoping it’s under frame warranty like everyone says.🙏🤞😁
Easily fixed. That's a snapped chainstay. See a frame builder who can braze or weld (depending on the frame construction) a new one in.
I will probably just replace the triangle at a later date…. Right now it’s an excuse to buy an new Brompton 😊😉
Hi Brian, sad story, but as you say, the bike has done a lot of work for you.... But, isn´t there a guarantee of 5 or even 7 years on the frame?
That’s what everyone is saying.. I will follow up to see…
I honestly wondered for what use I had my low gears, of 6, till I met a steep serpentine road going up, and had to walk on top! But pedalling hard and being able to walk faster, I find at best, funny! So 12 gears, yes. But the limited speed range of a Brompton I hardly find any need for 12 gears. Finn. Denmark
How old is the bike? Does it not have a seven year frame warranty?
Over 4 years old… yes I guess it would be under warranty as everyone has been telling me. Hopefully I can get it replaced🙏🤞
@@ibikeunfolded If you proceed with a warranty claim, I would love to see an update video on the process and results, how well Brompton stood behind their bike, etc.
@@CLipscombe you got it👍😁
A skilled weld shop would probably have a brazer on staff that could do the repair?
Should be covered by warrantee? I'll finish watching the vid now. 😅
I might just get a new rear triangle sometime in the future.. just not now..
@@ibikeunfolded Doesn't the frame have a warranty for up to 7 years if you registered it and five years if you didn't?
Is your bike covered by the 7 years frame warranty?
I don’t know? Maybe it’s something to look into.. I bought it 4 years ago..
@@ibikeunfoldedgo to to shop where you buy your brompton, it may help you there to claim your warranty.
@@ibikeunfolded When I bought my C line, it was from a shop, and the registration happened more or less automatically. I gave them my email address at checkout and I have the certificate somewhere. Even if you don't have a receipt/certificate, check with the store you bought it from. I am sure they wouldn't want to disappoint their brand's biggest UA-cam fan :)
@ibikeunfolded I'm sure if they look at your channel they will.
Check out the warranty Bryan. When you bought yours the warranty was for 5 years, 7 years once you registered it. Just
like the new ones.
Do you still ride your CHPT3? Or is that just a beautiful sculpture you admire occasionally?
Quite a common issue with Bromton's unfortunately.
Really? Huh, I never knew..
@@ibikeunfolded Happened to my C Line, their just not designed to carry weight over rough terrain, on smooth tarmac it will be okish. Now I just use my Tern Link B7, basic but you could put your house on the back and it can take the weight over anything.
Thanks for the PSA - that is interesting. But arent city streets quite rough on bikes too? with curbs, potholes and the occational cobblestones.
@@HolgerNestmann Well the Brompton was invented to be the ultimate commuting bike not touring bike and nothing much has changed. As far as curbs and potholes, they can be avoided and cobblestone roads are few and far between depends on which country your in I suppose. In my original comment I was referring to a packed touring setup on off road terrain where you cant avoid such rough ground, maybe I should have made that clear, my bad.
@@Dave-L-F Thank you - I wasn't criticising or questioning anything you said. It does make sense. I just try to find where communiting ends and touring starts.
You can haul groceries or maybe a larger person. Also bumpy roads exist.
I believe the horizontal stress is a factor which happens off road and that happens more often on touring.
We do have a few cobble stone roads in germany and eastern europe, but I suppose if you'd have one on your daily commute you wouldn't use a brompton. It's no fun.
I think you are right about the metal fatigue. You've used and abused it pretty well 😅 I was going to sugest the 20 inch conversion but it seems better to convert it to wall art in a way so that nobody that finds it in the future can take it out and get hurt on it ☠️ - maybe the factory would like to analyze it 🤔 maybe they'll feel obligated to give you a new bike😅 well have a nice day and best wishes all the way from Denmark 🚲
Wall art sounds interesting…. 😁👍
@@ibikeunfoldedFactory replacement sounds even more interesting - it's the least they owe you for all the free advertising!
@@Robutube1 I’m not holding my breath😁
@@ibikeunfolded 😂
I’m doing the same….i’m gonna ride my brompton to the ground and get a new one if it ever breaks on me and cost about the same of fixing it vs buying a brand new one.
I agree wholeheartedly 😁👍
@ I bike unfolded...
.. im thinking the Zizzo Forte is becoming the go-to...
Personally i ride a electrified Dahon impulse(hub motor 1500w. 40kmh max). I have a piccolo made from aluminum 16 inch that is just a normal folding bike. But the one i ride is a impulse (steel frame) instead of 16 inch its 20. I have the seat post all the way up and its aluminum. But looking at how thick it is (on both that is). Its almost a joke Brompton make such thin steel seat posts.
I can see a Titenum on your horizon!
Frame warranty is 7 years duration so I’m sure that it can be replaced. Glad you’re ok
Hopefully I can get the rear triangle replaced under warranty🤞🙏😁
@@ibikeunfolded I don't see why it wouldn't be, if it's still within the 7 years
@@ibikeunfolded let us know
On the brightside youre turning the zizzo forte into a tank
Good philosophical perspective on the damage!
Another C-Line makes a lot of sense for what you’re doing.
I upgraded to a 4-speed P-Line after the theft of my C-Line. I absolutely love it but it is not simply a lighter C-Line. The titanium forks and rear triangle, and overall lower weight, provide a very different riding experience. It is amazing in urban/city riding, it is considerably more nimble and responsive than the C-Line, but it is also more demanding and less ‘cruisey’. These differences are, of course, the point in having different models in the product line…
If I had the money I would have one of each. I’d have the P-Line for the fun and excitement it brings to my daily commute and also for my short multi-mode tours that require a lot of folding and carrying on and off overnight trains. The C-Line would be for the ‘heavy lifting’ bike packing stuff.
저게 부러지다니… 놀랍네요 😮
Yes it did unfortunately.
unfortunate but looks like you squeezed every ounce of performance from the bike. do you track how many miles you have ridden? what is the typical lifespan of a bike?
Some people have used J-B FiberWeld to fix cracked frames.
Love your videos.😀
This is a good opportunity to replace the original titanium alloy rear fork.
It's time for a titanium triangle.
I’ve actually thought about that.
no, titanium is more brittle. It is not as strong as steel.
agreed. forced upgrade. might as well get a titanium fork as well.
Whatever. I have been riding my steel triangle frame five days a week to and from work for four years and not a thing wrong with it (standard maintenance performed). Brian experienced a freak snap - rare. Has nothing to do with the material.
Weld a plate iver the break , stronger than ever .
Maybe a project for a later date👍
Have you had it for less than 7 years? It may be covered by the frame warranty.
I would really like to know the model or part number on those Scvcn shades.
I actually bought those off Amazon. You see I loose shades and I refuse to spend 200$ on a pair of Oakley’s or some other expensive brand…here is the link.. www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CP7R4FK1/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Perfect! I agree with you I would rather have a drawer full of 15 to $30 frames. I made the mistake of buying an expensive pair of oakleys once and an expensive pair of Wiley X once and was involved in a bike accident and a kayak accident. I'm okay before $400 worth of glasses or either crushed or floating at the bottom of a river
If you put a bag and mount it on the rear rack, you may or may not have broken triangle. I never wear a backpack while riding before. It's adding weight to the saddle and more butthurt.🤣
Sounds legit🤔…😁👍
@@ibikeunfolded Get a Vincita Big nash...that's what I use to carry items around when touring and a another 23L bag in front to carry my laptops, shirts etc 20miles daily to work. Pretty abused 5 days a week. 😂 with your trailer...thats a huge allowance of spaces.
If yours lasted this long after all those miles you put on it, mine will probably last 3 or 4 life times.
I had mine over 4 years of the toughest riding ever…. So I’d say “yes!” You will probably be alright for a long time.😁👍
😢 that frame is covered call that bike company my bike Montague covered
Got it😁👍
Many ride. Few break bromptons through use. Definitely, treat yourself to a new one and maybe get that fixed at some stage. 🚲
That's a sad day for the channel.
Could be worse, it could be a car. Breaking down on the motorway.
Yes, you are right👍😁
Ride on...
Always😁
Noooooooooo! Funds allowing will you get a new 12 speed ?
Maybe @bromptonbicycle R&D should know about this?
The Brompton bike frame design is not the best for loaded touring. A long seat post of continuous wall thickness coupled with a heavy top weight is a recipe for disaster. The seat tube needs to have an internal tapered wall where the tube is thicker at or near where it comes out of the seat tube. There is a lot of stress where the seat post exits the seats tube. The small diameter tubing in the rear triangle would see a lot more stress specially at welded joints. It’s better to go bigger diameter at welded joints or use butted tubing to spread the stress loading over a larger area. Perhaps, Brompton never intended to design/build the bike for any kind of loaded touring or stump jumping.
Time to customise that brompton or just get a new rear triangle
Brian! I'm so sorry you broke your Brompton but you didn't get injured. Thank goodness. You know, this is an opportunity to make lemonade out of lemons. How about closing your eyes, sending a Hail Mary, and forking over the credit card for T-Line? You deserve the very best, don't you think?
I don’t like the T line. I would rather by three Brompton C line bikes before I would by a T line. However, I may buy a P line 12 speed.
@@ibikeunfolded Get that P Line! I'm about to drop the money on one!
@@ibikeunfoldedI’m curious why you don’t like the T line (not as a challenge to you, I sincerely would like to know because I was thinking it would be my next bike.) Definitely look into getting a replacement frame from Brompton. They have a 7 year guarantee. Yeah, there’s the extra weight that might affect that warranty, but they may work with you anyway, especially since you make videos featuring them. My customer service experience with them has been stellar. I’ve taken my Brompton to the Brompton Junction store in DC and they’ve fixed some issues for no or extremely minimal charge, under the warranty.
@@ibikeunfolded Brian, wow! You don't like the T-Line? Why?
@@jeannehospod1030 Great question. This deserves its own video. Brian? Please 'splain!
maybe u can weld it back
Ya know. Brompton just found its long term test reviewer. The question will always be: Did Brian break it? I feel a Brian prototype has just been put on a design table.
Bummer! But: 1. you're ok, no crash. 2. You ride lots and hard, so this could happen. 3. Thats the Brompton, you wanted to have overhauled anyway. Its sad, anyway.☹️
Yes, I wanted to have it overhauled…..now I think it might be more cost effective to get another Brompton and put rebuild on the back burner..
if the warranty won't be successfull I would weld it for few Dollars
Hopefully I can get it replaced under warranty….hopefully 🙏🤞
Brian, I have a six speed C line black lacquer bike with silver parts that I’d be willing to sell you at close to my cost if you’re interested
I will be up there soon to talk about if I can get that frame triangle covered under warranty and I’ll take a look at the black lacquered bike while I’m there.😁
I have formally reached out to Brompton already and I’ll let you know what they say
@@freedomfoldingandelectricb8114 thank you..
Just get it welded or get a new rear triangle no biggie
Use your Warranty!!!!!!!
I Hope your Brampton get covered by warranty.
That would be nice😁
Love You men
Warranty!!!!
Hopefully…hopefully😁👍
Buy a P line 4 speed and get a double chainring. 12 speed is heavy and for mathematicians. 😉 Sorry to see it break on you.
Brian, you are the best brompton rider ever.
Thank you…. I don’t think so, but thank you…😊
😮😮😮😮😮😮😮
😢