Getting Set Up - Rack Lights and Excited Rambling from and Expectant Owner
Hey all, excitedly awaiting a renewed 6 speed C Line arriving in a week or so. First new bike since I was 10, have wanted a Brompton since I was 17 and finally thought I’d take the plunge after an unexpected tax rebate!
I’m taking the wait as an opportunity to try and get properly set up for safety and maintenance - I have the time to wait for stuff to ship from china/Taiwan after all. This is my first bike since uni, when I was less than good with care etc - lots of leaving it in the garden, not locking it properly, never cleaning and lubing and so on. Keen not to let history repeat itself.
I’m looking for recommendations on lights. My step dad advised Cateye, for the front I’ve gone for an AMPP 500s with an above break mount. For the rear less sure - their rack lights look good but aren’t USBC charging and pretty poorly reviewed on Amazon. His advice is good (ex-cycle courier) but about 30 years out of date bless him, as he last owned a Brompton in 1996 😂 - said to ask about upgrading to the firmer rear suspension block and the shop said they’ve all been firm and locking since 2007!
Anyway, would be great if anyone has recs for a good, usbc charging rack light with a British-legal integrated reflector. Considering putting on a Q-rack and want to try and keep things looking as clean as possible. Seems to be a bit difficult to find?
Below are a few other new-owner questions too. Apologies for the ramble, have been in a bit of audhd hyperfocus given the big purchase:
- Do Brompton sometimes build their ‘renewed’ bikes? I got a slightly odd/avoidant reply from support when I questioned the 2-3 week delivery, as I thought everything was in stock, 2 day delivery.
- Worth it to get the chain hot-waxed immediately? Not having the mess of oil sounds like an absolute dream. Local bikeshop said they could do it for £40 (all-in with the price of a new chain, didn’t want to do it on a refurb chain apparently), then I’d just keep it up with the liquid silca.
- Rust prevention strategies to practice from day 1? Frame taping seems necessary combined with using minimal water when washing, but seen all sorts of strategies like motorcycle rust-preventers in the frame etc. Bit anal, but would rather not have the faff of constantly touching up frame rust/rust on the bolts etc.
- Essential things to keep on top of day to day/ what do I need in terms of lubes, soaps, degreasers etc. Was just going to grab the £10 decathlon cleaning kit with degreaser for the rims, cleaner for the body, and a chain lube for the hinges. Anything missing?
- Small low effort safety upgrades? Was going to use black reflective tape for the frame taping above (black frame obviously!), cheapo helmet lights with more reflectors, fold out mirror in the handlebars, best lights I can afford etc.
- Aliexpress electric pumps, sound ok? I can’t afford anything mad, but for about what I’d spend on a mini pump (which by all accounts are miserable to use anyway), a small electric pump with less potential to damage the valves and a pressure gauge is tempting. I’d be much more likely to keep the tires at proper pressure if it’s dead easy, vs getting a track pump out. Keen to hear experiences.
- Brompton ez wheels vs decathlon kids skate wheels. Conscious of the reports of damage with skate wheels, and don’t want to fuck the rear triangle for the sake of a saved tenner. I note the biggest redesign with the 2025 frame is the straight bar for the roller wheels - seems the fragility there was a big enough issue they were forced to do a frame redesign?
Apologies for the ramble. I’m of course aware the answer to much of this is ‘stop obsessing and just get out there and enjoy riding the damn thing!‘ - which I fully mean on doing! Just excited, and would love any tips you have for good habits/tweaks for a new owner starting from scratch.