Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Brompton Accessories #4 - Personalizing My Brompton

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BROMPTON ACCESSORIES #4 - PERSONALIZING MY BROMPTON
(This blog is not a review, it's more on my foray in purchasing accessories for my 3rd Foldie)
The very recognizable, personalized Bumble B (photo courtesy of Andrew Barnett).
Most bikers would like to personalize their bicycles as a way of identifying their bikes, or to have some personal attachment to something they love. Andrew Barnett have done an amazing job with his Bumble B (see Bumble B blogs). He has even named his Brompton, a true connection between a man & his love.
But those guys in U.K. are a lucky lot, having shops selling accessories for their Bromptons.
Here in Malaysia, it's hard to come by a shop selling Brompton accessories. We don't even have shops selling Bromptons bicycles here or in nearby Singapore; most of us have to get a friend travelling to London to do us a favor and bring it back for us.
I will start with something simple and available locally here - personalized stickers. These can be done by a shop doing signages.
On one side of my Brompton's top post, I have put my FaceBook name "jotaro zen" in orange, i.e. matching the color of my blogs masthead (see Jotaro's).
On the other side, I have stuck on my biking blogs name "AhPek Biker" (see AhPek Biker) in lilac color.
I had used these stickers for my Dahon Dash P18 previously, and found them to be an easy way to introduce myself and my blogs. So the same will apply here, people look at my bike and I say "Hi! I am the AhPek Biker." Simple.
The full view of my bike with the FB name sticker... okay very noticeable.
And with the AhPek Biker sticker... a bit small, but that will do.

 "Hi! I am the AhPek Biker."


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Kuala Lumpur : Earth Hour 2013 Kuala Lumpur Ride

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Earth Hour 2013 Kuala Lumpur Ride
Earth Hour 2013 Bike Ride start point - JW Cyclist at Tmn Sri Rampai, Setapak.
Kuala Lumpur : 23rd March 2013
Large Group Ride : Tmn Sri Rampai>Tmn Tasik Titiwangsa>Jln Tun Razak>Kg Pandan>Tmn Setiawangsa>Wangsa Maju>Tmn Sri Rampa
Distance covered : approx. 32.30 km.
Time : 7:45 pm - 10:15 pm
Time Taken : 2:30 hrs. (including 2 stops for re-grouping)

Earth Hour 2013 Kuala Lumpur Ride Map  (click for Map Link)
In supporting the Earth Hour Organisation in protecting our planet, we rode a ride organised by Share Our Roads Malaysia.

Normally I don't like to blog on night rides, it's hare to take photos to complement the blog.
But here goes all the same, as it is for an important cause.
Many of us were eager to support the concept and attended the event.
The registration was RM10/- and we got a bottle of Eu Yan Sang chicken essence - that's to boost our energy level. There was also a lucky draw.
Nash was a happy fellow tonight, posing in front of one of the police outrider's bike - they will be escorting us to control traffic to make our ride smooth & safe.
Oh... Nash got lucky and won a pack of those chicken essence.
At 7:30pm we rolled off from JW Cyclist, heading towards Jalan Genting Klang.
In a short while, we reached Taman Taskik Titiwangsa.
At 8:30 pm, the lights of the Petronas Twin Towers and those of the surrounding buildings turned off. We turned off all our bicycle lights too. This is EARTH HOUR!
Some of us took a group photo here, then rode one round the park. Getting back, before the whole group rode off again.
Kookkeong joined the girls to do some "Kick-dancing".
... and comparing riding.... er..... riding slippers.
Nash met up with some old friends, Moo & Vivien.
Making new friends with Anne & Sheerina.
Irene Cho was here too!
Saw these "Strida" bicycles - 20" wheelers, which folds quite compactly.
But their folded profile is quite long, they can fit well into a normal sedan, but I am not too sure how well they will fit into a compact car.
After Titiwangsa, our ride continued on along Jalan Tun Abdul Razak; where further down we had a short stop.
Another short stop at Kampong Pandan, the Petronas Twin Towers can be seen in the background, lighted up again.
The lead car.
We had a longer regrouping stop at the Keramat area, to wait for a batch of riders who were riding slower.
Met a new friend here, Nizam - he's a BIG fellow but with a young heart, see the yellow Simpsons t-shirt he's wearing!
In a short while, we were back at the start point.
Some of us adjourned to the Ali Maju Cafe nearby...
... where we had supper!

 Till we ride again...
Cheers!


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You are at - Jotaro's Blog / AhPek Biker / Cycling Malaysia / Kuala Lumpur / Earth Hour 2013 Kuala Lumpur Ride
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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Brompton Accessories #3 - Bagging The Brompton

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BROMPTON ACCESSORIES #3 - BAGGING THE BROMPTON
Brompton in an IKEA "Dimpa" Bag
(Disclaimer - all prices mentioned are list prices. For more accurate pricing please contact the relevant people. This blog is not a review, it's more on my foray in purchasing accessories for my 3rd Foldie)

 Sooner or later one will have to bag the Brompton, either for protection or for travelling, eg. for bagging to put into buses or trains (many countries require folded bicycles to be bagged before they are allowed into the train). There are several choices of these types of bags from Brompton, like the B Pod, B Bag & Cover - all of these are available from Compton Cycles.
In my case I opted for the Brompton Cover and a bag from IKEA.
An IKEA bag? Yes! Read on...
A. Brompton Cover
Unfolded Brompton Cover Bag
Brompton just calls this a Cover, but in a way it is a bag - one that is convenient for bagging the bike when there is a necessity, such as in trains where bagging is required.
Or to put the bike in for longer term storage.
The good thing about this cover bag is that the bottom is opened, allowing the Eazy Wheels to be exposed for use. The seat post can also be raised even when the bag is zipped up. This allows for the bike to be pushed along train platforms without un-bagging it. How convenient!
When bagged this way, there is a bulge on the folded handle side. So pushing should be from the other side, taking into consideration that bulge to avoid obstructions.
For long term storage and protection against dust, the bag can fully cover the Brompton. There is a nook on one side of the bag to take in the seat; so do take note and bag it the right way.
The Cover Bag also comes with a Saddle Pouch. When not used for keeping the Cover Bag, it becomes a convenient pouch for short day trips (... see more)
B. IKEA "Dimpa" Bag

 Like many of my fellow Brompton users, I got the IKEA "Dimpa" bag.
Other than the bags from Brompton, the "DIMPA" bag from IKEA is very suitable for bagging the bike. The only disadvantage is that the Eazy wheels are not exposed, so no pushing with this bag - but two strong straps allows for easy carrying.
At only RM12.90 then this bag is cheap! It is useful for loading into bus holds or checking into airplanes. The semi-transparent look also allows for customs & handlers to see what's inside.
The bottom width of the bag is just slightly wider than the rear rack. The height and width also fits the bike just nicely with some room left for a helmet.
The Brompton fits so snuggly into the DIMPA bag, that one wonders whether the designers or owners of IKEA are Brompton users!
The DIMPA bag zips almost fully open on one side, making it easy to put the bike in. Though fragile looking the bag is surprisingly strong. For checking into flights, it would be a good idea to provide additional cushioning with bubble wrap (... see blog for more details on bagging for air travel).


Well there you are; I have two bags now for different modes of transportation. Now I am ever ready to travel further and wider with my Brompton!
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You are at - Jotaro's Blog / AhPek Biker / Bikes & Accessories / Brompton Accessories #3 - Bagging The Brompton
If you like this, view my other blogs at Jotaro's Blog
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