AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures
BROMPTON ACCESSORIES #22 - OXELO EASY WHEELS FOR THE BROMPTON
I had recently got a new Brompton P6R, a 2017 model in a beautiful, bright red (... see blog). I will probably use this bike more for local rides; for touring I will still rely on my old workhorse, Goofy - a Brompton P6R which I had copper-plated after much wear and tear from numerous local and overseas tours.
As usual, happy as I am with the bikes, my fingers were itching to add on some accessories. I had added some cosmetic changes and now it's time for something more physical - rack wheels.
The new bike rack came with better 2017 EZY Wheels, one that had a slightly higher clearance than the previous versions. It also came with rubber tyres and are fitted with sealed ball journal bearings that rolls smoother. But in my touring I often meet rougher areas (eg. paver stones) and good as the newer wheels may be, I will need something with even higher clearance and better rolling to get through these rougher patches.
Previously, I had used the ABEC-7 Easy Wheels which worked very well, but my regular supplier had stopped supplying. I was contemplating buying these on-line until I saw some friends using in-line skate wheels. But I have an aversion towards using in-line skate wheels as they are unsightly big. More importantly, they are too wide and often cause heel-strike.
But the wheels my friends were using were smaller in diameter and more importantly narrower in width than the usual in-line skate wheels. These are the Oxelo LED Tech Wheels, a 63mm diameter in-line skate wheels for kids; yes for kids as they are smaller and narrower!
These were available from the Decathlon sports outlets. Cost was RM29 (USD7) per pair, for my rack I would require two pairs at RM58 (USD14), a very attractive price when compared to other easy wheels in the market. And it comes with transparent tires, smooth bearings, and interesting 8 amps LED flashing lights, which appealed to the little kid still in me!
Let's see how to fix the new wheels. The above photo shows the original EZY Wheels before dismantling, they are narrower when compared to the wheels shown in the following photos.
A comparison between the ABEC-7 Easy Wheels and the Oxelo LED Tech Wheels,
the Oxelo wheels are just 1mm to 2m wider than the ABEC-7 wheels, so heel strike won't be a problem. The ABEC-7 came with the necessary screws and nuts of adequate lengths; whereas the Oxelo came with short screws and nuts suitable for the kids in-line skates. No problems there though, one can go to the nearest hardware store to get screws of the relevant diameter and the required longer length. I bought mine from YS Fasteners located at Bandar Sunway (click here for Directions), they are specialists in screws and all sorts of fasteners and as such has a very wide range.
It's better to get stainless steel screws as they won't rust.
For the front set of wheels (the one next to the seat post) I got a couple of 6mm diameter and 30mm long screws with washers (not nuts are required, although they came as a set). This fitted very well, but only about 5mm of the screw goes into the body of the bike. This performed adequately well enough when rolling, but perhaps it would be good to get screws which are about another 5mm longer so that they can withstand more impact for rougher handling.
For the rear set, longer screws are required to fit in the elastic straps assembly; for this 6mm diameter and 50mm long screws are required. This is a tight fit, longer 55mm long screws (if they are available) will make fixing easier.
The above photo shows the Oxelo wheels on the left and the ABEC-7 wheels on the right to illustrate the larger diameter of the Oxelo wheels.
The four Oxelo wheels fitted onto the rack; although recess grooves are provide, I have put the elastic straps below the rack so that they won't scrape against the ground when going through rougher spots.
One bonus - the wheels flash when they are rolled. This is more cosmetic but does make one more noticeable when rolling at dimmer spots. NOTE:
Oxelo wheels without the flashing lights is a available at RM19 for a set for four.
MATERIAL SOURCE:
a) Oxelo Spare Children's In-line skate wheels:
Decathlon Sri Damansara Outlet:
M2-G-01, 8Trium, Jalan Cempaka SD12/5,, Persiaran Kenanga, Bandar Sri Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.
Phone: +603-6280 6701
(.... click here for interactive Directional Google Map)
b) Stainless steel screws:
YEW SIONG INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES SDN BHD (YS Fasteners)
24, 22, Jalan PJS 11/20, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Phone: +603-5634 5419
(.... click here for interactive Directional Google Map)
TOTAL COST:
Wheels: RM29X2 = RM58 (USD14) [without lights RM19]
50mm s/s button cap screws & nuts: RM1-90X2 = RM3-80 (USD0-90)
30mm s/s button cap screws & nuts: RM1-60x2 = RM3-20 (USD0-80)
Total = RM65-00 (USD15-70)
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Hi Thomas,
ReplyDeleteYou do have a point there, that's the original configuration of the ezy wheels.
But many of us find that putting this wheel on the outer side gives a wider base for the bike to sit on and make it more stable when folded and sitting on the rack.
Secondly, we travel often with our bikes just simply packed into a Dimpa. The protuding wheel actually give some protection to the rack.
Thanks Thomas for you tips on Oz baggage handlers.
ReplyDeleteWill take not when I bring my bike there.
Pity, Australia has so many nice places to cycle in.