The Folding Society
FOLDING SOCIETY NEWS
Issue 41 - 28 November 1999
Editorial
We hadn't planned to produce another issue of FSN so soon
after the last one, but as there seemed enough material, and we
shall be busy at Portmeirion next week, so that we don't want to
have a long issue to prepare next weekend, we thought we would
send one out now.
A few members have mentioned that they did not receive issue
39 of FSN, which went out on 7 November. The mal server at my ISP
crashed at about the time I was sending that issue, and I suspect
that some mail got lost during the process. If you missed that issue, which was the one containing some speculation on future
Brompton developments, you can find it on our web pages at http://www.whooper.demon.co.uk/foldsoc/fsn/fsn039.html,
or, if you can't access that, send me an email and I will send it
again.
The number of readers who have opted to receive the formatted
version of FSN for viewing via a web browser is still growing,
but still represents less than 10% of the distribution list. If
you would like to receive it this way in the future, and you have
not yet notified me of this, please send me an email at the usual
address, mike@whooper.demon.co.uk.
Apart from transferring you from one distribution list to another,
it is no more work for me to send the formatted version - indeed
as FSN is prepared formatted, it is the creation of the raw ASCII
text unformatted version which requires extra work.
As mentioned in issue 40, we hope to be able to put reports
and pictures from the forthcoming week's Portmeirion event on our
web pages each evening, so please take a look to see how we are
getting on. We have tested the equipment here (Nikon Coolpix 900
camera, Psion Series 5mx, PC card modem, new ftp software etc),
and it is working, so the main question is just whether we can
plug the modem into the telephone system at Portmeirion. You can
access the reports from our usual web address, or you can go
straight to the relevant page at http://www.whooper.demon.co.uk/foldsoc/pmrep99.html..
You will also find some more information on the technology we are
using to do this on that page. We shall not have access to the
FSN distribution list while we are at Portmeirion, at least not
in a form which will allow us to email you, so don't expect
another FSN or block mailing from us until after the event.
The end of the year is nigh, so apart from Portmeirion, there
is not much else in our events calendar for this year - just the
regular Mud Dock and Origami rides ('just' is not meant to be
derogatory!). However, there are already quite a number of events
planned for 2000, and some thought is being given to what should
be the main Folder event in the UK next year - more news on that
soon. In issue 42 and/or 43 we shall be looking back on the
folding year 1999, and looking forward to 2000, and we'll also
have some suggestions of Christmas presents suitable for folder
enthusiasts. We still plan an article on tyres for small wheelers
- indeed the draft was produced some weeks ago - but we are
holding it back until we have covered a few more miles on the new
Birdy tyre, by which time we may also have managed to try some of
the new Schwalbe 16 inch tyres on the Brompton; expect the
article early in the new year.
On the subject of tyres, Sheldon Brown,
has recently released on the web a major article on tyres, which
you can find at http://sheldon
brown.com/tyres.html. Sheldon's site contains many other
articles on aspects of bicycle technology - a good starting point
is the glossary, at http://sheldonbrown.com/glossary.html.
Bike Friday
The mudguards fitted to Bike Fridays have the virtue that they
can be very easily removed and fixed with a single bolt, and the
flexible design makes them difficult to damage, but they do not
provide much protection. Now Vince Mackenzie
of Valley Cycles, the UK distributor of Bike Friday, reports that
he has '... just found some really nice fenders made by SKS
that will fit Bike Fridays with a 406 wheel. They are as near
full size as you can get; the front has 2 stays and a quick
release if something gets trapped in the tyre; the rear uses 3
stays. You will need a bracket for the bridge - I may be able to
do that for you if it is a problem. The fittings are stainless,
and they cost £22.95 inc VAT and shipping; the US price would be
£19.54 ex VAT, plus shipping at cost." I haven't seen
them yet, but they sound an interesting option for Bike Friday
owners who are looking for a more substantial mudguard/fender.
You can contact Vince at valley@primex.co.uk
.
Birdy
Following our report in the last issue on the new Birdy tyres,
we received an email from member Gordon Maclay to
say that one hour after he fitted one of these new tyres to the
back wheel of his Birdy, the tyre blew off with a loud bang, as
did mine. Gordon is now using it at only 70 psi in the tyre
without problems, and my own has been all right so far at 80 psi.
If you are fitting one of these tyres, the answer seems to be to
be very careful that it is seating properly, to
watch it closely while inflating to make sure it remains properly
seated, and to avoid going over the recommended maximum of 85-90
psi even by a whisker. Many tyres can be used at more than the
rated pressure (people have regularly done this with the old
Raleigh Records without any apparent problems), but this is
evidently not a good idea with this new Birdy tyre. Incidentally,
having said that many tyres will take more than the recommended
pressure, I should add that I am not actually advising that you
should do this - if you do so it is at your own risk.
Frank van Ruitenbeek from Amsterdam
has sent me some interesting observations on his Birdy Blue,
which has had extensive use during the last 21 months. He has
experimented with various tyres and tubes, judging by the
specifications these were probably primarily intended for
children's bikes rather than the heavy use to which he has put
them. The various emails need a little bit of editing, but I hope
to be able to print the article in either FSN 42 or 43.
Brompton
John
Pinkerton sent a picture of a most unusual load on
a Brompton - those of you receiving the formatted version of FSN
will see the photograph here, otherwise try looking at the web
site, at http://www.whooper.demon.co.uk/foldsoc/fsn/fsn041.html
. John explains the load as follows:
Faced with delivery of a c1914 Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hub for
a Triumph motor-cycle to specialist repairer Kevin Hellowell in
Halifax, I had three options:-
- Send for Peter King of 999 deliveries
- Hire a car
- Use the Brompton and train.
As I wanted to meet Kevin, I chose the train; problem was the
size and weight of the S-A with belt drive rim attached, plus the
new wheel rim into which it was to be built and the dummy belt
rim for the rear brake weighed about the same as the Brommy
itself. By carefully padding the rear carrier I was able to hold
it on at the rear end to ensure 'heel clearance' whilst riding.
The-up hill ride to my local station was no trouble, and even
negotiation of Birmingham New Street platform change was made
easy with the help of the staff and the goods lift. Halifax is
hilly, but the 5-sp bicycle S-A carried the load without
trouble, but not a little perspiration. Not sure how I will
collect the rebuilt wheel yet. Perhaps a Hod?
Incidentally, John's 1990 Brompton T5 is fitted with the
earlier, rather less robust looking, rear carrier.
Moulton
Tony Hadland tells us that a hardback version of
The Moulton Bicycle book is on order, and should be available in
January at £13.95. I'm waiting to hear from Tony if this is the
same in content as his original book, or whether there are any
changes. Even if it is unchanged, I would certainly recommend it.
My own copy of the original soft back is well thumbed, and I will
certainly be adding the hardback version to my library. Tony's
web pages are at http://www.hadland.net.
If you haven't been there, Tony's site certainly warrants a visit,
as it includes all sorts of interesting material, including a
slide show of the evolution of the Moulton, and some updates and
corrections to his well known books. Tony also reports that he
has heard that Alex Moulton Bicycles have taken on a new full-time
development engineer, who is a prominent Moultoneer.
Pashley
Mike Hullis of Phoenix Cycles ( http://www.phoenixcycles.com
) kindly sent me a copy of the latest Pashley catalogue. Apart
from the usual Moulton APB models - the S7, T21 and Land Rover,
the new fx8 is also included. The Micro and Fold-it, which were
originally Cresswell products, are in there too, continuing to
carry the 'Brilliant Bicycles' name, rather than Pashley's own.
For anyone interested in a folding tricycle, it's worth
mentioning that the Tri-1 is also listed as being available with
a folding frame option - I believe that at least one of our
members has a folding tricycle. Pashley's own web page is at http://www.pashley.co.uk .
Sales and Wants
The S&W list is still quite active - if you have a folder,
separable, or accessories to dispose of, or you want to buy, you
can use the Sales and Wants page (http://www.whooper.demon.co.uk/foldsoc/sandw.html).
If you want to have something put on the list, just email us the
details (mike@whooper.demon.co.uk)
- there is no charge, but please let us know when
it is sold so that we can take it off the list.
Letters
Andrew Middleton of Reading writes:
I am a new owner, and have a red Brompton T5. I carry the bike
in my boot for the majority of the time and use it when I stay
away from home (work not choice). For this reason I chose the T5
with dynamo lighting. What I had forgotten was quite how dark
small country lanes are at night and how little light you get to
see compared to a car. Any ideas on getting higher front output,
without going for a very expensive lighting system?
Most of my riding in the dark is done on well lit roads,
which means that the lights are mainly there to be seen, rather
than to see by. I do remember very well returning from the Folder
Forum 1 dinner late in the evening along some small lanes to the
camp sight, when I had great difficulty seeing where I was going,
and I had to ride very slowly for fear of missing a bend in the
road. I haven't got on well with dynamo lighting, as the slipping
which seems to occur when it is wet means that I have to carry
battery lights as well, which rather defeats the object. AT FF1 I
was using a Specialized lamp, which not only consumed batteries
alarmingly quickly, but also cast a very poor beam pattern. I now
use the Cateye Hyper 1500, which gives a better battery life,
particularly on the economy setting, and also has an excellent
beam pattern. During a 1998 Moulton Bicycle Club ride we went
through a long disused railway tunnel, and in the lamp test
which we carried out there my Cateye was voted the best lamp. I
believe this model has been discontinued, but St John Street
Cycles were still listing them a few weeks ago. The Cateye Micro
also has a good reputation. For a good source of information on
lamps I would suggest looking at the Audax UK web site - since
Audax riders often cycle through the night, lights are important,
both in terms of quality of lighting and battery life. The Audax
UK web site is at http://www.audax.uk.com
.
Events
Saturday 4 December 1999 - Mud Dock
It seems to have been agreed to stay with the Mud Dock venue in
future, after some suggestions that an alternative might be used.
Meet from about 10.30am. For further information contact Gary
Lovell, Tel: 0117 932 4633.
Saturday 11 December - Origami Ride
The December Origami Ride will be at its usual location,
the Tearooms at Meriden; arrive from 10.30 for an 11.00 start.
For more information please see the web pages at http://www.whooper.demon.co.uk/origami,
or contact John Pinkerton on 0121 350 0685, email pinkertn@mwfree.net . When
we can work out how to upload web pages at mwfree, we will
probably relocate the origami web page to that location, but the
existing site will provide a link to there - we'll keep you
posted on developments.
Sunday 30th January 2000 - 4th 'Bikes 'N' Bits' Cycle fair,
Manchester Velodrome, Stuart Street, Manchester
This event will be open from 12 noon until 4pm, and will include
retail, club and individual stalls. The admission price is £1
per person, and track tasters will be available - half an hour
for £3. There is nothing specifically scheduled for folders, but
those in the area may find it worth a visit - you could take the
opportunity to look at some of the Pinkerton Collection which has
now been relocated at the Velodrome.
10 - 12 March 2000 - Australian Bike Friday Club (ABFC),
Bright
For more information on this event, contact Margaret Day, email mday@pickowl.com.au
June, 2000 - Vondelpark Amsterdam
Enno Roosink, bikenno@xs4all.nl,
tells us that the party is going to be like a fair with lots
of activities and exhibitors of special bicycles, recumbents,
folders and the like. Please have a look at www.velomondial2000.nl
for details. All participants of our annual Bike Friday Meeting
will be attending the Bicycle Party/Fair; the general idea is to
ride mixed with the Moultons and the Bike Fridays. The BF meeting
will be stretched over the weekends 17-18 June and 24 - 25 June.
CycleFest 2000 -
Lancaster, 2nd – 8th
August 2000
The bi-annual cycling feast will soon be coming around again, and
it'll all be up and running from Wednesday 2nd to Tuesday 8th
August at St Martins College, Lancaster, UK. Quite a bit has been
planned already of course, and as usual there's a theme for the
sessions - this year it's "Transmissions", and
we already have some great speakers booked for this (Tony Hadland,
Florian Schlumfp, Izzi Ureili et al) and some interesting new
activities planned (50m sprints, midnight torchlight parade and
BBQ etc). However, further ideas are always welcome. There will
be announcements in Folding Society News, The
Moultoneer and other publications in due course. The
Cyclefest web pages are now available (http://www.whooper.demon.co.uk/cyclefest/index.html),
and will be regularly updated as the event approaches. We hope
there will be a major folder/separable presence at Cyclefest 2000.
If you have any queries concerning CycleFest, contact: John
Bradshaw, Tel/Fax: 01524 384474 (day) or Tel: 01524 66658 (eve)
email: j.bradshaw@ucsm.ac.uk
A to B Magazine
A to B Magazine remains the ultimate source of
authoritative information on folding cycles. In the unlikely
event that you aren't aware of A to B and/or don't read
this magazine, then we would urge you to take out a subscription
without delay. A to B can be found on the web pages at http://www.a2bmagazine.demon.co.uk,
or you can email them at post@a2bmagazine.demon.co.uk,
or they can be reached by telephone or fax on 01963 351649,
address 19 West Park, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7DB, England. A
subscription to A to B is only £10 per year in the UK, or $24,
and the magazine is published ever two months and is packed with
news, reviews and other interesting information on effective
integrated transport systems in general, and folding cycles in
particular.
Back Numbers
Back numbers of all issues of Folding Society
News are available on our web site - go to http://www.whooper.demon.co.uk/foldsoc/fsn/fsn.html
for the full list.
Contributing material for FSN
We would very much welcome articles, photographs or any other
material for inclusion in future issues of FSN, or on our web
pages. Please send any material to The Folding Society at the
address given below.
The Folding Society
email: foldsoc@whooper.demon.co.uk
Web: http://www.whooper.demon.co.uk/foldsoc
If you have any news or other information of interest to other
members of the Folding Society, please email us at the above
address.
If for some reason you wish to be removed from this mailing
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All information given here is provided in good faith, but no
responsibility can be taken for errors or for any consequences
arising from the publication of this information.
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Copyright (C)1999 Ferrets Anonymous
Last updated: 28 November 1999
URL: http://www.whooper.demon.co.uk/foldsoc/fsn/fsn041.html