hand strap for towing folded Brompton?

I've been thinking that my Brompton might be easier towed by hand if I had something easier to hold
on to than the back of the saddle (not the original one, which started to break apart shortly after
I bought the bike new).

I have in mind a short strap or handle grip that I could attach to the post or the seat - a bit like
some of those grab handles that enable one to tow some suitcases along a pavement on their wheels.

I didn't find anything mentioned on The Brompton Folding Bicycle FAQ, apart from one contributor in
1998 who had a similar need.

Anyone know of something that might be suitable? Are attachable suitcase grips available at
luggage shops?

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On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 21:40:53 +0100, congokid <congokid@congokid.com> in
<KBKXucJV1CK$EwVv@congokid.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>I have in mind a short strap or handle grip that I could attach to the post or the seat - a
>bit like some of those grab handles that enable one to tow some suitcases along a pavement on
>their wheels.

You *may* find it quite unstable to use a flexible strap. Once the bike wobbles, it will wobble and
wobble and wobble ad infinutum (or until it falls over). Try towing it with an inner tube first to
see how stable it is.

Love and ideas from Rich x

--
If ingnorance is bliss then I am the erm er luckiest thingy in the whatchamacallit. To mail me,
change the obvious bit to richard

"congokid" <congokid@congokid.com> wrote in message news:KBKXucJV1CK$EwVv@congokid.demon.co.uk...
>
> I've been thinking that my Brompton might be easier towed by hand if I had something easier to
> hold on to than the back of the saddle (not the original one, which started to break apart shortly
> after I bought the bike new).
>
> I have in mind a short strap or handle grip that I could attach to the post or the seat - a
> bit like some of those grab handles that enable one to tow some suitcases along a pavement on
> their wheels.
>
> I didn't find anything mentioned on The Brompton Folding Bicycle FAQ, apart from one contributor
> in 1998 who had a similar need.
>
> Anyone know of something that might be suitable? Are attachable suitcase grips available at
> luggage shops?
>

My solution is to fit skate wheels in place of the standard Brompton wheels which makes it run much
easier. Then get the Brompton handlebar brace fitted. That way you just leave the handlebars
unfolded and pull or push it by holding on to the brace. I don't think the stability is enough to
trust to a strap except on the smoothest surfaces.

Tony

"We haven't failed. We now know a thousand things that won't work, so we are much closer to finding
what will." Thomas Edison

In article <bgbfun$n6nls$1@ID-178940.news.uni-berlin.de>, Tony Raven <junk@raven-family.com> writes

>My solution is to fit skate wheels in place of the standard Brompton wheels which makes it run much
>easier. Then get the Brompton handlebar brace fitted. That way you just leave the handlebars
>unfolded and pull or push it by holding on to the brace. I don't think the stability is enough to
>trust to a strap except on the smoothest surfaces.

Will look into this - I'd like to be able to trail the bike round my local M&S.

--
congokid Eating out in London? Read my tips... http://congokid.com

In article <rnciivsrc3pkb3hmromlhl9js8h6vr3i6c@4ax.com>, Richard Bates
<mail.sent.here.gets.deleted@cuddle.clara.co.uk> writes

>You *may* find it quite unstable to use a flexible strap. Once the bike wobbles, it will wobble and
>wobble and wobble ad infinutum (or until it falls over). Try towing it with an inner tube first to
>see how stable it is.

Good one - although I'd be pulling it relatively short distances along *very* smooth floors in the
local supermarkets.

If it works, I may be able to create something more permanent from an old inner tube.

--
congokid Eating out in London? Read my tips... http://congokid.com

On Thu, 31 Jul 2003 20:33:38 +0100, congokid <congokid@congokid.com> in
<cD9v3wHS8WK$Ew2t@congokid.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>In article <bgbfun$n6nls$1@ID-178940.news.uni-berlin.de>, Tony Raven <junk@raven-family.com> writes
>
>>My solution is to fit skate wheels in place of the standard Brompton wheels which makes it run
>>much easier. Then get the Brompton handlebar brace fitted. That way you just leave the handlebars
>>unfolded and pull or push it by holding on to the brace. I don't think the stability is enough to
>>trust to a strap except on the smoothest surfaces.
>
>Will look into this - I'd like to be able to trail the bike round my local M&S.

Attach one of those special trolleys to the front and cycle round M&S. If anyone challenges you just
claim that the brompton is a mobility aid. (Sounds a but like Bromakin who make wheelchairs).

I regularly saw somebody cycling in my local shopping centre when I lived in Amsterdam. He rode a
recumbent trike and displayed a blue disability badge on it.

--
If ingnorance is bliss then I am the erm er luckiest thingy in the whatchamacallit. To mail me,
change the obvious bit to richard

"congokid" <congokid@congokid.com> wrote in message news:cD9v3wHS8WK$Ew2t@congokid.demon.co.uk...
>
> Will look into this - I'd like to be able to trail the bike round my local M&S.
>

Just dump it folded in the shopping trolley. The strap will work on a smooth M&S floor but I suspect
you will have problems going round the corners as they are a bit sharp. You are both having to pull
sideways which tends to pull it over and go well past so the Brommie is clear of the corner before
you start to turn which is a real pain.

Tony

--
"We haven't failed. We now know a thousand things that won't work, so we are much closer to finding
what will." Thomas Edison

In article <bgd7qn$nlbg2$1@ID-178940.news.uni-berlin.de>, Tony Raven <junk@raven-family.com> writes

>Just dump it folded in the shopping trolley. The strap will work on a smooth M&S floor but I
>suspect you will have problems going round the corners as they are a bit sharp. You are both having
>to pull sideways which tends to pull it over and go well past so the Brommie is clear of the corner
>before you start to turn which is a real pain.

I would leave just two of the wheels on the ground, which should make manoeuvring much easier.
That's what happens at the moment, but I want something that's easier to grab hold of and lift one
end than the back of the seat. Experiment coming up this weekend.

The M&S trolleys are a bit small anyway - it's just a food outlet.

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