One toolkit to rule them all

Almost exactly a year to the day that I had a look at the Brompton Toolkit and said to myself that I wouldn't get it as I didn't feel I would need it as I always have my O Bag or saddle bag to store the tools needed for puncture repairs while out on the road.

What a difference a year makes.

Last week Brompton released the UPDATED Brompton Toolkit.

When Brompton first released the toolkit back in late 2012 there was a problem with the tire levers. The original levers where constructed from 2 elements, plastic and metal. With this combination and the toughness of small tires the levers reportely broke when under the strain of taking the tires off the rims.

Brompton stopped production and redesigned the tire levers. I fortunately was just about to buy said toolkit but decided to wait till after the redesign.

2014 Brompton Toolkit

In this wonderfully designed little package is everything you would need to repair your Brompton when on the road.

• Tyre levers with 8mm + 10mm spanners
• 15mm spanner with ratchet driver
• Pozi and flat screwdriver bit
• 2.5mm + 5mm bit
• 3mm + 4mm bit
• 2mm + 6mm bit
• Puncture repair patches
• Sandpaper

Now in addition to this I will have an Air Rush Regulator with CO2 cannisters & a spare inner tube. ALL of this doesn't necessarily need to go the saddle bag but could go into the main tubes of BumbleB when packed properly.

With a thinner inner tube I'm hoping both inner tube & CO2 regulator CO2 cannister will fit.

Just about jammed in standard inner tube

Vulpine CycloGames at The Oval

Did something today that I'm not really proud of. I went without BBB to a cycling event. 

This is the first ever time I have done this & it felt so wrong. 

The Vulpine CycloGames event was at the Oval, E9 which isn't to far, I could have rode easily. But I didn't know the situation with security for BBB so I left him home. In hind sight I should have took him with me & went full on BumbleB suited to. More on that later. 

I had a quick look around & came across the lovely folks on the Brompton stand,  They actually recognized me even without BBB. I soon learn that one if them actually worked on BBB's rear frame earlier this year.  

After chatting for awhile I got talked into doing the fastest folding competition. Did it in about 10.30secs which was the fastest for about 20mins.

Lovely folks at the Brompton Stand

Found out that the guy on the right (I'm so bad with names) worked on BBB when it was in for his rear frame replacement back in February this year.

Having done my fold I went a wondering around the event.

The iBikeLDN folks

Tasted pretty good

Cool designed pedals

The Oval

 Found out that I actually got into the finals for the Brompton Folding contest.

There was 3 of us doing it at the same time. Under the pressure of doing it in front of a crowd I ended up being last. BUT afterwards found that the 2nd placed didn't tighten the seat clamp so hadn't actually finished the fold. We decided to flip a coin between us and I called heads and won & got pushed up to 2nd place. Not a good way to gain a place but I'll take it anyway.

2nd Fastest Brompton Fold

Then afterwards came the "Vulpine Sartorially Superb Cyclist" basically finest dressed cyclist. I then found out that there was only 3/4 entries. I thought there would have been ALOT more and  thought you had to be invited kind of thing. Oh well next time I will know to just turn up fully BumbleB'd up & let the legend speak for itself. 

I did feel like Clarke Kent, leaving BBB and my BBB suit at home though. Just ordinary, just human, every un legendary..... 

All in all it was a good little event, hopefully it will be on again next year when I shall be in FULL legendary mode.

The Legend on the Brompton Junction Ride

Brompton Junction Ride was going to be a easy ride ending at the new Brompton Junction store near Convert Garden.

Starting at All Saints Church near Putney Bridge I met up with a few of my ole LBC buddies. Ann M, David P, Jenny H & Walter V. Also Yavor M from Brompton Junction was bringing a few more riders & leading this ride.

After a little late start we was off on our way. The pace was very sedate and gave folks a chance to have a good chat along the way.

Brompton Oratory

Brompton Oratory

Brompton Oratory

After the Brompton Oratory we headed down towards Hyde Park & down past Buckingham Palace.

On the final leg up past Trafalgar Square, though a couple of back streets to the Brompton Junction London Shop where we was going to be treated to hot drinks and something to eat. Also we would be able to purchase some items.

Brompton Junction workshop

Plenty of eye candy

All smiles here

The new updated Brompton Toolkit has been available for a few days so I treated BumbleB to a early Christmas present. I so spoil BBB but I can't help it.

My precious...2014 Brompton Toolkit

Would like to thank everyone at Brompton Junction, London for a great little ride & their hospitality. Looking forward to more rides in the future. I know BBB enjoyed being spoilt.