Miscellaneous

Carradice Lightweight Audax Saddlebag
Waterproof cordura with bright, contrasting liner and nylon buckles and loops.
Modernized, yet true to the brand in that these are very long lasting bags that are up to keeping your stuff dry in extreme weather.

The Lightweight Audax has similar dimensions and weight as the Originals Barley Saddlebag, though the Audax is 35% lighter weight.
The picture shows an Audax on a Bagman Sport QR bag support (by Carradice).

We consider Carradice the original bike camping brand. For over 80 years Carradice has been hand making bicycle bags in the UK. They have a range of bags to suit a wide variety of uses, but at the core of ALL of their bag designs is being durability and weatherproof.

The new Audax Saddlebag is selling very well and while Carradice initially brought it to market as a limited edition, they have determined that there is great demand for a lighter and slightly less expensive Carradice saddlebag.

Quick Links:
Carradice Sadddlebags
Carradice Lightweight Audax Saddlebag
Carradice Bagman Saddlebag Supports

The next evolution of the collaboration between Brompton and David Millar’s CHPT3

Are you looking for the hottest Brompton ever made? There's no doubt that the CHPT3 is going to win a lot of votes in that contest and... well, I did buy a 2018 CHPT3 myself, so you know it wins my vote.

From the CHPT3 press release*:
Everything about the new Brompton X CHPT3 has been designed with style and substance but also weight reduction in mind. Textured matte black titanium rear frame and forks, complement the fire red front frame and reduce weight over a standard Brompton – tipping the scales at only 10.3kg overall. The design philosophy continues within the black componentry, race-tuned suspension by David Millar himself, Schwalbe One tan-wall tyres and Fabric Scoop saddle, carrying the Devesa print pattern of CHPT3’s home town of Girona. All parts selected for performance and lightness, yet durable and comfortable for day to day city riding and carving out new routes.

Fabric Scoop Saddle
Offering exceptional performance and designed to suit your riding style. Extremely light, durable yet comfortable, the Fabric Scoop is designed exclusively for Brompton and features the Devesa print, inspired by the home of CHPT3, Girona.

Fabric Slim Grips
Stay in control with the lightest lock-on grip in the world. Dual texture kraton rubber sleeve, in red and black, over a perforated lightweight core. Maximum grip with or without gloves.

Schwalbe One Folding Tire
The fastest tires ever made for a Brompton. The new 35mm Schwalbe One offers low rolling resistance while retaining a high level of puncture protection by utilizing extremely cut-resistant high-tech fibre. The stunning Tan wall color sets off the unique CHPT3 look.

Suspension for SPEED
The extra firm rear suspension block paired with the Schwalbe One tyre provides sharp, responsive rider feel. Ideal for carving up the city streets with precision.

CHPT3 Looks!
Textured matte black titanium rear frame and front fork. Light, fast and durable. Complimented perfectly by CHPT3’s signature fire red on the front frame.

The CHPT3 has many amazing features, yet at the core is the ever amazing Brompton Folding Bike

Ready to Order?

Brompton is only manufacturing 1,000 CHPT3's for the globe. If you want one of them, now is the time.
BUY NOW!

Superlight (Titanium) Details:
For a few months now, Brompton has not been offering Superlight Bikes as an option. Titanium is difficult to source and it also challenges the manufacturing crew. At the moment Brompton is not saying that Superlights will be available at any time in the future. IF you want a titanium Brompton, I'd recommend that you get yourself a CHPT3 as the future of titanium Brompton bikes will continue to be a challenge for Brompton.
Customization:
If you are looking to make the CHPT3 a better commuter, we'd recommend adding fenders and a front bag as well as dynamo lighting (or at least USB lights). These items are all options on our CHPT3 product page.
The CHPT3 is available from Brompton with the only options being seatpost length (standard, extended or telescopic), so any upgrades or modifications will be handled by our expert Brompton technicians.
At Perennial Cycle, we are Brompton specialists with a lot of Brompton super-users on staff. Let us know if you have any questions.
Call: 612-827-8000 | email
Mailorder:
Yes, we will mailorder you a CHPT3 if you live in the US. Shipping's a little extra to Alaska or Hawaii, but pretty reasonable all across the board. All bike's being shipped out first get fully assembled and test ridden by a Brompton Technician, then the bike is boxed for shipping. We expect you to be riding within 20 minutes of receiving the bike (and that's giving you plenty of time to be very deliberate and thoughtful about the process). If you have any questions along the way, feel free to give us a call: 612-827-8000.

*Full Press Release Here

The Day Across Minnesota (DaMN) is an amazing 240 mile gravel race that starts in South Dakota and ends in Wisconsin. Riders of the race are given 24 hours to complete the 240 miles. You have to make 3 time cutoffs throughout the day in order to receive the needed cue sheets to complete the race. The checkpoints that you get the next set of cue sheets are at 60 miles, 120 miles and 186 miles. The time cutoffs (including the finish), are based on a 10 mph pace. I cannot tell you how much fun I had crushing gravel all night and all day last Saturday. The event is extremely well organized by the amazing Trenton, who somehow does it all side by side with his family and friends with big smiles and much cheer throughout the entire race. Trenton also is the Race Organizer for the Filthy Fifty Gravel Race.
DaMN starts at midnight. 170+ racers rode out of Gary, SD in pitch darkness due to overcast skies.

Here are some random thoughts I had during the race:
- Did I hear that guy say he's carrying a spare tire? Crap! I only have one tube, which I knew was risky, but now it seems preposterous... I'm doomed
- Was I thinking straight signing up for this knowing that I was doing it alone... unsupported?
- I wish I had worked out something so that I wasn't leaving a borrowed car out here.
- Do I have time for one more sandwich? They taste great!
- I'm pretty sure I'll be good with just the short sleeved Norsk shirt and a pair of shorts... I'll probably be a bit chilled at the start
- It's go-time. I am sooo ready for this
- Fireworks start the race. That's so fun.
- Hey, there's Linda and Val
- Wow, I've fallen back from the line of racers. I think I'll try and catch them
- Whoa! sandy road conditions. What the hell was I so over confident about? This might turn out to be a nightmare. Last year the first 60 miles were smooth and fast. Yikes, that guy nearly sideswiped me.
- Can you believe how we go from night chilled air to steamy hot air in an instant?
- The fog and heat variances has my glasses way messed up with condensation, though they look more like I'm riding in rain
- Hey, wait, this might be our turn. Yes, it IS our turn. Hey! Stop... Bummer, those 2 guys just missed the turn. I gotta be super careful not to screw up on the cue sheets
- One things for sure, the cue sheets are not to be doubted.
- My lights are solid... OMG, that muskrat is in my way and I don't have great control in this loose gravel. Whew! Just missed it. I guess it wasn't moving because my light blinded it.
- Why are these guys hanging behind me? I know they're faster than me? "you having a good ride?" Oh, got it, your lights are out of power and you need an escort. All good
- I can taste The Baker's Wife Doughnuts now. There's The Banjo Brother's Checkpoint one!
- Wow! That owl hooting was amazing. I want to catch those two in front of me and see if they heard it. It was magical... Oh, I can't really catch them. I hope they heard it...so awesome!
- I'm 80 miles in and feel like I'm still running on adrenaline. 80, that's 1/3 of the way. No, don't think like that. This event is 4 races that are about 60 miles each. Stay focused on the 4 races...
- Gas station! Nice time refuel... Wow, a day old raspberry scone, this is exactly what I'd be eating if I was at work.
- Hey, just finished my first century of the year. That's nice... My pace is still feeling speedy.
- I hope they have those awesome crepes at the HED (checkpoint 2) again.
- Yes, there's the 120 checkpoint. Hey, Chris Skogen, great seeing you again. oops, I bet that hug was pretty stinky for him... Can you send me that pic you just took? Crepes! Savory please... any chance I can have two? HED is so awesome
- I'm starting to bog down now.Looks like that guy's struggling with the route... yep, we're going straight here. How's your ride?
- Henry, from the Hub. Nice too meet you. I can lead for a bit. I need a quick break as well. My feet are starting to get a bit sore... or rather numb actually...
- I'm really guzzling the water now. I think it's hotter than I realize... These hills are really starting to slow me down... This road has some frickin' fast traffic. I need to make a safe left turn ahead.
- Holy Crap! That's a huge hill. It goes on forever. So much for my bank. I think I'm falling back from my 5 hour/60 miles mark.
- If there's not water at Checkpoint 3 (mile 186), I'm going to be knocking on a farmhouse...That's no problem... Crap... I'm struggling
- Hey, there's The Hub's Checkpoint 3. OMG, wasn't sure I'd make it...Wow! There cheering me on. This is amazing. Hi Craig, oh, you're filming me, yeah, I'm really bogging down..OMG! Licorice and the water is COLD. Eric, mind if I sit down. Really, I'm doing well? I thought I lost all my momentum. This is such a nice Checkpoint. I can't believe how nice everyone is. A cold root beer, that's amazing! yes, please...
- One quick tweet and I'm gonna hit the road. Totally gonna kill it on the last section. 54 miles to go
- Hills, lots of them. This starting to wear me down
- No way am I ever going to do this crazy race again. 240 is barely possible for a human with a job...
- Wow! This is going great. I don't think I'm going to be hallucinating this year. That's kind of my final hurdle. If I start losing it I don't have anyone to pull me back to reality... you got this Luke
- I need to get the most out of the downhills at this point because I'm not able to hammer the uphills at all. Straight up struggle at this point.
- I'm pretty sure those are the trees that I thought were 25 foot tall bunnies last year.
- Everyone I see is passing me, but I'm only competing with myself, so all good.
- I'm pretty sure I'm going to beat sunset... that would be so amazing
- I hope the construction at the bridge is finished... crossing the bridge was stupid scary last year
- The bridge is still under construction. Yikes, that truck is pulling a huge boat... do they know how wide they are...OK, they got past me...let's pick up the pace and get off this bridge...I'd be OK with ending in a park in Red Wing and dipping my tire in the river as the Wisconsin ending...I wonder if there's a park with water access...
- I'm glad they put that DaMN route sign there, I would have missed this road for sure. Well, actually it's not really really a road, but a construction project. That's kind of cool.
- I did it, just have to find the finish... there's the tent...I know I dreamed of doing some cool no handed wave and smile thing at the end...I'm just not capable...There's that amazing Trenton...How amazing is he that he came up with this? He's smiling... yeah John, you can take my pic. Where do you want me?
- I wonder if there will be another DaMN...I'd be into trying this again...

Completing the Day Across Minnesota was definitely a highlight of my summer. 240 miles of gravel roads that cross the entire state of Minnesota turned out to be a surreal experience that I loved training for and I loved riding in.

Training: For 6 weeks before the race I committed to riding super hard every single day for at least 25 miles (1-1/2 hours). This regimen got me in decent shape within a couple of weeks and it got easier and easier for me to knock off 30-40 miles at a fast pace. Whenever possible I jumped the rides to 35-40 miles. I got in several rides in the evening as a way to get comfortable riding at speed, in the dark. By the end I was able to do my typical loops as fast in darkness as in the light. I rode many of these miles with Derek, who typically is riding these events with me (though the DaMN weekend he was unable to race). My only 2 somewhat lengthened rides were a 70 mile and an 80 mile rides.

Gear: I rode my beloved Curt Goodrich all-road bike. This bike is setup with a 1x11 drive train, Jones Bars, SON Dynamo front hub that ran my lights at night and charged my phone during the day. I used 700x38 Schwalbe G One tires (setup tubeless). My Banjo Brothers Frame Pack was loaded with snacks and a jacket and my Carradice Twiston had my tube and repair kit. The Tubus Rack and SKS fenders were not needed for the ride, but I felt it was a bit safer just leaving them on the bike rather than doing a lot of work to the bike right before the race.

Of the myriad ways of carrying various things by bike, one of our most popular (and convenient) solutions is the Finn Universal Phone Mount. We've tested the gamut of phone-mounting solutions for your bike, from touchscreen-compatible bags to complicated hard plastic gizmos, and we were as surprised as anyone to realize that the best solution is actually just kind of a glorified rubber band.

Bags can be annoying to take on and off, and there's no guarantee that your touch screen will work through that plastic cover. Hard plastic mounts are functional in theory, but they're bulky, ugly, and occasionally manage to launch phones onto the pavement. Not to mention both of these solutions are a no-go if you have a modern phone with a very large screen.

The Finn, on the other hand, is a low-profile mount that's simple to install. It provides a very secure connection, and the rubber takes shocks and bumps in stride instead of rattling loose. It's made of silicon that stretches up to 400%, so it's stretchy enough to handle any size phone without snapping. You only mount it when you need it, so it doesn't ugly up your bike when you're not using it. With all these advantages, it's truly the Cadillac of phone mounts. Except Cadillacs are expensive and this thing costs a little less than $20, so maybe it's the secondhand Honda Accord of phone mounts. Keep scrolling to see how this little guy works, and click here to see it on our website.

Mounting the Finn:

Position the mount on the handlebars so the bike icon is facing you.

Insert the tabbed end of the mount into the cutout just above the bike icon.

Pull the tabbed end completely through. The bike icon should still be facing you.

Set your phone directly on top of the bike icon and stretch the bottom loops of the Finn over the bottom corners of your device.

Repeat with the top half of the Finn.

Congrats, you did it! Don't crash while you're staring at Google Maps.

While some may scoff at the notion of having your phone at your fingertips during a ride, the practicalities are undeniable. It's a DJ controller and a built-in navigation system. An entry-level GoPro camera for budding videographers. You can even run Strava on it to track your mileage if that's your thing, I don't know, I'm not your mom. Get yourself a Finn and go wild.

You can purchase the Finn phone mount for yourself and every cyclist you know right here.