folding bike

  1. NEW: Souma Handlebar Bags for Brompton

    Anyone who has stopped into our shop on Hennepin Avenue (or browsed our website, for that matter) knows for a fact that we absolutely love bicycle bags. We have bags to fit just about any bike, and our selection of Brompton-specific bags is especially formidable. So we were thrilled to find out that Souma, a tiny company operating out of the Czech Republic, is making a handlebar bag that's unlike any the ones we were already stocking. We knew we had to get them in the store!

    There are many handlebar bags that could be used on a Brompton, but nearly all of them fit weirdly, or get in the way somehow, or simply flop awkwardly onto the concrete when you're folding the bike. These Souma bags, on the other hand, perfectly fill the unused space in the middle of your M- or H-type Brompton handlebars. They're easy to mount up with four leather straps and four heavy duty snaps. They don't flop around or interfere with the fold, and they keep your essentials within easy reach. A snap closure keeps your stuff inside when the bike is folded and the bag is upside down. It's a design that we've never seen before, and as soon as we saw it we wondered why the heck nobody had thought of it until now.

    Handmade in Brno, Czech Republic from full-grain leather, Souma bags are available in two versions to fit either your pre-2017 or current model M/H bar (for those who don't know, Brompton modified the shape of the M/H handlebar back in 2017 - see photos for clarification). The 2017 version is slightly smaller to fit the updated handlebar, and comes in three colors: Topaz (which matches Brooks "Honey" saddles), Brown, and Black. Folks with pre-2017 bikes can choose a brown or black bag.

    If you need color suggestions: Topaz looks especially nice with softer colors like grey and turkish green. Brown looks excellent on our nickel edition bikes. When in doubt, black looks good with everything (but we like it especially well with bright colors such as red or lime). Like any quality leather good, your Souma bag will acquire a unique and beautiful patina with time and use, so buy it, use it, and love it and know that you're only making it look cooler. Click here to check out Souma bags on our website.

  2. Brompton Folding Competition

    This past summer we had a Brompton learning seminar with our Brompton Agent Ed Rae. We learned lots of new info regarding the phenomenal folding bikes (we love them), ate some great pizza from Lucé and finished off the event with some friendly competition:

    Who can fold a Brompton bicycle the fastest?

    Here's a video of the fun race.

  3. Customer's Article on Folding Bikes

    Dave Pedals to See the Sights in San Francisco

    Long time customer Dave Bengston recently wrote an article for Minnesota Cyclist about getting in a few miles while being out on the road. Dave is passionate about riding his bicycles and his enthusiasm shines through in the article. Nice!

    Have Folding Bike, Will Travel
    By David N. Bengston

    Business travel is not very exciting or fun – unless you can get in some bicycling along the way! Then it becomes an adventure. Imagine hitting the bike trails and exploring interesting places after your workday, rather than watching television in your hotel room. Imagine arriving at your business meeting by bike instead of taxi after an exhilarating morning ride. I’ve confused a few receptionists who assumed I was a bike courier who was there to make a delivery!

     

  4. Carradice City Folder Bag for Brompton Bikes

    Three examples of City Folder Bags

    Carradice has been hand crafting quality cycle luggage for over 70 years in their factory in Nelson, England. Not many companies that were started in the 1930's are still in business, but Carradice is. In fact they are still in the same town and continue to be in family hands.

    We import the Carradice product because we feel that it is special both in regards to design and quality. Being a single store front makes importing quite a hassle as there are a good number of details involved in getting the product into the shop (what was the tariff number and who does the check for duty go to?), but as a specialty retailer we see great value in the Carradice brand and feel that it is worth the effort.
    Here is a link our Carradice product: Carradice at Perennial Cycle

    Their specialty is hand crafted bicycle bags made of cotton duck that are designed for long life. These new City Folder bags designed specifically for Brompton Folding Bicycles are classic in their style and feel, though they have updated features to fit the world that we live in. All three bags are massive and loaded with features. The black and the green (referred to as "originals" as they are made of cotton duck) are identical in design and features, simply different colors. The gray Carradry is designed to be a waterproof bag, while the cotton duck models are highly water resistant. The Carradry model is slightly smaller because it does not have the two back pockets, but rather two mesh pouches. Also, the Carradry model's Laptop bag is not removable to be used as a bag of it's own (unlike the cotton duck models).

    SPECIFICATIONS:

    Main Compartment:
    16 x 5-1/2 x 14" (1232 cu in.)

    Laptop Bag:
    15 x 10 x 2"

    Back Pockets (on Originals):
    5 x 3-1/2 x 8" (130 cu in.)

    TOTAL CAPACITY:
    Originals > 1492 cu in., 25 Liters

    The City Folders are very easy to mount and unmount from the bike (a 5 second task). Carradice uses the front carrier block and bag frame that Brompton has designed and manufactured on the City Folder. This system is strong, light and long lasting.

    The bracket that attaches to the bicycle (Front Carrier Block) bolts onto mounting holes that are on all Brompton headtubes. This means that the weight does not influence the steering of the bike. When you turn the handlebars, the bag does not turn with them.

    While the original models use a pair of nice looking leather straps to lash down the top cover, they have a nylon buckle (like the Carradry model) that works as the quick buckle and unbuckle for the top (these nylon buckles are hidden under the leather straps). The leather straps are to be used to tighten and loosen the fit of the top depending on how overstuffed your bag might be.

    There is a laptop bag inside of the main compartment that is nicely padded with a few pockets (phone, camera and power chord). This bag is suspended  to prevent your laptop from banging the bottom of your bag each time you hit a bump. The cotton duck models use velcro straps to attach the laptop bag. This makes removing the laptop bag a cinch and they provide a separate small shoulder strap to allow you to use the laptop bag as it's own bag. The Carradry model's padded laptop bag is the same bag, though the bag is not removable. There also is a larger shoulder strap for walking about with the City Folder (all models).

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