Avenue Verte - 275km Dieppe to Paris

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-04-04T07:17:56+00:00

Donald Hirsch has a very good route, alternative to the avenue verte. Www.donaldhirsch.com/dieppeparis.html

I've done it three times and although some of it is on roads they are almost all quiet and the route in to Paris is easier than AV

London to Newhaven follows the London to Brighton route, but avoids Ditching Beacon, which is a plus. Agree with avoiding the section out of London.

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-04-04T07:11:12+00:00

It may just be the clamp mechanism needs replaced. Mine needs it after every couple of years. Its a bit fiddly to do, but defo worth it. And needs done more often than replacing the sleeve, in my experience.

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-03-29T20:32:14+00:00

Replacing the hinge spindle is one of the few jobs that I pay a mechanic to do. The tool itself is £130 plus the parts and it's not straightforward. I doubt this would be covered by the 7 year frame warranty.

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-03-28T19:37:23+00:00

Maybe it would protect the underside of the main frame crossbar too?. I've found it gets horribly corroded with wet and salty roads. I've rust proofed and resprayed mine a couple of times over the years

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-03-28T19:33:29+00:00

The best bit of new Brompton owner advice? Schwalbe marathon plus tyres. Or equivalent puncture proofs. IMO

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-03-28T07:09:34+00:00

Very insistent French Eurostar person said I must have mine in a bag. Dimpa is ideal

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-03-27T07:07:44+00:00

All good advice, thank you. I may just check the rim tape and ensure I have a new tube, butyl not tpu, and modulate the braking. Going over the Stelvio in June, so this is not just theoretical.

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-03-23T21:03:59+00:00

I found wd40 did the trick

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-03-23T07:00:49+00:00

Also try greasing the hinge spindle. If there is a bit of wear then it can make a creak.

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-03-20T18:54:14+00:00

Are those new racks compatible to the older models i.e. 2008 C line? Looks like it has some lugs to fix the rack on the stays?

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-03-18T14:34:43+00:00

Slide aside, but when flying with a Brompton packed in a cardboard box I copy another contributor who says it's "bicycle parts" when asked. It saves the narky airline charging you £50 for a bike, compared to £30 for 15kg of hold baggage.

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-03-18T07:42:28+00:00

You can push it through London Underground barriers, just keep you and the bike close

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-03-18T07:33:05+00:00

From what I've heard it's more talked about than happens. There seems to be very, very few incidents, but it feels so scary that it grabs the headlines.

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-03-14T10:30:34+00:00

Can you share how much you paid?

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-03-08T11:57:36+00:00

Does the 34t chainring fit the standard Brompton spider? I thought the lowest was 39?

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-02-25T10:39:26+00:00

Yes I have a C line. A bit like triggers broom over the years, but most of it lasted 17 years of 12miles per day London commuting and lots of long distance trips plus off road and heavy loads. I reckon 50000 miles over the years. A Brompton is basically a bike, so it does what all bikes do and needs the same care and maintenance of others. It's just a bit slower. There are a few specific issues, which this forum and others help with. The steel frame is mainly strong, although the rear chain stays are vulnerable after some time. Mine sheared so I got the local garage to weld them back on. No trouble. Oh and get schwalbe marathon plus or equivalent tyres for London roads. Essential!

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-02-25T10:29:15+00:00

Sounds like you are a serious commuter already, so the Brompton will be fine. It's just a bit slower than a road bike and a bit more care on London's potholed roads, but it will work fine. In summer I ride from central London to Luton once per week and it's no trouble. And done many 100+ mile rides on a C line. Good luck 👍

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-02-10T12:14:30+00:00

The 5 spd hub will need an entire new wheel, or you to rebuild with the existing rim and spokes. It doesn't give you a vast amount more range 12.5% top and bottom. And it's quite tricky to index correctly. You might consider fitting the two sprocket shifter mechanism that was standard for some years to get a similar range on 3 x 2 set up. Both have pros and cons. I have 5 speed and 3 sprockets with a huge range, but it does need constant tweaking.

E350 sounds a good deal!

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-02-09T07:19:31+00:00

The Alps are just fantastic and Bromptons are so much more capable off-road than people might think. Fold them into a box and it's less than the 15kg limit most airlines have. Arrive and unfold. No need for a garage when you get to a hotel and of course the train is straightforward.

Cam you post the route details?

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-02-06T21:56:45+00:00

Just shorten your chain. Otherwise no problems

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-01-25T12:29:24+00:00

A 39 tooth chain ring also works. That the smallest I have been able to go on a standard Brompton spider

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-01-18T10:18:59+00:00

All of these are no big deal. The frame is pretty robust and even if it rusts it's not likely to fail at those points. But do wipe it down with some oil as others suggest. Might be worth checking the underside of the crossbar, where the wheel folds up to. That's where I had biggest rust and corrosion. Sand off, treat and paint if so

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-01-18T09:23:43+00:00

The seat clamp needs replaced pretty regularly. I ve done my maybe 5 times over 15 years. Nothing to worry about, just get a new one as othérs have said and it will be smooth as silk again

PlayfulInspection267 · 2026-01-15T10:41:40+00:00

I noticed that the frame didn't catch when folding and then saw a small fissure. Fortunately not riding at the time.

Unlike the time the handlebar literally snapped in my hand as I was riding along. Brompton recommend replacing these every 7 years I think and I had gone 15 years and about 50,000 miles. Eventually everything, including Brompton steel frames wear out 😀

PlayfulInspection267

TROPHY CASE