You can see how it works in this short clip on my instagram page here.
The Eerder Stoppy bar is compatible with all the Brompton luggage frames (except the electric ones) and the Trigo version available here.
The Stoppy bar prevents your Brompton bag from falling forward. This tipping over is caused by the small angled foot in combination with the inbalance caused by the stuff in your bag and the flexiblitity (lack of stiffness) of the bag. The stiffer waterproof bags like the Metro and the Borough suffer less from this, but still it might happen. You know best if you will benefit from the Stoppy bar or don't need one. But with it your bag will certainly not tip over anymore.
It comes in two different lengths: short and long. The short one is 136mm long and the long one 166. This length is also the stickout from the front of your front carrier block or the corresponding face of the luggage frame. So you can check your bag to know which one would fits best. If you don't mind or enjoy seeing the 'happy face' cut out at the end of the Stoppy bar than you can also choose the long version although your bag is for instance around 135 mm in depth.
The Stoppy bar comes with all hardware required and two thick rubber O-rings to act as feet to stand on and to be added to the 'çorners' of the luggage frame. The O-rings make your bag stand even more stable and protect the fabric of your bag and the aluminium of the luggage frame.
Assembly: A few fairly simple things you need to do. Ask a handy person in case you don't trust your skills. The Stoppy bar comes pre assembled so it's clear what should be where:
- remove the original screw in the hart of your luggage frame with which the tiny little metal plate is attached to the plastic carrier part.
- the following only applies to Valeria by Trigo luggage frames which are used in the Xplorer bags and can be recognised by the Valeria logo at the front of the biggest plastic part: drill the plastic hole bigger and all the way through with a 5 mm metal drill. Plastic is easy to drill, so a simple cordless drill or even a small electric screw driver will do. Anything that can hold a 5 mm drill bit is fine.
- attach the Stoppy bar to the bottom of the frame with the supplied M5x16 mm allen screw and spring washer and tighten with a moderate torque (you're bolting though plastic, so be gentle, just tight will do)
- Next attach the other side of the Stoppy bar with two M5x16 Allen screws, the two big washers and the flange nuts. Again tighten with a moderate torque, but tight enough so it doesn't rattle loose
- remove both tubular sides of the luggage frame by gently pulling it out of the plastic handle part and the plastic carrier part. Make sure it's done evenly and simultanuously. Hold the tubular side in the centre with one hand while holding the luggage frame with the other hand between your legs in order to do it in a powerfull but controlled manner. When both sides are disassembled you can add the two rubber O-rings, one on either side. And gently push back the sides, again evenly and simultanuously. Note: the Original Brompton frames that come with the Radical Design Roll top bags are pop rivited together. You can remove the rivets by drilling the head off with a 4mm drill. No need to pop in new ones. The latest Brompton lugage frames lack the riverts. The Valeria by Trigo frames used in the Xporer bag and available as a seperate item here have screws rather than rivets and have a less tight fit of the tubular parts (which is convenient).
- Slide the luggage frame back in the bag, adjust the positionM of the O-rings so they don't interfere with the (Velcro) closure on the bottom of your bag and you're done!
Specs:
size: 166 or 136 mm long and 63 mm wide
material: 3 mm thick 304 stainless steel, stone tumbled for a nice RAW finish
including stainless steel fasteners and two rubber O rings
weight : 114 gram for the long Mk2 and 107 grams for the short Mk1 version including rubber parts and hardware