You know how I wrote a post of a friend’s mod turning an Ortlieb Ultimate 5 handlebar bag into a saddle bag?

Well, I always wondered if you could force a way to mount the Ultimate 5 on the front instead. You could build an adaptor for other mounts so that you could still use the Brompton luggage mounting system. Or, you could do away with an adaptor and use another mount brand. I mean, if you really want something done and you have the tools and skills do to so, then you can build it.

My friend Roland recently shared his Brompton’s newest makeover. He mounted a Dahon Luggage Truss on his bike. I love this idea, and so will Val from HK. LOL.

I think this is pretty ingenious because the Dahon luggage mount (you could also use the one from Tern) opens up a whole slew of luggage possibilities at more affordable prices (maybe). It’s compatible not only with Tern/Dahon bags, but also with certain models from Ortlieb and KlickFix.

He says he, “Drilled a longer bottom hole to mount the bottle cage nut.” I suppose the Brompton’s mounting holes aren’t aligned the same as as the Dahon’s, which is why he did that.

The Dahon luggage truss is longer and looks like it’s slightly higher than the standard Brompton block. Unless the bag/frame mounted in front is higher than the handlebar or touches the wheel, I don’t think it will affect steering.

Roland says it doesn’t affect the fold either, except perhaps if you plan to pack it up for travel and put it in luggage or a box. Then I’d worry that handlers would throw the packed bike around and it’ll land on the truss and break it.

The only serious downside I see at the moment is that the Dahon truss isn’t able to carry the same weight load as the Brompton block. Dahon says it’s got a weight limit of 5kg, while Tern’s version can carry up to 7kg. At least that’s what the product details say, but let’s be honest, I bet it can carry much more than that.

I think the Brompton block has double the weight load limit. Brompton’s touring bag alone has a capacity of 31 liters. If you fill that up, it’s very easy to surpass 7kg let alone 5kg!

If I ever did this mod, I’d get the KlickFix Vario/Tern Kanga front rack for sure!

PS. All photos used with permission from Roland. Thanks!