One million Bromptons

Saw that in the news this morning.

Never actually ridden one!

I bought one this year, it's ace. And now officially one in a million 😎
You're right, it's not the best bike in absolute terms, but it's a bike you can take in situations where a normal bike can not be, so therefore it's the bike you have. It beats walking.

A mate has about 7 of them.

He actually started (but DNF'd) TransContinental on one a few years ago, it was quite a big thing in conjunction with David Millar / Chpt3.

I've only had mine about 9 months but it's a phenomenal piece of kit for commuting into London. Saved a bunch on what would otherwise be £2.50 zone 1 fares and I think it's quicker door to door KGX <> The City than the tube (once you factor in walking through stations).

Also been great for times when I've had to drop the car off for its MOT or similar where you'd otherwise be walking 3 miles or looking for a lift.

Expensive but nothing else folds up that small to my knowledge

I scraped an unfortunate gentleman from the road to couple of weeks back and took his Brompton back to his wife in the local town whilst he had a lovely ride in an ambulance.

I had to park some distance from his house because parking in town was crap and I rode his bike to his house.

It's certainly a clever folding design but it felt like a twitchy deathtrap and I couldn't see where the money was in it.

My colleague in the London office has one

It's now basically art in the office as he realised that you have to ride it on the roads with all the bad people.

I wonder how many people do the same?

The bikes are great, the customer service isn't. Been waiting over 12 weeks for a new warranty replacement frame.

Now they're trying to tell me they'll have to give me a different colour, only the main frame being replaced, so it'll look like a parts bin special.

Not happy really, they're supposed to be premium, the prices certainly are.

A friend of my wife’s did LEJOG on one. He wasn’t the slowest by far. So like them, but have no need (or money) for one. There was a nice tV program about their apprenticeship scheme a few months ago. Maybe called Made in Britain or something.

They aren’t a bad ride (I rode 200km on one), but my Tactic with same sized wheels and my Btwin with 20”, both drop bars and fixed, ride much better. The Tactic weighs 9 kilos which makes it much easier to carry. The btwin is a fast “fold in half” for train trips if the guard asks. I’d like the t-model (see username) but they sold them all to speculators on EBay and are commanding about 50% markup (if any ever sell). Same as the Chpt3 version.

Nothing has come close for a complete folding package. And the UK manufacture and bespoke parts means relatively high price. My Tactic is modified to use the Brompton luggage block and I use one of their bags. My btwin uses a rack and briefcase. I’d like a titanium 20” Brompton with longer wheelbase and drop bars. Bike Friday don’t really fold, nor do Airminal (I had a Rhino I rode around Swinley until it was stolen.

If you want funky there are others too:
Airnimal (poor fold, good performance)
Bike Friday (packable rather than foldable, great race bikes)
Mobikey Genius (French and a bit heavy, funky fold, used)
Pacific carryme (rather tiny and cool and relaunched, easy to pull around)
Airframe (had one of these mk1, clown bike pivots with poor ride)
Zootr Swift (poor fold but good geometry)
Dahon (folding rather than Folder, nice ride, ubiquitous and rebranded)
Tern (see above post the Dahon family divorce!)
Mezzo (whyte design, great bike used only)
Strida (odd geometry but useable fold)
And a few others.

Brompton is the best convenience mix. If you want background, subscribe to a2b magazine. It’s a great mag. And yes, I’m a folding bike geek.

It’s certainly a clever folding design but it felt like a twitchy deathtrap and I couldn’t see where the money was in it.

They do feel like that to start with but you soon get used to it. Having a luggage load on the front block also makes a big difference IMHO.

I have (had) a love hate relationship with mine (S3L). It rides "OK" and its a lot of fun in heavy traffic. The fold is awesome.

But the brakes are woeful. There's been many a time (esp in the wet) when I've had genuine, heart-in-mouth "I can't stop, no really I can't" moments. I've upgraded the levers to the new ones, compressionless outer cables, decent inners good pads, but still they're a horrible mushy, flexy, non-retarding mess.

...and the gears - which may be specific(ish) to mine - Sturmey 3spd hub gear, which has the options of "winch up everest", "a bit too low to be useful" and "Need to be Chris Hoy to power this". I bought it second hand, but would probably go SS given the choice.

Having realised no-one bothers booking the bikespaces on the trains I use, I've gone back to my fixie, which on the whole is just a much more pleasnat experience, and the stopping power from a single sidepull caliper and my pipecleaner legs is in a whole different (better!) league.

The brommy gets dragged out occasionally as it fits in the boot of my hairdresser car, or if I'm doing a random multi-change train journey. Mostly for that type stuff its just minorly annoying - it never quite works properly, but is liveable with for a short duration.

I love mine. I don't use it as much as I once did so when I do get on it, it feels very twitchy. However after I've got used to it, every other bike feels dead and lifeless.

Mezzo here, useful for popping in car boot or taking on tube, terrible to carry anywhere.

We live next to a 75 year old who spent his teens and 20s riding around Wales and the rest of the UK on his fixed wheeled bike and then geared until late 60s. About 5 years ago he bought a Brompton because he said he could do a nice 20-30 miles on it, then use his free bus pass to come home afterwards (as he was getting ‘too old’ for bigger days).

You’re right, it’s not the best bike in absolute terms, but it’s a bike you can take in situations where a normal bike can not be, so therefore it’s the bike you have. It beats walking.

The best bike is the one you've got with you.

Mezzo here, useful for popping in car boot or taking on tube, terrible to carry anywhere.

The trick with any folding bike is to carry it as little as possible. For example, only fold it when waiting for the train, or already on board. And unfold before you get off. Not sure if that works when changing lines on the tube though.

Never ridden a folder, but I was so tempted by https://www.halfords.com/bikes/folding-bikes/carrera-intercity-disc-9-speed-folding-bike-536878.html this year, especially when it dropped to £405 a few weeks back.

Re: brakes, my first experience of their "for decorative purposes" was riding mine for the first time. Was also first time riding in London, was raining and dark

Got to the end of Southwark Bridge and has to go full Flintstones. I ended up taking it back into the shop after a few weeks (trying to give them time to properly bed in) and tell them it was trying to kill me. They removed a lot of slack from the cable (worrying as it's unlikely it stretched that much in six weeks, must have been factory setup) and they've been "better" but still not great.

I struggle to describe how much I dislike Brompton bikes.
I had one for a while, it was awful in every conceivable way.
The ride is uncomfortable, the handling is twitchy, the brakes close to useless, the gear shifting bloody awful, when it actually worked. I don’t think it had a single redeeming feature.
I sold it after a few months and went back to walking to/from the station.

I’ve had a Tern folding bike for a while now and it’s better than the Brompton in almost every aspect.

Loved the Brompton fold, and it was the only folding bike I would regularly fold at all times - even for storage. But it was always three kilos too heavy to carry anywhere. Sold it years ago and then bought a Tactic (aluminium frame and nine kilos fully stripped down). carried it around Waitrose yesterday.

Then I had an Aha! moment. I watched students get on the train with a half-folded btwin (just unclip and fold in half at the main joint, ignore the saddle and bars) and realised that you don't really have to fold bikes that often to travel on the Elizabeth line and other trains (also overground piccadilly line). So that's when I bought and modified the btwin to a drop bar fixed wheel 20" folder. It's heavy as, but the ride is very good.

To my list you can add the following:
Birdy (decent fold, lighter and better ride than Brompton - now made by Pacific)
Sinclair A bike (only useful in a shopping mall as the wheels are so small and the frame flexes. Rode one at the launch, used)
Hummingbird (carbon loveliness and you pay for it! British design, expensive)
Fabric (expensive Btwin)
Jango Flik (interesting fold that leaves a package about the same size as the bike!)
The Carrera is a rebranded Dahon, I believe. It's a good bike.
Dawes and Raleigh are also badge engineered.

And for something completely different, get a Kwiggle - you go tiny without a seat post and have a standing position https://www.kwigglebike.com/en_US/!

https://www.foldingcyclist.com/index.html and of course the original folding bike society http://www.foldsoc.co.uk for some nice legacy reviews. They still ride out.

Brompton M3L. Love mine. Gets used at least once a week for the commute, very quick and easy to fold. It gets folded or unfolded many times during that commute - unfold at home, fold at station, unfold at other end, fold to go into the office. Then the reverse coming back. Spent two nights out this week, took the Brompton into a bar, a pub, very nice restaurant, on the underground. Each time folded and unfolded in between. Has been in all sorts of really high end places and it's never questioned, particularly London e.g 5* hotels and michelin star restaurants, the sorts of places you'd imagine they'd be snooty about it

It's heavy, but I generally only carry it up stairs or inside a building. Generally better to fold and unfold each end because it's so quick. Strangely feels lighter when open than when folded

Gear changes aren't responsive, gears are weirdly spaced, I think the brakes are fine, luggage set up is amazing, and the twitchy steering is what makes it so nimble in traffic and getting around. It's perfect bike in and around a city. It's the most common bike to see in London

I love it's quirkiness, and I love how small it folds. Also have the Brompton IT chair and have had many adventures with the kids riding around and hopping on public transport. Even took it to Silverstone while watching some car racing so we could get around the track (had my son on it too)

Big fan 🙂

@TiRed
Have you not got a Bickerton then?

Saw one in a second hand place a few weeks back and was almost tempted!

I have a two speed Brompton. Bought off a colleague who was upgrading for four hundred quid. It gets used infrequently (my office is secure for full size bikes so can commute on those ) but when you need it it is handy and works well.

Has been in all sorts of really high end places and it’s never questioned, particularly London e.g 5* hotels and michelin star restaurants, the sorts of places you’d imagine they’d be snooty about it

Though I'm not rolling quite as high as BenP is 🙂 this is it, it's what I love about my Brompton (2S with the SON hub and bigger Conti tyres). It's not 'a bike' to the general public. I can go places on / with it that I wouldn't with most bikes, even my other folder*.

*An old Dahon with the re-bar TT frame and 7s Nexus hub - rides far better and is my pic for longer rides to/from stations. It's faster everywhere, the gears work reliably, it's more fun / less sketchy at speed or round corners and it's a better bike in general. But it's nowhere near as good as a multi-mode transport product that disappears when you get to a destination.

Had a little chuckle at that James 🙂

Just to illustrate the point, this really isn't a humblebrag! I had a work dinner event in the Harmsworth room in the Cabinet War Rooms. I cycled up (and almost into) the reception. Folded my bike up and just walked in it, carrying it like it was a bag. They watched me do it, I gave them my name and they nodded me through. Walked past all the staff and other guests (and down all the corridors underneath) and they didn't even blink an eye. Put it down in the room next to my bag.

I was actually expecting to drop it off in the cloakroom like in other places but I just went through with it. Went out for lunch the other day and it was a bit cramped by the table so I left with the front-of-house's station near the entrance. Was great!

These are just examples of how common and how much of a non-event it is with a Brompton. Couldn't try that with a bigger folder. Being able to carry it with one hand easily, albeit it's a bit of a lump, is key

(I realise I sound like a fanboi, I guess I am. And don't worry, it's been in plenty of Maccy Ds, Greggs and kebab shops!)

Have you not got a Bickerton then?

No. Light but flexy with funky bars and a creak to match. thought about it a few times and pretty cheap too. A mint Pashley Micro was on Ebay a while back, but I didn't. the ride is awful. A Pashley foldit is a nice bike with 20 inch wheels but they are rare.

I'm thinking Strida or Carryme next for a bit of fun.

Tactic (note Brompton luggage block and bag)

Btwin (now has a tubus qr2-specific micro rack for my Ortlieb briefcase and proper mudguards after one too many wet rides!)

They're supposed to be building a new global HQ/mega-factory/bike hub/eco-park near me at some point. Would be pretty sweet if they actually pull it off! Hopefully they have a factory shop too, would love a (discounted) Brompton! 😃
[img] ?width=823&height=456&mode=max[/img]

I did a fun ride- pub crawl around the New Forest back in the early 90's with Julian Vereker (Naim Audio, and Brompton early financial backer) and Andrew Richie, and about 40 Naim Audio employees and friends of. Excellent fun, and its been amazing watching Brompton grow in this period since. Big BBQ back at his house that evening. Both were lovely guys and good fun.

I also got done out of the Lantern Rouge in the 2015 Marmotte in France by a guy on a Brompton (It was mental hot one, into the 40's)

I was Lantern Rouge for a few weeks, then he got awarded a winners medal for coming in hours after me. I was pretty miffed as I worked really hard for it 🙂 and he missed all the cut-off's by miles. Git

Used to take my Mezzo D10 everywhere, slightly bigger package when folded but much quicker to fold and unfold and 10 times better to ride. Quite often used to get off 2 or 3 stations before home and ride back 20-30k through the countryside.  Really suprised the company 'folded' for want of a better word!

Had a Brompton for a while but hated the rowing machine ride and awful components - wasn't worth the marginally better folded size. They are good bikes but its the marketing department that really gets the prize

Just in case you thought no need for rad gnarly skillz on a brompton

I'd like to see him ride that without the rear clip - which was only introduced in 2007 😉

I bought 2 a lines this year, even adding mudguards and decathlon folding pedals they come in at c925 and they go everywhere. As said above, the best bike is the one you have with you, so I get a few miles in while waiting at medical appointments, hairdressers etc.

Best tip I ever got was not to buy a lock but just keep it with you. It's been everywhere, cafes, trains, restaurants, hotels.

Brakes in wet are useless but I don't go v fast, and avoid cobbles/metal plaques on road when doing repairs.

Bit left field, but these are not bad for the money. Light (aluminium tubing and steel triangle), 3 speed and disc brakes. Could add a luggage block. Currently on offer as they are moving to s****y electric. Might have a bit of flex due to the joints, but will fold rapidly, if not to tiny dimensions, roll along. Also Spanish like the Jango.

https://ossby.com/en/shop/ossby-eco/

These are just examples of how common and how much of a non-event it is with a Brompton. Couldn’t try that with a bigger folder. Being able to carry it with one hand easily, albeit it’s a bit of a lump, is key

I wonder how much of that is from Will Butler-Adams' personality and promotion of the brand in businesses and media/culture. Photo opps with the Queen, lots of MP visits to a UK business etc and it's a very identifiable bike. And when I lived in a posh town in the SE commuter belt (I'm not trying to compete here Ben, I'll fail haha) the Brompton was a smart train commuter accessory, there were half a dozen on the platform into London most mornings.

Bit left field, but these are not bad for the money

Any idea how they ride? Looks ... not promising?
I rode a Strida once. A brilliant piece of industrial design in many ways, apart from how bad it was as a bike, even for 200yds on a smooth floor.
The Bike Friday has some appeal as a travel bike that rides better than the Brompton, a friend had one for a while and rated it.

@TiRed if you're ever near Taipei you should visit Pacific, it's an amazing factory owned by a really interesting guy who just loves tech and innovation in small wheel bikes. They make Birdys and the Reach, which looks like it may be your ideal folder - https://www.pacific-cycles.com/folding-bikes
The Reach's fork is quite something.
https://pacificcarryme.com/pages/about-us - designed by Pacific's owner

Whilst Brompton may have some drawbacks you can't fault it's design brief, it does exactly what you need it do for a commute. An absolute British manufacturer success story, they are highly revered in Asia and sell quite a few there.
I work for Moulton, the small wheeled pioneers, we no longer do folding, just seperable. Alex Moulton insisted ride quality had to come first. We are absolute minnows compared to Brompton, but again our main market is the far east, we appear to have a god like status over there. I'm lucky enough to be able to borrow a bike or two as a perk of my job, currently got this rather nice AM GT mk3, my lottery win bike.

View this post on Instagram

^ Love Moultons... I'm a real sucker for a trellis frame and they ride superbly. There was a Bicycle Association tech group meeting at the Moulton office and Alex Moulton's family home a few years ago. Dan Farrell gave us a tour, you couldn't have a better tour guide there.

The Reach’s fork is quite something.

I’m familiar with the Reach, nice design but poor fold. Like the Airnimal Joey, you have to take the wheel off. Never a great look on the platform 😉 . The owner of pacific also designed the carryme and that one does look interesting. Very easy to move around and quite light. They lopped the rear rack off the new version to make it smaller. They also do a BB planetary geared two speed version.

I would commend a2b magazine. The paper copy, it’s geeky but great. https://www.atob.org.uk/ And you’ll see Jane Henshaw riding bikes in ordinary clothes sans helmet. Quite a refreshing read.

True on the Reach fold, rim brake or tyre grime on your hands isn't very commuting friendly.
A2B mag is great. I'd forgotten about it, not read it in ages. VeloVison was another good one in that area, shame it didn't continue.

did Lejog in 7 1/2 days on my 2 speed, since then though  others have done it quicker....

as for Brompton's proposed new head quarters, will probably means they loose lots of existing staff that are London based commute via bike/public transport

There used to be a Brompton race around the lake at Blenheim Park. SPD were allowed, but you had to run to the bike like a Le Mans start, unfold it, strap a briefcase to it before you could ride away. At the end of the race - a couple of laps if I remember right, you had to re-fold it, and put on a dress-shirt.

Was fun to watch.

I've got a Carrera Intercity with disc brakes (8 speed), it's really good quality for the price. Can anyone recommend a pannier rack for a 20" bike?

For true multimodal transport you can't beat a Brompton (try taking any other folder on a bus). Mine mostly gets used on family holidays these days... Love the ability to just chuck it in the boot and then have the option of an early morning ride while everyone else is still in bed.
Mine was bought second hand and has been modified over the years to achieve a reasonable ride over distance (mods include bars, saddle, brakes, gears etc). The other key mod is to adjust attitude while riding (accept that progress will be slightly slower than on a 'normal' bike) - just relax and enjoy the journey!

I used a Specialized Globe 20" folding bike for the Liverpool Street - Waterloo part of my commute (plus a few miles from home - train station). That was a great bike, lightweight, good specification, rode well and was fast. Sadly no longer made. I also used a Dahon 5 speed thing which was good but not as good as the Specialized.

For true multimodal transport you can’t beat a Brompton (try taking any other folder on a bus).

Did it across London with the Mezzo last week when the trains were cancelled. Folds nearly as small as a Brompton.

Love mine and really glad I got it. I think the brakes are fine for side pulls. They have the advantage of only having small wheels to stop. Of course they aren’t as good as discs but I wouldn’t expect them to be.

One thing that really did annoy me was the 6 speed gears. It was an annoyingly agricultural system. The Sturmey Archer gears were fine but the two speed derailleur was temperamental. In the end I changed it to a singlespeed which is much better for my needs.

I know there are other alternatives but for the trains I catch, none of them would fit.

It’s certainly a twitchy ride. Reminds me of a track bike.

rack for a 20″ bike?

I have a tubus QR2 specific rack. A Tubus Fly night also work. The problem with small wheels is the length of the chainstays. Your heel will hit the pannier unless you rotate the rack backwards. That needs long rack stays and Tubus have plenty of options. The additional issue with mine is when I put the Ortlieb Downtown on at about 45 degrees, all is good until you hit a speed bump too fast and then the bag jolts off!

Front mounted Brompton block and bag is a better solution, and Dahons have a welded Brompton compatible mounting point for the Brompton block now. If you can’t beat them…

Edit. My rack is now made and sold as the Ortlieb Rack 3. That allows rotation backwards for three fixed mounting points and a briefcase like bag.

Isn’t there someone (?Kinetics) who does Brompton disc conversions?

Yes, Ben does 20", disc, fat, Kindernay, whatever.