Anyone regularly use a Brompton?
Discussion
A new project at work would enable me to sneak a folding bike under the domestic radar and so Id be grateful for some PH advice
Gearing has selected itself due to my home town and Im also pretty sure I want a mid handlebar - Im 6'1" and used to riding slammed road bikes, does that sound right?
I appreciate the P line is new however do any of you lot have one and if so how does it compare to the "poverty" A/C models? Failing that I believe there was previously a 'Superlight' model which is similar to the P??
In my LBS the P line is much easier to lug around whilst folded and is *probably* a nicer ride on the roads and cycle lanes but is ride quality worth the extra cash? The shop say I can test a C but theres no P's available to ride and compare it with
There was also some confusion in the shop about the roller wheels, if I need/want to roll it short distances by the bars when folded the guy said I can only do this if its fitted with the Brompton roller rack - which coincidentally means the top model P - however a web search suggests hes talking pants. Thing is he seemed knowledgeable and a decent bloke hence my uncertainty
And finally has anyone ever had any aggro from a jobsworth train conductor? The train companies say folded bikes are OK but no harm in asking
Thanks in advance
EDIT: its rolled by holding the bars of course, the saddle needs to be dropped to lock it
Gearing has selected itself due to my home town and Im also pretty sure I want a mid handlebar - Im 6'1" and used to riding slammed road bikes, does that sound right?
I appreciate the P line is new however do any of you lot have one and if so how does it compare to the "poverty" A/C models? Failing that I believe there was previously a 'Superlight' model which is similar to the P??
In my LBS the P line is much easier to lug around whilst folded and is *probably* a nicer ride on the roads and cycle lanes but is ride quality worth the extra cash? The shop say I can test a C but theres no P's available to ride and compare it with
There was also some confusion in the shop about the roller wheels, if I need/want to roll it short distances by the bars when folded the guy said I can only do this if its fitted with the Brompton roller rack - which coincidentally means the top model P - however a web search suggests hes talking pants. Thing is he seemed knowledgeable and a decent bloke hence my uncertainty
And finally has anyone ever had any aggro from a jobsworth train conductor? The train companies say folded bikes are OK but no harm in asking
Thanks in advance
EDIT: its rolled by holding the bars of course, the saddle needs to be dropped to lock it
Edited by numtumfutunch on Wednesday 27th March 18:00
I’m 6’1” & use a type S regularly, comfortable enough.
The super light is flipping expensive with a minimal weight saving. Less than a water bottle..
The old titanium rear triangle was only lighter as there was no pump !
I wouldn’t worry about the roller wheels, they are pretty useless. Any Brompton is heavy to carry too.
Just wheel it up to the train etc & fold at the last moment!
Never had problem when taking it on the train.
The super light is flipping expensive with a minimal weight saving. Less than a water bottle..
The old titanium rear triangle was only lighter as there was no pump !
I wouldn’t worry about the roller wheels, they are pretty useless. Any Brompton is heavy to carry too.
Just wheel it up to the train etc & fold at the last moment!
Never had problem when taking it on the train.
Edited by James6112 on Wednesday 27th March 19:29
I’ve had an S2 for years. No experience of the P/superlight but can answer this question with confidence
And finally has anyone ever had any aggro from a jobsworth train conductor? The train companies say folded bikes are OK but no harm in asking
I’ve never had agro from anyone with my folded Brompton - whether on a train, tube, bus, pub or cafe. In London at any rate they become almost invisible when folded, people just seem to “look right through them”
Depending on your usage you may find lugging it around far less than you anticipate. I find it easier to wheel around unfolded then fold it up at the last minute. I’ve never had a problem doing this, just on the odd occasion I’ve had to explain to station staff what I’m doing. They’re generally ok with this, they must see it a lot.
numtumfutunch said:
And finally has anyone ever had any aggro from a jobsworth train conductor? The train companies say folded bikes are OK but no harm in asking
Edited by numtumfutunch on Wednesday 27th March 18:00
Depending on your usage you may find lugging it around far less than you anticipate. I find it easier to wheel around unfolded then fold it up at the last minute. I’ve never had a problem doing this, just on the odd occasion I’ve had to explain to station staff what I’m doing. They’re generally ok with this, they must see it a lot.
I have had an M6L with a rack and upgraded Eazy Wheels. I also have a Borough bag.
My Brompton gets folded multiple times a day and does about six miles in Central London. It’s so much more convenient than my former commute bike that needed locking up and storage everywhere I went. Even more so when I am visiting multiple sites.
When I go into shops I fold it so that I can push it by the handlebars like a trolley. I found the upgrade to Eazy Wheels very worthwhile for this. I have never had anyone bat an eyelid when taking it into shops, pubs etc.
I carry an Ikea Dimpa bag that it can fold up into. I cycle in all weathers, so when the bike is wet I just put it inside the bag to stop it dripping dirty water on floors.
I recently went to Brompton Junction in Covent Garden to get some parts. While there I picked up a T-Line to feel the weight, It was so much lighter than my hefty M6L. If I was buying for the first time I could be tempted. It is three times the cost! though!!
My Brompton gets folded multiple times a day and does about six miles in Central London. It’s so much more convenient than my former commute bike that needed locking up and storage everywhere I went. Even more so when I am visiting multiple sites.
When I go into shops I fold it so that I can push it by the handlebars like a trolley. I found the upgrade to Eazy Wheels very worthwhile for this. I have never had anyone bat an eyelid when taking it into shops, pubs etc.
I carry an Ikea Dimpa bag that it can fold up into. I cycle in all weathers, so when the bike is wet I just put it inside the bag to stop it dripping dirty water on floors.
I recently went to Brompton Junction in Covent Garden to get some parts. While there I picked up a T-Line to feel the weight, It was so much lighter than my hefty M6L. If I was buying for the first time I could be tempted. It is three times the cost! though!!
If you are used to a road bike then the flat handle bar might be a better option. I ride road as well and appreciate the less upright position of the flat bar compared to the mid rise. (i'm similar height, too).
As someone else said, you will be carrying it far less than you anticipate.
As someone else said, you will be carrying it far less than you anticipate.
Not a Brompton (obviously) but I travel around with this Tern. Obviously it won’t fold as small as the Brompton but as I never have to put it under a desk that’s not an issue.
One major advantage of these single-fold 20” folders is price. I got this lightly-used for £170. I’ve since put another £150 into it, upgrading to 9-speed, lighter wheels, Litepro crankset, rear rack, AliExpress stem extender etc etc.
Like the Brompton users I have never had a problem taking this on public transport. I have the Dahon Airporter flight case and take it abroad on jobs too. I bloody love the thing.
Best of luck whatever you decide.
I've had a raw lacquer 3 speed model for 7 years and commuted 6 miles in London every day.
With the built in dynamo lights it's really practical all year round and folds under my desk at work.
Just bought a 4 speed T-line with flat handlebars. It's on another level in terms of build quality and stability, and only weighs 7.5kgs. Pretty fast round Richmond Park too.
With the built in dynamo lights it's really practical all year round and folds under my desk at work.
Just bought a 4 speed T-line with flat handlebars. It's on another level in terms of build quality and stability, and only weighs 7.5kgs. Pretty fast round Richmond Park too.
James6112 said:
The super light is flipping expensive with a minimal weight saving. Less than a water bottle..
The old titanium rear triangle was only lighter as there was no pump !
P Line which replaced the superlight, is around 2kg lighter losing the hub gear takes off around 550g on its own.The old titanium rear triangle was only lighter as there was no pump !
Old 2 speed superlight was still around 1kg lighter against a non superlight, so more than a water bottle saving.
If you 6 1 S bar will be too low, mid bar and what I did was switch to a lower rise bar from SJS: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/handlebars/joseph-kuos... S bar will feel very low, I do around 20 / 25 miles a week on mine, 4spd is fine and they also now offer a 12spd, also ask for an extended seatpost. I am 5 10 and needed one.
If you can afford it, go for a P line, I have had 3 C lines and the P Line is night and day different to ride, lighter and much more comfortable due to the Ti parts, just feels a class above,
Worth remembering that it is over 2 kgs lighter than a C line and to get a C line lighter will cost a lot more.
Picture of mine, far from standard, Ti Bolts thoughout, Dynamo Kit, JK Bars, TI Parts easy wheels, Ergon Grips, Shimano Chainset.
nuyorican said:
Nothing useful to add as I know very little about Bromptons. However, I was looking out of my window recently and saw a guy absolutely fly past on a Brompton. Alway assumed they'd be slow and functional with the little wheels. Surprised at how fast this guy was going!
I’d always dismissed Bromptons until I tried a friend’s - it flew and was so quick off the mark thanks to those small wheels. I bought one the next week 
I really wish I’d bought one sooner. They are ridiculously practical and useful and in a weird way run to ride!
I’ve got an S6L that I picked up during covid.. wish I’d bought one sooner tbh: it is such a useful utility bike, you can pretty much take it anywhere and infinitely customisable such is their popularity and lack of design changes over the years.. https://www.bikegang.co.uk/bikeganghut/Brommie-c98...
And I recommend these esp on the older models as it helps with a faster fold: https://ezclamp.co.uk/about/ and a frame protector from someone like invisiframe as they get knocked about a bit in the luggage areas on trains..
I’m 6’1 and about 120kg atm so look like Donkey Kong in Mario kart on it; I can get away with a standard seat post, but if I wanted to optimise the riding position I would fit the extended post (doesn’t fit in the boot of the mini with it fitted as the seat interferes with the parcel shelf). Handling feels twitchy initially but you get used to it after 5 minutes and they are surprisingly rapid.
And I recommend these esp on the older models as it helps with a faster fold: https://ezclamp.co.uk/about/ and a frame protector from someone like invisiframe as they get knocked about a bit in the luggage areas on trains..
I’m 6’1 and about 120kg atm so look like Donkey Kong in Mario kart on it; I can get away with a standard seat post, but if I wanted to optimise the riding position I would fit the extended post (doesn’t fit in the boot of the mini with it fitted as the seat interferes with the parcel shelf). Handling feels twitchy initially but you get used to it after 5 minutes and they are surprisingly rapid.
Edited by MDUBZ on Friday 29th March 21:43
I'm on my second and there is rarely a day that I don't use it. My first was an S6 but sadly got stolen while locked up outside a cafe I was in. I was gutted but got over this by going out and replacing it straight away with an M6 with extended seat post. I'm 6 foot 4 and it's fine for me.
I learnt my lesson and NEVER leave it anywhere now.
It's the perfect pub bike because you know it'll be there to get you home.
Get the 6 gears, get the extender. Learn to fold/unfold it at every opportunity as it's quite a heavy bike when carrying it about.
I learnt my lesson and NEVER leave it anywhere now.
It's the perfect pub bike because you know it'll be there to get you home.
Get the 6 gears, get the extender. Learn to fold/unfold it at every opportunity as it's quite a heavy bike when carrying it about.
MDUBZ said:
I’ve got an S6L that I picked up during covid.. wish I’d bought one sooner tbh: it is such a useful utility bike, you can pretty much take it anywhere and infinitely customisable such is their popularity and lack of design changes over the years.
That is not quite correct, they underwent major changes in 2017 and in effect everything changed also the chain pitch changed from 1/8 to 3 3/2 so nothing really swaps also spares are virtually impossible to find for the older bikes, if you are going s/h then get a later bike.I’ve written (enthusiastically) about mine on here before, I think there’s a decent thread somewhere.
Brilliant bikes, surprisingly quick. Very agile, although handle better with the luggage on the front.
I have the B75, which I don’t think they do any more. It was their first go at making a more budget-minded Brompton, although honestly it doesn’t feel like it. I’d go for new if you can, as some of the used ones are pretty abused.
Brilliant bikes, surprisingly quick. Very agile, although handle better with the luggage on the front.
I have the B75, which I don’t think they do any more. It was their first go at making a more budget-minded Brompton, although honestly it doesn’t feel like it. I’d go for new if you can, as some of the used ones are pretty abused.
Just looked at their site. Their cheapest model is pretty basic. The pedal doesn't even fold. That must be a pain to the user when carrying and the other commuters 
No mudguards, or choice of colour either.
I bought their base model back in 2014 and that had all of those, that are now expensive options.
Don't like it when companies do that. Penny pinching.
Saying that, I think mine was £750 back then and the current base model is £900, so not bad with inflation and especially when compared to some of the others on their site.
£3500 and more
No mudguards, or choice of colour either.
I bought their base model back in 2014 and that had all of those, that are now expensive options.
Don't like it when companies do that. Penny pinching.
Saying that, I think mine was £750 back then and the current base model is £900, so not bad with inflation and especially when compared to some of the others on their site.
£3500 and more
croyde said:
Saying that, I think mine was £750 back then and the current base model is £900, so not bad with inflation and especially when compared to some of the others on their site.
£3500 and more
A friend of mine was going to buy a second hand unbranded folding bike last year and on my advice spent 4x the amount on the “base” Brompton £3500 and more
C2W scheme has taken the sting out of it though.
I did suggest to her that the £200 POS would likely be used once then take up residence in the shed so the Brompton was the more sensible choice. Plus it would be easy to flog on if necessary.
To my relief she’s taken to it and used it to commute all through the winter.
I do think the omission of mudguards is a strange omission in a commuter bike but apart from that no complaints. I think if you want a 3 gear these days the base model is the only one which offers that.
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