Let's see your Brompton
Discussion
sjwb said:
Apropos the cycle rather than the thread; I am considering buying a Brompton - not for commuting, just leisure.
With little knowledge and a bit of Internet trawling I have come to the conclusion that to buy new is probably the best bet. Why? Well, the prices for used bikes are not far away from retail and I have seen some horrors for high prices.
So, best place to buy in the Midlands? Any discounts around, or to be expected?
Is the six speed worth the complication?
Thanks in advance.
Hi, I've just bought a six speed and I'd say it was worth it. It's not too much more expensive than the 3 speed new, but it costs a lot to convert a 3 speed to 6.With little knowledge and a bit of Internet trawling I have come to the conclusion that to buy new is probably the best bet. Why? Well, the prices for used bikes are not far away from retail and I have seen some horrors for high prices.
So, best place to buy in the Midlands? Any discounts around, or to be expected?
Is the six speed worth the complication?
Thanks in advance.
I wouldn't expect any discounts - Brompton don't tend to allow their suppliers to reduce prices. I'd agree that new is the way to go because some of the parts have been improved over the last couple of years (folding pedal, brake levers, cranks) so used isn't worth the price reduction.
As far as I know you also can't mail order a Brompton so have to pick it up from a shop. However, any shop that sells Bromptons will be able to order a fully customised one for you (look at the Brompton configurator).
Does a Brompton come as standard with the smug look of satisfaction that says, "I got here quicker than you?"
Come on, you've all done it ....
I not-so-secretly want one, but my commuting circumstances dictate that I don't currently need one/am able to swing it past SWMBO.
That might change in future though, I'll be straight on one!
Come on, you've all done it ....
I not-so-secretly want one, but my commuting circumstances dictate that I don't currently need one/am able to swing it past SWMBO.
That might change in future though, I'll be straight on one!
Treb0r said:
sjwb said:
Apropos the cycle rather than the thread; I am considering buying a Brompton - not for commuting, just leisure.
With little knowledge and a bit of Internet trawling I have come to the conclusion that to buy new is probably the best bet. Why? Well, the prices for used bikes are not far away from retail and I have seen some horrors for high prices.
So, best place to buy in the Midlands? Any discounts around, or to be expected?
Is the six speed worth the complication?
Thanks in advance.
Hi, I've just bought a six speed and I'd say it was worth it. It's not too much more expensive than the 3 speed new, but it costs a lot to convert a 3 speed to 6.With little knowledge and a bit of Internet trawling I have come to the conclusion that to buy new is probably the best bet. Why? Well, the prices for used bikes are not far away from retail and I have seen some horrors for high prices.
So, best place to buy in the Midlands? Any discounts around, or to be expected?
Is the six speed worth the complication?
Thanks in advance.
I wouldn't expect any discounts - Brompton don't tend to allow their suppliers to reduce prices. I'd agree that new is the way to go because some of the parts have been improved over the last couple of years (folding pedal, brake levers, cranks) so used isn't worth the price reduction.
As far as I know you also can't mail order a Brompton so have to pick it up from a shop. However, any shop that sells Bromptons will be able to order a fully customised one for you (look at the Brompton configurator).
In response to the 3-speed v 6-speed debate.
I bought a standard gearing 6-speed and for the most part, in town I use 4th for setting off from the lights, 5th for once I'm up to speed and 6th for those days when you're feeling 'it' (or for slight declines or when I'm lucky enough to have the wind behind me).
I don't know if I'm getting stronger legs or just getting used to the gearing and unusual riding position, but when I first got the bike, I would probably be a gear down the range in each of those instances.
I did hire a Brompton for about a month to ensure I could live with it day-to-day. I don't know where you live, but there are docks in various places around the country if you wanted to try before you buy.
https://www.bromptonbikehire.com/docks
It's £2.50 a day and you get back your £20 registration fee if you then go on to buy a Brompton.
The bikes are all M3Ls with telescopic seatposts and I found that the gearing was comically far apart after coming from a 27 speed bike. More importantly, I concluded that while three speeds was OK in London, there was no way it would work for me getting up the hills at the 'home' end of my journey.
That said, and in reference to my comment about getting used to the bike and/or getting stronger legs, the derailleur stopped working last week (my own fault, I didn't tighten the allen bolt holding the selector on properly after cleaning it all last week and it fell out).
This left me with 2nd, 4th and 6th gears, so I had to make it up the hill near where I live in 2nd rather than 1st - and it climbs 300 ft in 0.7 of a mile.
It was hard work, but it surprised me that I did make it up there.
I'm led to believe that 2nd on a 6 speed is still a lower gear than 1st on a 3 speed, so if you live anywhere with hills, get the 6 speed version.
I bought a standard gearing 6-speed and for the most part, in town I use 4th for setting off from the lights, 5th for once I'm up to speed and 6th for those days when you're feeling 'it' (or for slight declines or when I'm lucky enough to have the wind behind me).
I don't know if I'm getting stronger legs or just getting used to the gearing and unusual riding position, but when I first got the bike, I would probably be a gear down the range in each of those instances.
I did hire a Brompton for about a month to ensure I could live with it day-to-day. I don't know where you live, but there are docks in various places around the country if you wanted to try before you buy.
https://www.bromptonbikehire.com/docks
It's £2.50 a day and you get back your £20 registration fee if you then go on to buy a Brompton.
The bikes are all M3Ls with telescopic seatposts and I found that the gearing was comically far apart after coming from a 27 speed bike. More importantly, I concluded that while three speeds was OK in London, there was no way it would work for me getting up the hills at the 'home' end of my journey.
That said, and in reference to my comment about getting used to the bike and/or getting stronger legs, the derailleur stopped working last week (my own fault, I didn't tighten the allen bolt holding the selector on properly after cleaning it all last week and it fell out).
This left me with 2nd, 4th and 6th gears, so I had to make it up the hill near where I live in 2nd rather than 1st - and it climbs 300 ft in 0.7 of a mile.
It was hard work, but it surprised me that I did make it up there.
I'm led to believe that 2nd on a 6 speed is still a lower gear than 1st on a 3 speed, so if you live anywhere with hills, get the 6 speed version.
Edited by Kell on Thursday 21st April 15:50
Kell said:
I'm led to believe that 2nd on a 6 speed is still a lower gear than 1st on a 3 speed, so if you live anywhere with hills, get the 6 speed version.
I'd agree with this sentiment. I have a 6 speed and live in Devon, occasionally using the bike for the Cat 4 and Cat 3 hills around here. It's not as good as a proper road bike, but it manages admirably. I'd struggle on a three speed, but still consider a single speed with an 8 speed conversion I mentioned above.When I spoke to the guy about it, I found out I could probably fit a Rotor Q Ring as well.
I got the 3-speed but reduced the gearing a bit. It means gears 2 & 3 are the same as gears 1 & 2 on a 2-speed, but I have an additional bail out gear for the steeper hills.
I do occasionally spin out in the top gear but it's not like I'm racing on the Brompton - I'm usually wearing a suit - and it's worth it to have that bail out gear to avoid getting sweaty in my suit.
I do occasionally spin out in the top gear but it's not like I'm racing on the Brompton - I'm usually wearing a suit - and it's worth it to have that bail out gear to avoid getting sweaty in my suit.
I bought a kit from here:
http://brilliantbikes.co.uk/brompton-wheels/315-br...
Which claimed to come with instructions, but didn't. It was all straightforward enough though, and quite fun bolting lots of shiny new bits on.
The hub adds quite a bit of weight. My arms miss the 2 speed days, but my legs prefer it. I found I didn't have a decent climbing gear with the 2 speed, and the higher gear wasn't high enough.
Jury is out with the Kojaks. They're light and fast, and I can remove/fit them with my bare hands unlike the Marathons they replaced. With my first set I only got one puncture, but they died at 1000 miles when the casing on one of the tyres failed and became anything but round. I'm not doing too well with my second set, two punctures after 300 miles (one thorn, one drawing pin).
They are quite cheap here:
http://www.pedal-pedal.co.uk/schwalbe-kojak-16x125...
http://brilliantbikes.co.uk/brompton-wheels/315-br...
Which claimed to come with instructions, but didn't. It was all straightforward enough though, and quite fun bolting lots of shiny new bits on.
The hub adds quite a bit of weight. My arms miss the 2 speed days, but my legs prefer it. I found I didn't have a decent climbing gear with the 2 speed, and the higher gear wasn't high enough.
Jury is out with the Kojaks. They're light and fast, and I can remove/fit them with my bare hands unlike the Marathons they replaced. With my first set I only got one puncture, but they died at 1000 miles when the casing on one of the tyres failed and became anything but round. I'm not doing too well with my second set, two punctures after 300 miles (one thorn, one drawing pin).
They are quite cheap here:
http://www.pedal-pedal.co.uk/schwalbe-kojak-16x125...
My 2015 S2L along with a friend I made while riding round the Letchworth Greenway.
I can't get enough of this bike. It's the first Brompton i've owned and it puts a smile on my face every single time I ride it.
I ride it commuting in London, hacking along canal towpaths and bridleways, have ridden it on 27 mile road ride round Hertfordshire and it's always brilliant.
I also have a CX bike with discs and 22 gears and a Condor Fratello but the Brompton is the one I seem to want to ride the most.
I love just having the 2 gears, makes life so much simpler.
I can't get enough of this bike. It's the first Brompton i've owned and it puts a smile on my face every single time I ride it.
I ride it commuting in London, hacking along canal towpaths and bridleways, have ridden it on 27 mile road ride round Hertfordshire and it's always brilliant.
I also have a CX bike with discs and 22 gears and a Condor Fratello but the Brompton is the one I seem to want to ride the most.
I love just having the 2 gears, makes life so much simpler.
I don't know whether to be pleased or not that this thread was bumped this week, just when I've finally had a cycle to work scheme set up. So today I've put a deposit on a lime green and black S6L black edition. I was going to go for the -12% gearing (there's a massive hill on the way to the station) but I can always change the chain-ring later; it's a lot harder to get the black bits.
Where can I buy lime green tweed plus fours...?
Where can I buy lime green tweed plus fours...?
Jobbo said:
I don't know whether to be pleased or not that this thread was bumped this week, just when I've finally had a cycle to work scheme set up. So today I've put a deposit on a lime green and black S6L black edition. I was going to go for the -12% gearing (there's a massive hill on the way to the station) but I can always change the chain-ring later; it's a lot harder to get the black bits.
Where can I buy lime green tweed plus fours...?
You won't regret it, I love my bike and the membership to the eccentric club Where can I buy lime green tweed plus fours...?
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