Anyone regularly use a Brompton?

[WPA]

funinhounslow said:

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

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.

Correct A Line is 3spd but really basic.

C line is 2 or 6spd
P or T line is 4 or 12spd
Electric is 4 or 12spd in both C or P line

Slightly baffling range

[sammyb349]

Always commuted with a bike. Moved out of London just before Covid and sold my fixie as not practical to take on the train. Eventually bought a Brompton last summer (P-Line) and I am smitten.

I use it for 10km of cycling to/from station and office, as well as now taking it to client offices (usually leave it behind reception with no issues).

I am going to upgrade the trolly wheels to the EZ wheels as every now and again I have to keep it folded for longer.

As another has said, trains is a breeze never a complaint or issue. I walk the bike unfolded to the door and then fold up and carry on. Leave it tucked in the door/standing section without issue.

I have the 4-speed which is perfect for mild hills (when the train is out I can easily cycle 45mins+ over the rolling Surrey hills).

[lifeisacabaret]

I do about 10,000km a year on various bikes but my brompton is the one I ride most often. They are fabulous things. Yes surprisingly heavy but bullet proof. Mine is 6 years old now and isn't pampered like my other bikes but it has never let me down. As others have mentioned the great thing is that you can hand them over in a restaurant as though they were a suitcase, or keep them with you in the pub. I even tour a bit on mine i can't take a big bike with me. You won't regret buying one - i literally never have met anyone who has!

[Mark83]

Never rolled mine, always unfold and push as it saves me carrying my laptop bag too, which mounts to the front block.

Never had any issues on trains nor tubes.

I've had my S2L since 2017 and love it for getting around London. Only once have wanted more gears in London. Maintenance wise, it's cost me brake pads, a new chain and rear cogs and some slicker tan wall tyres.

[numtumfutunch]

OP again, and youre all a bad influence

Seems I "need" a P Line, only issue now is what colour?

Thanks everyone

Only outstanding issue is can I justify ££££ for a front mounted city bag? Having used backpacks for years I strayed a few years ago and am now a huge fan of panniers on my commuter/city bike.

[croyde]

I'm sure, when I first got my Brompton years ago, that there were non branded bags that fitted to the front mount for less money.

As I said earlier, I sold mine for what I paid for it new back in 2020 but wish I hadn't.

This thread has me looking again.

[funinhounslow]

numtumfutunch said:

OP again, and youre all a bad influence

Seems I "need" a P Line, only issue now is what colour?

Thanks everyone

Only outstanding issue is can I justify ££££ for a front mounted city bag? Having used backpacks for years I strayed a few years ago and am now a huge fan of panniers on my commuter/city bike.

Definitely. Very easy to clip on and off and as mentioned above adds a bit of weight over the front wheel.

If you’re going to be using it in the city a lot I’d add a pair of Brompton “be seen” lights too. I have them on all the time - they do help you stand out.

[MDUBZ]

A front mounted bag is a bit of a game changer for the commute it works really well with the front block for easy removal or attachment - I invested in a Brompton one (Metro messenger I think) which is cavernous and well made but the lack of compartments to organise your work bits is a bit rubbish for the money so I’m on the hunt for something else. There are quite a few Brompton compatible bag suppliers now; for something a bit different quite like some of the designs from demano.net but haven’t splashed out yet (needs the additional removable ‘mounting frame’ for the bag)

[WPA]

numtumfutunch said:

OP again, and youre all a bad influence

Seems I "need" a P Line, only issue now is what colour?

Thanks everyone

Only outstanding issue is can I justify ££££ for a front mounted city bag? Having used backpacks for years I strayed a few years ago and am now a huge fan of panniers on my commuter/city bike.

Lunar Ice is really nice glad I went for it on mine.

[croyde]

Why are the P line so much more than the C line. At least a grand.

Is that just for the weight saving?

[numtumfutunch]

croyde said:

Why are the P line so much more than the C line. At least a grand.

Is that just for the weight saving?

Yes, despite the modest difference on paper I went to have a fondle at my LBS and have convinced myself that the P is easier to pick up and carry when folded

It also has some token shiny bits and trinkets like better roller wheels and wheels plus the lacquer colours are standard instead of a £200+ upgrade

Note its hard to do a direct comparison due to the difference in gearing - I looked at a 6 speed c versus a 12 speed P, the 4 speed P is lighter but has a much narrower spread of ratios and I have discounted it for the use it will get locally

Im quite proud of my man maths in trying to justify this

Cheers

[Mark83]

Front mounted bag is a revelation, especially in the warmer weather.

[bigdom]

numtumfutunch said:

Yes, despite the modest difference on paper I went to have a fondle at my LBS and have convinced myself that the P is easier to pick up and carry when folded

It also has some token shiny bits and trinkets like better roller wheels and wheels plus the lacquer colours are standard instead of a £200+ upgrade

Note its hard to do a direct comparison due to the difference in gearing - I looked at a 6 speed c versus a 12 speed P, the 4 speed P is lighter but has a much narrower spread of ratios and I have discounted it for the use it will get locally

Im quite proud of my man maths in trying to justify this

Cheers

I was unsure whether I'd use it. I picked one up in 2019, which needed a bit of TLC.

Just a 2 speed, now sporting Dura ace crank to help the gearing. Works in Surrey Hills, London Town and the Med. I'm 6' 5", and happy on extended seat post/flat bars, the front bag is useful, takes bottles of wine with ease. I might use the C2W scheme to get a backup.

[Matt London]

Mark83 said:

Front mounted bag is a revelation, especially in the warmer weather.

I will second this and echo what others have said about increased stability, when loaded.

I would go so far as to say, if you don’t have a front mounted bag you are missing the trick!

[sammyb349]

Agreed on the front mounted bag. I used to always ride with a back pack, and still 1 year later still find myself double checking to make sure I didn’t leave my bag behind as I can’t feel it on my back.
The bag is great / get load of stuff innit and make cycling more enjoyable. Front heavy when lifting it up kerb’s and the like but nothing too bad.
I have the Brompton large one, so I can pack laptop, gym gear and a few other bits and pieces.
Curious for recommendations of other brands though

[Chris-55tad]

Love my Brompton. Used daily in London and with the telescopic post allowing seat removal, it fits perfectly in the car

[WPA]

numtumfutunch said:

croyde said:

Why are the P line so much more than the C line. At least a grand.

Is that just for the weight saving?

Yes, despite the modest difference on paper I went to have a fondle at my LBS and have convinced myself that the P is easier to pick up and carry when folded

It also has some token shiny bits and trinkets like better roller wheels and wheels plus the lacquer colours are standard instead of a £200+ upgrade

Note its hard to do a direct comparison due to the difference in gearing - I looked at a 6 speed c versus a 12 speed P, the 4 speed P is lighter but has a much narrower spread of ratios and I have discounted it for the use it will get locally

Im quite proud of my man maths in trying to justify this

Cheers

Worth remembering that the P Line is Titanium forks and rear triangle, the rear triangle is over £600 to buy plus around £300 for the forks, P line is so much better and if you can stretch to it, get a 12spd.

Other differences are grips, saddle, superlight pentaclip for the saddle, lighter pedals, Conti tyres.

Just for info lacquer colours are not standard, metallic paint is but lacquer is £110 more on a P line due to the hand finishing they require, lacquer colours are never worth the extra as they are no easier to sell and nobody wants to pay the extra S/H

[numtumfutunch]

You bad, bad, bad, bad people!!!! Im currently filling in a C2W quote for a P line

Taking advantage of the tax perks Im considering the Brompton toolkit which at 'half price' looks worth having from a geeky point of view however doubt I'll ever need much at the roadside besides tools to remove the wheels, levers, a spare tube/patches and a pump/CO2

I'll almost certainly order a medium Borough bag for lugging my laptop around but when riding without this what do you people use for carrying the kit to deal with flats, or do you just accept this rarely happens and jump on a bus/tube if the worst comes?

Thanks in advance

[WPA]

numtumfutunch said:

You bad, bad, bad, bad people!!!! Im currently filling in a C2W quote for a P line

Taking advantage of the tax perks Im considering the Brompton toolkit which at 'half price' looks worth having from a geeky point of view however doubt I'll ever need much at the roadside besides tools to remove the wheels, levers, a spare tube/patches and a pump/CO2

I'll almost certainly order a medium Borough bag for lugging my laptop around but when riding without this what do you people use for carrying the kit to deal with flats, or do you just accept this rarely happens and jump on a bus/tube if the worst comes?

Thanks in advance

I run a small saddlebag with a multitool, spare tube and mini pump, picture on the previous page.

[MDUBZ]

numtumfutunch said:

You bad, bad, bad, bad people!!!! Im currently filling in a C2W quote for a P line

Taking advantage of the tax perks Im considering the Brompton toolkit which at 'half price' looks worth having from a geeky point of view however doubt I'll ever need much at the roadside besides tools to remove the wheels, levers, a spare tube/patches and a pump/CO2

I'll almost certainly order a medium Borough bag for lugging my laptop around but when riding without this what do you people use for carrying the kit to deal with flats, or do you just accept this rarely happens and jump on a bus/tube if the worst comes?

Thanks in advance

Prevention is better than cure as they say, so i fitted marathon plus tyres - I can’t say I notice much difference in the ride quality over softer rubber. With regards fixing on the go I carry the Brompton tool kit in the bike which is probably enough but I also carry some extra bits in one of the rear pockets on the bag (all fits in a bottle cage storage pouch so I don’t have to hunt round for things); then I have a half decent toolkit, lubes and battery powered pump in my locker at work, in case I can only fudge things roadside worst case scenario I call a taxi or jump on public transport. I’ve never used any of it lol