Anyone regularly use a Brompton?

[georgezippy]

A very useful thing. Bought my S2R in 2012 when I changed work from employed to freelance, it meant I worked all over the place and could mix public transport and cycling, and of course you don't have to leave it outside, or book a train space.
I chose an S2 for maximum lightness when carrying it on and off trains and inside buildings, not paying for titanium.
It has Schwalbe Marathon tyres - still the originals after 12 years - and it sees a fair bit of use! It's on it's 3rd set of chain and sprockets. Scrubs up quite well despite having been ridden in all weathers and on salty roads.

Never had a puncture, bike has probably earned back more than its purchase price in saved tram fares (Manchester) and it's quicker too.
Was once on an overcrowded commuter train with it folded and the guard came round and chucked everyone with a bike off - apart from me.
As it was bought as a commuting tool I claimed tax back on the purchase.
They are very useful. Do get mudguards and a clip on bag. Make sure it isn't geared too high, mine doesn't do hills or headwinds.



However for a Sunday leisure ride give me a full size bike anytime.

[BoRED S2upid]

Chris-55tad said:

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

Perfect commuter car bike combo! Love it.

[MDUBZ]

numtumfutunch said:

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'm starting a new job, walking distance from Liverpool St tomorrow, but there are train strikes so I've been prepping the brompton for a short sprint from King's X instead.

I'd actually forgotten what I'd put in the tool kit as I'd never used it - I was pleasantly surprised.






The brompton bag has 2 compartments on the back which provide easy access: left is tool kit, right is wet weather gear i.e. covers for the seat and bag, and perfect for a brolly as I use the bag on and off the bike.




I have the brompton tool kit too incase I'm bagless, which fits neatly in the frame. Contents of that is minimalist but quite good quality, as it should be for the money. You could squeeze a spare tube down the other side, I think i'd attach a loop of fabric or a cable tie round it so it is easier to pull out when it's needed.



I guess you could use a saddle bag, but I have a rear light (amazon jobbie) mounted in the seat which i still have on in flashing mode in the day because london + uber prius drivers and a saddle bag would get in the way plus I think this gives a nice clean look..



It's a tight squeeze for me too, but it just goes to show just how good the fold is on these as the boot is tiny.

Edited by MDUBZ on Sunday 7th April 21:20

[Tom1312]

I'm currently looking at getting my first Brompton through C2W and I'm torn between the poverty spec A Line or the slightly more expensive C Line Urban.

My only issue is once I've added the extra bits for the A line it's not far off the more expensive bike.

My only concern is the gears, 3 Vs 2. Though it would only be for a very flat ride and then the worst hill it would encounter would be Ludgate Hill.

I'm leaning towards the C line Urban mainly for the choice of colour and fitted extras, but if the 3 gears is the better on the A line I'd get that.

Any advice?

[numtumfutunch]

Tom1312 said:

I'm currently looking at getting my first Brompton through C2W and I'm torn between the poverty spec A Line or the slightly more expensive C Line Urban.

My only issue is once I've added the extra bits for the A line it's not far off the more expensive bike.

My only concern is the gears, 3 Vs 2. Though it would only be for a very flat ride and then the worst hill it would encounter would be Ludgate Hill.

I'm leaning towards the C line Urban mainly for the choice of colour and fitted extras, but if the 3 gears is the better on the A line I'd get that.

Any advice?

Its C2W so basically free if you invoke man/woman maths which is how Ive decided to get a P Line

Boring/nerd alert but have a think about where you'll ride and what gears are appropriate. I used Sheldon's calculator to work out what was equivalent to each Brompton model and decided I wanted 12 speeds although the difference between the 6 speed C was marginal. Im proud/ashamed to say I rode up each of the 2 main kickers I'll ride on the Brompton on my commuter, decided which gear was optimum and then converted to Brompton gear inches. Sorry

http://xldev.co.uk/bgc.html
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gear-calc.html

And I'll be riding in the rain so mudguards were mandatory

Cheers - and more man /woman maths.......

[Tom1312]

Man maths got me to a new Brompton and not a £50 fixie...

So I think that points me towards the C Line Urban?

[WPA]

Tom1312 said:

Man maths got me to a new Brompton and not a £50 fixie...

So I think that points me towards the C Line Urban?

A line is very poor value, it has the older handlebars, brake levers etc.

Also the 3spd is not a wide ratio so the gears are pretty useless.

[Tom1312]

Thank you, I've seen a lot of people say it's all old hardware, which can't be easily replaced?

I think my mind was made up but always good to get some extra validation.

[AndrewO]

On my 2nd Brompton, first one was pinched while locked up for 2hrs so I don't do that anymore. Both 6speed, fast on the flat but hard work on any hills.

Use to ride it to the station and then from Paddington to Westminster/City.

[Tom1312]

Very pleased.

C line Urban 2 speed. Came with the added bonus of all black hardware, telescopic saddle post and the dynamo lights.

[James6112]

Tom1312 said:

Very pleased.

C line Urban 2 speed. Came with the added bonus of all black hardware, telescopic saddle post and the dynamo lights.

Looking good, very stealthy !

[Tom1312]

Slow but fun are my initial impressions.

Possibly could have stretched to the 6 speed but would have been overkill. I can average 14mph without much effort so that'll do!

[WPA]

Tom1312 said:

Very pleased.

C line Urban 2 speed. Came with the added bonus of all black hardware, telescopic saddle post and the dynamo lights.

Very nice, all black has been standard on all models for the last few years, they used to offer a black edition (all black) as the bikes came with silver parts as standard but then switched to black across the range, I believe the A line is still silver parts however.