Bike2Work - Buy a Brompton but need some help ?
Discussion
Hi - I am looking to buy Brompton through cycle to work scheme. I have to nominate an amount (only up to £1k now) first ...don't need quotes etc etc.
I think I would get 2speed, S Bars, mudguards but no racks ...I know its a personal choice but any suggestions ? ( might add a bag) on why this spec is good / bad etc welcome.
I also see there was a black edition last year and this year, but I find the Brompton website really hard to follow, and via Evans etc I can't be sure they have 2017 black editions etc, or indeed if there is some other better 2017 version worth looking out for...or are they all limited numbers / all sold etc and I should just look at normal bromptons.
Finally - where do I buy from - my company uses Cyclescheme so I have pretty good coverage.
Thanks
I think I would get 2speed, S Bars, mudguards but no racks ...I know its a personal choice but any suggestions ? ( might add a bag) on why this spec is good / bad etc welcome.
I also see there was a black edition last year and this year, but I find the Brompton website really hard to follow, and via Evans etc I can't be sure they have 2017 black editions etc, or indeed if there is some other better 2017 version worth looking out for...or are they all limited numbers / all sold etc and I should just look at normal bromptons.
Finally - where do I buy from - my company uses Cyclescheme so I have pretty good coverage.
Thanks
They're mostly built to order although bike shops will often keep stock of common spec & colours for the people that want to walk out with one that day.
Sensible spec, I have the same - 2 speed is a good weight saving and OK gearing for me, the rack is useless for carrying things. If you're ordering and it's in budget then the luggage & block for the front, and upgrade the tyres to Schwalbe Marathons (punctures are a pain). If you're particularly tall you may want the longer or telescopic seatpost. If you still get the choice, go for the harder suspension block unless you're very light.
Get in touch with Cyclescheme and they can send you a list of retailers - plenty of independents are on it. The shop can then take you through the order process.
Sensible spec, I have the same - 2 speed is a good weight saving and OK gearing for me, the rack is useless for carrying things. If you're ordering and it's in budget then the luggage & block for the front, and upgrade the tyres to Schwalbe Marathons (punctures are a pain). If you're particularly tall you may want the longer or telescopic seatpost. If you still get the choice, go for the harder suspension block unless you're very light.
Get in touch with Cyclescheme and they can send you a list of retailers - plenty of independents are on it. The shop can then take you through the order process.
I have a black edition s2l that I bought off the shelf from Evans. I love it and it's by far my favourite of my 4 bikes, It's lovely but not great on hills. I have a post on here if you wanted to look at other people's choices.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
If memory serves, Evans are the largest seller of Brompton bikes, so its worth a visit to some of their bigger shops, especially ones in city centers like London.
Some Evans will also get a wide selection of Bromptons to keep on the shelf including ones in different colour schemes. Its worth baring in mind that any other colour option apart from black and white will cost you £80 if you go down the custom route.
I was going to go custom, but the shop bike was actually cheaper than a custom spec bike.
The Brompton bags are useful as they clip onto the mount (£15 extra on the custom option), but the bags are over priced. There are more internal pockets in my £15 Karrimor Sports Direct Special compared to my Brompton bag which was £120.
Some Evans will also get a wide selection of Bromptons to keep on the shelf including ones in different colour schemes. Its worth baring in mind that any other colour option apart from black and white will cost you £80 if you go down the custom route.
I was going to go custom, but the shop bike was actually cheaper than a custom spec bike.
The Brompton bags are useful as they clip onto the mount (£15 extra on the custom option), but the bags are over priced. There are more internal pockets in my £15 Karrimor Sports Direct Special compared to my Brompton bag which was £120.
The biggest thing to get right on a Brompton is the bar choice, because this affects how hunched over you are and therefore the comfort.
So it's worth a test ride to decide. Having said that, I think they've now standardised the stem on the S and M type and you change the ride hieght via the different bars.
After that, it's gears and/or seat post. For reference, I'm just under 6ft and needed the extended seat tube.
Gears are a personal thing and will depend massively on the type of riding you're likely to do. I went for a six-speed because I have some pretty severe hills at my home end of the journey. A three speed would have been fine in town.
The thing I've found with my brief ownership is that everything to do with Brompton is expensive and it gets more so if you change your mind after ordering. For example, it costs £100 to go from a single speed to a 3-speed if it's done at point of ordering, but a new rear wheel with a 3-speed hub is £175, plus you'd need cables, shifter etc so it's worth doing the research upfront to find out how you're going to use it before committing to buy.
I didn't go with the rack as most people said that the luggage block and front luggage was a better arrangement. I've not missed it, but apparently it does make the bike more stable when folded or in 'park' mode.
If i'm honest, I didn't get on with the front luggage as it made getting on and off trains more problematic than with a rucksack. You can leave the bag on when folding, but it makes the whole thing very unstable and not easy to do in a hurry. Also, I didn't like the additional weight over the front end or the fact that you can't see your front wheel. That said, probably over 50% of the Bromptons I see use the front block carrier, so this is very much a personal thing I think.
If you can, either hire one ( https://www.bromptonbikehire.com ), or get a decent test ride (they're doing a tour of the country I think ( http://www.brompton.com/Events/Posts/2017/Try-a-Br... ) to assess what you think you might want. And try the bike builder to get an idea of cost... http://www.brompton.com/Buy/Build-your-Brompton.
But as Neil says above, I love mine now I've got one - despite actively NOT wanting one in the past and getting two full size folders previously. It's just as fast as my old Dahon Matrix (26" wheeled folding MTB style bike), but far more useful.
Finally, I used all of my allowance for mine as it topped out at £1080, but I paid an £80 cash deposit to the store when I ordered.
So it's worth a test ride to decide. Having said that, I think they've now standardised the stem on the S and M type and you change the ride hieght via the different bars.
After that, it's gears and/or seat post. For reference, I'm just under 6ft and needed the extended seat tube.
Gears are a personal thing and will depend massively on the type of riding you're likely to do. I went for a six-speed because I have some pretty severe hills at my home end of the journey. A three speed would have been fine in town.
The thing I've found with my brief ownership is that everything to do with Brompton is expensive and it gets more so if you change your mind after ordering. For example, it costs £100 to go from a single speed to a 3-speed if it's done at point of ordering, but a new rear wheel with a 3-speed hub is £175, plus you'd need cables, shifter etc so it's worth doing the research upfront to find out how you're going to use it before committing to buy.
I didn't go with the rack as most people said that the luggage block and front luggage was a better arrangement. I've not missed it, but apparently it does make the bike more stable when folded or in 'park' mode.
If i'm honest, I didn't get on with the front luggage as it made getting on and off trains more problematic than with a rucksack. You can leave the bag on when folding, but it makes the whole thing very unstable and not easy to do in a hurry. Also, I didn't like the additional weight over the front end or the fact that you can't see your front wheel. That said, probably over 50% of the Bromptons I see use the front block carrier, so this is very much a personal thing I think.
If you can, either hire one ( https://www.bromptonbikehire.com ), or get a decent test ride (they're doing a tour of the country I think ( http://www.brompton.com/Events/Posts/2017/Try-a-Br... ) to assess what you think you might want. And try the bike builder to get an idea of cost... http://www.brompton.com/Buy/Build-your-Brompton.
But as Neil says above, I love mine now I've got one - despite actively NOT wanting one in the past and getting two full size folders previously. It's just as fast as my old Dahon Matrix (26" wheeled folding MTB style bike), but far more useful.
Finally, I used all of my allowance for mine as it topped out at £1080, but I paid an £80 cash deposit to the store when I ordered.
Edited by Kell on Wednesday 8th March 13:24
Edited by Kell on Wednesday 8th March 13:30
The Sheldon Brown Gearing calculator will help you work out what will work for you and your commutes, and allows comparison with what gears you would be in on any other type of bike.
As others have said, do what it takes to get the order right first time, as there isn't a whole lot of options / aftermarket kit, so you'll be paying through the nose to change stuff.
3 speed is heavy, 2 speed is not. 6 speed is extra heavy, but essential if you want to make progress over hilly terrain.
They're awesome, love mine!
As others have said, do what it takes to get the order right first time, as there isn't a whole lot of options / aftermarket kit, so you'll be paying through the nose to change stuff.
3 speed is heavy, 2 speed is not. 6 speed is extra heavy, but essential if you want to make progress over hilly terrain.
They're awesome, love mine!
Black Editions aren't made to order so you're dependent upon finding somewhere that has stock of the spec you're after. I was lucky that I found an S6L Black Edition last year at On Your Bike, which my cycle scheme provider allowed me to go with. Evans' stock wasn't so good.
The Black Edition is just a colour scheme, nothing else about it differs from standard. They're also fixed spec because they're built in a batch (though you can get 6sp or 2sp with each of the handlebar types).
Get down to the shops and try them for size, so you can decide on seat post and bars. I don't regret going 6-sp but do wish I had the 2017 shifters, which would be more convenient than last year's.
The Black Edition is just a colour scheme, nothing else about it differs from standard. They're also fixed spec because they're built in a batch (though you can get 6sp or 2sp with each of the handlebar types).
Get down to the shops and try them for size, so you can decide on seat post and bars. I don't regret going 6-sp but do wish I had the 2017 shifters, which would be more convenient than last year's.
I have an S2L. Its fine in London where its flat. I don't currently cycle in London and so the bike is up north at my home in the peak district. I sometimes cycle through the peaks on it - many of the climbs are pretty much impossible on it. I have also used it around Norwich where my client has offices. Again its pretty good here as even the steepest of hills are a pretty short climb.
Jobbo said:
Black Editions aren't made to order so you're dependent upon finding somewhere that has stock of the spec you're after. I was lucky that I found an S6L Black Edition last year at On Your Bike, which my cycle scheme provider allowed me to go with. Evans' stock wasn't so good.
The Black Edition is just a colour scheme, nothing else about it differs from standard. They're also fixed spec because they're built in a batch (though you can get 6sp or 2sp with each of the handlebar types).
Get down to the shops and try them for size, so you can decide on seat post and bars. I don't regret going 6-sp but do wish I had the 2017 shifters, which would be more convenient than last year's.
My rear mudguard has started coming loose, so I was thinking about replacing thta with the black edition one. of course I'd need to do the front at the same time...The Black Edition is just a colour scheme, nothing else about it differs from standard. They're also fixed spec because they're built in a batch (though you can get 6sp or 2sp with each of the handlebar types).
Get down to the shops and try them for size, so you can decide on seat post and bars. I don't regret going 6-sp but do wish I had the 2017 shifters, which would be more convenient than last year's.
Here's my spec with some reasons (and mistakes): S3L (reduced gearing) in raw laquer with a luggage block on the front and standard seatpost.
The reduced gearing gives me gears 2 and 3 exactly the same as the gears on a 2-speed (the top gear is the same gear inches as on my fixie). Gear 1 is a bail out gear as I live in the South Downs and have a few sharp hills. The extra weight of the hub gear isn't much and I don't notice it when carrying the Brompton at train stations.
Raw laquer - don't bother. I've got quite a few patches of rust, with a particularly bad one on the bottom bracket which the wheel sits against when folded.
Luggage block - great way of carrying stuff without getting your back sweaty like a rucksack would. My bag looks sufficiently work-like that I can carry it around during the day with my laptop in it.
Standard seatpost. I'm only 175-176cm tall and I have it fully extended. So anyone taller than that should be thinking about the extending seatpost.
Lights - I just use regular battery/rechargeable lights. The Brompton branded lights seem expensive; the dynamo ones are expensive and add weight - I can't see the point of them for most Brompton users.
Rear rack. Seems a bit pointless, although it does make it much more stable when wheeling it.
Standard tyres. I've only had one puncture in nearly 6 years (I know, I know - say hello to the puncture fairy now ...). It was a little more of a faff taking out the rear wheel compared with most of my other bikes, but that was more to do with needing a spanner to undo the nuts than the minimal extra hassle of disconnecting the hub gears. (Youtube videos will show how easy it is.)
Standard saddle - I see a lot of Bromptons with a leather Brooks, but the standard Brompton saddle has some little finger grips underneath which I think make it easier to carry.
The reduced gearing gives me gears 2 and 3 exactly the same as the gears on a 2-speed (the top gear is the same gear inches as on my fixie). Gear 1 is a bail out gear as I live in the South Downs and have a few sharp hills. The extra weight of the hub gear isn't much and I don't notice it when carrying the Brompton at train stations.
Raw laquer - don't bother. I've got quite a few patches of rust, with a particularly bad one on the bottom bracket which the wheel sits against when folded.
Luggage block - great way of carrying stuff without getting your back sweaty like a rucksack would. My bag looks sufficiently work-like that I can carry it around during the day with my laptop in it.
Standard seatpost. I'm only 175-176cm tall and I have it fully extended. So anyone taller than that should be thinking about the extending seatpost.
Lights - I just use regular battery/rechargeable lights. The Brompton branded lights seem expensive; the dynamo ones are expensive and add weight - I can't see the point of them for most Brompton users.
Rear rack. Seems a bit pointless, although it does make it much more stable when wheeling it.
Standard tyres. I've only had one puncture in nearly 6 years (I know, I know - say hello to the puncture fairy now ...). It was a little more of a faff taking out the rear wheel compared with most of my other bikes, but that was more to do with needing a spanner to undo the nuts than the minimal extra hassle of disconnecting the hub gears. (Youtube videos will show how easy it is.)
Standard saddle - I see a lot of Bromptons with a leather Brooks, but the standard Brompton saddle has some little finger grips underneath which I think make it easier to carry.
Zigster said:
Here's my spec with some reasons (and mistakes): S3L (reduced gearing) in raw laquer with a luggage block on the front and standard seatpost.
The reduced gearing gives me gears 2 and 3 exactly the same as the gears on a 2-speed (the top gear is the same gear inches as on my fixie). Gear 1 is a bail out gear as I live in the South Downs and have a few sharp hills. The extra weight of the hub gear isn't much and I don't notice it when carrying the Brompton at train stations.
Raw laquer - don't bother. I've got quite a few patches of rust, with a particularly bad one on the bottom bracket which the wheel sits against when folded.
Luggage block - great way of carrying stuff without getting your back sweaty like a rucksack would. My bag looks sufficiently work-like that I can carry it around during the day with my laptop in it.
Standard seatpost. I'm only 175-176cm tall and I have it fully extended. So anyone taller than that should be thinking about the extending seatpost.
Lights - I just use regular battery/rechargeable lights. The Brompton branded lights seem expensive; the dynamo ones are expensive and add weight - I can't see the point of them for most Brompton users.
Rear rack. Seems a bit pointless, although it does make it much more stable when wheeling it.
Standard tyres. I've only had one puncture in nearly 6 years (I know, I know - say hello to the puncture fairy now ...). It was a little more of a faff taking out the rear wheel compared with most of my other bikes, but that was more to do with needing a spanner to undo the nuts than the minimal extra hassle of disconnecting the hub gears. (Youtube videos will show how easy it is.)
Standard saddle - I see a lot of Bromptons with a leather Brooks, but the standard Brompton saddle has some little finger grips underneath which I think make it easier to carry.
I also rate the standard saddle because of the finger grips. The brooks do look nice, but they are heavier and Bromptons are heavy when you have to carry, them, so I'm not sure I would ever advise people to add weight.The reduced gearing gives me gears 2 and 3 exactly the same as the gears on a 2-speed (the top gear is the same gear inches as on my fixie). Gear 1 is a bail out gear as I live in the South Downs and have a few sharp hills. The extra weight of the hub gear isn't much and I don't notice it when carrying the Brompton at train stations.
Raw laquer - don't bother. I've got quite a few patches of rust, with a particularly bad one on the bottom bracket which the wheel sits against when folded.
Luggage block - great way of carrying stuff without getting your back sweaty like a rucksack would. My bag looks sufficiently work-like that I can carry it around during the day with my laptop in it.
Standard seatpost. I'm only 175-176cm tall and I have it fully extended. So anyone taller than that should be thinking about the extending seatpost.
Lights - I just use regular battery/rechargeable lights. The Brompton branded lights seem expensive; the dynamo ones are expensive and add weight - I can't see the point of them for most Brompton users.
Rear rack. Seems a bit pointless, although it does make it much more stable when wheeling it.
Standard tyres. I've only had one puncture in nearly 6 years (I know, I know - say hello to the puncture fairy now ...). It was a little more of a faff taking out the rear wheel compared with most of my other bikes, but that was more to do with needing a spanner to undo the nuts than the minimal extra hassle of disconnecting the hub gears. (Youtube videos will show how easy it is.)
Standard saddle - I see a lot of Bromptons with a leather Brooks, but the standard Brompton saddle has some little finger grips underneath which I think make it easier to carry.
The aim of my commute is to absolute minimum walking with my Brompton. I think I currently do about 2 meters 😀. Basically I only fold and un fold at the platform. Dot know why people walk through Euston with them folded.
The clear coat option is always available, so not really limited edition. Black one doesn't really stand out to me. I personally think that Nickel plated Brompton is the best looking model. Should also be a bit more durable compared to the clear coat.
I also gave up on the Brompton bag. When I moved floor she in my office, I could no longer leave a towel at the office and the s-bag isn't big enough to carry my towel and other stuff, so I now use a rucksack, which as someone else pointed out is more convenient if you are using it on the train.
However, the bag mounted on the front, does make the Brompton less flighty as you are adding weight over the front end. If you aren't used to Bromptons, then it can be a good thing in the early months.
If you're u are worried about not seeing the front wheel, then I personally think that's an odd viewpoint. I'm always looking well ahead and hardly ever look straight down at the front wheel unless I've stopped and I make a conscious decision to do it.
Converse2020 said:
Hi - I am looking to buy Brompton through cycle to work scheme. I have to nominate an amount (only up to £1k now) first ...don't need quotes etc etc.
I think I would get 2speed, S Bars, mudguards but no racks ...I know its a personal choice but any suggestions ? ( might add a bag) on why this spec is good / bad etc welcome.
Thanks
what Neilbauer said re. existing thread.I think I would get 2speed, S Bars, mudguards but no racks ...I know its a personal choice but any suggestions ? ( might add a bag) on why this spec is good / bad etc welcome.
Thanks
i have an S2L (two, actually). for a London bike i wouldn't chose any other spec. it can spin out on the flat/ decline so don't go lower geared. i have 1 v.short sharp hill to contend with and manage it ok. S-bag is great. I've never had any issues with space. buy the Cateye light system (£60), beefing up the rear with an Exposure Flare/ Moon Comet.
latest models have new integrated brake lever/ gear shifter
Bromptons suffer atrocious cable rub so get some Lizard Skins on the affected areas.
i find the B17 Special (copper rivets
) very comfortable and so would recommend.get Marathon+ tyres (may have to arrange with shop as not sure Brompton has this option. or just buy your self and retro fit)
bakerstreet said:
Don't know why people walk through Euston with them folded.
Station staff can sometimes be a bit awkward about this. London Bridge (where I come in to) staff have phases of insisting that bikes are folded before going through the barriers - apparently it's dangerous to wheel them and people regularly fall onto the tracks ... 
I don't get how a rucksack is more convenient on the train. My S-bag has a shoulder strap and I take it off the bike when the bike is folded on the train. It is big enough for my laptop and running kit, although I do tend to leave a spare pair of running shoes in the office.
Zigster said:
bakerstreet said:
Don't know why people walk through Euston with them folded.
Station staff can sometimes be a bit awkward about this. London Bridge (where I come in to) staff have phases of insisting that bikes are folded before going through the barriers - apparently it's dangerous to wheel them and people regularly fall onto the tracks ... I don't get how a rucksack is more convenient on the train. My S-bag has a shoulder strap and I take it off the bike when the bike is folded on the train. It is big enough for my laptop and running kit, although I do tend to leave a spare pair of running shoes in the office.
Other times I pedal furiously and only just get there in time to see the platform number on the board as it's being taken down a minute before depature. Before frantically running along the platform trying to undo the clips and get the bike folded before jumping aboard as the doors are beeping and trying to squeeze inbetween everyone else.
In the first instance, I'd have plenty of time to take off the front-mounted bag, in the second, not so much.
As I said, it's a personal thing. I get that it works for other people, it just wasn't for me. That plus I'm sure the extra weight contributed to me getting tenis elbow in both arms last year. might have been coincidence, but in the month I used the bag, it got to the point that I couldn't lift anything.
Also, for the not being able to see the front wheel thing that wasn't a huge bug-bear. As bakerstreet says, most of the time you're looking so far ahead it's not a problem. But I found it disconcerting while filing along by the kerb to go past stationary traffic that I couldn't place the front wheel accurately.
Especially with some of those grates with the diagonal bars...
Like below.
Edited by Kell on Friday 10th March 08:05
velocgee said:
Bromptons suffer atrocious cable rub so get some Lizard Skins on the affected areas.
i find the B17 Special (copper rivets ) very comfortable and so would recommend.
get Marathon+ tyres (may have to arrange with shop as not sure Brompton has this option. or just buy your self and retro fit)
I also have the Marathon tyres. Good protection on the top of the tyre, but the side walls are no more than average IMO. My front one is original and currently on 2.5k. Top of the tyre is very good, but plenty of gashes on the side wall. i find the B17 Special (copper rivets
) very comfortable and so would recommend.get Marathon+ tyres (may have to arrange with shop as not sure Brompton has this option. or just buy your self and retro fit)
Rear tyre is the second since new and the sidewall had a massive gash in it and I had no choice but to replace it.
As for the cable rub. I have no helicopter tape at all on mine and all the cables have really done is rub a bit of the top coat off. Certainly not anywhere near bare metal yet. Mine is 18 months old and not really treated that well. I have a Planet CX and it rubbde through the top coat and cleat very very quickly. Both bikes are the same price too!
This is testament to the quality of the finish on Bromptons.
I actually think Bromptons are fantastic. British owned, designed, and assembled here too. Painting of frames is still done here too.
I had a cheap folder (Tern) and the fold was pretty poor and the quality was no where near the Brompton. My Brompton is also the only bike in my fleet of four that has paid for its self two times over
bakerstreet said:
I also have the Marathon tyres. Good protection on the top of the tyre, but the side walls are no more than average IMO. My front one is original and currently on 2.5k. Top of the tyre is very good, but plenty of gashes on the side wall.
Rear tyre is the second since new and the sidewall had a massive gash in it and I had no choice but to replace it.
As for the cable rub. I have no helicopter tape at all on mine and all the cables have really done is rub a bit of the top coat off. Certainly not anywhere near bare metal yet. Mine is 18 months old and not really treated that well. I have a Planet CX and it rubbde through the top coat and cleat very very quickly. Both bikes are the same price too!
This is testament to the quality of the finish on Bromptons.
I actually think Bromptons are fantastic. British owned, designed, and assembled here too. Painting of frames is still done here too.
surprised by your findings. Rear tyre is the second since new and the sidewall had a massive gash in it and I had no choice but to replace it.
As for the cable rub. I have no helicopter tape at all on mine and all the cables have really done is rub a bit of the top coat off. Certainly not anywhere near bare metal yet. Mine is 18 months old and not really treated that well. I have a Planet CX and it rubbde through the top coat and cleat very very quickly. Both bikes are the same price too!
This is testament to the quality of the finish on Bromptons.
I actually think Bromptons are fantastic. British owned, designed, and assembled here too. Painting of frames is still done here too.
i ran Marathon Plus (London 2012 edition
) for 4yrs and nigh-on 6k miles & not a single gash (and i ran them right down to the blue puncture guard haha)i have masses of cable rub with a good amount of bare metal showing. my local Brompton specialist (one of the longest serving in London) acknowledges it's an issue. the paint quailty on mine is really poor,thin and without lacquer (easily biggest disappointment).
the finishing componentry of Bromptons historically not been great. they have improved over the last few years, though. and the engineering of the product is brilliantly robust.
notwithstanding the less positive points, i have and continue to wholeheartedly recommend them to all who has approached me.
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