Let's see your Brompton
Discussion
RowntreesCabana said:
I've always loved the design of the Brompton but its a compromise bike and designed for city riding. Would a 20 mile commute through rural lanes (with a few climbs) be daft when no public transport is required?
It’s extremely compromised and they should only be viewed as a necessary evil - one can still have a cycling element to a commute involving public transport.For anything else, virtually ANY other bike is superior. See my earlier posts in the thread.
BaronVonVaderham said:
It’s extremely compromised and they should only be viewed as a necessary evil - one can still have a cycling element to a commute involving public transport.
For anything else, virtually ANY other bike is superior. See my earlier posts in the thread.
I agree to the point in bold.For anything else, virtually ANY other bike is superior. See my earlier posts in the thread.
I disagree with the point underlined. Every time I ride mine, I enjoy it.
As to the point that virtually any other bike is superior, I'm not sure what you mean. Whilst it's possible to buy or modify a bike to be perfect for a particular use, the sheer breadth of uses where a Brompton will do, combined with being able to fold it, and the cheeky grin it puts on my face when I ride it means it will always have a place in my heart.
BaronVonVaderham said:
It’s extremely compromised and they should only be viewed as a necessary evil - one can still have a cycling element to a commute involving public transport.
For anything else, virtually ANY other bike is superior. See my earlier posts in the thread.
After years of mocking, 'clown bike' comments, and my own derision of the early 'Bumptons' I threw away my prejudices and enjoy mine greatly. This is after a lot of daily cycling on 'proper bikes.' For anything else, virtually ANY other bike is superior. See my earlier posts in the thread.
Having a folder (any folder) in the back of the car is great for vacation trips. Brompton is only 11" wide when folded, so it gets taken to Bruges, Antwerpe or Le Touquet for the weekend.
So far, it has not seen public transport, other than EuroTunnel.
Edited by Slushbox on Friday 16th August 04:38
My 2 gear S isn’t used much these days as I don’t have a rideable commute. I did try it on a relatively flat 25 mile ride with my girlfriend on her Pashley bike. It was pretty tiring on the Brompton. I have tried the same route on my Guvnor and I was a hell of a lot quicker and hardly tired at all. So for me the Brompton (partly because mine has only 2 gears) is best suited to relatively flat and relatively short rides. And of course it’s great for a commute that is combined with a train ride.
Just picked this S2L up - early days but I can see what the fuss is about with these things. Very nippy off the mark, more comfortable than I was expecting - and fun!
I also managed to fold it down at the train station without embarrassing myself - and unfold it at the other end. Had to smile when I saw another folded Brompton in the same carriage.
I also managed to fold it down at the train station without embarrassing myself - and unfold it at the other end. Had to smile when I saw another folded Brompton in the same carriage.
Here's my M11L when I picked it up at the end of the summer out for an exploratory ride. Got a few more bits to add to it and some setting up still to go; ergos and a different saddle for a start.
Using it to commute at the moment to get used to it and put some miles on the hub for the first flush and oil change.
http://www.kinetics-online.co.uk/folding-bikes/bro...
Using it to commute at the moment to get used to it and put some miles on the hub for the first flush and oil change.
http://www.kinetics-online.co.uk/folding-bikes/bro...
Edited by donfisher on Wednesday 30th October 19:10
Cheers 
Shimano recommend you flush and change at 1000km and then every 5k/2 years – whichever comes first.
They do also sell a 50ml bottle of oil for £7…
Having waded through a massive but really useful thread on these hubs the general recommendation is to do just that but use a cheaper gear oil instead of the Shimano stuff. The early oil change is to get out any detritus that is ground off during initial use, apparently there can be quite a bit of that. The larger lumps can cause a variety of shifting niggles so I’m happy to do it. Seems like a pretty straightforward process.
Older 8 speed Alfines were greased and not wet so this isn’t a requirement for all hubs.
Shimano recommend you flush and change at 1000km and then every 5k/2 years – whichever comes first.
They do also sell a 50ml bottle of oil for £7…
Having waded through a massive but really useful thread on these hubs the general recommendation is to do just that but use a cheaper gear oil instead of the Shimano stuff. The early oil change is to get out any detritus that is ground off during initial use, apparently there can be quite a bit of that. The larger lumps can cause a variety of shifting niggles so I’m happy to do it. Seems like a pretty straightforward process.
Older 8 speed Alfines were greased and not wet so this isn’t a requirement for all hubs.
I respect the enthusiasm of Brompton ownership & the bikes quality build so please excuse the question, Is there a budget alternative?
I'm aware it may weigh more, be less compact when folded & be of poorer quality but I'm on a budget of £500 rather than £1000. The bike will be occasionally used mainly on smooth surfaces, sometimes gravel but not rough cross country. Should be small enough folded to fit into boot of Mercedes SLK boot. Some I have already tried will not.
The much sneered at Halfords chain have a small selection but I get the impression that Evans is the proper place to go.
ps how easy are Brompton's stolen? Seems that a folded one can be quickly picked up & run off with. Can they be fitted with the motoring equivalent of a Tracker (tracking device)?
I'm aware it may weigh more, be less compact when folded & be of poorer quality but I'm on a budget of £500 rather than £1000. The bike will be occasionally used mainly on smooth surfaces, sometimes gravel but not rough cross country. Should be small enough folded to fit into boot of Mercedes SLK boot. Some I have already tried will not.
The much sneered at Halfords chain have a small selection but I get the impression that Evans is the proper place to go.
ps how easy are Brompton's stolen? Seems that a folded one can be quickly picked up & run off with. Can they be fitted with the motoring equivalent of a Tracker (tracking device)?
WJNB said:
I respect the enthusiasm of Brompton ownership & the bikes quality build so please excuse the question, Is there a budget alternative?
I'm aware it may weigh more, be less compact when folded & be of poorer quality but I'm on a budget of £500 rather than £1000. The bike will be occasionally used mainly on smooth surfaces, sometimes gravel but not rough cross country. Should be small enough folded to fit into boot of Mercedes SLK boot. Some I have already tried will not.
The much sneered at Halfords chain have a small selection but I get the impression that Evans is the proper place to go.
ps how easy are Brompton's stolen? Seems that a folded one can be quickly picked up & run off with. Can they be fitted with the motoring equivalent of a Tracker (tracking device)?
Buy a second-hand Brompton. They really are the best folder all round. Others may be better in one specific area but overall you just can’t beat a Brompton.I'm aware it may weigh more, be less compact when folded & be of poorer quality but I'm on a budget of £500 rather than £1000. The bike will be occasionally used mainly on smooth surfaces, sometimes gravel but not rough cross country. Should be small enough folded to fit into boot of Mercedes SLK boot. Some I have already tried will not.
The much sneered at Halfords chain have a small selection but I get the impression that Evans is the proper place to go.
ps how easy are Brompton's stolen? Seems that a folded one can be quickly picked up & run off with. Can they be fitted with the motoring equivalent of a Tracker (tracking device)?
Wacky Racer said:
If you are thinking of sub £500 consider a Tern.
I never let my new Brompton out of my sight.
I have a Tern A7 from GoOutdoors. It was £380 in a deal & Nationwide were offering 10% cashback as well in a deal.I never let my new Brompton out of my sight.
It is 20" & rides well BUT it is considerably bigger than a Brompton folded, which means it doesn't fit in either MX5 which is a pain. Seems pretty well made & Tern are Taiwanese & some guys who left Dahon so pretty good pedigree. I have used mine into London & it works well.
I agree if you can find one buy a s/h Brompton if the folding bit is important.
WJNB said:
I respect the enthusiasm of Brompton ownership & the bikes quality build so please excuse the question, Is there a budget alternative?
I'm aware it may weigh more, be less compact when folded & be of poorer quality but I'm on a budget of £500 rather than £1000. The bike will be occasionally used mainly on smooth surfaces, sometimes gravel but not rough cross country. Should be small enough folded to fit into boot of Mercedes SLK boot. Some I have already tried will not.
The much sneered at Halfords chain have a small selection but I get the impression that Evans is the proper place to go.
ps how easy are Brompton's stolen? Seems that a folded one can be quickly picked up & run off with. Can they be fitted with the motoring equivalent of a Tracker (tracking device)?
The £400 Decathlon one is OK (likewise the very similar Terns as similar money), although like a lot of these the fold isn't very compact - check the dimensions carefully if you have a shallow boot.I'm aware it may weigh more, be less compact when folded & be of poorer quality but I'm on a budget of £500 rather than £1000. The bike will be occasionally used mainly on smooth surfaces, sometimes gravel but not rough cross country. Should be small enough folded to fit into boot of Mercedes SLK boot. Some I have already tried will not.
The much sneered at Halfords chain have a small selection but I get the impression that Evans is the proper place to go.
ps how easy are Brompton's stolen? Seems that a folded one can be quickly picked up & run off with. Can they be fitted with the motoring equivalent of a Tracker (tracking device)?
The B75 Brompton is £745 (or about £30 a month on a 0% finance deal they do, aimed at replacing train season tickets) and worth the extra IMO. Worth checking too if your work do a Cycle to Work scheme - you get it tax free and pay over 12 months too.
They fold small enough that you avoid locking it up anywhere (and most advocate not carrying a lock so you're not tempted to). Stash it under your desk at work, chuck it in the trolley at the supermarket, check it into the cloakroom (the bag/cover is handy for this) at the theatre.
Edited by sjg on Friday 8th November 09:47
I would second the suggestion of considering the B75 edition.
Since getting mine I’ve had quite a few conversations with other Brompton owners. To my surprise there are quite a few using 10+ year old Bromptons. Look after them it seems and they will last.
With this in mind perhaps a Brompton might be the smarter long term purchase...
I think the B75 has some older components but these can always be upgraded in the future as and when required.
Since getting mine I’ve had quite a few conversations with other Brompton owners. To my surprise there are quite a few using 10+ year old Bromptons. Look after them it seems and they will last.
With this in mind perhaps a Brompton might be the smarter long term purchase...
I think the B75 has some older components but these can always be upgraded in the future as and when required.
A Brompton is a reasonable ‘investment’ ie will always be worth a few quid if you decide it’s no longer required. So the total cost of ownership isn’t so bad. I have had mine for 6 years and have only ever changed tyres, fixed punctures, oiled the chain and upgraded saddle, the little wheels and the rubber bung. Mine is only 2 gears - fine for flat cities but hard work on hills and impossible on steep hills. I find that a ride over say 10 miles is pretty knackering compared to a full sized decent bike.
WJNB said:
I respect the enthusiasm of Brompton ownership & the bikes quality build so please excuse the question, Is there a budget alternative?
I'm aware it may weigh more, be less compact when folded & be of poorer quality but I'm on a budget of £500 rather than £1000. The bike will be occasionally used mainly on smooth surfaces, sometimes gravel but not rough cross country. Should be small enough folded to fit into boot of Mercedes SLK boot. Some I have already tried will not.
The much sneered at Halfords chain have a small selection but I get the impression that Evans is the proper place to go.
ps how easy are Brompton's stolen? Seems that a folded one can be quickly picked up & run off with. Can they be fitted with the motoring equivalent of a Tracker (tracking device)?
As already said, buy a secondhand one. I had mine stolen outside the bike rack at Sloane Square tube station on a bright summers day with plenty of footfall (after leaving it for a mere 30 mins). Hopefully he died of a drug overdose (too harsh - ?...........possibly). Anyway I replaced it with one from ebay. I of course upgraded my lock too but as suggested here, the best defence is to take it with you.I'm aware it may weigh more, be less compact when folded & be of poorer quality but I'm on a budget of £500 rather than £1000. The bike will be occasionally used mainly on smooth surfaces, sometimes gravel but not rough cross country. Should be small enough folded to fit into boot of Mercedes SLK boot. Some I have already tried will not.
The much sneered at Halfords chain have a small selection but I get the impression that Evans is the proper place to go.
ps how easy are Brompton's stolen? Seems that a folded one can be quickly picked up & run off with. Can they be fitted with the motoring equivalent of a Tracker (tracking device)?
What's wrong with recycling (no pun intended) and using someone's old one. I am sure you can personalise it once you have one with the 500 sterling you save buying secondhand.
Gumtree is the other 'better' choice.
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