Any Brompton riders out there?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm ditching the daily snotter for the commute and swapping my car keys for a rail season ticket and pedal power. My employer has joined the Ride2Work scheme with Evans Cycles and so I'm going to take the plunge and order a Brompton folding bike. I had a good test ride on an S2L on Monday and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the ride.
The cycle portion of my commute is relatively flat for 3 miles so I'm wondering how much benefit I'll get out of specifying 2 or 3 speed and if its worth getting lowered gearing.
Any other advice would be appreciated.
I'm ditching the daily snotter for the commute and swapping my car keys for a rail season ticket and pedal power. My employer has joined the Ride2Work scheme with Evans Cycles and so I'm going to take the plunge and order a Brompton folding bike. I had a good test ride on an S2L on Monday and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the ride.
The cycle portion of my commute is relatively flat for 3 miles so I'm wondering how much benefit I'll get out of specifying 2 or 3 speed and if its worth getting lowered gearing.
Any other advice would be appreciated.
An ex-flatmate had a very hard-used Brompton that was still going strong. When he moved down here he'd take the train into London then ride back the 16 miles or so home. Used to use it for L2B and similar rides too. Expensive, but quality bits of kit, and nothing else seems to fold quite as well.
I'd either go singlespeed (simplicity, lightness, and I've commuted on a singlespeed - it's fine!) or the sturmey-archer 3-speed if you'll be using it anywhere hilly.
Get the rack/carrier too if you'll be taking work stuff with you - much better than a rucksack.
I'd either go singlespeed (simplicity, lightness, and I've commuted on a singlespeed - it's fine!) or the sturmey-archer 3-speed if you'll be using it anywhere hilly.
Get the rack/carrier too if you'll be taking work stuff with you - much better than a rucksack.
You're not going to get any fitness benefit from such a short ride as you won't have the chance to warm up or down.
I'd look at making sure you have the easiest ride you can so that you don't have to have a shower or change all your clothes at the end of it. Mudguards, a pannier rack and the 3-spd hub. Getting the 3-spd hub should future proof the bike and you'll be getting it at a big discount (R2W) so the cost is negligable. Get two panniers to balance the bike or if you're not carrying much at all, a bag to go on top of the rack. I'd also look at getting tyres with in built puncture protection - Scwalbe Marathon Plus have very good protection (I've used them doing proper offroading without problems) and a continuous relfective band on both side walls.
I'm sure someone will reply saying 'Just use a rucksack' but you really don't want a massive sweat patch on your back at the start of your working day do you?
As ever, get a number of lights for the winter months - riding in London is all about being seen not seeing where you're going.
Propbably a touch of 'sucking eggs' to this post but I hope it's all useful.
I'd look at making sure you have the easiest ride you can so that you don't have to have a shower or change all your clothes at the end of it. Mudguards, a pannier rack and the 3-spd hub. Getting the 3-spd hub should future proof the bike and you'll be getting it at a big discount (R2W) so the cost is negligable. Get two panniers to balance the bike or if you're not carrying much at all, a bag to go on top of the rack. I'd also look at getting tyres with in built puncture protection - Scwalbe Marathon Plus have very good protection (I've used them doing proper offroading without problems) and a continuous relfective band on both side walls.
I'm sure someone will reply saying 'Just use a rucksack' but you really don't want a massive sweat patch on your back at the start of your working day do you?
As ever, get a number of lights for the winter months - riding in London is all about being seen not seeing where you're going.
Propbably a touch of 'sucking eggs' to this post but I hope it's all useful.
Thanks for the pointers, I'm ticking 3 speed and rear-rack right now.
I've always fancied one as they seem to be great bits of British made kit and with the discount it is an oppotunity not to be missed.
The tyre options are Brompton Kevlar, Schwalbe Marathon (as mentioned above) and Schwalbe Stelvio. The difference in price is negligable but Brompton mention that there's a weight penalty and also the increased rolling resistence on the Marathons due to deeper tread depth. But am I going to notice this? I'd definitely notice a puncture so I'm leaning towards the Marathons.
I've always fancied one as they seem to be great bits of British made kit and with the discount it is an oppotunity not to be missed.
The tyre options are Brompton Kevlar, Schwalbe Marathon (as mentioned above) and Schwalbe Stelvio. The difference in price is negligable but Brompton mention that there's a weight penalty and also the increased rolling resistence on the Marathons due to deeper tread depth. But am I going to notice this? I'd definitely notice a puncture so I'm leaning towards the Marathons.
Yes there is a weight penalty with the Marathon's. Make sure they are the 'Plus' version though as this is the one with the in built puncture resistance.
Yes they do 'drag' more on the road but you're not in a race or trying to max out your top speed, you're trying to get to work safely and with as little potential problems as possible.
I can't see myself getting a Brompton though. Nice engineering and design but I prefer big wheels!!
Yes they do 'drag' more on the road but you're not in a race or trying to max out your top speed, you're trying to get to work safely and with as little potential problems as possible.
I can't see myself getting a Brompton though. Nice engineering and design but I prefer big wheels!!
CAB said:
mk1fan said:
You're not going to get any fitness benefit from such a short ride as you won't have the chance to warm up or down.
Perhaps better to invest in trainers then ??? ;-)Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff