For true multimodal transport you can’t beat a Brompton (try taking any other folder on a bus).
Did it across London with the Mezzo last week when the trains were cancelled. Folds nearly as small as a Brompton.
Love mine and really glad I got it. I think the brakes are fine for side pulls. They have the advantage of only having small wheels to stop. Of course they aren’t as good as discs but I wouldn’t expect them to be.
One thing that really did annoy me was the 6 speed gears. It was an annoyingly agricultural system. The Sturmey Archer gears were fine but the two speed derailleur was temperamental. In the end I changed it to a singlespeed which is much better for my needs.
I know there are other alternatives but for the trains I catch, none of them would fit.
It’s certainly a twitchy ride. Reminds me of a track bike.
rack for a 20″ bike?
I have a tubus QR2 specific rack. A Tubus Fly night also work. The problem with small wheels is the length of the chainstays. Your heel will hit the pannier unless you rotate the rack backwards. That needs long rack stays and Tubus have plenty of options. The additional issue with mine is when I put the Ortlieb Downtown on at about 45 degrees, all is good until you hit a speed bump too fast and then the bag jolts off!
Front mounted Brompton block and bag is a better solution, and Dahons have a welded Brompton compatible mounting point for the Brompton block now. If you can’t beat them…
Edit. My rack is now made and sold as the Ortlieb Rack 3. That allows rotation backwards for three fixed mounting points and a briefcase like bag.
Isn’t there someone (?Kinetics) who does Brompton disc conversions?
Yes, Ben does 20", disc, fat, Kindernay, whatever.