[Closed] Talk to me about Bromptons.

Evans usually have good deals or foldingbikes.biz (whites)

Unless you have any hills a simple 2 speed will do.

Ideally you'd want a flat bar as they are the stiffest but the "m" bars do flex to give you some more comfort.

I've had a couple and really enjoyed riding them, more than I thought i would.

Different advice...

I've a six speed with is a 2 speed with a 3 speed hub. The derailleur part is annoying an unreliable - I'd go for just a 3 speed in future (or actually look at a SS and upgrade myself to a 6 speed hub (check Kinetics site - i think you can buy with these fitted from new).

The rear rack adds stability when folded but also adds weight and is very rarely used. The front carrier and bags are excellent however, a much better way of carrying stuff on the bike. Best bag we've had is the Carradice.

Given how they get used dynamo lighting makes sense (LED lights get in the way when you fold). The hub dynamo (I think the only one they offer now) is expensive but very good.

We love ours - very useful thing to own. Various parts are shonky but the overall package just work brilliantly.

I have had a Brompton for 18 months and love it. I have the "M" style bar 3 speed and its been superb.

I have the front-mounted bag and that's really good. Saves having to use a back-pack and getting all sweaty.

I commute by train everyday and it gets folded about 6 - 8 times every day. Never had any problems and its been ridden in all weathers.

Since i've owned it i've had 2 punctures and had to change the brake pads. That's it. I've tried a Dahon and a Kansi and neither can touch it in terms of the quality of the fold - important on trains - and reliability.

Very good investment.

I also have the 'M' type, but 6 speed. Very, very useful, once you get used to the quirky ride. You may want to change the saddle and consider the longer seat post option if you are very tall. I bought mine via Ebay and was lucky to get it for a good price - they generally seem to go for silly money (ie almost 'new' price in some cases) on the 'Bay. There are very few parts that are 'standard' cycle parts which you have to bear in mind if thaking one on a trip (eg cables are 'different') but generally this is not the problem that some make it out to be. I would probably go for the 'S' version next time as it has a slightly more forward riding position.

I have a 6 speed with a few mods ( v brakes on front /granny ring /reinforced seatpost/ horizontal reach extender . If you can accept their limitations ( which are few with the right attitude ) and adjust to the "quirky" steering ( rather fast and initially disconcerting) they're a great thing to have.Was going to sell mine because of lack of use but after a recent trip to france have been reminded how useful they are.
as mentioned the big front bag is an awesome load carrier and although I've often been tempted to remove the rear rack it would be fantastic if you want to tour and support a rucksac for example.

I've been running a Brommo for about a year and a half, commuting to That London with the help of the train.

Upsides:

3 gears is all you'll need unless you've got any [b]really[/b] serious hills in the way.

I use a backpack, so flat bars = stiff and doesn't look completely naff.

Changing the rear inner tube in the event of a puncture is relatively simple (I used to own a six-speed hub-gear Ridgeback - needed an engineering degree) once you get used to it.

Folds down VERY small.

Can change the pedals for clipless - movement of crankarms when folded, but not a problem.

Saddle fixing allows for shallow or deep saddle-rails if you want to change from the supplied seat.

Easy storage at work - under the desk, even.

Minuses:

Gear shifters and brake levers are a bit cheap and plasticky for the price.

Brakes become a bit "interesting" in the wet. Rear light does not flash - eats batteries (fix another to the seatpost).

Brompton tyres are rubbish - fit Schwalbe anti-puncture type.

Looks like a clown bike.

Overall, I'd say the advantages far outweigh the minor disadvantages.

I don't see myself changing - unless they bring out a Brompton with disc brakes!

I have a vague feeling that you are Edinburgh based, if so pop into biketrax, they will be able to help with all such brompton matters. I do seem to remember, when i worked there that the three speed ones were more reliable, but might be miss remembering.
My over riding memory of bromptons and working there was me feeling the need to weep every time someone bought one; I really can't stand folding bikes, the look so horrible, but do see the advantages of them and would definitely pop into biketrax...unless you live no where near edinburgh and this post has been pointless.

PS: The supplied pump is **** all use.

[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcusjb/1558703225/sizes/l/in/photostream/ ]brompton with discs and speedhub[/url]

Brompton tyres are rubbish - fit Schwalbe anti-puncture type.

We've been running Schwalbes but were advised that the very newest stock Schwalbes are not good (impossible to get on and off?) and that you're now better off with the Brompton tyres. We picked up one last old Schwalbe so cant' confirm.

PS: The supplied pump is **** all use.

I use a standard saddle and seatpost in the top of the 'extending' lower post. Brompton saddle is a joke and their clamp for standard rails gives Katie trouble.

Grips were awful - a set of Ergon Gripshift grips made a big difference to mine.

So...questions. I'd like to upgrade the brakes and levers - any suggestions?

I'd like to upgrade the brakes and levers - any suggestions?

recommend going for the shimano dynamo hub option (theres alson a son one which is v £££)

likewise avoid the rear rack and use the front bag......

on my 3rd Brompton had on Dahon as well, which performed beter as a bike but the folding mechanism and fold size wasn't in the same league...

they're great,and crap.

I've changed pedals,bars,cranks and now it feels much better.

don't be afraid to change bars,stems,etc.
for example,there's 3 different stems.so you really can dial in your position mixing them with different rise bars.
& width.stock are 52 if I remember right.

bought some 25.4 drops to try out when cables need changing.
however 38mm drops on such a flexy bike with tiny wheels will probably be 'entertaining', especially in the wet.

I'm lucky enough to own an S2SX, the Ti version. It's a fantastic bike...but I did make some changes -

Easton flat bars (wider than the standards)
Bar ends (be careful - you need the wider bars to fit these are they won't clear the wheel when folded)
Cranks - upgraded to Shimano Alfine cranks with 46T so slightly lower ratios and much better bearings
SPD's

Really, really pleased with it.

Is it worth the extra for the Ti version? Probably not! However, I would recommend an S2L with the changes above....

Happy Brompton riding!

Still happy with my S2L. Unless you're in a seriously hilly area, 2-speed is fine and it saves a useful chunk of weight over the hub gear. As I carry it up and down steps a couple of times a day I'll take the weight saving over a wider gear range. It's more like a SS with a bailout gear for getting up hills, the bigger deficiency IME is not going fast enough on gentle downhills, where there's just not enough gradient for a freewheel to accelerate you. Derailleur has been OK for me but it needs cleaning from time to time or it clags up. I just chuck it in the bath every few months, spray it down with cleaner and degreaser, brush into the bits like the jockey wheels and rinse it off. Lube chain, done.

The front luggage is great, saves a sweaty back, and adds some stability to the front end. Add a small dumbbell spanner to your toolkit as there's a few bolts on Bromptons, not least those to get the wheels off for punctures. Don't bother with Brompton lights - Knogs or similar are much better.

If you're willing to wait, a custom order gets you one from a wide range of colours, with whatever gearing and options you like fitted (there are some free ones like the extended post if you pick at order). If you're in a hurry, most dealers keep some in stock but they tend to be S2Ls and M3Ls, with a very limited colour choice (often black).

S2L rider here.

Honestly it's the best bike I have *ever* bought. The sense of freedom it gives me is just fab, I commute into London a few times a week, there are three stations I can now use which are all a little too far to walk to. I've now got a lot more flexibility on where I start from and finish up ( I used to drive to a station further away as it had parking). Plus a beer or two after work is now not a problem. It was a lifesaver last week as car was in being fixed and I had to get somewhere that was awkward by train, but easy to get about 3 miles away. Probably saved me about an hour and a half a day.

Does it go as fast as a carbon road bike or ride steps like my superlight? Well no. But the smile on my face as I trundle over London bridge is as big as I get from any of my other bikes and I'm saving time, so it's 'free' ( use special busy worker / parent logic here).

I've even trained clients to expect it when I turn up, it's never been a problem ( don't take it to first meetings but after that it comes).

I dropped the standard gearing down a bit as I have a bit of a hill in the morning and don't want to sweat in the suit, I find the brakes/gears/tyres fine - only thing I'd do is lighten it with ti forks/rear/seat post. The front mounted bag takes the laptop etc and is smart enough for work.

I'm a convert (can you tell)?

If you don't need such a small fold (putting it by the door as opposed to between the seats then also consider the birdy.

With the allround/sport stem, a decent saddle and slightly wider tyres (big apples for me) it rides very much like an agile full size bike.

Plus it is much stiffer than most folders as it has no hinge in the frame, all the hinges are around the suspension bushes.

I tried a brompton but it just feels too much like a clown bike.

5ft 9inches or 31 inch inside leg is about the max height for a brompton in my opinion, then you start getting into needing the extended seatpost and the bike looking a bit small.

Also look at the speed pro dahon - they are supposed to be fun, but maybe not as practical with their skinny tyres.

If you are in the Bath area my friend has a bike shop (Avon Valley Cycles) and he is a Brompton and Dahon dealer. He has some very good offers on at the moment, (he is currently staying here for a couple of days with his good lady wife and we were talking about them earlier) From what i understand you will now need to go into the shop to pick your bike up because Brompton and Dahon don't allow bikes to be sent out new they want dealers to get customers to pick them up in store for some reason.

Ask for Luke he'll help you out 8)

5'11" on a standard seatpost.you can reverse the clamp and bring it right up,you gain about 8cm that way.
does anyone know where I can find the mks lambda/gripking pedals with the ezy detachable mechanism?uk/eu sources pref.
had 2 dahons.only worth it if they're cheap.but then they're cheap.
a brompton is a nice bike to have.

Honestly it's the best bike I have *ever* bought.

def they are very useable.

PS: The supplied pump is **** all use.

yep I have knocked two out with my heels (big feet) both ended up in the rear wheel.... mangled pumps! leave it off or put a velco strap round it.

I have had 2 S2L...over that past 5 years S bars are def best.. have seen M bars snap.., another bromptoneer i see on the train alot snapped his M bars and it put him under a bus! you can get a brace for M bars to stop the flex

though now as i'm tall i use a small riser on the S stem

if you live in a hillier area consider S3L or S6L

I did Lejog on mine with the 2 speed derailluer but with a manual shift double chainset to get lower ratio for hills.

Great bikes. if you happen to be a SW Trains season ticket holder you can get one for as little a £2 a week from them...

as for upgraded lever and grips Shimano + egron
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]

how come so many people have had multiple bromptons ?

I am on my 3rd birdy but that is 'cos the first was nicked and the 2nd is awaiting a new fork after a crash.

I've a Dahon and a Trek folder - I need to have a folding bike to get on the train, but I only ever actually need to fold it once or twice a week. As such, my (much) cheaper folding bikes do the job.

I've ridder Bromptons and wasn't impressed - my Trek, in particular, seems a lot stiffer, and a lot more like a real bike. The downside is foldability, but unless you frequently need it to fold very small, I'd not bother with a Brompton.

TurnerGuy - Member
[how come so many people have had multiple bromptons ?]

1st one back in 98 changed job couple of years later sold bike

2nd one back in 2002 changed job couple of years later sold bike [had Dahon as well folding mechanism not in Bromptons league]

Had mine for a few years now. Quirky at first, but you get used to it and they really do nip along quite nicely. Changed to Marathon + tyres and haven't had a puncture since, but these tyres can make life quite 'exciting' in the wet.

Have the Shimano hub dynamo which is very good.

Mines an M6, handle bars are a bit flexy, but I managed to pick up a rare cancelled order at an Evans, so it was discounted - too good an opportunity to miss.

Only non 'Brompton' stuff I've put on are different levers, pads and grips

[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4299738385_ed753591e8.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4299738385_ed753591e8.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheesyfeet/4299738385/ ]DSC_2474[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/cheesyfeet/ ]gary_foulger[/url], on Flickr

Piedi, how do you find the Avid (v brake?) levers with the Brompton brakes. I've got some similar levers but wasn't sure how they'd be. I know you can't use normal levers with v brakes, but v levers with normal brakes?

how come so many people have had multiple bromptons ?

Depends on how many miles you do on them and how many folds, mines gets folded at least 8 times a day - but you can replace hinge pins (two in the frame and one on the stem)

I had a cracked frame on my first after 3 years, frame replaced under warranty.

bought another I fancied a new one - just on a whim, but other one need lots of parts replacing... + evans had a deal on one - as above poster stated. £50 off + marathons, the original tyres, two spare tubes + a luggage block + just before the general brompton price rise.

As for Brompton stiffness.. The M bars contribute a lot to the flex feel, massively improved if you get the S version, the bars are also further forward on the S version as well.

Piedi, how do you find the Avid (v brake?) levers with the Brompton brakes. I've got some similar levers but wasn't sure how they'd be. I know you can't use normal levers with v brakes, but v levers with normal brakes?

I use the Shimano R550 levers, they are designed to work with caliper and canti £25 inc cables those plus swisstop pads makes a big difference

Levers are fine. Makes the brakes much better (swapped pads too) and they are small enough not to interfere with the fold

The downside is foldability, but unless you frequently need it to fold very small, I'd not bother with a Brompton.

Yep - it's the fold that's the thing. It's quicker to fold a Brompton and take it with you than it is to lock it up. The ultimate pub bike - you sit with it under the table and if you're too pished to ride home it goes in the back of a cab (Friday night!)

Fantastic bikes. I have an S2L and haven't touched the spec.

The pump disappeared in the first week and I won't be replacing it.

Probably the best bike I've ever owned!

Thanks Piedi and Rootes. I'll give the Avid levers a go. I've got old Tektro ones on at the mo, but they were meant for gripshift and aren't great.

how come so many people have had multiple bromptons ?

A mate uses his far more heavily than I do - normally 12+ miles a day, every working day, and some weekends too. He finds buying new, running it for a couple of years, then flogging on ebay (usually getting £450-500 or so for it) and replacing with new is cheaper and easier than replacing lots of parts.

Some people also will buy and "off the shelf" M3L or S2L and realise after a few months that they want different gearing or riding position - again, easier to sell and get a new custom one than to swap over parts.

if you ever need to carry a water bottle on the B:

this fits to the stem and it still means you can fold (though the bottle cage makes the folded package wider

Minoura
[img] [/img]

in use - see white waterbottle - just come down that road

[img] [/img]

See that house there. I'm pretty sure I used to live in it. 😀 The white one.

M3L FTW!

Great bikes. Love them to bits.

the avid levers should be Ok as long as you choose a pair with the thumbwheel which allows adjustment of mechanical advantage.

Bromptons fold well

.............is all you can say really

Amazing. What was all that other stuff in the thread about, then? 🙄

See that house there. I'm pretty sure I used to live in it. The white one.

really? cool as was taken on the A82 on way to fort william... awesome scenery round there.

2 Speed; the way forward

[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/2243425857_e60861f596.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/2243425857_e60861f596.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/flamejob/2243425857/ ]SL2-X Clear[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/flamejob/ ]Flamejob[/url], on Flickr

I should have not open this thread now I WANT one.....

Horrible ride get a Kansai.

Personally, having ridden quite a few different folders, the only single plus point I can see in a Brompton is that it folds down smaller than anything else.

Which is good, as it'll then take up less room in a bin/skip/landfill.

A 20" wheel bike will not fold up as small, but be loads better to actually ride. And offer far greater possibilities for upgrading/customisation. Loads cheaper and easier for spares.

Bromptons are ridiculously overpriced for spec. Come with kit barely better than on a Halfords special, yet cost almost seven hundred pounds new for the cheapest. Which is twice as much as they cost just five or six years ago (seems they've become 'trendy'). You can get a decent 'proper' bike for that. And if you do have any problems, spares/servicing will cost a fortune. Proprietary accessories are mediocre quality at best, and again stupidly overpriced. And you will need to upgrade certain standard items straight away, cos the OEM bits are crap. Really rubbish brakes.

I once rode one a few miles, and felt propperly beaten up at the end of it. The tiny wheels make riding anything even slightly rough than a perfectly smooth flat surface very uncomfortable, as they give a really harsh unforgiving ride. Potholes and kerbs; no no no. As for folk who do tours on them; sure, but then some people enjoy being kicked in the nuts. Just because [i]you[/i] enjoy it doesn't make it 'right'. Wobbly, twitchy nervous ride. Horrible in heavy traffic, none of the stability of a proper bike.

Nasty nasty hateful little things.

+1 for Birdy. Vastly superior. We own one of each, and the Birdy is just better for everything.

Yu don't mind my dear elfin if I don't take any riding advice about someone you walk more than he rides ;-).

If it's for something to fold so it fits in your car/boat/caravan to use once or twice a year, sure. For people who use the train, the difference between a Brompton and most other stuff is the difference between sliding it away between the seatbacks or in the luggage rack then sitting down and standing like a lemon by the doors, hanging on to your bike. All the other places you're likely to go with a folding bike (restaurants, cloakrooms, etc) are usually OK with Bromptons but may not want anything bigger and in more awkward shapes. The whole point of a folding bike is to have something that's quicker and easier than walking, that you can take with you on public transport if needed, and have it with you, not being nicked from the pavement outside. Having a bigger, less convenient one just to get some extra ride quality seems to be missing the point, at least for London use.

Brakes (on current ones at least) are fine. Yep, they're expensive, but then every bike is way more expensive that it was 5 years ago, and you have the "made in Britain" premium.

Plus, my dear elf you are a bit talking rubbish. Very little bikes come close to a brompton in term of quality and functionality. No other bike in the market are rust proof through electro-chemistry. Mudguards/paniers/racks/crank are stop on in term of use and way better than most of the stuff you can find.

Plus your neighbour might build them. So yes they are more expensive than halford special, but the yield quality/money is actually better on a brompton than a halford special.
If only they built them with disk mount...

Pigface - Member

Horrible ride get a Kansai.

Great advice - they recently recalled and stopped selling them after some frames snapped. Due a relaunch next year apparently.

Birdy? Great until you want to get them fixed, tried getting hold of any replacement rims lately? took 6 weeks last time we had to do it.

There's a reason Bromptons are so popular - smallest fold and an extensive dealer network for support and made just down the road.

They fold and piss passengers off on the Tube in London, especially in rush hour

Yu don't mind my dear elfin if I don't take any riding advice about someone you walk more than he rides

Yeah right. I [i]hate[/i] walking anywhere more than a mile (1.6km).

Plus, my dear elf you are a bit talking rubbish. Very little bikes come close to a brompton in term of quality and functionality.

Right.

My Dear Juan; I've sold more Bromptons than you've had clean pants on. Ridden quite a number, as if we needed to take a bike from one shop to another for a customer, we'd grab a Brompton from stock to ride back as they're small enough to stick back in the vayn when it came round. Hated the things. Have considerd getting one as a pub bike, but it's awful ride puts me off.

Of all the bikes we sold, the ones with the most problems were Bromptons. The ones that we had to order spares to replace broken bits were Bromptons. The ones that cost most to sort out were Bromptons. Over 80% of all those we sold would come back within a week or two with a problem or five.

As for value for money; most of the parts are cheap, plastic or cheap pressed steel crap. Used to see loads of snapped shifter levers and that rear tensioner thingy. The chainset is eqivalent to that on a £60 tesco bike; just pressed steel with non-interchangeable chainring. Once worn, replace whole unit (which is something mad like £60 when MTB equivalent ones are about £20-25, with 3 rings. Stupidly heavy scaffolding pole seatpost, with proper cheap seat clamp. Nasty cheap saddle. Cheap flexy useless brakes (granted small wheel is easier to stop). As already pointed out; the OEM tyres are horrific. Narrow rear hub spacing which severely restricts hub choice. Hubs and wheels are low-end kit. Frame made in UK maybe, rest of it in China/Taiwan.

From new, you'd need to factor in about another £60 or so at least on necessary upgrades like saddle, tyres, etc, and then there's accessories that are silly money.

So now you're talking getting on towards £800, for a bike with 3 gears. That gets you a decent folder by another manufacturer, with better spec components and more gears...

I could go on. Suffice to say, they are, in my onion, dreadful bicycles and terrible value for money. There's loads better out there, if you can see past the 'folds up really tiny' USP. If you ride normal bikes, switching between those and a Brompton is awful, as it screws up your handling instincts. You get used to one, then have to immediately get used to another, vastly different machine. Personally I can't stand that.

It's clear there are many Brompton acolytes out there, and you won't find many a bad word against them this is true. I think this is due to their relative high cost and reticence of owners to be honest about them. Difficult I imagine, if you've spent that much money on one. Bit like Apple product owners. 🙂

The OP asked for onions on Bromptons. I'm just being open and honest, is all. These are my onions, is all, others may feel very differently (I respect their right to be wrong, of course.... 😉 )

Seriously though I think they're horrible. And that's based on riding them, having to try to fix them/sort them out, and dealing with irate owners. I'd buy something else.

Elfin,

The chainsets are alloy and made by Stronglight, and a drive side replacement is about £30. The brakes are dual pivot and seem to work as well as the decent Shimano ones on my road bike.

80% come back with problems? I'd be amazed if that were truly the case, and it would go against the anecdotal evidence of myself, several other riders I know and a mate who works at a major chain.

I find the tyres fine. Maybe my handling skills are poo ( ok. They are) BUT I don't find it a problem swiching between the Brompton, the road bike and the mtb's. In fact if your whole handlings argument is broadly illogical, like saying riding rigid, or CX will ruin your handling skills.

I'm sure that there the other quality folders are good too, but if you commute on the ever more crowded trains of the SE then I think a brompton is a pretty good choice. Not seen anything else that folds and stores as well.

The chainsets are alloy and made by Stronglight, and a drive side replacement is about £30

It's a cheap pressed steel thing with non-replaceable chainrings. It's worth a tenner tops.

80% come back with problems? I'd be amazed if that were truly the case, and it would go against the anecdotal evidence of myself, several other riders I know and a mate who works at a major chain.

That was the observations of our mechanics. Most would come back with some problem or other. Proportionately far more than any other bike.

Wow Elfin is really passionate about bromptons.

My experience is almost exactly the opposite; except for the

I've sold more Bromptons than you've had clean pants on

An honest question for Elfin is; if you think they're so bad why did you sell so many? I would openly deride bikes that I didn't like in my shop and therefore my customers wouldn't buy them.

My Brompton is about 4 years old now and is still (minus cables and brake pads) totally original. It has been ridden for commuting in three countries, flown with and ridden off road on more than a few occasions.

[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2085/1563469648_15cb01a2ff_m.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2085/1563469648_15cb01a2ff_m.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= [/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/flamejob/ ]flamejob[/url], on Flickr

Cant find any thing about Kansi bikes breaking on the net. got any links for it?

Wow Elfin is really passionate about bromptons.

My hatred is not without foundation... 🙂

if you think they're so bad why did you sell so many?

Fantastic marketing, plus customers who really needed something that folded up for train journeys/storing in offices etc. Plus there weren't that many other folding bikes on the market, certainly nothing anywhere near as small. The design is good, but they're too much of a compromise for my liking.

I appreciate many people love them. I don't. I think there's a great deal of Emperor's New Clothes Syndrome attached to them.

My Brompton is about 4 years old now...

My rat bike is scabby and tatty, has parts on it that are 20 years old, yet rides well and works perfectly.

And it din't cost nearly seven hundred quid....

Ah found the Kansi stuff ooops, not good they are in the same league as Pace and Cannondale now 😉

still stand by the fact that Bromptons are a horrible ride.

Had mine a few months now and have commuted via train 3-4 times a week with it, circa 12 miles a day. It's handling is 'quirky' but it makes me smile when I ride it. Compared to squeezing myself onto a tube at rush hour it is streets ahead. I almost felt guilty riding thru Hyde park between meetings the other day, but not for long.

Nothing has broken yet
Some of the bits are cheap
2 gears and a flat bar works
It's flexy as chuff when you give it the berries to make sure you catch a train
My cotic rides better, my road bike is faster but neither of them fold up which is why I bought it

Also if you are not in London other brompton riders will generally talk to you

Bottom line, they work and are fun

This year I've ridden nearly 2000 miles on my brompton. Apart from changing the brake pads I've not had to do anything to it. It means I can get a train to Waterloo then ride to Canary Wharf and then 18 miles home. After tomorrow I'll be doing the same to North Greenwich and back. As far as I can tell there's nothing else on sale at the moment that'll allow me to do that - and it's handy too going to visit some of my clients because a surprising number of their senior management ride bromptons and their security people are used to bromptons and open the security gates for me with a grin.
In terms of quality it seems pretty much how it should be and spares are available for everything. I certainly wouldn't ride my colleagues Dahon - that seems very dubious compared to the brompton.

An ingenious piece of engineering that some cyclists entirely miss the point of. Mine is eight years old and has done thousands of miles, kept me sane when I had an excessively long commute and continues to prove itself useful and fun! If you can't handle a Brompton on-road I'd hate to think how you'd cope with the challenges of MTBing...

This year I've ridden nearly 2000 miles on my brompton.

I still occasionally get propperly blind drunk, even though past experience has told me this is a stupid thing to do.

Some things, we never learn... 😉

If you can't handle a Brompton on-road I'd hate to think how you'd cope with the challenges of MTBing...

If I tried to ride a Brompton the way I ride an mtb, I'd probbly kill myself and the bike.

Many people like them. Fair enough.

Many people like custard, fair enough.

Many people vote Tory, fair enough.

Many people watch X-Factor, fair enough.

I don't.

Birdy? Great until you want to get them fixed, tried getting hold of any replacement rims lately? took 6 weeks last time we had to do it.

It took me 9 weeks to get some new bearings - the answer is to order parts from the States as the UK agent is poor.

Black Dog cycles was great until they got out of the market 🙁 bearings from them took 2 weeks.

but it's awful ride puts me off

Over 80% of all those we sold would come back within a week or two with a problem or five.

So now you're talking getting on towards £800, for a bike with 3 gears. That gets you a decent folder by another manufacturer, with better spec components and more gears...

Suffice to say, they are, in my onion, dreadful bicycles and terrible value for money.

When it came to look at a foldie I decided to have no pre conceived ideas about make/model to buy, so I rode each one and made my choice up from there.

First came the Brompton, this was recommended to me by one of my roadie mates and he commutes here and there and by train.. I organised a local ride on one them, hated it. Flexie and cheap, neat fold, horrid handling.. no VFM even if you take the "name" into consideration..

Then I tried all sorts, Birdy/Kansai/Giant/Ridgeback. Of all these the Giant was the most well spec'd but was too flexie. THe Ridgeback was a copy of a Dahon without the "name" and was the same price so I chose a Dahon (below)

Since owning it and using it to commute to train and back it's been a pleasure to ride. I've yet to get it serviced by the shop (no real need as it's as new) Best part about it is that fact that it still feels like a proper bike, safe and sturdy, no flex, has a solid build quality about it and folds real neat.. Now we know it doesn't fold as tight as a Brompton, but what it does do is fold neat and tidy and still fit between train seats. I've the inHub gears for ease of use and if there was one thing I'd change is the ratio's, I top out in 7th most of the time see, so that'll be the only thing I'll change.

[img] [/img]

your opinion mean naff all to me

I nearly spat my tea out when Mrs Flamejob came home and said "Shut up you numpty"

Anyway - I think we all agree to disagree

There is a reason why Brompton have been going so long though 😉

if you want a folder.the brompton's the best.not the cheapest.
had dahons,bought a 3rd for a gf.see loads of decathlon/supermarket folders.
have a brompton now.yes,overpriced,yes you have to change some stuff.
yes you shouldn't have to but hey.some handlebars and pedals are pretty cheap.
elfin.the spec changed.that's (also) why they're more expensive.
the basic spec is no longer available.so they haven't become that much dearer.the better spec is better.still not good enough-but hey.