Carrying / riding experience with folding bikes?

[Tinchen]

He, I am new here and looking into buying a Brompton folding bike as it's heavily recommended on so many sites. I try to find out what's important to look at and what I need for getting to work.
One of my shortlisted option is the very basic model M3L with 3 gears but it's 11.4 kg heavy.
The other one is the S2L-X with a titanium frame and still has got 9.7kg and 2 gears.

I would be happy to hear from you and your experiences with your folding bikes?

1) Do you find that 2 or 3 gears are enough? In my case it a city commute with only some slight slopes.

2) How is it going with carrying your bikes? I am a girl and most of the reviewers seem to be guys, probably a bit stronger than me. I lifted the 9.7 kg and that was just ok when thinking about carrying it around onto the train or so but it costs £400 more (I get it for 200) for being 1.7 kg lighter than the other option. I wonder if it's worth it? Did you buy a lightweight and are happy that you did? How often do you really carry your bike and as I far as I have seen on the forum here people find some good ways to push the bike more than carrying it. What do you think?

3) Get clothes get dirty from carrying the bike (I wanted to try to restrict myself to ride the bike when it's halfway decent weather otherwise take the tube with the bike.) All the reviews I read so far were that people where carrying lots clothes around or having clothes deposited at work which doesn't really appeal to me.

4) Furthermore a friend said that riding a folding bike is a bit of a different experience and you get to pedal harder and you therefore sweat more easily. My commute is just half an hour, maybe 6-8 km and I originally thought it's doable without changing clothes. I just start a new job (that requires the commuting) and don't want to be overcomplicated with asking for shower neither I want to carry around another set of clothes or bother others with some unpleasant smell. Any ideas on this?

5) Any recommendations for a good rucksack that lets air circulate on the back?

I would be happy to get some ideas from you! And thanks for it!

[juan162]

Hi Tinchen,
And welcome. First off, take a look at this thread:

http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=279278

This lovely lady had alot of the same issues as you. You will see that she ended up with a Dahon Curve for a multitude of reasons, one of which being that it was the only one she felt she could seriously carry around. You will have to make your on decisions.

As far as item # 4, this is one of the biggest myths about folding bikes. They are no harder to pedal than a normal bike. The smaller wheels just mean the gearing might be a little different, but it will be no harder to pedal than any conventional bike. If you have a lot of hills, you may want to go with a bike with more gears, but that is about it. The only real difference will be in bike handling. Smaller wheels feel "twitchy" when you first start using them. The feeling goes away in a week, though.

I encourage you to look through the list of older bike threads, as many of your questions are answered in depth, there,

Juan

[DaFriMon]

. . . 1) Do you find that 2 or 3 gears are enough? In my case it a city commute with only some slight slopes.

For that kind of ride, the 3 gears of a Brompton would be ample. You could consider their optional 12% gear reduction (reduces each of your gears by 12%). One of my bikes is a 3 speed Dahon Curve, and I get up moderate hills with no trouble. I do use bikes with a wider range for long rides over varied terrain.

. . .
3) Get clothes get dirty from carrying the bike (I wanted to try to restrict myself to ride the bike when it's halfway decent weather otherwise take the tube with the bike.) All the reviews I read so far were that people where carrying lots clothes around or having clothes deposited at work which doesn't really appeal to me.

I always do carry extra clothes on the bike, and keep some at work too. Some people manage to ride in their work clothes without much problem. Keep your bike frame clean, and watch out for the chain. Yes, I know Bromptons fold with the chain inside. I mean while riding.

4) Furthermore a friend said that riding a folding bike is a bit of a different experience and you get to pedal harder and you therefore sweat more easily. . .

What Juan said.



5) Any recommendations for a good rucksack that lets air circulate on the back? . . .

Don't use a rucksack (just my opinion). If you get the Brompton, I'd suggest their front carrier system, or a bag on their rear rack. With other bikes, possibly a bag on the rear rack would be the way to go. The exact kind of bag depends on what you have to carry.

[14R]

Brompton, Curve or Downtube Mini.

Brompton is by far the easiest to carry once folded. Curve is a great bike (I sold ALL my folders and currently I only have a curve). All Downtube Mini owners reported back to this forum very happy with their products.

For the Price of a Brompton, you can almost buy 1 curve with the El Bolso bag + a DT Mini, so, is the foldability thing worthing THAT much? For me, it didn't.

[SesameCrunch]

3) Get clothes get dirty from carrying the bike (I wanted to try to restrict myself to ride the bike when it's halfway decent weather otherwise take the tube with the bike.)

Bikes with internal hubs (ie. no external derailleurs) have a big advantage in keeping your clothes from being soiled by grease and grime. Both the Curve and Downtube Mini had internal hubs. The Curve is 3 speed, the Mini is 8 speed.

[Tinchen]

Hi Tinchen,
And welcome. First off, take a look at this thread:

http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=279278

This lovely lady had alot of the same issues as you. You will see that she ended up with a Dahon Curve for a multitude of reasons, one of which being that it was the only one she felt she could seriously carry around. You will have to make your on decisions.

As far as item # 4, this is one of the biggest myths about folding bikes. They are no harder to pedal than a normal bike. The smaller wheels just mean the gearing might be a little different, but it will be no harder to pedal than any conventional bike. If you have a lot of hills, you may want to go with a bike with more gears, but that is about it. The only real difference will be in bike handling. Smaller wheels feel "twitchy" when you first start using them. The feeling goes away in a week, though.

I encourage you to look through the list of older bike threads, as many of your questions are answered in depth, there,

Juan


Juan162, thank you very much. That’s good information.

I looked up the thread you said. Seems really that she has got a similar height / weight and therefore similar issues with how much she can carry. I will look into the Dahon Curve. Sounds good as well. The Dahon Curve SL costs also half the price of the Brompton lightweight version. I was at a bike shop yesterday and the shop staff said that they will stop selling the Dahon brand as they have lots of repairs and it takes the company ages to get back to them and to send the spare parts. On the other hand I found lots of happy users on the threads of this site.... However is it easy to push around and carry? Does it have a suspension as the Brompton?

As for the gears, do you think that 2 gears are enough at all? The lightweight version of Brompton has got only 2 gears. So it’s a big tradeoff, isn’t it? Lots of money for 1.7kg and than in addition one gear less. Hmmm.

[Tinchen]

Bikes with internal hubs (ie. no external derailleurs) have a big advantage in keeping your clothes from being soiled by grease and grime. Both the Curve and Downtube Mini had internal hubs. The Curve is 3 speed, the Mini is 8 speed.

He Sesame Crunch, thank you very much for the info! Very much appreciated. Maybe a stupid question, but does the hub stay internal when you fold the bike, doesn't it? I imagine that it needs less maintenance as well, doesn't it?

Btw what kind of maintenance work do you do with your bike? Oiling it once a month? etc.?

[Tinchen]

Brompton, Curve or Downtube Mini.

Brompton is by far the easiest to carry once folded. Curve is a great bike (I sold ALL my folders and currently I only have a curve). All Downtube Mini owners reported back to this forum very happy with their products.

For the Price of a Brompton, you can almost buy 1 curve with the El Bolso bag + a DT Mini, so, is the foldability thing worthing THAT much? For me, it didn't.

Hi 14R,
you are quite right. What is the difference between the Curve and the Brompton in your experience? Is the Curve model easy to fold & carry? Spotted the SL version with less than 10kg....

[Tinchen]

For that kind of ride, the 3 gears of a Brompton would be ample. You could consider their optional 12% gear reduction (reduces each of your gears by 12%). One of my bikes is a 3 speed Dahon Curve, and I get up moderate hills with no trouble. I do use bikes with a wider range for long rides over varied terrain.



I always do carry extra clothes on the bike, and keep some at work too. Some people manage to ride in their work clothes without much problem. Keep your bike frame clean, and watch out for the chain. Yes, I know Bromptons fold with the chain inside. I mean while riding.



Don't use a rucksack (just my opinion). If you get the Brompton, I'd suggest their front carrier system, or a bag on their rear rack. With other bikes, possibly a bag on the rear rack would be the way to go. The exact kind of bag depends on what you have to carry.

Hi DaFriMon, this sounds very interesting. What does the gear reduction mean?
Btw do you have any experience with the 2 gear version of Brompton. Is this sufficient with no hills and only a few slopes on the way?

Well and it's a bit of a relief that you say that some people manage to ride in their work clothes. Hopefully this will apply to me as well. Can't face the hassle with changing clothes as unfortunately I can't go to work with a T-Shirt and some jeans (this would be easy to change) but skirts, suits and this kind of thing are expected.

And as for the rucksack, that's good to know. Heard this from someone else as well. So I will skip my rucksack idea and do either the front carrier system or the rear rack. Balance wise does the front carrier make any difference to the rear rack? Anything better than the other?

[makeinu]

I think that your location is an important factor.

Sounds like your in the UK (you're talking £). So the Brompton will be more attractive for you than for those of us in the USA. Believe it or not a titanium Brompton is even more expensive here and a Curve SL is even cheaper. For you the Curve SL is about half the price of a titanium Brompton, but for us it's about a third or even a quarter.

Also, like you said, you'll have more trouble getting Dahon's serviced over there (which is again, opposite for those of us in the US).

As far as the carrier goes, many people seem to think the Brompton's front carrier is a major selling point, but you can't use the Brompton rear carrier and fold the bike at the same time. The Curve SL, on the other hand, can still be folded while using both the front and rear carrier.

Since you don't seem to be on a tight budget like the woman from the other thread and since you're not located in North America I'd say go with the Brompton over the Curve because even though they weigh about the same and are probably similar quality, the folded Curve is more likely to get you dirty, simply by virtue of the fact that it's more awkward to carry (so you might not have the luxury of grabbing it in a convenient spot in all situations).

[SesameCrunch]

He Sesame Crunch, thank you very much for the info! Very much appreciated. Maybe a stupid question, but does the hub stay internal when you fold the bike, doesn't it? I imagine that it needs less maintenance as well, doesn't it?

Btw what kind of maintenance work do you do with your bike? Oiling it once a month? etc.?

Here's a picture of a bike with internal hub - it has no external gears in the rear wheel, all the gearing is contained within the largish hub of the rear wheel:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/mini1-1.jpg

Here's a conventional derailleur - all the gears are exposed and hanging out:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/IMG_1286.jpg

You can see how the lack of gears (which are often greasy and dirty) can be cleaner to handle and transport. Intenal hubs are indeed easier to maintain. The specs actually say no maintenance is necessary. For derailleurs, one has to clean and lube periodically.

[spambait11]

... On the other hand I found lots of happy users on the threads of this site....
Too bad you can't give more time. Most people who post enthusiastic comments post after 1 or 2 rides. Check back in a year (and try to pinpoint riders who actually ride that particular bike a lot): you'll not only see owner turnover, but you'll also learn about the quirks, pros, and cons of many of models.

[14R]

Hi 14R,
you are quite right. What is the difference between the Curve and the Brompton in your experience? Is the Curve model easy to fold & carry? Spotted the SL version with less than 10kg....

I had a $1600 Brompton (that I gave as a gift to an ex-girlfriend) and a $400 Curve (that I kept) for a while. The brompton is way easier to carry once folded, it has a more elegant frame and is significantly easier to pack for international travels (it pretty much goes inside the luggage by just removing the seatpost and folding the bike). That's Why I gave it to a girl.

The Curve is easy to fold (easier than the Brompton, actually) but not as nice to carry. I got the "El Bolso" carrying back for it but it still is a bulky thing.

The Merc is an excellent option as well (it is a Copy of the Brompton with some MAJOR problems from the original design addressed). It comes with better brakes as well as some other major features.

I'm happy with my Curve and I strongly suggest you to get one. UNLESS you plan on carrying your bike more often than riding it. If that's the case, the extra $$ for a Brompton/Merc makes sense. My next folder will be a Brompton-like frame. Maybe a Merc, maybe the Bromptube (Downtube's Brompton cousin coming up Jan 2008), maybe an original Brompton (that I plan on upgrade a lot since I don't think it is a nice product out of the box). But for now, the Curve is a nice folder.

[DaFriMon]

Hi DaFriMon, this sounds very interesting. What does the gear reduction mean?
Btw do you have any experience with the 2 gear version of Brompton. Is this sufficient with no hills and only a few slopes on the way?. . .And as for the rucksack, that's good to know. Heard this from someone else as well. So I will skip my rucksack idea and do either the front carrier system or the rear rack. Balance wise does the front carrier make any difference to the rear rack? Anything better than the other?

If I didn't make it clear, I have a Curve not a Brompton. I spent quite some time looking into Bromptons, but decided not to spend the extra money. They advertise that you can get a reduced gear range, which probably means a smaller chainring, or a larger rear cog. This gives you "easier" gears, which will probably be fine for most people.

The best way to tell if the gear range is okay for you would be if the shop would let you take a test ride on the kind of terrain that you would be riding on.

Not entirely sure about all the advantages/disadvantages of front vs rear carriers for Bromptons. If I had bought one, I intended to try the front carrier because it seemed that it would come off the bike easily, which would help with folding.

The Curve is working out great for me, but I don't want to try to talk you out of a Brompton. Good luck with your choice!

[wubrew]

He, I am new here and looking into buying a Brompton folding bike as it's heavily recommended on so many sites. I try to find out what's important to look at and what I need for getting to work.
One of my shortlisted option is the very basic model M3L with 3 gears but it's 11.4 kg heavy.
The other one is the S2L-X with a titanium frame and still has got 9.7kg and 2 gears.

I would be happy to hear from you and your experiences with your folding bikes?

1) Do you find that 2 or 3 gears are enough? In my case it a city commute with only some slight slopes.

2) How is it going with carrying your bikes? I am a girl and most of the reviewers seem to be guys, probably a bit stronger than me. I lifted the 9.7 kg and that was just ok when thinking about carrying it around onto the train or so but it costs £400 more (I get it for 200) for being 1.7 kg lighter than the other option. I wonder if it's worth it? Did you buy a lightweight and are happy that you did? How often do you really carry your bike and as I far as I have seen on the forum here people find some good ways to push the bike more than carrying it. What do you think?

3) Get clothes get dirty from carrying the bike (I wanted to try to restrict myself to ride the bike when it's halfway decent weather otherwise take the tube with the bike.) All the reviews I read so far were that people where carrying lots clothes around or having clothes deposited at work which doesn't really appeal to me.

4) Furthermore a friend said that riding a folding bike is a bit of a different experience and you get to pedal harder and you therefore sweat more easily. My commute is just half an hour, maybe 6-8 km and I originally thought it's doable without changing clothes. I just start a new job (that requires the commuting) and don't want to be overcomplicated with asking for shower neither I want to carry around another set of clothes or bother others with some unpleasant smell. Any ideas on this?

5) Any recommendations for a good rucksack that lets air circulate on the back?

I would be happy to get some ideas from you! And thanks for it!

Bompton and it's copy ( merc, flamingo, soon to be downtube ) are still the best compact folding bicycle in the market. 6 speed brommie is good for short distance commute with minimal hill. If you are looking for form ( foldabilty) plus function ( speed, braking etc.) look at a Birdy. You can get other folders and upgrade to near Brommie/Birdy f+f, will cost you about getting one of each.
I have a M6L and a Birdy 9 Silver for about a year. For the short commute I use the Brommie and for the longer ie. > 3 miles, I use the Birdy. I have tried oem dahon folders under various brand and only the high end ones come close to the f+f of Brompton and Birdy. Both of them fold with the chain in between wheels and they all come with custom chain guard. If you should decide to add electric motor to your Bike in the future they are both good for it too. Last if all they both retain their value.
My next project is to look for a similar quality 26" folder.

[folder fanatic]

I am also female. I based the choice of what folding bike to buy based on it's weight as well as other factors. I don't carry it about much as I prefer to use a luggage cart when I carry one of the folders across a wide area like a train station. But I do carry it aboard a bus or train or a very short (less than 1/2city block) distance if need be without strain. As for breaking out in persperation, I simply adapt my riding style to where I am going (like a business meeting), rather than changing my clothes. I usually don't have the time or the luxury of a ever-present shower available to use all the time. I also take into consideration the climate where I live (usually hot and arid desert-like Southern California) and choose whether to ride by the temperature of that particular day (i.e. when it's too hot or wet, I pass on riding the bike). I choose to not to call too much undue attention to the bike when I am in an business meeting or lunch. Although there were many times in the past that one of the folders were a real ice-breaker and conversation starter since they are so rare here.

The choice of the folder proves to be a simple one. All of my folding bikes have a Sturmey-Archer AW three speed hub. I like the idea of a completely enclosed gear system that keeps my clothes clean. Derailleurs-even the Brompton's 2 speed version-is exposed and could cause more problems. The weight difference between my own Brompton C's rear hub and the derailleur's is not enough for me to consider it for my Brompton when I bought one in 2005. The chainring/cog ratio is far more important to address the many hills I must overcome surrounding my residence. I choose a 44t-46t chainring and a 13t-14t cog for the best way of going along flat areas that suddenly turns into a short steep hill that is so common around here.

For more information on where I keep the bike in a power business lunch and commuting on trains, see my Flickr web site. For more descriptive discussion on the choices I made in my own folding bikes, see my Geocities web site below.

[pm124]

I would suggest that you give each a try and see what you like.

I use a light slip cover, which is so thin it can fit into a pocket or purse, and keeps the grease off. But a Brompton folds in such a way that it protects you from the chain. With a Dahon, you have to keep to one side of the bike. You can get one for either bike.

In the past, Dahon's quality control has been weak, and it's unclear whether that's been resolved. However, 14R and others note few problems with the Curve so far.

[charles vail]

He, I am new here and looking into buying a Brompton folding bike as it's heavily recommended on so many sites. I try to find out what's important to look at and what I need for getting to work.
One of my shortlisted option is the very basic model M3L with 3 gears but it's 11.4 kg heavy.
The other one is the S2L-X with a titanium frame and still has got 9.7kg and 2 gears.

I would be happy to hear from you and your experiences with your folding bikes?

1) Do you find that 2 or 3 gears are enough? In my case it a city commute with only some slight slopes.

2) How is it going with carrying your bikes? I am a girl and most of the reviewers seem to be guys, probably a bit stronger than me. I lifted the 9.7 kg and that was just ok when thinking about carrying it around onto the train or so but it costs £400 more (I get it for 200) for being 1.7 kg lighter than the other option. I wonder if it's worth it? Did you buy a lightweight and are happy that you did? How often do you really carry your bike and as I far as I have seen on the forum here people find some good ways to push the bike more than carrying it. What do you think?

3) Get clothes get dirty from carrying the bike (I wanted to try to restrict myself to ride the bike when it's halfway decent weather otherwise take the tube with the bike.) All the reviews I read so far were that people where carrying lots clothes around or having clothes deposited at work which doesn't really appeal to me.

4) Furthermore a friend said that riding a folding bike is a bit of a different experience and you get to pedal harder and you therefore sweat more easily. My commute is just half an hour, maybe 6-8 km and I originally thought it's doable without changing clothes. I just start a new job (that requires the commuting) and don't want to be overcomplicated with asking for shower neither I want to carry around another set of clothes or bother others with some unpleasant smell. Any ideas on this?

5) Any recommendations for a good rucksack that lets air circulate on the back?

I would be happy to get some ideas from you! And thanks for it!

If you are only talking about 5 miles max on fairly flat terrain you should be able to cover this distance easily in 30 minutes, without sweating any more than you would if you walked at a comfortable pace for 1.5 miles. There is the cooling effect of the air when you are bicycling at 10 mph also. In addition, this is a very leisurly pace for a short ride unless you are extremely out of shape or very heavy. I'd use a rack of some kind that folds with the bike and use an expanable trunk bag of some type. A backpack will be hot and make you top heavy. My regular daily excercise route is only 9 miles with some hills and I do it in about 40 minutes and I am 48 years old and weigh 260 pounds so I am not the typical young skinny jock. My commute will be 36 miles round trip but only twice a week. My other commute would be 56 miles once a week but thats getting too long to be any good at my work. There is no bus in my area so I am forced to ride it or not! Consider yourself lucky to have such a pleasant commute!;)

[Tinchen]

I think that your location is an important factor.

Sounds like your in the UK (you're talking £). So the Brompton will be more attractive for you than for those of us in the USA. Believe it or not a titanium Brompton is even more expensive here and a Curve SL is even cheaper. For you the Curve SL is about half the price of a titanium Brompton, but for us it's about a third or even a quarter.

Also, like you said, you'll have more trouble getting Dahon's serviced over there (which is again, opposite for those of us in the US).

As far as the carrier goes, many people seem to think the Brompton's front carrier is a major selling point, but you can't use the Brompton rear carrier and fold the bike at the same time. The Curve SL, on the other hand, can still be folded while using both the front and rear carrier.

Since you don't seem to be on a tight budget like the woman from the other thread and since you're not located in North America I'd say go with the Brompton over the Curve because even though they weigh about the same and are probably similar quality, the folded Curve is more likely to get you dirty, simply by virtue of the fact that it's more awkward to carry (so you might not have the luxury of grabbing it in a convenient spot in all situations).


Hi, yes you guessed right. I live in the UK and I see your point with the Dahon and that it makes a difference as for the service if you live in the U.S. or the UK. Brompton is a UK company and even the production is in the UK as far as I heard, so servicing and spare parts shouldn't be a big deal.

Another good thing is that the government runs a scheme where they are crossfunding the purchase of any bike that is used for the ride to work (probably cause of the upcoming Olympics and the growing amount of obese people here). So a 1.000 Pounds bike - which is the SL Brompton, for example, costs you 570 instead, the M3L costs you around 260 instead of 500. This scheme is running out in a few days and the next chance would be next year. (That brings me in a bit of hurry at the moment) But it's definitely a great thing and it brings me in the lucky situation that I can splash out a little bit more than I would in any other case....

[Tinchen]

I am also female. I based the choice of what folding bike to buy based on it's weight as well as other factors. I don't carry it about much as I prefer to use a luggage cart when I carry one of the folders across a wide area like a train station. But I do carry it aboard a bus or train or a very short (less than 1/2city block) distance if need be without strain. As for breaking out in persperation, I simply adapt my riding style to where I am going (like a business meeting), rather than changing my clothes. I usually don't have the time or the luxury of a ever-present shower available to use all the time. I also take into consideration the climate where I live (usually hot and arid desert-like Southern California) and choose whether to ride by the temperature of that particular day (i.e. when it's too hot or wet, I pass on riding the bike). I choose to not to call too much undue attention to the bike when I am in an business meeting or lunch. Although there were many times in the past that one of the folders were a real ice-breaker and conversation starter since they are so rare here.

The choice of the folder proves to be a simple one. All of my folding bikes have a Sturmey-Archer AW three speed hub. I like the idea of a completely enclosed gear system that keeps my clothes clean. Derailleurs-even the Brompton's 2 speed version-is exposed and could cause more problems. The weight difference between my own Brompton C's rear hub and the derailleur's is not enough for me to consider it for my Brompton when I bought one in 2005. The chainring/cog ratio is far more important to address the many hills I must overcome surrounding my residence. I choose a 44t-46t chainring and a 13t-14t cog for the best way of going along flat areas that suddenly turns into a short steep hill that is so common around here.

For more information on where I keep the bike in a power business lunch and commuting on trains, see my Flickr web site. For more descriptive discussion on the choices I made in my own folding bikes, see my Geocities web site below.

It’s soo good to hear the female perspective as well! Especially as you seem to use the bike in the way I want to use it as well – cycling with business clothes (no shower at work) and this brings up a few more issues that need to be taken into account when deciding for a bike. Furthermore I think the weight seems to be important for lots of guys, but even more so for us, girls! Which model did you buy in the end?

[Tinchen]

SesameCrunch: Thank you so much for the pics and your help. Given the fact that it’s easier for me to cycle in work clothes it’s an important factor to consider the internal hub. It wouldn’t be fun to get the clothes dirty or caught. With all this talking about the bikes I am looking really forward to my daily cycle ride and my new bike!

Spambait11: You are quite right. That might be a good idea to see for how long people have tested the bikes, although it seems there are lots of senior members on this site that have tried out several models and some of them own more than one. I'll definitely consider this.

14R: You seem to be such a nice guy! The upmarket Brompton for your ex-girlfriend sounds like a really great gift! ;-) I think with all the valuable info that I got from all the members here I will go for the Brompton although the Curve sounds really good and tempted me very much but the servicing in the UK for this brand does seem to be an issue. Bromptons' internal hub is a big plus factor for me as well. I also mentioned before that we have a governmental scheme here in the UK that crossfunds the purchase of bikes for the ride to work and I can knock roughly 40-50% off the retail price. This makes it easier for me to decide whether it's worth it to spend a bit more or not...

DaFriMon: You are definitely right that a test ride is the way to go forward. I wanted to arrange a test ride for the Brompton today and went to several shops. It’s unbelievable but you hardly can just go to the shop and test ride a Brompton. I went to 2 bicycle chains and both of them don’t have any stock (and one of them is biggest bike retailer in the UK and they even did check the stock of all of their branches) as Brompton does limit the amount the retailers can order per year plus there is a waiting list for delivery at the moment as well. I will order either the SL6-X Titanium or the M3L although it takes a few weeks. Still not quite sure if the 1.7kg lighter version is worth the £200 more. Since you can’t try the bike it’s a bit tricky. Might just try to lift some other things that weigh roughly this and carry it around the block to see how it is ;-)

Charles vail: Hi Charles, 38 miles sounds like a good workout. And why shouldn’t we able to do what the Dutch have been doing for hundreds of years? ;-) Thanks for the moral support!!!!You are right, I am very lucky cause there are alternatives. The tube in London is a pain, but if it's raining it will be an option.

[Juha]

I see you are not planning on carrying a change of clothes on the bike. But you might need to carry moderate amounts of stuff anyway, possibly lights / tools / work related items and such.

Here's a question for the more knowledgeable folder people: is there a reason not to use a saddle bag (such as a Carradice from UK ;)) with a folder? If you had a suitable saddle (Brooks from UK ;)) you would need no extra hardware.

Of course, the bag will get dirty in bad weather (UK :D), so you'll have watch your clothes when you carry it. But if you need some kind of a bag, and don't want it in your back, this might be the least hassle.

--J

[spambait11]

Here's a question for the more knowledgeable folder people: is there a reason not to use a saddle bag (such as a Carradice from UK ;)) with a folder? If you had a suitable saddle (Brooks from UK ;)) you would need no extra hardware.
No problem with a saddlebag, Carradice in particular. If you "permanently" attach it (via the Brooks loopholes), then it may interfere with your fold or make your bike cumbersome to carry, depending on your bag size and how full it is (a Nelson longflap in my case). If you get an SQR adapter or buy an SQR system, you can easily remove the bag, but will have to carry it separately from the bike in all likelihood. Worst case scenario is that you're walking around with a bike in one hand and a heavy saddlebag in the other.

[Fear&Trembling]

Here's a question for the more knowledgeable folder people: is there a reason not to use a saddle bag (such as a Carradice from UK ) with a folder? If you had a suitable saddle (Brooks from UK ) you would need no extra hardware.

I use a Carradice SQR Tour Bag on my folders and not a saddle-bag for the reasons cited by Spambait11. However, if you are not folding the bike regularly a saddle bag is an option, but so is a rear-rack, front bag, panniers etc depending on your make/model.

As far as the OP goes, the Brompton 2 speed will be fine for most London riding (the gearing can be easily changed if you want it lowered). The Ti model is noticeably lighter and some claim it provides a more "springy" ride - but take that with a pinch of salt. If you are now thinking of the 6 speed the Ti weight savings are less pronounced. Also puncture repair is more fiddly with a hub, but this is a minor point if you do want a wider range of gears.

The riding style of an M-Type Bromton is very different to an S-Type (the bars of the latter are about 10cms lower). Ideally, you should try both to see what suits you best. For what it's worth most women riders I see prefer the M-type for its more upright position.

If you're going to be on the tube in the rush hour I would strongly recommend getting a 16" folder.

The Curve SL is worth considering, but remember it has smaller 16" tyres wheels than a Brompton. This makes the handling a tad twitchier.

If you get a Brompton don't bother with a rucksack - use the front bag.

[Air]

As far as item # 4, this is one of the biggest myths about folding bikes. They are no harder to pedal than a normal bike. The smaller wheels just mean the gearing might be a little different, but it will be no harder to pedal than any conventional bike. If you have a lot of hills, you may want to go with a bike with more gears, but that is about it. The only real difference will be in bike handling. Smaller wheels feel "twitchy" when you first start using them. The feeling goes away in a week, though.

To add a bit to this as well:

- Smaller wheels means a greater chance of the wheel getting caught in a pothole, drain, etc... I ride my 20" in NYC and am more vigilant in avoiding holes then on my mtb.

- Smaller wheels means easier to get up hills. There's less force required to get the wheels turning. The tradeoff if that you'll work a little harder maintaining the momentum on the straight-a-ways. Not huge, but noticeable.

[makeinu]

Hi, yes you guessed right. I live in the UK and I see your point with the Dahon and that it makes a difference as for the service if you live in the U.S. or the UK. Brompton is a UK company and even the production is in the UK as far as I heard, so servicing and spare parts shouldn't be a big deal.

Another good thing is that the government runs a scheme where they are crossfunding the purchase of any bike that is used for the ride to work (probably cause of the upcoming Olympics and the growing amount of obese people here). So a 1.000 Pounds bike - which is the SL Brompton, for example, costs you 570 instead, the M3L costs you around 260 instead of 500. This scheme is running out in a few days and the next chance would be next year. (That brings me in a bit of hurry at the moment) But it's definitely a great thing and it brings me in the lucky situation that I can splash out a little bit more than I would in any other case....
In that case I think you should definitely get the Brompton; 570 pounds for the SL Brompton is an excellent value. Definitely worth the extra 300 pounds or so that it would cost you over the Curve SL. After a 50% discount all the prices are so close that I think you should go for the best.

[folder fanatic]

Which model did you buy in the end?

Actually, I have been buying folding bikes for 3 out of 4 years, since my sister might need one to use for herself. If you wish to look at my own complete "Personal Profile Shopping List" for the type of bike I prefer, see my Geocities web site Selection section for a complete list. But to be brief here, I selected my bikes for a basic, no frills "workhorse" style with a internal hub gear, low step over steel frame (for adjusting the rear dropouts for different rear hub sizes and ease of climbing on/off while wearing a nice pants or skirt outfit), upright riding position (comfort and ease of watching fast moving traffic), and somewhat wider sprung saddles (simple suspension system and bum support approuch), and a compact stay-together folded package. The bikes I presently own are the 2003 Dahon Boardwalk, 2005 Brompton C type, and the 2006 Dahon Piccolo.

Fear and Trembling does offer some nice advice for your needs and terrain that you find where you live:

"The riding style of an M-Type Bromton is very different to an S-Type (the bars of the latter are about 10cms lower). Ideally, you should try both to see what suits you best. For what it's worth most women riders I see prefer the M-type for its more upright position. If you're going to be on the tube in the rush hour I would strongly recommend getting a 16" folder." -Fear&Trembling

I bought the C type for the "M" handlebars (better choice for both taller people and even smaller ones for the more upright riding position) and the no frills, no clutter approuch (fenderless, no pump) that fenders/mudguards and a hanging on the side frame pump would have-plus the weather is generally nice here. The tucked under fold would loosen the fenders/mudguards quicker than my Dahon's fenders/mudguards would. And the M type handlebars can use any size or style front luggage bags, while the S type handlebars are rather limited in what bags could be used. Even here in Southern California, I find my 2 16" folders (the Brompton and the Piccolo) are my favorites when I do use our subways and crowded buses. Another thing to consider is to use a flat heeled walking style shoe with a firm sole when you ride. And either carry your nice pair of shoes in your bag or in a drawer at work. Carrying the bike is not so much as weight management or ability but balancing the load (folded bike) to avoid dropping the bike or slipping or skidding about. When riding the bike, to keep the bike in good control, these shoes will allow you to keep your feet firmly on the pedals and not slipping off. Ladies shoes (especially high heels) are not the best choice when riding a bike or even walking a distance. I change my riding/walking shoes at work (all you need is a chair to change them) to a fashionable pair for the office or business meetings. And I do use a good clean pair of socks over the pantyhose to help prevent running of the nylons. Men don't have this problem like women do (their shoes are somewhat more favorable to walking/riding than ours).

"The Curve SL is worth considering, but remember it has smaller 16" tyres wheels than a Brompton. This makes the handling a tad twitchier." -Fear&Trembling

My Piccolo might have a bit more responsive (twitchier?) than my Brompton, but I never had any problems or accidents with it when I take it down some of the steeper hill surrounding my house. It is a matter of getting used to and test riding to see what best suits you.

If you get a Brompton don't bother with a rucksack - use the front bag." -Fear&Trembling

That was one of the strong attractions I had when I bought my Brompton. I really love the option of latching a nice bag of my choice (the totebag or the briefcase style that this company offers) directly to the front without impeding the steering like a tradional basket does.

I hope this will help you decide on what is best for you. Please write us soon to let us know what you decided on. And do test ride before you buy if you can.

[geo8rge]

Brompton has 16" wheels. They will give a rougher ride compared to 26" wheels. If you are riding on smooth road surfaces this will not be important. If you encounter potholes and broken pavement at night a 20" or more wheel might be better.

Brompton is also pricey so it is the kind of thing you might be reluctant to chain up outside or leave around the office unattended.

[somersetflyer]

Hi Tinchen

I have a Brompton and commute by train into London then ride about 15-20 minutes each way. The Bromton is great but I would recommend that you consider the 6 speed, with strong winds in London sometimes getting over the bridges and along the Thames means using the lowest gears. I hardly ever carry the bike, much too heavy for anything but the shortest of distances, always unfold and push/ride, afterall only takes a few seconds. Andrew

[invisiblehand]

If you get a Brompton don't bother with a rucksack - use the front bag.

The boss and I second this ...

Note that a second version of the Dahon Curve is coming out with a five speed internal hub that is ~22 pounds if memory serves me right.

[pm124]

Given that the titanium Brompton will be worth more than what you pay for it at a discounted price, even after years of riding, it's probably the best financial decision.

All the high end folding bikes retain value for many years.

[Tinchen]

Hi Tinchen

I have a Brompton and commute by train into London then ride about 15-20 minutes each way. The Bromton is great but I would recommend that you consider the 6 speed, with strong winds in London sometimes getting over the bridges and along the Thames means using the lowest gears. I hardly ever carry the bike, much too heavy for anything but the shortest of distances, always unfold and push/ride, afterall only takes a few seconds. Andrew

Andrew, this reminds me of last weekend. We were cycling to some shops in the City Center, but once we got to the canal we were nearly blown away....

[Tinchen]

[QUOTE=folder fanatic]


:D ..folder fanatic....Wow, thank you so much to support me with such great information. After all I ordered the SL Brompton and the normal M3L Brompton from a shop and they said I can try them both and only need to buy one in the end as they can sell the other one very quickly anyway. I will definitely get one of those front bags as well. Some of them look really huge (they are all from 20 litres capacity onwards), but I have seen them only in the catalogue except one, which was the S-Bag. Although this is the smallest of the range, it looks very big to me. Do you have a favourite? However as you said I need somewhere to put my shoes, mobile, keys and maybe some work folders or so. I am so looking forward to it!

[Tinchen]

Hi Tinchen

I have a Brompton and commute by train into London then ride about 15-20 minutes each way. The Bromton is great but I would recommend that you consider the 6 speed, with strong winds in London sometimes getting over the bridges and along the Thames means using the lowest gears. I hardly ever carry the bike, much too heavy for anything but the shortest of distances, always unfold and push/ride, afterall only takes a few seconds. Andrew

Well Andrew, I forgot to ask you...Since you are using your folder in London as I plan to, were you ever asked to put on the cover onto your bike for the train or tube (I mean, if you even took the tube at all with your bike)? As far as I heard you are not allowed to bring a bike on the tube (and some trains) during rush hour but if the TfL guys can't see the wheels it doesn't count as a bike but as luggage (if that would make a difference, eh?) I'd prefer to save the cost of the cover if it's not necessary.

Is it problematic with staff when you wanted to push your bike through the train station or did you experience no trouble at all? Since you travel during rush hour I just wonder if they sometimes make a fuss about it....... Any other experiences with shops, restaurants...?

Are you cycling no matter the weather? Not being from the UK I am actually surprised that the weather is not so bad at all. The myth of "It's raining in London all the time" is by far exaggerated. However all the best to you, mate!

[wubrew]

So a 1.000 Pounds bike - which is the SL Brompton, for example, costs you 570 instead, the M3L costs you around 260 instead of 500. This scheme is running out in a few days and the next chance would be next year. (That brings me in a bit of hurry at the moment) But it's definitely a great thing and it brings me in the lucky situation that I can splash out a little bit more than I would in any other case....

Whao can you get me one too? I will pay for the shipping plus sent you a gratitude coupon that you can use when you visit the NW next time. The SL of course.:o

[Fear&Trembling]

Well Andrew, I forgot to ask you...Since you are using your folder in London as I plan to, were you ever asked to put on the cover onto your bike for the train or tube (I mean, if you even took the tube at all with your bike)? As far as I heard you are not allowed to bring a bike on the tube (and some trains) during rush hour but if the TfL guys can't see the wheels it doesn't count as a bike but as luggage (if that would make a difference, eh?) I'd prefer to save the cost of the cover if it's not necessary.

I can't speak for Andrew, but I have only been asked once to put a cover on my folding bike and I have used the tube well over a 1000 times...Try and use the first or last carriage, they tend to be a little less congested.

Is it problematic with staff when you wanted to push your bike through the train station or did you experience no trouble at all? Since you travel during rush hour I just wonder if they sometimes make a fuss about it....... Any other experiences with shops, restaurants...?

Mostly OK with train stations, but an officious guard has asked me to fold my bike whilst pushing it along the platform.

I take my bike into bars after work sometimes, and I have never had a problem. I usually secrete it under the table. I have taken the bike into restaurants (far less often, mind you), but I would be more wary before booking a table.


Are you cycling no matter the weather? Not being from the UK I am actually surprised that the weather is not so bad at all. The myth of "It's raining in London all the time" is by far exaggerated. However all the best to you, mate!

Yes, day in day out. How far is your commute by the way - is it an undulating route?

The essential difference between a 2 speed and a 3 speed is that you will be missing a lower gear.

[folder fanatic]

My personal favorite bag of choice is the pannier bag. It is the most flexible (as a briefcase or weekend tote in my case) and it is more business like with it's dividers for papers. I tend to like bags that are considered medium sized by reckoning of the bag's insides-enough to carry a change of shoes, business items, and valuables with you on or off the bike. But the best judge is you for your needs. Right now as I type, my own Brompton is besides me in a crowded room and my medium sized bag is underneath the tiny table sharing space with the computer. And everything I need is in easy reach.

[spambait11]

Sorry pannier peoples, but in terms of Brompton front bags, the folding basket rules! :)

[Tinchen]

Hello to everyone!
Thank you very much for your help and fantastic input over the past week. Just wanted to give you an update and an overview after the testride of the Brompton SL2-X and M3L.

As some of you know, after all I decided to go for the Brompton bike as it is such a high quality bike with a proved design that has been the same for years and years. It folds extremely easily and I am not astonished that it is such a popular brand with waiting lists in the UK at the moment.

The Dahon did tempt me quite a bit as well, after all the enthusiastic Dahon reviews I read, but Dahon does seem to have a problem with repairs / spare parts in the UK. The servicing is a problem if you live in the UK as confirmed to me by 2 shops in the UK and some people in the forums. I can not say the same for the Dahon people living in the U.S.

I did mention before, that there is a governmental scheme in the UK at the moment (http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/) which crossfunds the purchase of a bike that will be used for the ride to work. The company you work for needs to take part of the scheme and do so together with a bike shop. So I can only buy from one specific bike shop and they only do Brompton, Dahon and Mezzo folding bikes. So therefore, I didn't consider any other brands.

Coming to the test ride with the Bromptons:

SL2-X:
All in all, it is such great fun!
It is only 9,7 kg light and although I am a girl who is not good with lifting heavy stuff, this is absolutely a doable weight to carry around! It gives you also a very light and springy ride!
The bike has got only 2 gears (middle gear is missing), one of my worries I had before. I tried the bike on a few slopes and I was very much surprised that it is really no problem to have only 2 gears for a normal route with a few slopes. The lightweight prob helps as well. My boyfriend tried the bike as well and was as enthusiastic about the bike as me. He didn't miss the 3rd gear either.
One big minus - at least for me - was the position you sit on the bike. In my opinion it is rather for a fun ride than for the daily commute as you don't sit upright on the bike but rather forward leaning. I wondered if I get backache if I sit on the bike in this position for 1 hour a day.
Well last but not least, there is the very high price. Considering that Bromptons keep their worth very well and you have the bike for very, very long and you save money for public transport it puts it a bit in a relation but still.....

M3L:
The standard Brompton is a bit less than 2 kg heavier and it does make a difference in terms of lifting the bike and riding it. In any case it's worth to consider the Eazywheels. As far as lots of people said in the forum here, after all, you dont carry your bike this often but rather push it along unfolded or folded, for example, in the train station.
I must admit, I found this bike a bit stiff to ride at first, but I think I will get used to it quickly. It's also extremely responsive when you try to get around the corner. Again, something to get used to. The other bike was more what I was used as a cycle ride with my mountain bike.
The M-type handlebar is higher than the sporty version of the S-type. I do love the upright sitting position of the M3L and that's why - after all - me and my boyfriend, we both decided for the Brompton M3L. Besides this I also ordered the pannier bag which doesn't fit on the S bike either. The S bag does look how it should look for a sporty bike: (not too much of a surprise) "sporty". I will use the bag for taking it into a business meeting as well as for my ride to the park, it needs to be up for both challenges. The S bag is not a bag I want to take along to a business meeting, but the pannier does the job for me.

To summarise it: Before the test ride I was wondering if the 1,7kg less is really worth to pay so much more money. I would say, if you can afford it, I think it makes a big difference, but you must like the position you sit on the bike. I think it's the No1 choice for fun rides! On a daily basis, the upright sitting position did finally make me decide for the M3L and after all, how far and often do you carry the bike anyway? I will soon find out.....

[Chop!]

It would have to be the Brompton (or better still one of Steve Parry's lightened versions)

I own but don't ride my 6-speed Brommie

My 11 year old daughter Nia (who is very slight) loves it, can easily fold & unfold it even she can carry it! And she is certainly not sluggish when riding it! Ask anyone on any of the folding bike rides that we've attended!

Get the Sport bag for the quick release front block ( it has a lot of useful pockets and is far better quality than the original )

Also you will have to change the horrible standard seat, everyone hates them, they are very uncomfortable on the ( )( ) :(

Someone suggested the Birdy, which is an excellent, but expensive, machine, the new models are very pretty too.

Great suspension, much better brakes, better handling,
Riese & Mueller, the makers, are better when it comes the developing their bikes (Brompton are stuck in a time warp it seems)

Disadvantages :-

The folded package is bigger, but I fitted a Brompton rear rack with roll along wheels (not the easiest to roll along though!)

The chain ends up on the outside, so you have to carry it from one side and like my GoBike it is a bit of a handful in comparison to the Brompton

If you do plump for the Brompton you could always get Steve Parry to do a few of his improvements at a later stage (Steve's address details can be found in my A-Z, other bike shops are available!)

[Chop!]

Duh! Must have scrolled past your last post, I think you're making the right decision.
Be very careful in London though, always try to take your bike inside with you, Bromptons are very popular with the thieving 'Brick Lane' scum.
If you have to leave it outside use 2 different make quality locks.
It always makes a great conversation piece in bars & restaurants.
Maybe I'll see you as I zoom around London on my GoBike or Strida!

Safe riding!

[Fear&Trembling]

@Tinchen - Congratulations on your new bike.

Glad that you were able to test-ride the bikes. I think the model you refer to as the SL6-X is actually the S2L-X - the former has six gears and I think you test rode a Ti S-bar 2 speed - please correct me if I am mistaken.

It's a shame you didn't have the opportunity to try a P-type - this has the option of both higher and lower hand postions. Good for both city traffic and getting in a wind-cheating position when confronted with a nasty headwind.

I would have a dry-run at puncture repair, as removing the rear wheel and adjusting the hub can be a bit confusing if you have not practised it at home...

[Tinchen]

@Tinchen - Congratulations on your new bike.

Glad that you were able to test-ride the bikes. I think the model you refer to as the SL6-X is actually the S2L-X - the former has six gears and I think you test rode a Ti S-bar 2 speed - please correct me if I am mistaken.

It's a shame you didn't have the opportunity to try a P-type - this has the option of both higher and lower hand postions. Good for both city traffic and getting in a wind-cheating position when confronted with a nasty headwind.

I would have a dry-run at puncture repair, as removing the rear wheel and adjusting the hub can be a bit confusing if you have not practised it at home...

You are right. It's the SL2-X! I edited it. The 2 gears save you 630grams to the 3 gears! So it would be great if Bromptons would do a PL2-X which I can't find on their website. Their P6R-X they do weighs pretty much what the M3L weighs. We discussed in the shop whether you can take the S2L-X and just put the P handlebar on it but the height of the front bit is different between the two and it would make it far too high.
Do you know if Bromptons is doing specific orders where you can mix and match or do they only do what's in their catalogue? I thought I heard that they do every bike mostly by hand anyway and therefore accept special orders?! Any idea? I mean with the waiting times you already have on a standard model like a M3L it's not an option for the moment but a P2L-X would be extremely great as a follow up bike to the M3L I just ordered! :)

[Fear&Trembling]

Do you know if Bromptons is doing specific orders where you can mix and match or do they only do what's in their catalogue? I thought I heard that they do every bike mostly by hand anyway and therefore accept special orders?!

Yes, they do. I should have mentioned the "a la carte" option - but I guess you needed the bike in a hurry and the waiting lists are running into months, rather than weeks. However, for future reference they would be able to produce a 2 speed P type with Ti bits...

If you go this site, you can get an idea of the cost: http://www.foldingbikes.co.uk/brompton_special_build_intro.htm

[folder fanatic]

Hello to everyone!
Thank you very much for your help and fantastic input over the past week. Just wanted to give you an update and an overview after the testride of the Brompton SL2-X and M3L.

As some of you know, after all I decided to go for the Brompton bike as it is such a high quality bike with a proved design that has been the same for years and years. It folds extremely easily and I am not astonished that it is such a popular brand with waiting lists in the UK at the moment.

The Dahon did tempt me quite a bit as well, after all the enthusiastic Dahon reviews I read, but Dahon does seem to have a problem with repairs / spare parts in the UK. The servicing is a problem if you live in the UK as confirmed to me by 2 shops in the UK and some people in the forums. I can not say the same for the Dahon people living in the U.S.

I did mention before, that there is a governmental scheme in the UK at the moment (http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/) which crossfunds the purchase of a bike that will be used for the ride to work. The company you work for needs to take part of the scheme and do so together with a bike shop. So I can only buy from one specific bike shop and they only do Brompton, Dahon and Mezzo folding bikes. So therefore, I didn't consider any other brands.

Coming to the test ride with the Bromptons:

SL2-X:
All in all, it is such great fun!
It is only 9,7 kg light and although I am a girl who is not good with lifting heavy stuff, this is absolutely a doable weight to carry around! It gives you also a very light and springy ride!
The bike has got only 2 gears (middle gear is missing), one of my worries I had before. I tried the bike on a few slopes and I was very much surprised that it is really no problem to have only 2 gears for a normal route with a few slopes. The lightweight prob helps as well. My boyfriend tried the bike as well and was as enthusiastic about the bike as me. He didn't miss the 3rd gear either.
One big minus - at least for me - was the position you sit on the bike. In my opinion it is rather for a fun ride than for the daily commute as you don't sit upright on the bike but rather forward leaning. I wondered if I get backache if I sit on the bike in this position for 1 hour a day.
Well last but not least, there is the very high price. Considering that Bromptons keep their worth very well and you have the bike for very, very long and you save money for public transport it puts it a bit in a relation but still.....

M3L:
The standard Brompton is a bit less than 2 kg heavier and it does make a difference in terms of lifting the bike and riding it. In any case it's worth to consider the Eazywheels. As far as lots of people said in the forum here, after all, you dont carry your bike this often but rather push it along unfolded or folded, for example, in the train station.
I must admit, I found this bike a bit stiff to ride at first, but I think I will get used to it quickly. It's also extremely responsive when you try to get around the corner. Again, something to get used to. The other bike was more what I was used as a cycle ride with my mountain bike.
The M-type handlebar is higher than the sporty version of the S-type. I do love the upright sitting position of the M3L and that's why - after all - me and my boyfriend, we both decided for the Brompton M3L. Besides this I also ordered the pannier bag which doesn't fit on the S bike either. The S bag does look how it should look for a sporty bike: (not too much of a surprise) "sporty". I will use the bag for taking it into a business meeting as well as for my ride to the park, it needs to be up for both challenges. The S bag is not a bag I want to take along to a business meeting, but the pannier does the job for me.

To summarise it: Before the test ride I was wondering if the 1,7kg less is really worth to pay so much more money. I would say, if you can afford it, I think it makes a big difference, but you must like the position you sit on the bike. I think it's the No1 choice for fun rides! On a daily basis, the upright sitting position did finally make me decide for the M3L and after all, how far and often do you carry the bike anyway? I will soon find out.....Do you know if Bromptons is doing specific orders where you can mix and match or do they only do what's in their catalogue? I thought I heard that they do every bike mostly by hand anyway and therefore accept special orders?! Any idea? I mean with the waiting times you already have on a standard model like a M3L it's not an option for the moment but a P2L-X would be extremely great as a follow up bike to the M3L I just ordered!

Hello Tinchen!

I am glad that you chose the Brompton over the Dahon for your first folder. Your situation over there appears to support Bromptons as the opposite is true over here. In Southern California, the closest full featured bike shop that knows and works on Bromptons is about 400 miles from my home. But for my second purchase, I did not let that put me off from my own Brompton. It is now my favorite. Now for your questions:

The first thing I recommend you to do is to visit the Brompton's official web site at http://www.bromptonbicycle.co.uk and get a good idea of what this company offers it's owners of their unique bikes. You will find tips on maintenance, articles on other publications, and photos of Bromptons and their owners in action. And you will find that Brompton now has the A La Carte option. The potential customer can now (through his/her dealer) mix and match the components, accessories, and frame choice (all steel or steel/titanium) to his/her ideal at the factory. I decided to go this route when I purchase my next dream Brompton in a couple of years. My present Brompton has guided me to what I really want in a Brompton of my dreams.

As for handlebars, the M type is the best for city/touring type of riding that I do now. I like the option of fitting whatever type of bag to the frame that I like. The S type is too limiting for me. The weight factor is addressed by the selection of the C (no frills, stripped down) version and only adding what I feel I really need for a given trip. We did this in the 1960s and the 1970s before lighter metals were available to the comsumer for weight savings. For the business world, I use briefcases (the pannier) and for weekend, I use whatever appeals to me. You also have this flexibility when you choose what and when to carry something, rather than what the bike is limited to.

And do follow Chop's advice when it comes to bike security issues. I find that any bike (especially specialty bikes like folders) are attractive targets for bike thieves anywhere-not just London. I make it a point to fold up and take it with me when I go inside places. I never have been turned away-just funny stares for the most part.
Do not rely on any locks too much (even with ones that are supposed to be high security ones). I only carry cable and regular locks now. I use it inside a building near me when I eat at a buffet restaurant when I frequently get up to go for more food. Or if I am in the office and cannot watch the bike all the time. It prevents the casual grabbers or snatchers or the opportunistic thieves working mostly without tools, not the serious hard core, tool carrying pros. I never found a good enough lock that stops them cold-only slows them down a little bit.

Please let us know how you are doing with your bike as you go along. And remember to take it back to your dealer when you arrive at the point of the 100 mile tune up. This is a secret of maintaining your bike for many more years. I even took mine to the distant bike shop to have this done. Don't skip on this important step!

[somersetflyer]

HI

Apologies for the late reply, so far I have never had any problems in London, I started out using a cover, really just to try and hide the bike, but have since stopped using it, Have never had any issues at Waterloo station, but have not ventured onto the tubes. As you said the weather in London is not as bad as most people think, so far used it for the last two years, very rare that I get very wet, I find that wind and the many potholes are the worst problems, you do need to be careful on wet roads and manhole covers, I have come close many times of losing it with the front wheel sliding in the wet.

andrew

[Fear&Trembling]

@Tinchen, it might also be worth signing up to the Brompton Yahoo group as there is a lot of aggregate knowledge there:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BromptonTalk/

[folder fanatic]

@Tinchen, it might also be worth signing up to the Brompton Yahoo group as there is a lot of aggregate knowledge there:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BromptonTalk/

I do not agree. Some of the members tend to be rather easy to flame and not offer any real unique knowledge of Bromptons. I have more help and support right here with my Brompton. As a new owner, she needs to be treated better than how they treat people who might not feel or have similar opinions the same way as the old guard there is.

[invisiblehand]

@Tinchen, it might also be worth signing up to the Brompton Yahoo group as there is a lot of aggregate knowledge there:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BromptonTalk/

I think that on net, the group is pretty helpful. If you ask a technical question, people will be quite helpful ... or at the very least they will try.

[folder fanatic]

I think that on net, the group is pretty helpful. If you ask a technical question, people will be quite helpful ... or at the very least they will try.

If you limit yourself to technical question only-I agree. If you go beyond, no.