bhkyte

I also owned a brompton 2006 bike at the same time as the merc (mentioned in the post ).

I have test ridden several bromptons over the years, and ridden on other people bikes. I have tried most of the handlebar set ups and so on.

I am a folding bike ethuisat that has owned 20 folders and ridden many more.

The merc is practically identical to the brommie anyway and the quality was comparable.

kmcrawford111

I like my S2L (steel) circa 2011 real well. I'm surprised to hear some people say they are slow. I can really move on mine in the small cog. I have the firm suspension. The ride is smooth and the quality seems excellent. I like the agile handling, too. I choose the Brompton for the compact fold.

I had to remove the rear wheel once, and it wasn't too bad. I figured it out on my own, but it would have helped to snap a pic of the chain routing first. I don't remember having to remove the brake, but I could be wrong. Mine was flat. I chose the Marathon tire option partially so I wouldn't have to deal with this (flats) as much. Surprisingly, that was the only flat I had on a Marathon tire in over 10,000 miles of using them on different bikes. The flat was caused by a thin wire. If I ever do have to change the tire I'd look for a Marathon Plus, but those seem to be very hard to find in 16".

Sometimes I wish I had a 3-speed, or the next smallest chaingring (I have the std. gearing) but that's only because on rare occasion I use it for my longish and somewhat hilly 16-mile commute. I was planning on living only 4 miles from work when I bought the bike, and I like the lighter weight of the 2-speed, and I've had a not-great experience with another IGH. But I bought the bike for special purposes, like travelling, and because I just wanted a folding bike, so I'm not motivated enough to change anything. I can do my commute on it, but I wouldn't want to do it on the Brompton every day, at least as-is. It doesn't get nearly the miles of my full-size bikes, but that's certainly not because I don't like it!

It's become my quick-trip bike for around downtown - I just leave it in the park position, and flip the rear wheel out when I want to make a short trip. No worrying about special shoes, or the electric parts and bulk of my converted e-bike.

I think the derailleur design is neat - I wonder if it could be adapted for 3 speed, though I suspect clearance may be the issue there. I personally don't like the idea of the 6-speed model, with two shifting mechs for just 6 gears. I wonder why there isn't an option for, say, a 5 or 8 speed IGH instead. Would those be too big?

I think it's important to consider design constraints while considering strengths and weaknesses. And overall, the Brompton seems to be excellent.

fietsbob

Linked else where, was a modification to graft on 3 cogs and thin spacers from the 10 speed cassettes..
and using the thin 10 speed chains..

requires, as said, some machine shop time, to cut down things to all fit inside the snap ring.

there is a 5 speed, 28 hole shell hub with a narrow axle width , listed on the S-A website ..
that would be suitable.. But,
who stocks it on the distribution level is unknown by Me.

essentially a BSR + 2 gears above and below..

the core may even be exchangeable, so as to not have to build a new wheel ..

1nterceptor

I like my Brompton. Made a mistake of not getting the low geared 6 speed
the 1st time. Sold that bike(the natural finish) and bought another one with
titanium bits and lowered gearing(green). I use it to commute when it's
raining and take it w/ me when I travel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt5Mzmv7hCk

aoeuaoeu

Love my S6L. The fold is so easy, and I can take it into cafes without anyone raising a fuss. I replaced the stock grips with Ergon ones and it's been great for 30+ mile rides. Looks nice folded up in my bedroom.

14R 

Folding bike enthusiast here, since 2005. I always thought that buying a Brompton would be a dumb decision: the bike is not that good looking and as a (unfolded) bike had pathetic performance.

I tried pretty much everything else, from Giant Halfways (including the rare asian one with rear suspension), several different models of Downtube, Dahons, Bike Friday and a Merc. Once I got the Merc, I started to uhange my opinion.

Saved the money, got my first Brompton in 2008, never looked back. Best folding bike ever (for my needs).

DPGCeleste

I went back and forth between Brompton and Birdy -- luckily I found a store that carries both. I walked out with the brompton. It rides well enough and has great folded characteristics and handling. I was on a bus that was suddenly crowded and the brompton folded between my legs was less of a nuisance to the people around me than the backpack on my back. For mixed mode commuting it's a win. Now I just need to get my t-bag on.

Still Pedaling

Ahhh, fortunately for you the force won -- "may the force be with you"!

Still Pedaling

. . . you chose wisely!

14R 

Insignificant performance is, if taking the bike with you, one cannot. hmm.

melri

I've never seen such a fanatical following for a bike before. Everything I read is articles like "changed my whole life" or "never buy another bike again".

This bike seems so great, why are we even discussing other folders? Clearly, Bromptons are everything anyone wants out of a folding bike. Seems like there should be more threads about justification for buying something other than a Brompton rather than a thread like this stating the obvious.

Still Pedaling

Simply because there are other folders for different needs and purposes. For me the Brompton is an awesome bike, which most here would agree, but there are those that like/prefer other folders for, as an example, speed. Best ask those who ride other folders and they will tell you why it is the bike of choice -- for them.

melri

People don't ride folders to be fast. 14R says so above.



You yourself said that the bike can't be that slow.

Quote:

but their was one individual that road his Brommie in the Tour de Tucson -- so it can't be that slow.

These other needs and purposes are insignificant when riding a folding bike. And no bike folds better than a Brompton. So really, there is no further discussion needed about other folding bikes.

smallwheeler

fietsbob

.. though a wider fold , Bike Fridays Tikit is made in several sizes, rather than one.

the approach is different.. seat post is hinged,advantage the saddle height wont change
as you fold/unfold the bike..


and has the drivetrain options a custom bike buyers wish for..

you can get that STI drop bar kit, if you wish , from them.

mconlonx

I got a Birdy and love it, but have not had the opportunity to try a Brompton. Super curious and a shop right down the street from ours stocks them, so I really should go give one a test ride... but what if I really like them? Then I'll have to get one... and I have a perfectly decent Birdy I love right now...

Still Pedaling

Indeed!

melri

You're free to dismiss my opinion if you like. Its not really any different from yours, I think. Bromptons are the preeminent folding bike. There isn't much else you would want out of a folder. It packs up small, easy to carry, rides well and has a wide array of partial-fold features and accessories. Its not that slow, has plenty of gearing options to get around and basically covers all the bases that a folding bike should have.

If you're trying to do something else with a folder, you'd be better off getting a cheaper bike specialized for that role, (mountain bikes / off road, road bikes / speed, fixed 20" / small wheels). Anything else, a Brompton can do.

bhkyte

You may need to expand your view of folding bike usage.

I can not get my bullbar brompton to 30mph.
I can get my fast set up 27 speed mezzo to that, but its is a bone shaker off road. My birdie is a little delicate for a hard mountain biking, but my FS downtube copes well.

I have never been happy on a commute in fast moving traffic in narrow urban lines on a standard brompton, My upgraded mezzo belongs there.
Never has a bike given so much fun to as many young people as my trails bike mini onza. Mum liked the dahon curve, dauther birdie,son mezzo. Only folder my wife is really ok with is downtube fs9.

But that's just me ............


Then there are the types that use Pacific or airamals , and ss coupled race bikes for road race training or competitive triathlons.

The tourers on bike fridays, moultons, purpose made dahons, terns bromptons
The off roaders on rhinos, jetstreams ,

Then there are the full sized wheeled bikes.

The people who need a thinner folders like a diblasi to fit narrow car boots like a guy I meet with a Porsche 912.

Diblais also make a stainless steel version for boot users.

The really excellent giant electric foLder, forgot its name.

Bike friday and Pacific make tandems that fold.

Then the excellent diblasi folding tricycle with electric assist , excellent for people with balance problems, disabilities etc.

Then there is asia.............................................
Lives rich ,folding, tapestry is more than one brand that basically make one model of folder.

smallwheeler

thanks for writing all that so i didn't have to.

smallwheeler

please read bhkyte's response carefully. then peruse this thread carefully: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-Bikes-we-like

fietsbob

Koga makes a Tandem that folds , regular, big, wheels

Bike Friday's tandem is more like something that comes apart into sections .

that allows them to fit into 2 suitcases , hopefully the airlines wont lose one of them.

cpg

I can see where melri is coming from, there is a definite Bromton bias on this forum but I was brought here by the Mezzo discussions so its by no means a completely one sided forum.

DPGCeleste

Birdy would be my second pick -- great riding but just didn't fold small enough/wheel around easily for where I am (metro Seoul). Mezzos look nice, but no local support unfortunately. Here there is a good following for bromptons followed by birdys, while a short ferry ride away in Japan the birdy is insanely popular.

kamtsa

bi-as - prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

Did you mean high level of customer satisfaction?