I completely agree.

If someone is looking for a performance oriented bike with some limited folding capabilities, Bike Friday or even the non-foldable but detachable Moulton might be way better than the Brompton.

If someone is looking for an afordable bike that would fit inside some limited space like a closet or (pick another example of limited space like a boat, RV, small trunk of a vehicle, etc.), a Downtube, Citizen bike or even a Blitz might be way better than a Brompton.

If someone is looking for something slightly faster than walking to be used on perfect pavement, carry-me might be better than a Brompton.

The list goes on. Pretty much ANY bike is better than a Brompton, unless, like myself, one is in need of:

1-Riding geometry close to a conventional bike (excluse Carry-me, Strida and any other bike with unusual riding position)

2-Folded size than can fit inside internationally accepted luggage without major disassembly (exclude all bikes with excellent riding geometry, close to perfect performance like Bike Friday, Alex Moulton bikes, etc...)

3-practical, easy-to-handle final product when folded.


20 minutes to put a bike together for a bike ride is not that big of a deal. Well, FOR SOME. Because for me, when I had to put together a Downtube 40 times in 10 days (that was 2 cities a day, 160 minutes a day playing mechanic. That is 7 hours that I should be riding the bike, not assemblying it) it really compromises the fun.

I had a chance to pick a cab with a Downtube on my lap once (had a flat in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Not a good experience. I had a chance to pick a cab with a Brompton on my lap in Bogotá, Colombia. if the out-of-the-luggage capability wasn't the unique selling value of the Brompton for me, this ability (to fit on my lap without being a major inconvenience) would.