Hello all, I was considering getting a folding bicycle for messenger work. I'm specifically considering the brompton. I live in NYC and bicycle theft is a problem here. I wouldn't have to worry about theft since I would be taking the bike in with me to make deliveries. I also like the fact that I can take mass transportation easily and legally with it in tow. Folding bikes are even allowed on buses. I already have a "regular" bike and getting one of these would be interesting to have imho. The only drawback I can see is carry loads on it. There are bags that can hold 30L and attaches well to the front of the bike but I'm not sure how comfortable this will be. Any thoughts from anyone who actually uses a folding bike for messenger work or for commuting with heavy or large loads? Thanks.

You can carry a lot in a Brompton front bag. The Brompton basket is huge and very easy to get stuff out of since it is open. It is also the cheapest bag from Brompton. Having the weight in front does not adversely affect handling although there is aero drag, especially when headed into the wind, and a heavier bike does not accelerate as fast. I think it feels more stable with weight in the front.

I think u can fold half the bike and use it as a shopping cart so to speak, which should work great delivering packets

I find the added weight on the front Carrier Block from the Bag attached to it, actually stabilizes the Handling.

Now bike friday's Tikit on the build Menu offers a Fitting that takes the Brompton Carrier Block.

Advantage The saddle folds forward, rather than telescopes Down , so your saddle height is un changed .


The Hyper fold design, folding the seat tube slacks a cable releasing the Bar Mast to fold , a fast process

Plus The fold locks the front wheel straight ahead and then it becomes how you roll it folded ..

The 4 EZ wheels(or after market larger ones) on the Brompton rear rack will let it roll easier , but the front wheel will still want it to steer a curve..

If straight the rear wheel touches the front, if not turned to the side, and that does not help..

Who's dime is it on?

The Brompton is a great bike for the city - folds quickly, tightly and very small; rolls nicely if you get the rack; and the front luggage block is an ideal place for cargo - and you don't even need to remove it for folding, or wheeling around while folded.

However, as a former NYC bicyclist, I'd be concerned with the following, particularly in your profession: Bromptons are quite expensive; small wheels cannot absorb, or roll over, bumps and potholes as well as larger ones; the luggage block is held by 2 bolts and with no shock absorption between what could be a heavy load and stiff small wheels; I recall riding up and down curbs all the time (bunny hops, jumps, roll up/down unweighting, etc.); and you will be folding/unfolding dozens of times a day. All perfectly do-able, but keep in mind what all those extra joints and moving parts mean in terms of frame strength, durability, and wear and tear, in your demanding profession.

On someone else's dime, I love to see how a Brompton would hold up to this torture test, but on my dime, stuff this expensive tends to be babied more.

i get where you are getting at, but don't you need instead a workhorse that you can beat hard. i love the acceleration and agility of small wheels. combining that, perhaps what you need is a rigid, steel minivelo. take a look at Thugpipes build.

I have had three paint cans in the front of a Brompton and it handled fine. Also used to load it up with scarp paper for a monthly chairty collection.
It handle well loaded. But dont expect much from the rear rack. May also be worth considering a birdie. As it takes 4 panniers plus frame bag and saddle bag. It does not handle as well loaded. But panniers are larger and rack much more useful.

The bike Friday Tikit has front racks (single or double) for panniers etc.

The right front pannier can still be loaded, while folded and rolling, on the front tire.

Large Costco pizza; tiny folding bike - challenge accepted.

8 slices of cheese pizza in a Demano messenger bag. Sharing space with a Slik tripod, box of salad greens, big bag of croutons, Topeak Morph G pump and various tools and a water bottle. Attached to a 2013 Brompton S6L-X. It was a tinsy bit messy.
Large Pizza - Tiny Bike by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

RANDALL'S ISLAND, NYC by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

I got my Brompton and Demano messenger bag from BFold of New York City; nice guys. Been using this combo for a few years now; no issues even with heavy and/or large loads. Do be careful that you have full control of your braking and turning; with whatever front bag you decide to go with. The Demano bag as messenger bag on your back is very functional as well; I don't always use the bag with my bike. Last point I wanted to make - I have worked as a New York City messenger for a few years; use a messenger type bag.

I would TOTALLY HATE to be the recipient of THAT pizza!!!

Really it's a bit messy but not that bad. This was actually the 2nd time I did this; if the 1st time was
a disaster - I wouldn't have tried a 2nd time.

I think I'll have the process sorted out for the 3rd time; there is a technique involved. More pics and
a video in the future. Full toppings; cheese, pepperoni, mushroom, oinons.

I just assumed the pizza magically turned into a calzone by the end of the ride!

This!!! This sums it up,... LOL!!!

Close; but I don't want to give all of my secrets just yet.
Let's just say one of them is turning 8 slices into 4.

Great,...now I'm craving pizza!!!

I have transported 2 doz beer in my Brompton shopping basket; and similarly heavily loaded during shopping trips. The problem is that the basket itself flexes. The internal frame of course does not have diagonal bracing say from front right to rear left; so the load tends to shimmy from side to side, pulling the steering in the opposite direction. So far from stabilising it, it renders it almost completely unridable. I have to go slow and try to compensate for the shimmy by holding the handlebar very loosely so that the loose grip tends to damp the shimmy. I don't know how heavy messenger loads might be but if they are in that range of say 10kg, then you might have problems.

I think a far superior solution on a Brompton (or ANY small-wheeler) folding bike is this:







The pannier is hooked on a aluminium tube tied to the seat rails with cable ties. At the bottom, a quick-release clamp holds it to the seatpost. That cam from a quick-release bottle cage bought cheaply from China. The bigger pannier fits equally well. The pannier also does no even have to be closed, making carrying very bulky object possible.

The pannier is simple to remove, takes about 5s, and also does not interfere with folding. After removing the pannier, there are no ugly fixings left on the bike, just a discreet tube at the saddle.

Ha ha. Double crust stuffed pizza, handmade ... by your local bike delivery service

Does it come with the 2 dozen brews?

[MENTION=182364]1nterceptor[/MENTION], Those are great videos, very moving. Do you use your brompton for messenger work? How is it holding up? Do you get resistance from doormen about bringing the folded bike in with you to make the delivery? Have you had to make any repairs as a result of using it as a messenger? What messenger bag do you use? I'm going to work for amazon flex and I think they don't make very large deliveries vía bike messenger. They gave me an insulated bag for food which I intended to attach to the rear rack.

[MENTION=429660]Abu Mahendra[/MENTION], I've never seen this style of bike before and it looks very compelling. The only problem I have with it is I won't be able to take it with me to make deliveries inside a building. I found this one which looks good and 5 times less cheap than the brompton, Specialty Bikes | MERCIER NANO | NANO MINI VELO | 20in WHEEL COMMUTER ROADBIKE w/SHIMANO | BikeShopWarehouse.com | Introducing the <b>Mercier Nano</b> <br><br> The uncompromised quality of <b>Mercier</b> comes to a super compact yet ultra-versatile b
The price is definitely right!

[MENTION=30891]jur[/MENTION], How do you like the brooks saddle? Is it worth paying the extra $100 for it? How long did it take to break in for you? As for the seatpost rack, was this a custom made solution designed and made by you? Where can I get the parts to make this?

The Mercier Nano from Bikes Direct is a nice ride. There's 2 threads in the forums dedicated to it. It may my fold, but it's sweet!

https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...velo-back.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...t=Mercier+Nano

Did you also consider the Respect Cycles Urban Velo? It's a single speed that can easily be upgraded to an internal geared hub. Or, keep it simple and stay SS.

Respect Cycles, Innovative bikes, for The Urban Environment.

well, if we're including minis in the realm of possibility, the nano, IMO, is a low quality bike with a bunch of z-grade parts that get tossed in the trash. so, you end up paying 300 for a frame that's just meh and then you can look forward to spending another 300-400 on new parts (unless you're like me and you have a parts bin the size of a studio apartment).

the respect mini velo is a nice bike. be sure to make a distinction between the original hi-ten version and the new 2.0 full 4130 cromo frame and fork. you might be able to get one of them as a frameset.

that being said, i still think the best mini that was ever available in the US was the sillgey piccolo. wow, what a yummy bike. i think this pic is of a mk1:

Glad I entertained you with my silly videos. The last time I worked as a messenger was 20 years ago; I didn't use a folding bike.. But most things are still the same. Some buildings will have a messenger center or meet the client by the lobby; some deliveries will be directly to the customer. You may have to walk down some long hallways or some flights of steps. This is one reason you won't see any messenger dragging their bike inside. Regardless if the doorman/security will let you bring it inside.

I'm using a Demano messenger bag; but I knew already the bigger stuff I would be carrying - 17 in. laptop, helmet, spare 349 tire, etc. Working as a messenger/delivery person; you wouldn't know ahead of time the dimension of the items you will be asked to carry. I would suggest to get something bigger; maybe something by Chrome. These bags aren't cheap but have a reputation for being tough.