keyven

Am I going to regret it? Is there any other brands/types options that will cause me to rethink my choice?

I'm a new father who wants an all-round folding bike for fun and transport. I'll add a baby seat when the time is right so my daughter can enjoy the bike as well.

PROS
- Quick and easy fold
- Very small footprint
- Easy packing as I move between 2 countries from time to time

CONS
- Good but not the best ride
- Expensive

Ed in Toronto

I hope you like your Brompton if you get it. I just ordered one last week, a S3, I should have it in a couple of months. I like the way it folds, and the small size. I have a nice full size bike so I didn't need a fold-up that tried to be like a full-size, but didn't fold up small.

Don't really have any comments on your question, I'm also new to fold ups, but I would like to point out that expensive really isn't a con, it's all relative. Cheap could be a con too. You get what you pay for, paying more can at times be better, if it means a well built quality bike with parts that are built to last. I know of people who have bought cheap bikes and have had a horrible time of it with bolts stripping, brakes failing, spokes breaking, premature rusting, etc.

fietsbob

Have you considered where the baby seat will go?

for Brompton I see 2 , here younger https://www.milianparts.com/en/products/bryan/

older https://www.milianparts.com/en/products/pere/

, my M[_]L is the same bike(minus rack) , is different in the rear Hub 3 is a updated AW3 [BSR]

BWR used in the 6 speed has 2 cogs to halve the gear differences in a wider spaced 3 speed hub.

in addition some people have further altered the drive train with a double crankset.

as nice a ride as a big wheel bike , but also expensive .. But made to size,
and with a wide component selection menu, and built in Oregon, as the order comes in, Bike Friday.

HGR3inOK

Where are you located, and which 2 countries?

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

keyven

That would be Australia and Singapore. Right now I'm in the latter but I'll likely be spending a fair amount of time in Australia in the coming years.

The 6 gears would be wasted in Singapore, which has very few noteworthy inclines. Heck, we have only one decent hill in the entire country. Australia may be a different story, but I don't plan on riding long-distance or cross-country on any regular basis.

Googling it shows a fairly split opinion. Some people say go straight for the six speeds even if you don't particularly need it, as the difference in weight is negligible. Others say the 3 speed is easier to maintain and less fiddly as 6 speeds require 2 actions to do go up/down a gear in sequence.

I'm leaning towards the 3 speed now - though I was fairly set on the 6 speed until I did a bit more research.

keyven

Man, after watching the NyCEWheels Bromptons Customization Videos, I've gone from 96% to 99% sure I want it lol. The thing that really sold me is the way the bag-holding system is integrated seamlessly. It works perfectly as a trolley.

bdi121

I have both the 6 and 3 speed Brompton and end up converting the later to 6 speed. I live in the hilly part of Brisbane ( Australia ) .

6 speed is fun in the flat and good with hills .

keyven

Oh... I might have to go with the 6 speed after all Anyone thinks the 3 speed is the better option if I'm going to be riding in relatively flat terrain the majority of the time?

Or is the option of having 6 gear worth the tiny downsides?

Ed in Toronto

Is there anyway you can take a bike for a test drive? The shop that I ordered my at had a demo Brompton a said I could play around with it and take it out for a test ride. They said that Brompton makes sure that every authorized dealer has one demo bike for people to try.

fietsbob

I have a M3L , for mountain/hilly street, climbing I got a Swiss Mountain drive Crank ..
low is a 2.5 reduction gear . .. a 50t acts like a 20 t in low..

The same company has a Overdrive 2 speed , so, a 34t, acts like a 54t in high.

shift is an internal Planetary . so EZ to shift at slow speeds and at stops.

you can get a 3 speed , then upgrade , later..

Or get the 2 speed M2L, and then just buy the new rear BWR wheel..

HGR3inOK

The cost difference between a 3-speed and a 6-speed is ~$62.00 in the USA. That seems pretty reasonable for doubling the gear options. If you decide you don't like the 2-speed shifter, just put in one gear and don't use it.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

airwulf

Although Houston is relatively flat I bought an H6L because of the wind we routinely encounter. The 6 is definitely an advantage over the 3 spd.

bdi121

It's not intuitive but you'll get used to it. I've been riding them for two years and the gear shifting has become second nature to me now - even after a long period of not using it . No major maintenance or no problem just occasional easy cable tension adjustment .

Very minor down sides but you'll have a lot more fun than the 3 speed.

bdi121

Hahaha, .... .

fietsbob

They dont come with one, but there is this 5 speed hub https://www.sturmey-archer.com/produc...d/4/id/64.html

To build a wheel around, ... it can even take 2 cogs, for a '10 speed' setup.

keyven

That's great to know.

Guess I'll go for the 6-speed, since my main concern is dependability and maintenance issues of the additional gears. It seems the 6-speeds are right up my alley.

Which bag is about the same size as a regular backpack and can convert into a backpack? How is the O bag for carrying? It looks nice and big but I'm worried it's too bulky for my slight 5"7 frame. Also heard it's a big fiddly to switch between carrying mode and bike mode.

fietsbob

O bag comes with a shoulder strap.. [bought myself 1 for Xmas] does not use a backpack harness..
Fiddly? I added a cord thru the hole in the catch on the bag clip.

I pull the cord , looped around the stem post and lift the bag off.


Though you can buy a Klickfix made seat post mount, and their backpack
that has a socket in its back, matching..

its not a Brompton product ..

keyven

Thanks for the quick reply. I actually meant the C bag -.-; The S-bag sounded like it would fit me nicely with the shape but multiple reviews bemoaned the fact that it is somewhat small.

I like the O bag as well but it's definitely on the pricey side!

fietsbob

Carradice also makes bags for the Brompton bag support frames..

Touring bag is Brompton's Big One .. roll-snap closure ... mesh pockets on the front and side..

yea S bars are lower, so S bag is shorter..

bdi121

I have an old S-bag and it's surprisingly big for its "look" due to the 6 side pockets - especially the back pocket and the bottle pocket. Much more handy access to your stuff than a back pack. The front zip on the black flap make it so easy to constantly reach for your tourist map while traveling. I leave my rain jacket permantly on the flap compartment during the wet season. For colder season, I tuck my jacket under the flap.

When riding, I tuck the shoulder strap safely under the flap. Not sure how a backpack straps can safely tucked away.

Carradice " Original Cadet Saddlebag " is my favorite - not too big and waterproof . I can carry my 6-Pack beer easy and more . Occasionally I hang a medium dry sac on its side when the saddle bag is too full.

keyven

Ooo the saddlebag looks cool and wayyy cheaper than the Bromptons. Any problems attaching it to the bike?

bdi121

No problem attaching to the bike but they're not easy to take off or attach as the S-bag. It's not a substitute for the front bag but useful as an additional carriage.

You may be interested in the videoclip below about backpack on Brompton:

keyven

After watching your video, just have to say I have no intention (in the foreseeable future at least) of having such a hefty backpack on the bike. I just want a detachable, sizeable, practical bag for putting my phone, jacket, glasses, keys, coins, etc for daily commuting AND groceries.

bdi121

My suggestion is the wooden dowel attachment is applicable to small backpack as well - hang the small backpack and secure its bottom bag to the seat post. You can attach and detach it easily. The saddle bag is more fiddly to detach.

Why not doing both ? I'm thinking about installing the dowel rod on top of my saddle bag so I can hang a small backpack over the saddle bag.

bmac.to

I think the 6-speed is best considering you will be putting a child seat on it. When I have one/two of my kids on it (sometimes I have one on the front, and one on the rear), the extra range is much appreciated.