I have just bought one, bespoke, and waited five weeks for it. I would have waited longer, but Comptons at Catford have a deal where they keep a regular order going in, two a week, and then change the details on one in the queue for orders. So my waiting time was cut from 12 to 5 weeks.
6 speed. I have been playing with it this week instead of the Sirrus.
In town, in traffic and on the central London flat, I only use the middle two gears ( derailleur with the middle hub gear). At home in the wilds of Crystal Palace, the lower gears are useful, as are the high gears - we have roads you can actually get a bit of speed up on down here.
I have been taking the train and cycling from Victoria this week because I am being lazy. The Brompton (and this is great!) fits perfectly in the gap between the back to back seats on Southern trains. Like a bloomin' glove.
It's nice to cycle a little bit and not get in a sweat and a lather. It's nice to get to the station in 3 minutes rather than 15. It's nice to ride and not have to change anything other than shoes when I get in to work.
The ride is good. I got the regular M type bars after trying Dellseqqs S type (too salty) and the P type touring bars (too sweet) - the Ms are JUST RIGHT.
It's nippy...it will go places that my Sirrus is just too large to fit in.
Brooks saddle (I'm a luxurious SOB). Lovely.
Girls look at it.
But it has down sides.
It does not, and I agree with Dellseqq here, pedal fast round sharp corners and stay upright and underneath you at the same time.
The pedals suck. You can't ride them with hiking boots coz they are too small and your feet fall off the edge. I stuck a toeclipped pedal on the right (the one that doesn't fold) and I feel better. More secure and in control in traffic. You can fit SPDs to them, but I can't see the point - this IS after all the bike I used in normal clothes.
The longest ride I have done on it so far is about 10 miles (the Palace to Bromley Road and back). The ride was pleasant and easy. But I would not use it for touring. More comfortable and larger bikes rae just more fun for that.
Also, 36 quid for a spare folding pedal is an insult. Worth a fiver, if that.
There are lighter folders around, but really, who cares? It's light enough to carry up stairs with ease, and you can wheel it everywhere else.
Yes. Expensive, as D. said. But the cheaper ones (I have had a Dahon) do not satisfy. This is a satisfying bike.
I found this old post while searching for something else. I thought I'd update it as I have used the bike now for two years.
Have any of my opinions changed?
Well, yes. I have learned how to pedal it fast round corners. Or reasonably fast, anyway.
I replaced the folding pedal with a toeclip + cage as well. Still fits nicely on the train, though is much more awkward to carry.
Oh, I have given the Sirrus away. Just use the Brompton now. I cycle all the way in (about 10.5 miles) and normally sling it on the train on the way back. Occasionally cycle back.
I have had to replace the power train as I wore it out, and also the bottom bracket. That's the first time a BB has actually conked out on me. After two years? I had a FAG on another bike that lasted for years.
Anyway, the new BB was cheap and easily fitted. Brompton spares are reasonably cheap.
A few visits from the p* fairy. Two front and three back. The stories about the impossibility of fixing a rear p* on the road are exaggerated. 10 minutes maintenance a week has kept it in good nick, and the tyres easily have another couple of years in them.
All in all, damned good value for money. Great bike. Effortless and flexible commuter - nips down the A23 with the best of them (well, not the bikes that need shaved legs, of course, but keeps up with the others).
Gearing? With hindsight, I would have gone for the three speed. More reliable, tougher chain and to be honest it's all you need. I tend to cruise in 64 ", hit the 82" on the A23, never ever use the 100", and start off with the 52", which I also use for hills. There are two lower gears, 33 and 40 which I only ever use on the hills of Crystal Palace itself.
The Brooks was a good idea, though.
