Bromptons as commuting bikes

[Twanger]

In short, they are very good at what they are designed for. A Brommie will go on a train luggage rack, and get where you want to go with under a min of folding/unfolding.

Only downside is that the standard steel ones are quite heavy to carry around for any distance if you don't have a bag and shoulder strap, which are extras.

What about toughness of build and long lastingness....what is the life expectancy of a Brompton?

 

[Twanger]

Not for the ride difference.

So lighter doesn't make a significant difference to the ride? You would have thought it would.....

 

[trsleigh]

I ride my M type Brompton on my 9 mile each way London commute. I never expected to when I first got it, but I just find it fun to ride. Plus, esp in London, if you get a puncture when it's blowing half a gale at -5c it's simple to say sod this & take tube / bus whatever. Having said that I've had only one puncture in the nearly four years since i got mine. Nothing has broken on mine. I agree it is fairly heavy to carry around, but the fold / unfold is so quick & hassle free I very rarely need to carry it.
Plus I never carry a lock, so I avoid the entire locking / unlocking rigmarole at both ends of my journey. It's kept in the front hall ready for instant action, my other bikes are locked up in the back garden. ( Used not to lock them in the garden until some scrotes broke into the gardens at the back of us, climbed the wall and stole 3 bikes.)
I find when I ride my full size hybrid, for the first hundred yards or so it feels really ponderous & heavy. Likewise when I switch back to the Brommie it feels quite twitchy for the same distance.
I 've been so pleased with it that, now that my company has reintroduced the C2W scheme again, I'm going for a P type.

 

[Bigtwin]

They are still not particularly light anyway, and they are a lot more money. Physics dictates that it only climbing, accelerating and stopping where weight comes into play. I guess if you are going lots of hills on your commute, it may make a small difference, but frankly you are going to enjoy it that much on a folder anyway. But you the usual shortish town commuting, it's just not a big deal. The difference is probably outweighed by how many sarines and files you are carrying in your bag anyway.

As for durability - they are built like brick shitehouses. The joints are simple and bombproof, and wheels are small with lots of spokes. I think you'd be hard pushed to break one unless you really set out to.

 

[dellzeqq]

OK, more background. sorry, I posted last night, tired, and without really thinking about it. My aim is not to diss Bromptons, but find out more about them.

borrow mine. I live in Streatham Hill, so you could catch the train down in the morning and take it from there. I'd be happy to meet you at the station. Mine is a 6 speed, so about as good as it gets for your commute.

I think you'll find it tough going. The climb up to the Palace (presumably via College Road) will be frustrating. Descending in the wet is....interesting. It's slow, the build quality is execrable, and the pedals make humiliating noises. But - it does the folding thing, and you can take it in to the office, take it on the train and be on your way within ten seconds of going out the door. It is very good at not splashing your legs in light rain. The front bag is brilliant, and the rack can take almost any weight (I've put 30 cans of beer on it). It's just that it isn't really what you might call a bike. And it's pricey.

Anyway - PM me if you want a test ride.

 

[Twanger]

They are still not particularly light anyway, and they are a lot more money. Physics dictates that it only climbing, accelerating and stopping where weight comes into play. I guess if you are going lots of hills on your commute, it may make a small difference, but frankly you are going to enjoy it that much on a folder anyway. But you the usual shortish town commuting, it's just not a big deal. The difference is probably outweighed by how many sarines and files you are carrying in your bag anyway.

That all makes sense, thanks.

 

[Twanger]

Need high pressure tyres, and front brake and saddle upgrade, and the folding pedal.

What is the brake upgrade? There doesn't seem to be a brakes section on the Brompton site...

 

[Bigtwin]

What is the brake upgrade? There doesn't seem to be a brakes section on the Brompton site...

The standard front is cack. There is a double-pivot caliper upgrade, which makes a big difference. It's a Brompton part, I think it's fitted to some of the bikes - I got mine from that shop on the embankment under Charring Cross station - they have lodsa Brompton stuff in there.

 

[Twanger]

borrow mine. I live in Streatham Hill, so you could catch the train down in the morning and take it from there. I'd be happy to meet you at the station. Mine is a 6 speed, so about as good as it gets for your commute.

I think you'll find it tough going. The climb up to the Palace (presumably via College Road) will be frustrating. Descending in the wet is....interesting. It's slow, the build quality is execrable, and the pedals make humiliating noises. But - it does the folding thing, and you can take it in to the office, take it on the train and be on your way within ten seconds of going out the door. It is very good at not splashing your legs in light rain. The front bag is brilliant, and the rack can take almost any weight (I've put 30 cans of beer on it). It's just that it isn't really what you might call a bike. And it's pricey.

Anyway - PM me if you want a test ride.

The test ride idea sounds fun...I might well do that. Thanks!

I do the climb up to the Palace by Farquhar road, which is fairly effortless in my 32" granny gear.

Interesting to see a variety of opinions on build quality......

 

[dellzeqq]

The test ride idea sounds fun...I might well do that. Thanks!

I do the climb up to the Palace by Farquhar road, which is fairly effortless in my 32" granny gear.

Interesting to see a variety of opinions on build quality......

Farqhar Road on a Brompton. I'll bring the oxygen.

In fairness it does have a fantastically low gear. Just take a good book.

 

[Twanger]

I saw someone doing Anerley Hill on a Brompton a while back.

I don't know if College Road/ fountain drive is easier than Farquar, but it seems to go on for ever. And I don't like the roundabout at the top. Too many SUVs for comfort.

 

[jonesy]

There have been one or two posts recently suggesting that Brompton bikes are not the cats whiskers. So I thought I'd start a thread.

As a commuting bike, how do you rate them? Any really satisfied Bromptoners out there?

I think they are great. I have a rail plus cycle ride commute, with a change of trains at Reading, which usually involves a rapid dash from one side of the station to the other, where its compactness while folded really comes into its own. I've got used to the weight, though the muscles on my shoulders are noticeably asymmetric!

As others have said, the small wheels are bit skippy on uneven surfaces, but they are very reliable and I find it very nippy in congested traffic, often being able to make better progress than I would on a full size bike with derraileurs. Even when cycling round town and not needing the folding ability I often still take the Brompton rather than one of my others. Given its ease of storage as well, for the type of cycling I usually do then if I were only allowed to have to chose just one bike then it would be a Brompton. Though I suspect others will disagree on that one!

 

[Bigtwin]

Even when cycling round town and not needing the folding ability I often still take the Brompton rather than one of my others. Given its ease of storage as well, for the type of cycling I usually do then if I were only allowed to have to chose just one bike then it would be a Brompton.

If I have to drive somewhere, I will often lob the Brommie in the back of the car, park for free, and cycle into town. Also taken in on boating and canoe trips as shop/pub transport.

Surprising how often you can use it when you have one.

 

[Crankarm]

..... the rack can take almost any weight (I've put 30 cans of beer on it).

Wow.... beer.............Did you have 30 straws as well ?

..... It's just that it isn't really what you might call a bike. And it's pricey.

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then unsurprisingly it is a......duck . The Brompton is definitely a bike and a hell of a good one for what it achieves.

I think they could be lighter by using an all aluminium frame but this might sacrifice the strength and durability of the main steel frame. Mine is a 2004 L6 sans rack or lights so as not to add weight. I don't like the look of the rear rack anyway. It has standard U shaped bars which now have small Titec bar ends which don't affect the folding. It is red with black forks and rear triangle. It has a seat post extension to gain just another 1-1.5 inches in height which I was not happy having to purchase as an extra at the start. I still use the original saddle as I have not got round to changing it and you need the Brompton penta clip for after market saddles which costs £18!!! The front touring pannier with metal frame mounted on the block is very strong and robust indeed. The 3 gears are well spread in each ratio high and low. More than enough to cope with most riding conditions even when carrying a heavy load. I got rid of the folding pedals and put on spds and small bar ends pretty soon after getting it. This transforms the control and balance of the bike. I removed all inner cables greasing them as they were built dry. This has transformed the braking. I have never had a puncture in 7 years of ownership as I use the Brompton kevlar tyres. Handling is fine although you have to be a bit careful in the wet of slippery manhole covers which you should avoid on any bike. I can still zip around on mine in the damp.

My first L6 was stolen after 18 months (first time ever I couldn't take it inside a building I had to lock it up outside the London University headquarters in Mallet Street to an Oxford hoop with a Kryptonite D-lock under a security camera. It was gone when I came back 2.5 hours later with my post-grad certificate. I think this was more down to sh1tty Kryptonite locks than anything ). Now I don't let the replacement out of my sight. It either lives inside the house, in the supermarket trolley with me when shopping or in the boot of the car if I need to use the car where I need to park or when traffic is going to be bad I just park up and continue by Brompton or in a luggage rack on the train where I can see it. I never pay for car parking. It paid for itself in the first year being able to park and ride thus avoiding car park charges.

I saw a woman in hi-viz entering Sainsburys on thursday trying to drag/carry her obviously new folded green flat bar Brompton around by the saddle. I suggested she carry it by the frame instead or put it in a trolley. She wasn't that friendly given I was dressed in cycle clothing and carrying a pannier and trying to help her. Anyway she literally bumped into me again in the toiletries aisle. I said hello again and she blanked me . So I left her struggling with it and her shopping.

I have never had a single problem with the gears. I have ridden it pretty much every day whether over short journeys to the supermarket or on longer distances such as 40 miles or on longer tours. In summer 2004 I rode my first L6, just before it was stolen in London, up the Cols of the Pyrenees - yes up the Aubisque, Soulor and Tourmalet and over the border down into Spain and around the Basque country for three weeks staying at campsites. A group of French club riders nearly collided looking at it in amazement as I whizzed past them going up the Tourmalet and greater shock when they saw me pass them on the way down again before they had reached the top . I find like any bike over distance loaded it can get tiring, but providing it fits you properly and you have a reasonable level cycling fitness you will be fine. It is a great a source of conversation especially in France which might be good thing or not depending on your point of view.

It also fits nicely in the vestibule of my Vaude Taurus Ultra Light tent and slips onto any train luggage rack without a protest. I tend not carry it as I either ride it or park it. If I cannot ride it, I tend to unfold it and wheel it, rather than carry it as it takes less than 10 seconds to get it up or down .

All in all it is has been totally reliable, is well made and great fun to ride. Quite simply the best thing I have ever bought.

 

[Crankarm]

The test ride idea sounds fun...I might well do that. Thanks!

I do the climb up to the Palace by Farquhar road, which is fairly effortless in my 32" granny gear.

Interesting to see a variety of opinions on build quality......

I have seen 2009 Bromptons and the gear change lever units now appear a lot less durable, really quite flimsy plastic and cheap which doesn't bode well. Plus the paint doesn't seem to be as of good a finish as it was several years ago. Cost cutting maybe the reason. I hope not because Bromptons were always well made with excellent finish. Mind you I have one of the last all metal framed toruing panniers. Shortly after 2002 they changed them to part metal part plastic and they don't look any where near as strong. Mine can carry what feels like a tremendous weight and it often does.