Bromptons as commuting bikes

[PashleyPrincess]

Well generally my opinion counts for jack around here cos I don't wear lycra but here's my two-penneth: I love my Brompton. I can now get the faster train with my bike (rather than the stopper) and I have shaved 50 mins a day off my commute. That's over 4 hours a week more time I can spend at home with my little girl. I don't give a sh*t about cornering - it's changed my working day for the better because it saves me valuable time. For this reason I feel that it was (a lot of) money well spent.

Oh and it's purple

 

[trsleigh]

I've seriously been thinking about this, does it work well? (except in my case I'd use the shopping basket as a... shopping basket). I've not got the easy wheels yet, as they are an upgrade, and the bike doesn't steer well on the 'standard' wheels it comes with when half folded. Do you actually fold both wheels or just the rear one? I've noticed you can get away with the basket still being in position when the bike is fully-folded....

Fold both wheels but leave the handlebars unfolded. I've got the touring pannier which sort of squashes down with a supermarket basket on top, so I don't know how this would work with the basket. If I'm getting a larger amount of stuff I fully fold it and put it in a trolley. If I'm buying even more stuff I take the Bromton with a CarryFreedom City trailer. I then lock the trailer up outside the supermarket but still take the Brommie in with me.

 

[jack the lad]

As well as commuting my Brommie is great for just chucking in the car boot if I go away for a few days for work or visiting relatives - it means I can still get out for a bike ride.

I got the lightweight Schwalbe Stelvio tyres fitted and I don't think they are fit for purpose, so wouldn't recommend them. I've p*nctured about 1 in 4 rides and as rear wheel removal is a faff they are finally coming off now for the most puncture proof tyres I can find (Marathon Plus?) - any extra weight and drag is a trade off worth making.

I have the two speed version - one gear for uphill and one for flat/downhill. Works just fine and less to go wrong. I wanted (and would still prefer) the 8% lower gears, but the Evans muppet (I had to use them under C2W scheme) got the order wrong and I had waited long enough already. Handling is lively, like a scooter compared with a motorbike, but you get used to it.

 

[gekko]

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

That's nuts. I live round the corner from there and walking up Anerley Hill is hard enough but wouldn't want to attempt it on a Brompton.

Hoping that my Spesh Crosstrail will do the job admirably though when I finally get it (prob got about four weeks to go though before I get my hands on it).

 

[ChrisKH]

That's nuts. I live round the corner from there and walking up Anerley Hill is hard enough but wouldn't want to attempt it on a Brompton.

Hoping that my Spesh Crosstrail will do the job admirably though when I finally get it (prob got about four weeks to go though before I get my hands on it).

Actually, it's not all that nuts. My L6 is actually pretty good on a climb. Of course it's not comparable to a road bike, but it's ok for a folder.

 

[TheDoctor]

Well, I had one for three weeks before some lowlife scum stole it. It's not as fast as a road bike, but I was able to keep up on a reasonably fast leisurely group ride without too much huffing and puffing. It was fine on a 20 mile ride a few weekends ago, and I didn't find the steering too twitchy. I was planning on going touring on it too.
I'm now waiting for the insurance peeps to deliver the replacement, and I won't ever let it out of my sight...

 

[dellzeqq]

That's nuts. I live round the corner from there and walking up Anerley Hill is hard enough but wouldn't want to attempt it on a Brompton.

It might have been me.....I've gone up it a few times. Jeans and brown leather jacket?

 

[Twanger]

It might have been me.....I've gone up it a few times. Jeans and brown leather jacket?

Look of manic determination? Briefcase on carrier?

 

[dellzeqq]

Look of manic determination? Briefcase on carrier?

No on both counts. More a look of 'I really want to get this over with' coupled with front mounted bag.

It is possible, though. One of the (expensive) upgrades I paid for was the 8% higher gears, but the shift between 3rd/4th and 5th/6th on the hub is so vast Anerley Hill is do-able in 4th. What that says for 1st/2nd you will doubtless find out....

 

[Crankarm]

Well, I had one for three weeks before some lowlife scum stole it. It's not as fast as a road bike, but I was able to keep up on a reasonably fast leisurely group ride without too much huffing and puffing. It was fine on a 20 mile ride a few weekends ago, and I didn't find the steering too twitchy. I was planning on going touring on it too.
I'm now waiting for the insurance peeps to deliver the replacement, and I won't ever let it out of my sight...

My full sympathy. Mine went AWOL in 2004 but fortunately like yours it was insured. Not the point though. I haven't let mine out of my sight since so I still have it. Many show interest but that's as far as they get now. Enjoy touring on your replacement.

 

[Twanger]

Well, Dellzeqq let me have a go on his Brompton, for which many thanks. I pootled it up the road and around the corner a few times, and the result is that I rather like Bromptons. They ride well, and they have merit. I think I may need one. But I will go for P style handlebars. I found the somewhat abrupt, clifftop-like feeling of bending down over the S types on D.'s bike rather alarming, but also exhilarating. I also learned that I don't need an extended seat tube.

D. pointed out some of the more obvious design...idiosyncracies....of the bike, and also many of the advantages. It does have problems, but what the hell, it's plus sides outweigh the downsides.

It is what it is.

Thanks to everyone for sharing ideas and experiences on this thread.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

One thing I've noticed with my bike - the tyre dynamo keeps kicking in when it's not supposed to. I've found a few other people on the 'net that have the same problem The LBS is going to try fix it for me with a replacement spring, but I'm skeptical....

Were I to buy mine again, I'd leave the tyre dynamo off and get some other lights instead.

Other than that perfectly happy with mine so far!

trsleigh, I seem not to have replied to your reply, sorry for that. I tried rolling mine around the shop the other day half folded, and it did work OK without the easywheels (cornering sucks though), the size/shape/folding basket work well though so I think I'll treat myself to the upgrade. I had a look at that trailer you mentioned, it looks amazing! Maybe a Christmas present...

 

[Andy_82]

Brompton Nano

have you seen these electric assist kits for bromptons. For those have to go further. If I had one of these I would consider it. I met the chap who makes them . The solution is great. All you do is to stuck the handlebar pannier which has a battery bulit in and the power is already with you.

 

[dellzeqq]

have you seen these electric assist kits for bromptons. For those have to go further. If I had one of these I would consider it. I met the chap who makes them . The solution is great. All you do is to stuck the handlebar pannier which has a battery bulit in and the power is already with you.

£749 quid!

 

[dellzeqq]

...and Twanger neatly speared on of my Brompton fantasies, which is to take it on the train to Istanbul, ride over the Bosphorus Bridge, and take it on the train to Syria. Apparently the Bosphorus Bridge doesn't do bikes.