Bought a Brompton
Discussion
Finally bite the bullet and got one of these:
Due to the expense I've always kind of seen them as I see caterhams, too much money for very little; how wrong was I. Its a piece of genius that I'm not sure I can live without albeit I've only done 15 miles on it so time will tell. The way it rides, folds into a neat tiny package, wheels along when folded and the rack on the front; I can see now how people can tour on them. Throw it in a tiny car or take it on the cramped train and you have something fun to ride at the end of the boring journey, the potential is quite exciting. No worries about theft or expensive locks. I just wish I knew people around here with bromptons as I've only ever seen people ride them in the city.
Bad points so far, the way the handlebars are secured to the stem worries me a bit if it comes loose and I go flying forward.
Due to the expense I've always kind of seen them as I see caterhams, too much money for very little; how wrong was I. Its a piece of genius that I'm not sure I can live without albeit I've only done 15 miles on it so time will tell. The way it rides, folds into a neat tiny package, wheels along when folded and the rack on the front; I can see now how people can tour on them. Throw it in a tiny car or take it on the cramped train and you have something fun to ride at the end of the boring journey, the potential is quite exciting. No worries about theft or expensive locks. I just wish I knew people around here with bromptons as I've only ever seen people ride them in the city.
Bad points so far, the way the handlebars are secured to the stem worries me a bit if it comes loose and I go flying forward.
Edited by Richyboy on Friday 29th May 17:50
I think I have done about 3000+ miles on mine now. It's STILL a piece of genius!
That said, I have had to replace the tyres, twice on the rear wheel, and I've had a fair few visits from the P-fairy. In addition I've fallen off a few times (first few were on ice ... it doesn't like ice) and once over the handle bars, I've had to replace the rear wheel once and once (which annoys me, I should have spotted this sooner) replaced the rear triangle when I lost the bolt that fits it on.
But it is still a piece of genius, just one that creaks a bit more now!
That said, I have had to replace the tyres, twice on the rear wheel, and I've had a fair few visits from the P-fairy. In addition I've fallen off a few times (first few were on ice ... it doesn't like ice) and once over the handle bars, I've had to replace the rear wheel once and once (which annoys me, I should have spotted this sooner) replaced the rear triangle when I lost the bolt that fits it on.
But it is still a piece of genius, just one that creaks a bit more now!
http://bwc.brompton.com/bwc-2014/
Worth doing tbis.A fun day out! I've been to the last 4, just as a spectator, and designated driver, as my brother takes part, though may ride this year.
But I am doing the Brompton Urban Challenge on Sunday coming. Just need to hire a bike!
Worth doing tbis.A fun day out! I've been to the last 4, just as a spectator, and designated driver, as my brother takes part, though may ride this year.
But I am doing the Brompton Urban Challenge on Sunday coming. Just need to hire a bike!
Gren said:
You need one of these :
http://www.stuff.tv/hubless-bike-folds-down-size-b...
Novel, but no Brompton.http://www.stuff.tv/hubless-bike-folds-down-size-b...
Okay lol, I've had a lot of ridicule from car drivers spouting b
ks (the bike of choice around here is £49.99) and people in the supermarket looking at me strange wheeling around a contraption. I'm thinking it might be better to throw a lock in the front bag and lock it up outside for shopping.
The government were once proposing to give a free laptop to each family, they should seriously think about giving a brompton instead as its such a useful thing.
I prefer riding it to anything else I've had before however I'm still in the honeymoon phase of the product purchase cycle so things could change.
ks (the bike of choice around here is £49.99) and people in the supermarket looking at me strange wheeling around a contraption. I'm thinking it might be better to throw a lock in the front bag and lock it up outside for shopping. The government were once proposing to give a free laptop to each family, they should seriously think about giving a brompton instead as its such a useful thing.
I prefer riding it to anything else I've had before however I'm still in the honeymoon phase of the product purchase cycle so things could change.
Gren said:
Novel indeed, but useless as a commuting bike. Anything that you have to take the wheels off to fold up just doesn't work in the real world (IMHOOC).I've got a full size folder (Dahon) and I've seen a few other nice looking machines, including the Swiss bike. I've always liked the look of it as it reminds me of the old Klein Mantra. However, the only guy I've seen using one takes the front wheel off to get it on the train. Not only is this time consuming, if it's been raining you're going to get covered in muck.
Having had my full-size folders (first a Rabbit.de, then two Dahons) I think a Brompton would be more useful (my full size folders fit in the boot of our estate car, but not our Mini. Which means when the wife's away on business for the night, it's two days that I can't commute by bike), less stressful (I'm always getting the 'Is that a folding bike?' comments from train guards, drivers and fellow passengers) and probably better made.
My only worry about getting one is that I'm heavy and when I'm out the saddle, I do rock the bike from side to side. I wonder about how much flex it would have as there's a lot of stem that's unsupported by a top tube. This may be unfounded, but as Bromptons aren't cheap, it wasn't risk I wanted to take.
80sMatchbox said:
http://bwc.brompton.com/bwc-2014/
Worth doing tbis.A fun day out! I've been to the last 4, just as a spectator, and designated driver, as my brother takes part, though may ride this year.
But I am doing the Brompton Urban Challenge on Sunday coming. Just need to hire a bike!
In doing the BWC this year. Should be a giggle...Worth doing tbis.A fun day out! I've been to the last 4, just as a spectator, and designated driver, as my brother takes part, though may ride this year.
But I am doing the Brompton Urban Challenge on Sunday coming. Just need to hire a bike!
Flipping evans cycles hendon damaged it. The idiot I am taking it in there for a free service when all they did was damage it. Theres now a clicking noise through the right pedal accompanied by a clicking feeling through the same pedal. Before the evans cycles experience it was perfect apart from third gear was a bit noisier than the others.
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