Folding bike advice...Brompton v electric
Discussion
Hi all,
I am about to splash out on a folding bike, it will not get a lot of use, probably less than a mile a day, but will cut my commute down by fifteen minutes, so well worth it. I am having a bit of knee trouble at the moment, hence my interest.
Obviously, I have looked at Bromptons, which are probably the best, but REALLY would prefer an electric one.
Halfords do one for £850, and Argos £450, and tbh, they have reasonable reviews.(Obviously they weigh a bit more)
An electric Brompton is out of the question due to cost.
I know Bromptons fold up superbly, but what are they like to RIDE. (On the flat)?
I think I would go for the three speed one.
It needs to go in the back of a Mazda 6 estate car, so plenty of room.
Cheers,
WR.
I am about to splash out on a folding bike, it will not get a lot of use, probably less than a mile a day, but will cut my commute down by fifteen minutes, so well worth it. I am having a bit of knee trouble at the moment, hence my interest.
Obviously, I have looked at Bromptons, which are probably the best, but REALLY would prefer an electric one.
Halfords do one for £850, and Argos £450, and tbh, they have reasonable reviews.(Obviously they weigh a bit more)
An electric Brompton is out of the question due to cost.
I know Bromptons fold up superbly, but what are they like to RIDE. (On the flat)?
I think I would go for the three speed one.
It needs to go in the back of a Mazda 6 estate car, so plenty of room.
Cheers,
WR.
I bought a brompton about 8 years ago. Not desperately a cyclist, just to save time.
Now I have 5 bikes and am on my second Brompton. Ride more than I drive in terms of number of journeys (although I do more miles in a month, during the week though I do more on my bike).
Bromptons are great, you can get them in a higher speed (larger chainset) or lower (think is a different hub, not sure). The fold is fantastic, although now I tend to wheel it instead of carrying it.
Different things I would choose - and did, buying my second one :
Straight bars.
Longer seat post - my legs aren't that long but a bit longer than standard.
Higher gears (8% higher)
I bought a bag with my first one. Still has label on it. Don't buy one, seriously.
You Need mudguards. Really.
Good tyres - marathon plus or something are worth getting.
I think about stuff like built in lights but I have battery powered ones anyway, that work.
I am not sure about the leather Brooks saddle - I have the cheapo plastic one and it works fine.
I use a messenger bag so have not bothered with official bags but I would consider one if my messenger got too heavy?
I have never had an electric bike so can't comment on that, but Bromptons are very good. Also they sell at a decent price so you can sell after a couple of years without losing too much?
Now I have 5 bikes and am on my second Brompton. Ride more than I drive in terms of number of journeys (although I do more miles in a month, during the week though I do more on my bike).
Bromptons are great, you can get them in a higher speed (larger chainset) or lower (think is a different hub, not sure). The fold is fantastic, although now I tend to wheel it instead of carrying it.
Different things I would choose - and did, buying my second one :
Straight bars.
Longer seat post - my legs aren't that long but a bit longer than standard.
Higher gears (8% higher)
I bought a bag with my first one. Still has label on it. Don't buy one, seriously.
You Need mudguards. Really.
Good tyres - marathon plus or something are worth getting.
I think about stuff like built in lights but I have battery powered ones anyway, that work.
I am not sure about the leather Brooks saddle - I have the cheapo plastic one and it works fine.
I use a messenger bag so have not bothered with official bags but I would consider one if my messenger got too heavy?
I have never had an electric bike so can't comment on that, but Bromptons are very good. Also they sell at a decent price so you can sell after a couple of years without losing too much?
I have an electric Brompton, it’s no bigger than a standard & the battery fits in the bag on the front. It’s an add on to a standard bike using the tint wheel although I bought it all new.
I tried others but the Brompton is just so well made it’s a no brainier!
It’s very easy to use and the electric is used up hills and makes it very easy to ride & you don’t get sweaty doing the hills so good for work. I only use it when moving cars now though so I might sell it soon as it’s a lot of money just sat there not being used.
I tried others but the Brompton is just so well made it’s a no brainier!
It’s very easy to use and the electric is used up hills and makes it very easy to ride & you don’t get sweaty doing the hills so good for work. I only use it when moving cars now though so I might sell it soon as it’s a lot of money just sat there not being used.
Ok, so we are only looking at a mile and you are worried about how it rides?!?
I have had my Brompton for three years and it has just clocked over 8000 miles. Since November 2018 I have been doing 13 miles a day every working day. It's used in all weather's and not treated that well either.
I would not use any other folding bike. I used a Term for three months. Utter rubbish. Terrible fold and poor build quality but due to bigger wheels they do ride better. Term was very uncomfortable to carry as well. Mine used to fall over on the train unless I lashed it to a pole. Got fed up with that very quickly.
Bromptons are very well built and finished and well worth the purchase price IMO. Forget getting a discount too unless you can buy through a cycle go work scheme which is what I did.
However if you want Electric there is no way I would go for the Brompton. Far too expensive and I'd be amazed if they gave sold 100 units.
I have had my Brompton for three years and it has just clocked over 8000 miles. Since November 2018 I have been doing 13 miles a day every working day. It's used in all weather's and not treated that well either.
I would not use any other folding bike. I used a Term for three months. Utter rubbish. Terrible fold and poor build quality but due to bigger wheels they do ride better. Term was very uncomfortable to carry as well. Mine used to fall over on the train unless I lashed it to a pole. Got fed up with that very quickly.
Bromptons are very well built and finished and well worth the purchase price IMO. Forget getting a discount too unless you can buy through a cycle go work scheme which is what I did.
However if you want Electric there is no way I would go for the Brompton. Far too expensive and I'd be amazed if they gave sold 100 units.
bakerstreet said:
Ok, so we are only looking at a mile and you are worried about how it rides?!?
I have had my Brompton for three years and it has just clocked over 8000 miles. Since November 2018 I have been doing 13 miles a day every working day. It's used in all weather's and not treated that well either.
I would not use any other folding bike. I used a Term for three months. Utter rubbish. Terrible fold and poor build quality but due to bigger wheels they do ride better. Term was very uncomfortable to carry as well. Mine used to fall over on the train unless I lashed it to a pole. Got fed up with that very quickly.
Bromptons are very well built and finished and well worth the purchase price IMO. Forget getting a discount too unless you can buy through a cycle go work scheme which is what I did.
However if you want Electric there is no way I would go for the Brompton. Far too expensive and I'd be amazed if they have sold 100 units.
Cheers for all the helpful replies, on reflection, I think I'll go for a Brompton, after being used to riding racing bikes with 27" wheels, I was concerned that riding a Brompton with small wheels would feel very strange, like a circus clowns bike..I have had my Brompton for three years and it has just clocked over 8000 miles. Since November 2018 I have been doing 13 miles a day every working day. It's used in all weather's and not treated that well either.
I would not use any other folding bike. I used a Term for three months. Utter rubbish. Terrible fold and poor build quality but due to bigger wheels they do ride better. Term was very uncomfortable to carry as well. Mine used to fall over on the train unless I lashed it to a pole. Got fed up with that very quickly.
Bromptons are very well built and finished and well worth the purchase price IMO. Forget getting a discount too unless you can buy through a cycle go work scheme which is what I did.
However if you want Electric there is no way I would go for the Brompton. Far too expensive and I'd be amazed if they have sold 100 units.
, but my mind has been put at rest, the quality seems superb, It's not as though I am planning thirty mile rides on it, as the saying goes the quality will remain long after the price has been forgotten.Factory video:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2r-lFk0j-A
The dodgy knee thing: I put the 'low' 44T gearing on ( a chain-wheel which fits on the existing crank spider) or you can order the bike with it. About £25 for a replacement. I kept the original in case I ever find somewhere flat. The 44T is supposed to need two links removing but mine seems fine with the original chain.
Edited by Slushbox on Monday 17th June 19:07
Jimboka said:
Do you need a folder to take on train/car etc & to keep in office?
I have to park around fifteen minutes walk away from my business, which normally isn't a problem, I enjoy the walk, but this last few week my knee has been playing up, (I had a minor arthroscopy op about ten years ago) and the pain has come back after being OK for years, so the last few days I have taken my full size racing bike in the back with the seats folded down, and it has cut the time down to around five minutes, so a folding bike is the answer.I suspect I will have to have knee replacement surgery sometime in the future but I want to avoid it as long as possible, probably when I retire in a couple of years.
Only twelve months ago, I had no problem walking up Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Coniston Old Man and The Langdale Pikes on a weeks holiday with my sons.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff