Genuine alternative to a Brompton? Does it really exist?

[Ffffaster]

Strongly considered a Dahon Mu Uno but read reviews by owners that put me off.

Is there really anything out there as good as the Brompton, when all is said and done?

[Wacky Racer]

There are alternatives, but nothing comes close to a Brompton for "foldability".

A Tern comes pretty close.

[Scrump]

A couple of riders in my office swear by Birdy bikes.
I had a quick check on google to make sure I had the correct name and found this comparison which you may find helpful:
https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle/bike-test-compact-...

[Ffffaster]

Thank you. I'm aware of both makes, but would be very keen to hear from any owners on PH.

I believe the Tern/Dahon suffers from mid creaking and the birdy is quite expensive!

[thanksbye]

Terns/Dahon come no wear close, poor fold, fragile clips and numerous recalls.

[_Hoppers]

I've got a Dahon/Ridgeback folding bike. It's ste compared to the Brompton.

[Brads67]

Why would you buy something like a Bromton instead of a Brompton?.

C2W makes a new one about £645

[Wacky Racer]

Here's my Brompton I bought last year....Very pleased with it.





I have just bought last week a Halfords Carerra Cross City Electric folding bike, this also is excellent, but it only folds in two so takes up a little more room. (The battery is in the frame)

[hantsxlg]

I love my brompton.. and it fits in the frunk of a boxster or 911... which for us powerfully built directors is a natural concern..

[anonymous-user]

I did have a Dahon in the past. Was ‘ok’ but it did creak a bit & had a few wheel problems
It was a fair few years ago though, no doubt the latest models are better...

I have a couple of Bromptons now though, a black s6 & a raw lacquer s3
Work from home now, so no commute ever again! But as a occasional cyclist they are great.
Only take up a bit of shelf space in the garage!
I’m still tempted to buy a s6 super light , as around half price on my cyclescheme
I understand that even Bromptons are December delivery now...

[Ffffaster]

The prices that I see Bromptons going for have completely intimidated me, hence my search for something else.

i would have loved a Titanium Brompton, but £xxxx I have not!

[Wacky Racer]

Ffffaster said:

The prices that I see Bromptons going for have completely intimidated me, hence my search for something else.

i would have loved a Titanium Brompton, but £xxxx I have not!

When I looked, a new Tern was around £450. It seemed OK.

My six speed Brompton was £1070.

[dontlookdown]

I had a Dahon with 20 inch wheels. It rode better than the Brommie I borrowed off a mate for a week. More comfortable and less twitchy steering.

The Dahon didn't fold up as small as the Brompton and it was less well made. But it served me well as a 3 season commuter for 3 or 4 years.

[CoolHands]

Anyone remember when car company daewoo made folding bikes! Strange

[Barchettaman]

If you have to travel at peak hour, and/or park the thing in a small space, then it’s Brompton all the way.

If not, then a bigger-wheeled folder can offer a much better riding experience.

My Dahon Espresso rides pretty much like any fast rolling hybrid and serves my needs perfectly:

[Brads67]

Wacky Racer said:

My six speed Brompton was £1070.

Or £640 on C2W

[funinhounslow]

I bought my Brompton last year and my only regret is that I didn't buy one years ago.

Today I did a 25 mile ride round London's canals, train home, then popped into a pub for a meal. It handled the towpaths without an issue, was clearly in its element in the city and no-one batted an eyelid at it folded on the train and in the pub. And I don't feel like I've ridden all day on a circus bike.

The larger wheeled bikes that fold in half only will roll better but will be more of a faff to take on public transport or bring with you into pubs etc.

It is an ingenious design that has stood the test of time and proven itself to be robust and reliable.

Also they are fun. Just respect the handling which can be "twitchy". The upside of this is that they are quick off the mark and very nippy round town.

Regarding price, if you buy one and find you don't get on with it, you should be able to sell it on and lose very little. And this video gives an idea as to why they cost what they do...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=max3bL3bTbg

I love mine!

[df76]

I bought on a Tern on c2w. Larger wheels meant that it could cover longer distances better, and I used it to cycle from a P&R site into a city so it was perfect for that. Decent panniers on it as well and had zero issues. It doesn’t fold up as well as a Brompton so not the best solution if you have to carry on public transport. Otherwise it’s pretty decent.

[velocgee]

Ffffaster said:

Is there really anything out there as good as the Brompton, when all is said and done?

Nope. Just get a Brompton.