Folding bike - Brompton or something else

[ClaphamGT3]

Hi All. In a few weeks time, I will be commuting from Brighton to London and back at least two days a week. The new Brighton gaff is about half a mile from the station and Blackfriars to the office is about a mile and a half. I’m planning on using a fold-up bike for the home-station/Station-Office bit of the journey.

What’s the consensus on best folding bike - is it Brompton or is there something better out there?

[TT1138]

Brompton by far the best in my opinion, and the only type of folder I do and would own. There are other folders that probably ride better (although the Brompton is quite fun, if not super stable) but won’t fold as small or efficiently as the Brompton.

The other thing about Bromptons is that they don’t really lose money… Buy one, keep it serviced and in good nick and it’ll hold most of its value come resale time. Although you probably won’t sell it

I love mine.

[Barchettaman]

Bromptons seem to be much loved by their owners.

I went for a bigger-wheeled folder as I didn’t need a particularly small fold, and wanted a ride ‘feel’ as close to a normal hybrid as possible.

I bought a Dahon Espresso and have put several 1000 KMs on it across the UK and Europe. In fact I liked it so much I electrified it last year with a Swytch kit.

I would recommend the Espresso, Jack or Matrix big-wheeled folders. Mine was £120 VERY lightly used.

[dontlookdown]

Airnimal are similarly good build quality to Brommie and with 24 inch wheels and regular geometry are a more 'normal' bike to ride.

But if the fold is impt to you a Brompton folds smaller and faster than anything else.

[cml24]

I don't want to be a party pooper, (having just bought my 4th bike this week) but is a bike the best way to travel the short distance concerned?

Do you plan on showering and changing at work or riding in normal clothes? Half a mile is surely faster to walk than get the bike out, ride, fold etc?

Does someone do similar distance on a folding bike and it saves time?

[Wacky Racer]

I have both a 6 speed Brompton and a Halfords Carerra Cross city electric folding bike, both of which I bought new a couple of years ago.

I can highly recommend both, they are great, but the Brompton wins for convenience, it folds up really small, and is surprisingly nice to ride, the folding mechanism is ingenious.

[CoolHands]

Obvs illegal everywhere, but electric scooter? Easier to carry I would have thought

[ChocolateFrog]

Gocycle is another option.

Maybe just use the bike for the London end of the trip and walk the 1/2mile. Would save some of the faff.

[Barchettaman]

Folding/unfolding a modern bike isn’t really any faff.

1/2 mile walk twice a day vs. 1/2 mile cycle is going to save approximately 5 hours a month on the bike. That may or may not be important to the OP (2 mins vs. 10 mins each way)

[Gazzab]

Would you be better off using a boris bike for the London bit?

[funinhounslow]

Has to be a Brompton if you’re going to be taking it on a train. Bigger wheeled bikes will just be a pain to stow away. Also you’re unlikely to have an issue taking a folded Brompton into a cafe or pub.

The improved ride quality 20” wheels offer isn’t a consideration for the short distances you’ll be using it for. In fact the Brompton’s tiny wheels make it nippy, agile, and quick off the mark, perfect for zipping through a city. And fun!

And as noted above Bromptons are well made and hold their value.

[funinhounslow]

cml24 said:

Half a mile is surely faster to walk than get the bike out, ride, fold etc?

Does someone do similar distance on a folding bike and it saves time?

Once you’ve got the hang of it, it takes seconds to fold/unfold a Brompton.

[Chris Type R]

Not sure how much things have improved, but for me, the weakest aspect of having a Brompton is the brakes (iirc mine dates back to 2007).

I'm not used mine in ages - a timely reminder to get it out of the loft as I can use it for school pickup tomorrow.

[TT1138]

Chris Type R said:

Not sure how much things have improved, but for me, the weakest aspect of having a Brompton is the brakes (iirc mine dates back to 2007).

I'm not used mine in ages - a timely reminder to get it out of the loft as I can use it for school pickup tomorrow.

Modern Brompton brakes are much better. Still not disc brake good, but stop you perfectly fine.

[bigtomski]

I would say Brompton all the way as they fold small and are great for trains, buses, cafes and pubs etc.
I've ridden mine all over London for donkeys years and have ridden it on a few 35 mile rides in the Hertfordshire countryside with no problems and mines only a 2 speed.
The brakes are great, mine stops on a dime. Plus you can get some very nice Brompton bags that pop on and off the bike in seconds so you never have to carry anything on your person while riding.
There's something very cool and almost classic Mini like I love about riding my Brompton in London, you can nip through the smallest gaps, jump up and down kerbs easily and just be a bit cheeky if you want.
Saying all this if it was me doing your journey I would think about an E scooter.
I know they're not exactly legal, but where I live in North/East London it's full of them and they look like a great way to get around and are a hell of a lot lighter than a Brompton. My neighbour has one i'm gonna have a go on and I can definitely see me getting one soon.

Edited by bigtomski on Tuesday 7th September 11:57

[Hugo Stiglitz]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Hi All. In a few weeks time, I will be commuting from Brighton to London and back at least two days a week. The new Brighton gaff is about half a mile from the station and Blackfriars to the office is about a mile and a half. I’m planning on using a fold-up bike for the home-station/Station-Office bit of the journey.

What’s the consensus on best folding bike - is it Brompton or is there something better out there?

Great in Summer. Crap in autumn and winter.

Let's face it 1.5miles you'll be tubing it.

Plus carrying everything that you need plus having to fold the thing and unfold as it swings out wildly (it seems that way when you're tired) pissing you off. Carrying it into the platform, in, find space in the train (none) etc.

When you fancy a drink after work, it becomes a liability to carry around.

Owners love them as they don't loose money but aloto the owners that I've come across don't seem to ride then just store them pristine.

Mine was used and they soon grot up if you do.

Then you notice that it's various bends and cable bundles etc become crevices for crud storage which then attaches go your legs. Hands etc when you have to fold them, unfold.

(Let's face it, when you cycle on a rode in British autumn and winter you don't wear nice clothing do you normally)...


Great idea on paper.

[Fastpedeller]

OP - Is there a Brompton CycleDoc anywhere near you? Just hire one for the afternoon and try it out. I had one about 20 years ago and was foolish enough to sell it, as I wasn't using it much. Certainly a bike I regret selling..

[Hugo Stiglitz]

If you regretted selling it that much you wouldn't have been without one for the next two decades.

Great idea but for the vast amount of time they are a PITA in practice.

[georgezippy]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Owners love them as they don't lose money but aloto the owners that I've come across don't seem to ride then just store them pristine.

Had my Brompton 10 years, still on it's original Schwalbe marathons, ridden all year in all weathers around London and Manchester, sits like a suitcase on the train inbetween. Has paid for itself twice over with saved tram/bus fares. It goes into every building I do. Still polishes up quite well.
What's worn out? on it's 3rd chain, second set of brake pads, 2nd set of idler wheels and pedals, that's it, never had a puncture despite riding over all kinds of detrius.
If you're going on what could be a crowded train it's the only thing to take, people will hate you if you've anything bigger. I once had a train guard chucking everyone with a bike off an overcrowded train, he wasn't concerned by the folded Brompton though.
It's not as good to ride as a full size bike or even a Dahon but for mixing public transport and cycling it's ace.

[anonymous-user]

GoCycle G4.

But, I tend to agree with others. Will you really want to be riding a bike in your 'work clothes' when it is the middle of winter, pouring down, and there is dirty water spraying up at you off your tyres and passing cars?

I tend to think that escooters are by far the best thing for people like the OP, but thats a debate for a different thread.

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 7th September 15:28