| Non-motoring > Brompton Bikes | Miscellaneous |
| Thread Author: Duncan | Replies: 15 |
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Fri 8 Aug 25 09:49
Brompton Bikes - Duncan
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I have toying with the idea of buying a Brompton bike for some time. So far I have not succumbed. I have a number of bikes - a couple of old ones in the shed which never get used and a couple in the garage which do get aired. Both Oxygen (make) electric (sorry), one a folder which weighs a ton and goes out every couple of months. The other bike I use regularly is also an Oxygen which I use a couple of times a week. I have had it about 8 years and it's on its second battery. No problems. (touch wood, cross fingers.) The thing is, you see, I have this irrational urge to buy a Brompton. I have perused all the ads, websites and youtube videos. I have even been to the Brompton showroom in Covent Garden. I know it's daft but I can't shake off this urge! What shall I do? Carry on fighting it, or give in disgracefully? A cheapish second hand one would be £6-800. A new one might be £1,200. Little or no discounts to be had. Please help me. |
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Fri 8 Aug 25 09:58
Brompton Bikes - zippy
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They certainly look good and fold to fit in the boot of a car nicely. However, the foldable frame will not feel as "rigid" as a normal bike and the small wheels will make for a wobbly ride and are pot hole finders. Also whilst smaller wheels are great for accelerating at lower speeds, larger wheels become more efficient at road speeds - you don't see many Tour de France riders on Bromptons! |
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Fri 8 Aug 25 11:22
Brompton Bikes - Duncan
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I had a test ride on a Bromp a while back. I found it a bit twitchy, especially if I was riding one handed while signalling. You won't see any Tour de France riders on ITV after this year. Boo! Shame! |
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Fri 8 Aug 25 12:58
Brompton Bikes - zippy
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| Good to see you back Duncan! |
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Fri 8 Aug 25 13:31
Brompton Bikes - Slightlyfatdirector
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If you want to do it, do it! Worst case scenario (if you buy a 2nd hand one) is that you either don't like or don't use it and you can then sell it for pretty much what you paid for it. If you can afford it then it's nice to just 'do' things sometimes, no matter how irrational you or others might think they are at the time. It's not always a question of 'need' but 'want'. Go for it. You know you want to..... :) |
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Fri 8 Aug 25 14:04
Brompton Bikes - zippy
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>>If you want to do it, do it! Heart vs mind SFD! But at our point in life.....as you say, why not! BTW, I read somewhere that Brompton do test rides... Yes they do: www.brompton.com/find-a-store/test-ride |
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Fri 8 Aug 25 14:15
Brompton Bikes - Duncan
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| May I refer you to my post of 11.22 this a.m.? |
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Fri 8 Aug 25 14:16
Brompton Bikes - zippy
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>> May I refer you to my post of 11.22 this a.m.? >> I do declare that this is the real Duncan! :-D |
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Fri 8 Aug 25 14:18
Brompton Bikes - Bromptonaut
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| I'd write an essay for you but I'm tied up with my son's wedd6 |
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Fri 8 Aug 25 14:49
Brompton Bikes - Zero
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>> I'd write an essay for you but I'm tied up with my son's wedd6 Chat gpt to your rescue Sure — here’s a cheeky, whimsical poem weaving together bondage, weddings, and folding bicycles: Ties That Bind At the chapel they gathered, with petals and lace, Two hearts in a whirlwind, one suit and one grace. She rode in with flair, veil caught in the breeze, On a folding bike humming with slightly squeaky ease. He stood by the altar, with cuffs made of silk, A hint of mischief, and skin smooth as milk. Their vows were quite tender—till she gave a smirk, And whispered of bondage as part of love's work. They promised to cherish, through calm and through quake, To share matching helmets for each gravel break. A tandem of passion, with spokes intertwined, Their bike folded neatly, just like their minds. The reception was wild, with champagne and ropes, Guests blushed at the cake shaped like harnessed hopes. “Consent is the key!” cried the best man, all knowing, As grandma applauded where no wind was blowing. So here's to odd unions, to ribbons and rings, To leather and Lycra and what freedom brings. For love comes in layers—some velvet, some steel— And folding bikes help when you want a quick peel. |
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Sat 9 Aug 25 00:58
Brompton Bikes - zippy
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>>Poems... Chat GPT is your friend “Zero, Cease Your Verses” Zero, bard of midnight screens, With thoughts that hum in neon gleams, You court the muse with fingers fast— But every stanza feels your last. You whisper lines in borrowed tone, Yet none of them are quite your own. You seek a voice, you seek the flame, But find a mirror, just the same. Zero, rest your weary pen, You’ve spilled your soul again, again. Let silence be your final rhyme— Not every wound needs verse or time. |
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Sat 9 Aug 25 15:02
Brompton Bikes - Bromptonaut
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Son successfully hitched and he and the new Mrs B junior are at home sleeping off their hangovers.... If you want one, can afford it and Lady Duncan's not going to worried sick about you plastering yourself over a No 10 bus then go for it. I'm sure you've been thinking about it for years. A few thoughts of my own with apologies for repetition from earlier threads. I've had two of my own since 1999, a five speed then a six through cycle to work 10 years later. Mrs B acquired one c2016 mainly for use when caravanning. First one was bought purely as a commuting tool. I was doing incremental gains on my journey from Northampton dormitory village to office in Legal London before Sky's cycling team coined the term. The gain from the Brompton was more transformational than incremental. I never got the northbound journey below 100 minutes but 90 southbound was routine; ten to fifteen minutes gain c/p walking to Euston. Difference am/pm due partly to one way systems and evening versus pre 07:00 traffic. Also jumping on a train at Euston at 17:15 as the door hustle alarm went risked standing to MK whereas at Northampton at 06:50 I could usually get my favourite seat. I'm not familiar with the current range less still the new 'MTB' variant. To me it will always be a city bike albeit one that's more capable than you'd think on off road cycleways etc. The six speed gearing with the Brompton Wide Ration (BWR) hub is brilliant. Mine is standard, Mrs B has a smaller chainwheel to reduce the ratios by, IIRC, 12%. One or two speed versions save significant weight but are very limiting away from a nice flat rail to office commute. No experience/knowledge of the current 12 speed. Bar variety low/high, mini ape hangers are a personal thing. Having had my first one where ape hangers were a black Model T option I prefer them though the P type with a butterfly layout which Mrs B has is probably even better but long gone as a new option. The twitchy ride you mention is to some extent a product of the small wheels but a front pannier for you bits/bobs and in my use work stuff smooths it out well. It needs treating with a little respect or it will dump you on the ground. Most walk away. The unlucky break their femur and win a week on the orthopods ward... It you're on off trains with it a the rear rack/wheels are worthwhile; much easier for manoeuvring it between seat backs. Never carry it folded except lif>desk. Much easier unfolded and wheeled. You soon learn the knack of controlling it with a hand on the saddle. If you can find a good M6R or P6R secondhand I'd say they're the models I'd choose but YMMV. There are several active Facebook groups on Brommies including the London Brompton Club which are mines of informtaion. Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Sat 9 Aug 25 at 15:03
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Mon 11 Aug 25 07:24
Brompton Bikes - Duncan
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Hi Brompy, thanks for that detailed response. Thing is, I know what I am like - if I buy one, after the first flush of enthusiasm, it will sit in the garage for weeks on end. I would love one - but will it get used? Nah! Nowadays, I do an occasional London trip and frankly, it is simpler to drive to the station, park outside - is it ten or twelve pounds for the day? Fast train (21? minutes) to Waterloo and then credit card tap in/out or free bus around the City. Lunch in a nice 'spoons. Job, jobbed. I know. I know, I have just talked myself out of it, haven't I? It's my age, you see. |
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Fri 29 Aug 25 16:02
Brompton Bikes - Boxsterboy
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I've had my Brompton for over 11 years now, and use it 4 days/week for commuting between home/station, station/office and return. A round cycling trip of 16 miles. I also use it for local site visits from the office wherever possible. The beauty of it is you can fold it up and take it indoors when visiting a property and don't have to leave it to chance locked up outside. I test rode one at the Covent Garden shop and it felt very twitchy to start with but you soon get used to it. Mine's a low/flat handle bar model with 6-speed gears, integrated dynamo lighting and rear rack. I bought it to avoid the ever worsening traffic in London, and it has been a great success in that respect. It went on to inspire me to get a 'proper' road bike for longer rides. The two bikes together have helped me lose weight and become a lot fitter than many of my contemporaries. I've done so many miles on mine (over 30,000!) that it's a bit like triggers broom. It's easier to count what hasn't been replaced than what has, through normal mechanical wear and tear. Just the main frame/rear triangle, stem and handlebars are original. Everything else has been replaced, some parts more than once. |
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Fri 29 Aug 25 16:40
Brompton Bikes - Bromptonaut
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>> I've done so many miles on mine (over 30,000!) that it's a bit like triggers >> broom. It's easier to count what hasn't been replaced than what has, through normal mechanical >> wear and tear. Just the main frame/rear triangle, stem and handlebars are original. Everything else >> has been replaced, some parts more than once. Tyres, tubes, brake blocks/cables and gear cables are 'consumables' and need an eye on them. Have you had to replace wheels/hubs and the BWR hub gearing? I had the rear wheel rim need to be replaced on Brompton #1 as at 8 years it was worn by braking and same bike, currently on permanent loan to my daughter could really do with a new hinge pin. My current M6R has only needed a full cogs/chain replacement and tyres. |
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Mon 1 Sep 25 11:21
Brompton Bikes - Boxsterboy
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Yes, I've had to replace both wheel rims due to brake pad wear. The rear hub gearing disintegrated so that's been replaced. The front wheel has a dynamo and this packed up so that's been changed. The thin aluminium stays on the rear rack eventually collapsed after multiple attempted repairs (bodges) by me. The new racks are a different design which necessitated a new rear brake calliper (no old ones available). Front brake calliper still going strong! My hinge pin is still OK, despite being folded at least 8 times/day. |
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