Brompton owners

I can't remember who it was but I got the idea of someone on here

I think picture of your bike made me do it...

I get it, one of those components that is no longer functional now that new one is a lots better (both SA and Brompton).

dandruff

You've got to love AutoCorrect sometimes. :)

So I've moved back to Hertfordshire and (as I've been blathering on about on the commuting thread) now have a 28 mile each way commute. I've been riding this twice a week thus far and riding the train the rest of the way.

I was wondering if a Brompton might be a solution to the other three (or more) days of train-based commuting, especially now its cold and dark and a 2 hour ride is seeming much less appealing after work.

If I were to get a folding bike to ride a few hilly-ish miles to and from the station in the morning and evening, and then do 9 (again hilly) miles from Tottenham Hale to Victoria, would a Brompton be suitable? If so, which model would you guys recommend? Can a Carradice SQR block be attached to the Brompton (telescopic extra long?) seatpost?

For reference, I'm about 6'6" and 90kg (if that matters?).

Cheers!

My commute has changed but I used to use my Brompton for a 1 mile ride then train then 2 mile trip in the morning followed by 12 miles home over Highgate. I was doing that slightly off peak, when the trains are crush loaded moving a Brompton around is a bit awkward.

I've got an M6L but I rarely use the top and bottom gears and would probably get an M3L if I had a TARDIS. I don't really know about the SQR block but it looks like it would fit to the extended seatpost but not telescopic.

If you can get to a dock it's perhaps worth hiring one for 24 hours and giving it a go - https://www.bromptonbikehire.com/

Build up a beater and leave it at Victoria?

@TurtleRecall - I would say yes. I used to do a 18 mile commute each way. I used the Brompton to reduce my commute by 5 miles so I could get on a train or a tube in the winter. Since I was working ~5 miles out of zone 6. (The fare difference was like £10 a day as well - which meant I recouped the cost of the Brompton really quickly.). Summer months I just used my other bike most days, but the Brompton made it easy to do the same thing all year round.

I would suggest you try out a Brompton for a period of time, use the rental service. Because of your height it might not be ideal for you. The alternative of an Arnimal or even a Tern or Dahon. (I actually like the bigger wheels, also more stable for big riders.)

As for the climbing, go for the 6 speed perhaps.

Perhaps a beater you can leave at the station is the way to go. Unless you are getting on a train at Victoria to head further south, do you want to cycle from the station to your final destination as well? That would mean 2 beaters then.

The Carradice SQR block should be ok with the telescopic seatpost. The nice thing is then you can take the post, saddle and SQR block with you should you every need to leave the Brompton outside.

I do exactly this. Ride 2-3 miles to the station in the country (couple of decent hills) and then Tottenham Hale into town. I have the S2L and it does the job really well.

Get the telescopic seat post and you'll be fine I'd say, I'm tall and weigh the same as you and I use that.

Well this is all good news! Thanks for the encouraging words @spj7 and @fasih, maybe it would work! I really don't know much about folding bikes, looks like a 2 or 3 speed Brompton would maybe be sufficient for my needs, but are there any particular models of Tern, Dahon or Airnimal that anyone would recommend for a tall person?

To clarify, @umop3pisdn, I'd be riding the train to Tottenham Hale and then cycling between TH and Victoria (where I work) then the reverse in the evening. A beater would mean a walk of a few miles (or driving and paying for parking) from home to the Herts station and back.

Ride your bike to your home station and lock it up. Have a bike that only ever shuttles between Tottenham Hale and Victoria.

This is what I do, coming into Waterloo and riding to Angel. A Brompton would be nice, but this was the cheaper option.

No way I'd leave my proper bike locked up at any station. I like the idea of a folder, if only to not look like a pervert when I turn up on the train in Sidis and lycra. As you say though, a brompton is pricey, but I don't know much about alternatives yet...

You'll also look like a pervert dressed like that riding a Brompton.

Fair point :)

I test rode a few others back in the day (there are admittedly more options now) and the only alternative I considered viable was an Airnimal, but they are nowhere near as handy for the off-the-bike bits. All the others felt more BSO than proper folder.

Once you get used to the handling I find the Brompton a great bike to ride.

@TurtleRecall - The weight difference between the 3-spd and 2-spd is significant. I would suggest the 2 over the 3 just for that reason if you are going to be carrying (or rolling) the Brompton and significant distance. But then if you are climbing big hills, then it really comes down to your own preference. My commutes are pretty flat, though I do a few bridges -so a 1-spd does me fine.

Though my commute is 10 miles, I train and bike on the winter morning so I don't have to shower at work. (We have 10 showers for a few dozen cyclists - so the wait time some morning can be a pain.) Also means I don't have extra clothes to carry. I don't lycra up on the Brompton, shoes is about all I do.

Speaking about alternatives I have considered going to something like an Airnimal - since it means I can reduce my bike count. However they cost more, though at least they use standard bike parts - so perhaps in the long run the costs are lower. Whilst I like the Tern - it is not as well built as the Brompton. Since I moved last year, I have gone from 6 bikes to 3 bikes. I technically only have space for 2 bikes. I get a way with at the moment since I have not done up the spare room yet. So it is my junk pit at the moment. I think the Brompton and the Cross Check will cover off all my cycling requirements.

So what does one buy if one doesn't want to drop £800 on a Brompton?

Is there anything between a single speed £120 BTWIN and the £300-£400 Dahons etc or do I get the BTWIN and make it a sweet fixie?

It'd before for very occasional use, maybe 200 miles a year.

Please bear in mind to take the weight of the B'twin in consideration (13.2kg for the singlespeed and that's the lightest version).

Personally would go for B'twin because it's very cheap and disposable, but might be a struggle with the hefty weight during rush hour.

Losing the rear brake ought to be worth 500g to narrow the gap to the Brompton. :)

And the orange reflector that add another 200g too.

I have checked the website, they're apparenty sold out online, It does look appealing, as I may need to move out of London temporary.

I'm 6'3'' and about 88kg now. No problem with the Brompton for ~1h commutes or even 90km ride with 1500m+ (this link has photos). I think my model is S6L (Flat handlebar & 6 speeds) with some original fenders and the front bag. IMHO the front bag is much better than a rear seatpack... I can reach phone/water really easy while commuting or even "on route".

Price is high, but if you use it everyday it gets amortized. Like you I had many concerns, especially about the gears.. so I found a bikeshop that rented bromptons (and discounted you that amount from the brompton price if you bought one).

This is like asking about altura on the rapha thread.

I think you're doing Brompton a disservice, they're nicely engineered and well worth the money if you're using a folder regularly.

Rapha is 80% brand hype, 20% product, Brompton is the opposite.

£120 BTWIN

My flatmate had one. Went with him buying it. He was using it daily.
The hinges, while I have no reason to think they are unsafe (not a scientific judgment, I mean I wouldn't fear riding it...) developed play quite quickly, without any way really of tightening / mending the problem... (by design). Wasn't my bike so didn't look too much into it... Mostly the handlebar base hinge. Brake levers broke rapidly, he may have dropped the bike, I don't know, but total plastic piece of crap which I changed with alloy levers from part bin. Other than that, considering the low price, not too bad, handled pretty well I felt, someone with a bit of a clue (changing the necessary like levers, maybe improving play adjustment of hinges) could make it something decent.

Ed is right, weight is painful... And also not very compact when folded.

Get a Brompton second hand...

And also not very compact when folded.

Usually moot when it's technically allow to be on the train on rush hour, which mean even the bigger 700c Montague bicycle are allowed.

For @Hefty the Boston make the most sense, if you can find one for cheap.

is there a harder rear suspension block available from somewhere? Even the firm brompton one is too soft