Brompton owners

Hi everyone. I'm considering buying a Brompton.
Yesterday I went to my Brompton Junction shop and tried 3 of their offer:

• the A line (too cheap, old, flimsy, uneconomical to upgrade i think)
  
• the C line (the very classic one, with dynamo hub and 6 speeds thanks to a sturmey archey rear hub), it was a nice ride.
  
• the P line with titanium chainstays, it's a nice ride but the difference is striking when folded, if anything.
  
  

I'm currently trying to choose between the P and C (because of the P non integrated hub and lighter weight), but the minus 3kg is adding 1000 euros. I want something really reliable because I will ride 200kms per week, take the train and everything. Does the sturmey archey hub work better than the Brompton-potentially-fiddly-proprietary rear derailleurs ? A good thing is that in case of rear flat, it would be easier to road-side repair. Does it justify to pay almost twice the price ? Would I still be able to upgrade the C line if I choose it ?

Thank you very much.

The weight of a brompton is kinda irrelevant IMO. It only matters when you fully fold it and pick it up, you need to ask yourself how many times you'd have to do that? Its very rare. I went from 2 speed Ti weight weenie bromopton to a disc brake, dynamo 'porker', makes no diff.

If you want reliability nothing beats the 3 speed internal hub gear. Once you get a hang of it taking 3 speed wheel out is no more effort than anything else. Upgrade to swissstop pads as soon as you get it.

C line is absolutely fine, mudguards are essential, rack maybe too if you plan to carry pizza.

Aren't Brompton stopping using SA three speed hub on their bikes?

You can't carry anything larger than 8" pizza on the rack without it catching on you heels anyway. Maybe user Amey is just eating pizza for one.

ha! I dont have a rack, I wish I did, good insight!

Oh wow that's my friend Brenda.What tyre pressure do you guys usually have?please and tanks

If you do get a rack, budget for the rack bag as well. It's a great combo.

Soo, am i mistaken or is this a regular 2-speed rear hub in the 1st video?
Is this 3-speed hack doable on the 6-speed bike, i.e. on the 3speed rear hub with the 2speed cog assembly?
So that one would get 9 gears?

And if done on the normal 2speed hub exactly as in the video: what is the maximum capacity and cog size of the bromptopn rear derailleur?

In the first vid, they went from 2speed to 3 speed.

Smarter people than me can tell you how large the largest sprocket can be.
In fact @sbbohr, sometimes of this parish has done so here:

https://www.thebromptonman.com/drive-chain.html#/
https://www.thebromptonman.com/2-speed-ratio-increase.html#/
https://www.thebromptonman.com/2---3-hub-sprockets.html#/

Hi all I have a few bits to shift, let me know if prices are off/offers :)

Brompton 50t chainring with guard: £25

• Brompton non folding pedal: £11, Brompton folding pedal £47. £30 the pair.

• 2x Brompton hinges x2: £8

• Brompton cable fender disc (brand new and not pictured) £5

• Brompton aluminium leavers (the pair): £30

• Brompton rear clip retro fit kit: £25

• £123 total

Take the lot for £90?

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@AlfredIV

I want something really reliable because I will ride 200kms per week, take the train and everything.

As the legend that is AMEY says, C line is fine. If reliability is your thing, then upgrade the tyres too - either continental or marathon plus. The rear puncture repair is a faff, but there is no reason why you don't get used to it.

If you are doing that sort of travelling, I can't believe you won't be using the luggage block & a bag so there is always a little compromise if you opt for the pricier P line range, as the weight will be at the front of the bike

If your journey requires you to do lots of folding and carrying, then the Cline will annoy you. If you just need a bike you need to fold when you get home/infrequently and more of a work-horse, get the C. and spend the money you save on paraphenilia you don't need, like a ti-seat post.

Separately, your choice of bars, may determine what you are doing. If you prefer flat and low (my preference) then you will have fun with both. The Brompton site only has mid-riser bars at the moment for the Cline. I'm not sure if you can get it as a flat bar option. I had to convert mine and am so glad that I did, thanks @cake

Would I still be able to upgrade the C line if I choose it ?

As above, but not to the new 4 speed derailleurs.

Thank you very much! The links were very helpful. :)
So, for anyone else asking themselves the same questions:

• yes, apparently this works on 2-speed hubs as well as on 3-speed internal gear hubs that have 2 outer sprockets.
  
• maximum cog size is 19t on steel frames and 18t on ti frames
  

I think I have man-maths’d myself into a P line purchase, I now need to decide whether I buy it here or once I’m back in the UK

I think asia has the luxury of a yellow p-line if you're into that limited edition lifestyle.

Thank you very much for your answers @amey @Arvy.

Yellow C-line here now if your man-maths stumble @Dammit
Excellent accidental Patridge @HoKe

I have it and use it every day for a 13" macbook and a few extra bits and pieces.

It's a rolltop laptop case with room for some extra things... little more functionality than that.
I have a posh keep cup in one of the side pockets and a kryptonite mini-evo in the other.

Other Brompton bags use the removable rack frame type affair so that the bags can be "normal" when the rack bit isn't needed.

The Restrap one doesn't do this.
Instead there's a stiff backboard and a permanently attached metal rack fixture on the back... this is the bit that touches your body if you wear it that way so that can be annoying.
Also, my coffee table has a scratch on it from popping the bag on it.
It's not a dealbreaker at all for me but it does make it a Brompton bag and not a "sometimes Brompton bag with the ability to use off the bike casually".

The magnetic closure is cool and useful but you've no doubt seen these on other things by now.

Orange liner helpful for finding stuff in low light.

Thin and discreet shoulder strap.

I like it for using on the train with the bike folded.
I also like it for just setting and forgetting by leaving some Brompton specific tools and tubes in it so I don't get caught out by carrying the wrong sized tube or spanner or whatever.

For the price, I think it's a good bag and does it's job well.

Holds up great in the wet.

7/10

I'd argue the opposite when it comes to lightweightedness.

Of all the motivations for weight weenie-ism, I think a bike designed to be folded for storage and transport is the most suitable candidate for actual savings. I don't care what my road, track, gravel, touring bikes weigh... I roll them out of the shed and I'm on my way. And I don't have a climbing bike, I'm too out-of-shape for that!

With my Brompton however, I have to fold it, and lift it, and carry it around stations, take it into buildings, up the stairs in my house etc... if it can be lighter and still functional, I say make it lighter!

I might even go as far as to say that if you aren't folding the Brompton up in order to carry it into and around places where full-sized bikes aren't appropriate, then perhaps you might not be taking full advantage of one of the key selling points of the bike.

If you need it only for a commute from your house to a train and then to work at the other end and all you have to do is lift it for a couple of minutes or so, 12-14kg isn't such a hardship but if you've got to cary it for any longer than that, you'll likely appreciate the weight savings.

Internally geared hubs aren't so tricky, so I wouldn't let that put you off.

If you don't invest in the lightest version you can afford from the off, or even if you do... there are plenty of ways to buy weight savings the future from third-party providers.

Where’s here Arvy?

I have a P line S4 in Grey; with or without rack / guards sat waiting for you. Can ship worldwide.. also have CHPT3 V4, Flame Lacquer and others!

here

Er, yes, UK.

Got a Brooks Champion Special B17 with brown grips going I had on my brompton but changed the saddle. Let me know if keen.

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Also I have a spare C17 carved if anyone’s keen. Cheers

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I'd agree. Obviously different strokes for different folks, but on a Brompton I'd favour a weight reduction as a feature vs other features like discs and gears.

Ti Seatpost is a great weigh to quickly add lightness. On a £/g it's probably the best move you can make.

Also fucking hell are Bromptons now expensive.

I hoped I'd inherit my dad's, but alas it was stolen (2nd one too). Looking at todays prices can't imagine I'll own one, which is a shame.