You are reading a single comment by @de_Selby and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@de_Selby
Some totally unbiased info about Bromptons. But first a disclaimer: I have a Brompton, a fixed, a geared roadie and a geared hybrid. Too many bikes really.
However the Brompton lives in the hall rather than the shed and comes out like an umbrella. Late for collecting the kids from school? Shake out the Brompton (unfold time c25 secs). Need to whizz to the bank to put a cheque in? Shake out the Brompton. Meeting in London but it's 10 miles to the station? Shake out the Brompton.
Mine's a 2000 (date) model with only 3 gears. After 14/21 gears I though three would be a problem but it's not an issue. It really does change your life, as suddenly you don't need to go to the shed, unlock, disentangle, remove a normal bike. And if I'm going almost anywhere in the car I sling the Brompon in the back, dump the car somewhere cheap and pedal to somewhere expensive.
Plus (here in the sticks), you almost always get into a conversation about it. I am a total convert, but when distance or sheer speed are required the the Brompton is not the tool of choice. However...
Out of interest, a timed 7.5-mile run I do a lot takes 28 mins by Carlton steel geared roadie, and recently took took 34 mins by Brompton into a stiff headwind. 16 and 13.2mph .