MY Brompton serves me well. I have a lot of Hills where I live in Wales, and the six Gears manage to get me up them fine. I have just come back from a Whistle stop tour of Europe. By using Trains, I rode my Bike in 6 Cities within 7 Days. Paris France, Verona, ITaly, Vienna Austria, Prague Czech Republic, Katowice and Krakow Poland. The Brompton held up well to the various road surfaces I faced.
As a bike designer for another brand, I would say, Yes, the Brompton is super practical, with the shopping bag attachment, and small tight fold. Brazed tubes, its the RollsRoyce of folding bikes. Class all the way!
Hi Moe, A Brompton is probably one of the best investments that you will ever make in your life. I bought 2 Bromptons over 16 years ago, and my wife and I use them everyday to travel around in the European Capital town of Strasbourg, Alsace, on the French-German border - and they still look great ! Like we say here : "You forget the price, but the quality is something you live with everyday." When an Irishman compliments the British for something, that means it's really extraordinary !
Hey Peter, me again commenting from that Vitesse video. On my journey for the perfect folding bike, I visited my local bike shop (Tower Velo in Fresno, CA) and was introduced to the Brompton and even took it for a test ride, which was really smooth and delightful! I really loved how the clamps tightened the hinges, but I didn't realize it was the seat that locked it all together! I was referred to another store that carries Dahon, so I'll check that out tomorrow.
You can feel the difference in the ride. Out of the 6 people who work here at the shop, 3 of us own the Brompton Bikes and commute on them daily to work. Our shipper bought the two speed Brompton and commutes around 28 miles round trip, has had nothing but great things to say. The Brompton is definitely in another league from the Link D8, but neither are designed for extremely high speeds. If you want a fast high performer I would recommend the Tern Verge X10 or X30. Best- jack
The Brompton can definitely be fitted with a basket! We sell many custom made bags and baskets for the Brompton here at Nyce wheels, and I've used the Brompton many times to go pick up some odds and ends at the grocery store. Really a great bike!- Regards- Jack
Yep! I've done that quite a bit. It's definitely a different feeling than riding a regular bike while standing but it's nothing you can't get used to. Try it a bit and you'll be flying along. -Peter
Hey thank you very much, this is like the 3rd time I ask about this, but I will be going to NY in the next months and I'm thinking about upgrading my bike. I bought the Tern recently but now that I'm more into folding bikes I'm taking it more serously. Thanks again.
Hey Bruno, Peter's working on the next video, so I thought I'd get back to you here. In short: you can absolutely keep up! If you're looking for speed in a Brompton, I'd definitely recommend a 6-speed. With the augmented chainwheel, you'd have a top gear similar to that of most standard road bikes. -Miles
The Brompton's twist on clasps, can add a few seconds to the folding, but I actually do prefer its folding mechanism to many of our other folding bikes. It's very stable, and all the parts and hinges will last forever. Best- Jack
Hi Jack, Fortunately I had the chance to try a Brompton just for a few blocks. My first impression was that the Brompton is much smoother ride and the Link D8 has the soul of a race bicycle, even considering that is an entry model, I feel like it pushes me to go faster. The Brompton is much better folded, in every way. I can carry the Brompton for 10 blocks, and the Tern only for 10 meters and I'm already sweating. Maybe a Brompton with an S Bar would be my option in the future. Regards, Luciano
Hope the Citizen works out for you Moe! For our part, I couldn't agree more with Michael--the Bromptons are truly well-crafted bikes, and you really are making a long-term investment in reliable quality with them. -Miles
Thanks SO MUCH! I have ordered... (drum roll please.....) A Brompton M6L with -12 gearing! :-) White body with Orange extremities (even the guy in the shop went "oooh" with the colour choices! Hehe) The other reason for the brompton order over the dahon mu XL is that the brompton design and accessories hasnt really changed over time and therefore I feel that that it has a longer life shelf for expansions.. Like the racks and bags etc.. (might have to come over to NYC an get an electric conve
@dimaflour A good question! This bike is actually mine, I just put it on the wall for effect. For our Dahon folding bike movies we used demo models sent to us by Dahon specifically for promotion. Many of the bikes we reviewed were then boxed up and sent right back to the manufacturer. -Peter
You're very welcome, happy to answer more questions if you have them. If you already own a Tern Bike, the Brompton would be my recommendation for an upgrade for sure. Best- jack
The Brompton is the best folding bike out there, but there are some more affordable options. The Tern Link D8 is a great folding bike for the price, worth checking out at our shop - Jack
I've used both bikes. The Dahons are good bikes, but the Brompton is a lot more practical for everyday use. The fold is much more compact and you can easily pull it once the Brompton is folded. You have to carry a Dahon once it's folded. The Brompton is an incredible multi-use bicycle. It's great for multi-modal bike travel with a car, train or tramway. It's also very practical to do shopping or for transporting cumbersome objects. This is rarely the case with other folding bicylces.
@guyoverthre All Brompton's now come with that clip for the past 2 years. It could come in handy when you want to lift the bike over a few steps but you don't really need it. Brompton has mostly added it because customers seemed to be worried that the bike would fold up while riding : ) I have an older Brompton that doesn't have it and don't really miss it. BC
@upl8insomniac I am 6'2" and I use a telescopic seat post. For you an extended seat post would be fine. Given your weight i would go for a firm suspension. The bike has a weight capacity of 250 lbs so it will certainly work. -Peter
With the extendable telescopic seat post a 6.4 foot rider could ride the Brompton. You would want to get the H style handlebars. In general, a folding bike will feel a bit small to a 6' 4' rider, but the Brompton will be your best option. - Jack
@Devin032 The back wheel will not fold under, even when you do trick riding. I have done a few maneuvers where I successfully brought the rear-end under but you have to practice it a lot. Brompton has added a latch 3 years back to prevent people from worrying about it. Bert
Because smaller wheels turn faster they can feel less stable at higher speeds. I often bike on the Brompton all around nyc and once you get used to the smaller wheels, it feels very natural at high speeds over 30km/h,but you still want to be extra cautious, keep both hands on the bars, and make slow turns. Best - jack
Excellent review.. But I have a "stand off" question. A brompton M6R with lowered gear ratio or a Dahon Mu XL (2011). Looking for a commute bike but There is a hill in the way.. A big one! Hehe.. Looking for a foldy.. And have narrowed down but just dont know which one is best. Mu xl is still available in the UK.. But you guys seem to be (in my opinion) the TOTAL EXPERTS in this field abd I'd really value your views on this one! Excellent reviews.. Plus.. What about TERN BICYCLES!
@jpcmusic That's a good stand off... the Mu XL is nice because it's light but it doesn't fold as small. The Brompton folds super small but is a bit heavier. That doesn't have so much of an impact on hill climbing though. For steep hills the 6 speed Brompton is best (that's what I ride). Sadly I have to admit that the lowest gear on the Mu XL is lower than the 6 speed Brompton - unless you get the 6 speed with reduced gearing! Long winded answer huh? :) -Peter
The S bar would be my recommendation if you want a faster ride on the Brompton. Sounds like you have a good handle on the Brompton Bike Luciano, keep in touch, please let me know if you have more questions- jack
@realmyth83 Birdy folding bikes don't fold up quite as small but they are very nice. Bromptons get more compact and the parts are less likely to be knocked out of adjustment when folding because they are all designed as part of the bike. Birdy bikes use generic bike parts which aren't designed specifically for use on the Birdy and therefore are more likely to need careful attention. Brompton folding bikes are sort of the best designed folding bike overall. -Peter
@McLennon23 More revolutions, yes. More work, sort of but not really. You see the gearing on folding bikes with small wheels is higher than on a normal bicycle, meaning it takes the same force to propel you forward at a given speed as on a regular bike. In fact, small wheels offer a few distinct advantages such as faster acceleration and decreased wind resistance. I've spent many miles chasing road bikers on my Brompton M6L and while it is not "equal" it is in no way slow. -Peter
Unfortunately we cannot ship internationally. As far as whether you would want a Dahon or a Brompton...it really depends on what kind of riding you will be doing, and what kind of Dahon you are looking at. However, if you want the most portable bike with the smallest footprint, the Brompton definitely can't be beat. -Miles
@salmanslim Also, vouching for Brompton on the long life angle: I've beating my Brompton M6L hard over the last two years and have had no issues. That's a bike you can depend on for sure. -Peter
Hi, good questions. I would be wary buying a folding bike for less than $500 or so. Remember you'll be riding a bike with hinges and complicated parts, you don't want to buy something that's going to fall apart on you or that \'s going to cost you a lot in maintenance over the years. If you're looking for a more affordable, dependable folding bike, I would recommend the Tern Link D8--- Quality parts, great hinges, and in a more affordable price range. -jack
@careyeOhkey Thanks! We really work to provide good quality product reviews. It's a bit help to customers who are trying to decide between products. -Peter
@newline5000 Many people are initially shocked by the price of a Brompton. I actually wrote a whole blog on the topic! Just Google "You said a Brompton is how much?" to read what other people have to say. Thanks for the comment. -Peter
Ooh! This type of bike would be perfect for people living in NYC because if they have to take a subway partway to their destination then they can simply fold the bike up and it won't take up hardly any room!
@jamesallan7005 I've been looking into several options, everything from the Munkii Cage to simply covering your water bottle with velcro and placing a strip of it on the stem. At the moment we don't have a solution that we stock (5/4/11). -Peter
@salmanslim The Brompton folds up smaller, is the ideal commuting vehicle, and can do anything from riding around the block to traveling the world. Terns, especially the expensive ones, are faster and lighter but do not fold as small/portable. A Tern would be better for you if you want to ride really fast or want a super light weight bike. A Brompton would be better for you as transport for commuting or touring/traveling. -Peter
Hey there. Firstly, thanks much for responding to everybody's questions. Secondly, here's another one for you. Other than roughness of the ride, what differences are there between a bike with "full-size" wheels and a folding bike with lets say, the 16" wheels? For example, intuition tells me that since the wheel's circumference is smaller it would have to make more rotations to equal the speed of bigger wheels which would mean more pedaling/more work. Is this an issue?
The Brompton is easy to fold, very light weight, and has incredibly high quality hand-made parts, but its not necessarily a high performance bike like the Tern Verge X10. Its made for reliability and portability but not the fastest model on the market. It really a matter of what kind of riding you want to be doing. Are you interested in a bike for commuting or more of a racing model?- jack
Hi Zoe, in general we have to avoid talking about the price in social media, as prices tend to change but videos are forever. If you search "nycewheels" on google, and click on our website, you'll be able to compare prices and many other features side by side. Best - Jack
We have a wide selection of Brompton parts at affordable prices. You can find them by following the link embedded in the video, selecting "parts and accessories" on the right side of the page, and then scrolling down to "Brompton Parts" Best - jack
Well, NYCeWheels is in New York City, and they're still in business, so it seems that plenty of Americans are willing to shell out $1,000 or more for a bike. An important factor would be how often you'll be using it. For me, I'd use it to commute. Long term I'll save money on gas/subway/bus. Could I use a $120 bike instead? Of course. Still, I am strongly considering purchasing a Brompton because of the quality and longevity of the product. BTW I'm not rich (I make about $30,000 a year)
Hey can you help me with a doubt I have? Do you feel a lot of difference between riding a Link D8 and a Brompton? I know that one has 20" and the other 16" wheels, but can you feel the quality of the Brompton while you ride or it's more about the compact folding. I have a Link D8 and I do a daily trip of 10 miles, I really enjoy being able to go fast and agile on the city. Thanks!
Hello, how tall is the rider on this video please? I'm 6'3" (190cm'ish) and 185lbs (84kg), and thinking about picking up a brompton soon but don't know how well I will fit in it. Thanks!
You seem to know a lot about folding bikes, Peter. What brand and model would you recommend for the city/outdoor around 200-500. I live in Mexico, and lets just say the sidewalk isn't very smooth.
Hi, I am just now learning about folding bikes and how many there seem to be to choose from.I would love a Brompton, but I could really go for something more affordable. In searching for this I've come across a few brands that I'm curious about. Origami Bikes has a model called the Cricket that seems perfect for me in price as well as specs and style, however there don't seem to be a great many videos about them and I am unsure as to what to expect if I were to purchase one. Any advice? Thanks
Hi Peter, Please, I'd like to ask you if you could provide more details about how fast a Brompton can be on the road compared to hybrid or proper road bikes? I know we can change the chainring in the front for a bigger one and add even more speed to the bike, but how really fast it will be? Could I follow hybrid and road bikes on a long distance ride? Thanks a lot for your comments. Best.
Went into one of only 2 Brompton dealers here in Dublin and they did,nt even have one single Brompton in the shop. When I told the assistant I wanted to buy a Brompton he says " Do you know how much they cost ! ? .." I said "well, yes" ...he then said " you have to have them custom built and it takes six weeks to get one in !"... and then spent the next few minutes trying to get me to buy something else. I mean, Ireland could,nt be much closer to England without being the same land mass - SIX WEEKS ! ? ... Anyway, thats the kind of crap you have to endure living in Ireland.
Jack Silver you think Ireland is bad, try France, I saw 2 dealers in Bordeux claiming to stock Bromptons, no, not one in stock, all they said was go to Paris, they stock them there, that's 400 miles away from where I live.....
Thats crazy .... dont know why its so difficult to get them. Its not like your looking for the latest Lambourgini or something truly exotic. Also I paint in watercolors. I like French made Arches paper but its €60.00 here in Ireland but only € 20.00 in the Philippines !....makes no sense.
Jack Silver I emailed Brompton direct and told them of my situation, that I am looking for a Brompton, no help at all, as they keep recommending the very dealers I already went to in Bordeaux, I even contacted a guy in Limerick that is supposed to sell Bromptons, even he told me he has non in stock and that he can order one in for me and deliver to France... I want one but not sure if I can justify an 800 mile round trip to Paris for one... OK, I can get one online but I want to see a range of them so I can see the colours in the flesh..
I guess if you devide the cost of a Brompton over 15 years (or more) that you'll get use out of it it's only $100 a year which is $0.27 a day. At least, that's how I justify investing money in a product I love. :) -Peter
i purchased brompton in 2014 from nycewheels but they gave me a 2013 manufacture i asked them twice i want to get 2014 manufacture i wasn't know the serial number signified made year but now i know they gave me a disappointed too!
I think many of our customers have a similar viewpoint as you, Mirandu. You certainly need not be super wealthy to invest in a Brompton, and it will certainly pay off over time. -Miles
Hey, can you advice about the wheels size? I have a Link D8 and it has 20" wheels, and when I'm going over 30km/h I feel a little unstable. I guess this would be worst on 16" wheels. And I don't understand how nobody mentions anything about Bromptons stability. Do you feel unstable at high speeds?
@dhillman88 Thanks for your purchase! It is my favorite time of the day to help out our customers. :) You would need to purchase the rear rack kit to convert to R type. To cover to 6 speed you need a lot of things: BWR (wide range) 3 speed rear wheel, 6 speed sprocket set, Chain tensioner for derailleurs, derailleur, 2 speed shifter, 2 speed shifter cable/housing, and probably a longer chain too. Please send me a personal message for the details and we can work out an order. -Peter
hello. I bought an M3L from you guys several months ago. I'm wondering if there's a way to upgrade it into an M6R. I understand I need to purchase the rear rack with the fenders, but what about adding the other gear for a 6-gearing option? Is it possible? And how much will that cost? Please let me know! Thank you so much :)
@alainboston Thanks! A twin brother huh? That's a thought... I'm sure you will love your Brompton, if you have any questions about what setup would work best from you don't hesitate to ask! -Peter
@PhantomLyric Yeah, unfortunately we learned that lesson early on. At this point we can't swap out the audio without losing all dialogue. Live and learn! Thanks for commenting. - Peter
