Brompton?

3DataModem

Hi,

I'm considering getting a bike (haven't owned one in years) and am considering a folding bike for ease of storage and commute.

I travel on the DART and currently get the bus c. 1.5 miles to the office.

I don't envisage myself going on long cycles, but I do intend doing things other than commuting.

I've looked around and it seems the Brompton is my best bet... I'm 6'2'' and weight 250lbs so would need something sturdy.

Thoughts? Recommendations? Things to look out for?

FergusF

3DataModem wrote: »

Hi,

I'm considering getting a bike (haven't owned one in years) and am considering a folding bike for ease of storage and commute.

I travel on the DART and currently get the bus c. 1.5 miles to the office.

I don't envisage myself going on long cycles, but I do intend doing things other than commuting.

I've looked around and it seems the Brompton is my best bet... I'm 6'2'' and weight 250lbs so would need something sturdy.

Thoughts? Recommendations? Things to look out for?

They are a good sturdy bike, one of the best folders for easy storage and fast folding, I would definitely recommend them.

I have one for the past ~5 years and haven't had any problems with it (bought it new). Compared to a Dahon (I also own an MU XL Sport) the Brompton has a more solid feel to it, particularly the hinges are a lot better. It is much quicker and smaller to fold and is very handy for combined bus / train and cycle commuting. It can take a fair bit of shopping or work stuff in the front bag. The small wheels are stronger than normal sized wheels and the frame seems very sturdy so I'd say your weight would not be a problem.

I would recommend some good puncture proof tyres such as Schwalbe Marathon as the back wheel can be a bit fiddly to remove.

The main drawback is they are pretty expensive, however they hold their value well.

If you have any more specific questions I will try to answer them.

NeilMcEoigheann

Brompton are very good but expensive, however if you do not NEED a folding bike a normal bike for the same price as the brompton would be much better,

blorg

Agree with Neil, it is a major trade-off, but I am taking the OP as saying he wants to get the DART with the Brompton and replace the 1.5 mile bus journey off the end of that with the Brompton.

An alternative, if it is just that 1.5 mile bus journey, would be to buy a cheap hack and lock it either end. It would want to look scruffy to avoid being stolen. Would be cheaper than the Brompton. Just a possibility.

Brompton is possibly not going to be great for "other stuff" although some people do nutty distances on them Would be fine popping to the shops etc. FergusF might have more information as an owner, my only experience is a test ride on a Dahon.

petethedrummer

Never ridden one but here's "an extended talk by Andrew Ritchey, inventor of the Brompton, the folding miracle that is the toast of London’s bicycle-train commuters."

http://thebikeshow.net/podpress_trac/web/361/0/bikeshow_20081020.mp3

3DataModem

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'm pretty sure I'm going for the Brompton.

This one here (or similar);
http://www.mcconveycycles.com/store/product/8861/BROMPTON-M6RU-PLUS-FOLDING-BIKE-BLACK-WITH-BLACK-EXTREMITIES-M6L/

However - whats are the benefits of;
> Better tyres?
> Front storage?
> Cover vs Brompton bag?
> 6 speed vs 3 speed?

Any other tips?

gzoladz

Hi there,
> Better tyres?
Schwalbe Marathon is the way to go. I had 2 pairs of Brompton green whithout great results. I will barely notive the rolling resistance.

> Front storage?
Get the block and the frame and buy a bag somwhere else to save some €. I would also advise to get a ser of elastic straps to carry something attached to the frame without the bag.

> Cover vs Brompton bag?
I have none - dont really need it. For the Dart you may be asked to cover it but this can be sorted with a big garbage bag of one of the 30p Ikea bags.

> 6 speed vs 3 speed?
I have one with 3sp and on with 6sp. 6sp gives you a closer range between gears and it works ok, but I have had some headeaches lately with the derrallieur that Cycleways has been unable to resolve. They say it is a problem that all the Bromptons have....

Have to go to work now...

Jawgap

What's the DART's policy on bikes, folding or otherwise?

I think in the UK some of the train companies have banned them, despite the declared government objective of integrating public transport and cycling.

I've also heard anecdotes of London commuters reacting badly to people bringing fold-ups on the tube - I'm not sure how it would go down here, but generally we seem to be much more tolerant.

3DataModem

Jawgap wrote: »

I've also heard anecdotes of London commuters reacting badly to people bringing fold-ups on the tube - I'm not sure how it would go down here.

3DataModem wrote: »

I'm 6'2'' and weight 250lbs so would need something sturdy.

Not a problem.

3DataModem

Jawgap wrote: »

What's the DART's policy on bikes, folding or otherwise?

I think in the UK some of the train companies have banned them, despite the declared government objective of integrating public transport and cycling.

I've also heard anecdotes of London commuters reacting badly to people bringing fold-ups on the tube - I'm not sure how it would go down here, but generally we seem to be much more tolerant.

In all seriousness, because I get on at Sutton and Shankhill (when the train is pretty empty) I'll most likely have the bike folded and bagged when I sit down.

The revenue's cycle-to-work scheme specifically mentions part-commutes from trains, so I don't expect any problems (also - the Brompton folds pretty small..... to mid-luggage size).

3DataModem

gzoladz wrote: »

Hi there,
> Better tyres?
Schwalbe Marathon is the way to go. I had 2 pairs of Brompton green whithout great results. I will barely notive the rolling resistance.

Interesting. The price difference is only a few pounds so I'll take your advice.

gzoladz wrote: »

> Front storage?
Get the block and the frame and buy a bag somwhere else to save some €. I would also advise to get a ser of elastic straps to carry something attached to the frame without the bag.

Interesting... wasn't really considering front luggage (I'm getting the rear carrier) but will consider it.

gzoladz wrote: »

> Cover vs Brompton bag?
I have none - dont really need it. For the Dart you may be asked to cover it but this can be sorted with a big garbage bag of one of the 30p Ikea bags.

Good tip. I like the idea of the saddle-mounted bag pouch, and it is not too expensive, and I'd like the thing to be bagged in my hallway for wife-not-complainy-reasons.

gzoladz wrote: »

> 6 speed vs 3 speed?
I have one with 3sp and on with 6sp. 6sp gives you a closer range between gears and it works ok, but I have had some headeaches lately with the derrallieur that Cycleways has been unable to resolve. They say it is a problem that all the Bromptons have....

Very very interesting. Happy to lose 3 gears and the risk of headaches. Makes it quite a bit cheaper too.




Thanks for your advice mate... very useful.

gzoladz

Having said all of the above, its is a brilliant machine and you will enjoy every second.
Also, there is users group in Yahoo! that has loads of info that you may want to check out.
And the best tip of all by far: NEVER EVER LEAVE IT OUTSIDE. I take it into shoppings, train, luas, dart, pubs, restaurants, shops, work, etc. It is a very valuable items to run the risk of having it stolen or kicked.

3DataModem

Just ordered my Brompton!

Found out today that my employer does not do the cycle to work scheme.

So just decided to go for it..... got a M6RU from McConvey's in Belfast (they ship to Dublin via DHL for free and actually hold bikes in stock so I don't need to wait 8 weeks).

I'll wait and see what my luggage needs are before investing further, and will score a helmet tomorrow.

Yippee! Thanks for advice.

I'm looking forward to participating further in this forum as I - hopefully - get more interested in cycling as a hobby as opposed to a commute.

gzoladz

Enjoy!

zzzzzzzz

Sorry... I've been wanting to do this since this thread started...hahaha!



Good luck with the new bike

3DataModem

Well it arrived this morning (Kudos to McConvey).

I just lifted out of the DHL box and it was ready to cycle 20 seconds later.
:):):):)

3DataModem

Oh just finished my first cycle in about 12 years.

From Cherrywood to Dun Laoghaire. Walked a little up Killiney hill. Tired but exhilirated.

Cycling is *very* different then when I last was on a bike...

1. I love cycle lanes!!
2. Roundabouts are scary. Dismounted at most.
3. Turning right is scary. Dismounted at Baker's corner.
4. Drivers are pretty considerate. So far.
5. I am unfit.
6. Not having to lock bike RULES.

gzoladz

Pictures?

Other great thing you can do with the Brompton is to do train-touring.

Take the train to one station, cycle your route and comeback from a different station.

I bought a book called Leisure Cycling near Dublin that has 40 nice routes to do this.

3DataModem

gzoladz wrote: »

Pictures?