Folding bike -- Brompton vs Btwin 1 second folding bike

joey100 · 25-11-2025 11:09AM #1

Of all the bikes I own, and have owned, I've never really looked at folding bikes. Buying a road bike I think I have a good idea of what to look for, what's needed and what's good value. But this is like starting all over again with folding bikes. My work area is changing and I'll be around Dublin City a lot more, rather than relying on public transport to get around I think a folding bike will work well.

Brompton seem to be the gold standard, and Halfords have some for what seems like a decent price, but the 1 second btwin in Decathlon seems good too, about half the price and sees to have a lot of the same features as the brompton. Main diff would be it's probably a little bulkier and uses shimano sora components, but that may make spares and working on it a little easier.

So for people who use a folding bike regularly, what would your advice be? Spend the bigger money and get the Brompton, or would the Btwin be more than enough. Thanks folks,

fat bloke · 25-11-2025 11:19AM

Never tried anything other than a Brompton and I can certainly stand over a recommendation for one of them. Not cheap but very solid residuals and demand for them second hand, so if you can secure a used one you should get a good chunk of your money back if or when you go to sell it.

CantGetNoSleep · 25-11-2025 11:23AM

See if you can test the two of them, both riding them and using it folded (e.g. if you need to carry it through a train station, into an office etc.).

I've found Brompton to be both best riding experience but especially folding it and wheeling it around. Some cheaper alternatives are incredibly heavy, difficult to fold and very awkward to manouvre when folded (which are ok if you want a folding bike just to throw it in the car boot or take it inside the house, but not if you have to move it around more often). I've never tried that specific BTwin but worth considering and trying it.

Another benefit of Brompton's is that resale value is great (which also makes them attractive to thieves so don't leave it outside)

joey100 · 25-11-2025 11:28AM

Cheers lads, it's made little difficult in that the one second bike isn't in stock in decathlon so has to be ordered in for collection. It looks decent on the promo stuff, but then it should do really.

Plan would be not to lock it anywhere and bring it inside with me, so getting it small enough would be important alright.

It won't get daily use, bit more sporadic, but when it is used it could be 3/4 times a week for a few weeks, then not again for a few weeks. Won't be superlong journeys either, be around 4/5km max each way I'd say.

HeidiHeidi · 25-11-2025 11:33AM

Have you actually ridden a compact/fold up bike?

I tested a few when I first wanted to buy one, and some of them were terrifyingly twitchy! I opted for a Hercules in the end, which had a damper on the front wheel which made it feel much more like a full bike to ride - but it was a fair lump of a thing, so wouldn't suit your purposes at all.

It suited some thieves though, and I opted for a full-size bike after that.

I hate cycling around the city centre at the best of times, but I really didn't like it on the fold-up.

I'd recommend that you try a few for real.

(I realise I may be the exception - I see plenty people whizzing around on Bromptons - but that's just my experience FWIW)

fat bloke · 25-11-2025 12:00PM

There can be a bit of a wobbly "woah!" moment the first time you pedal a brompton away from a standstill, but a couple of minutes later they make perfect sense. In fact they can turn you into a but of a hooligan - great acceleration and pick up with the smaller wheels, they'll turn on a sixpence and stop on a dime. Great spread of gearing as well with the 6 speed. You could find yourself tramping along in top gear at 40kph with a tailwind assist. They can be great fun. Not sure personally about the portability in terms of lugging one around under yer oxtar. They're heavy enough for anything other than lifting into a bus or up a short flight of stairs. Though I've heard that an upgrade of the little castors on them helps folded-rollability no end.

tomasrojo · 01-12-2025 10:55AM

I actually do leave my Brompton locked outside, I have to say. It's many times more useful as my local-trip bike — which is what it gradually became, as it's the most useful for this purpose, living at hand, under the stairs — if I don't have to lug it around the local shops with me.

Anyway, don't know about any other folding bikes, but I've been using a three-speed Brompton for about fifteen years, and it's great. Versatile, nice to ride, isn't hard to fold.

tomasrojo · 01-12-2025 12:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124017128#Comment_124017128

"They're heavy enough for anything other than lifting into a bus or up a short flight of stairs."

The trick, I find, it to carry them unfolded, front wheel pointing forward, holding the top tube in your dominant hand, and resting the nose of the saddle on your shoulder. I've walked up some longer flights of stairs this way and it was fine, for me at least. You can tilt the front wheel upwards when ascending stairs quite easily this way.

CramCycle · 01-12-2025 12:10PM

@fat bloke doing nothing for the rumours that cyclists have no upper body strength

fat bloke · 01-12-2025 02:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124033448#Comment_124033448

They ain't rumours! 🫣.

billyhead · 01-12-2025 06:59PM

A fold up bike although convenient for taking on public transport and where space is tight will never match the comfort of a full sized bike.

tomasrojo · 01-12-2025 10:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124034501#Comment_124034501

It depends what distances you're talking about, I think. I've done at least 30km in one go on a Brompton and it was perfectly comfortable. People tour on them as well, though I suspect when you're getting into long spells the compromises in the design become more obvious.

They're also good for carrying guitars and basses on your back (and I suspect cellos), because there's plenty of room for the instrument to hang down at the back. But that's a minority need, I concede.

tomasrojo · 01-12-2025 10:45PM

I think for me it's also a bit like the old maxim that the best camera is the one you have with you. I can be on my way on a spontaneous journey on the Brompton in under a minute. Getting the conventional bike out of the shed doesn't compete unless I'm going over half an hour away, or going somewhere I'll be leaving the bike outside for hours.

Cyclingtourist · 01-12-2025 10:52PM

I bought a Brompton 3-speed about 8 years ago with the intention of using it more than I actually did. It has trekking bars which they don't do anymore.

If you live in Dublin pm me and I might allow you to test ride mine and if you really liked it we could do a deal.

Flinty997 · 02-12-2025 12:45AM

Lots of used folding bikes around. Mostly hardly used. People buy them and then never use them. Buy a used one to test it before spending big money.

I've a 20" folder, dahon style 6 speed. Mines actually folds neatly. Not as small as a Brompton and I use it on the train but last few years the train is so crammed it's became harder to fit it on the train. But it's a decent cycle. I've done 10k rides on it. Not heavy.

Recent upgraded to a used Brompton 2 speed 16". A lot smaller and compact for the train. lighter though. It's ok to cycle but 20" is better. Brompton vastly better to fold. It's far better on the train. Lighter it's better because it's likely you're going to be carrying it a bit.

All folding bikes are twitchy the centre of gravity is higher. You avoid kerbs and pot holes. Cycle a bit more carefully.

You've not actually given any reason why you need a folding bike. Though.

joey100 · 02-12-2025 08:50AM

Cheers folks, I have tried some, both parents in law have some folding bikes for using in their camper so have a bit of an idea what they are like, but they just got the cheapest ones going from decathlon.

As for why I need one, I'll be on the train a fair bit more for work, I live about 3/3,5km from the train station and if your not there before 9 the car park is full, I don't need to be in the office that early, So would be a walk there and back. Then I'll be working all around town, from Donnybrook to Manor street as the two ends, with our offices in Donnybrook. I'd rather not have to rely on public transport in the city, so the bike would me get to and from meetings and offices on my own schedule.

I'll keep an eye second hand and see what comes up, when people mentioned the size folded I double checked and the brompton is fair bit smaller than the BTwin so winning out right now. Second hand will probably be the way to go, or if I can get a good price on a new one. I don't mind spending the money, I know it will get good use, would rather buy once and right than regretting a cheaper one.

thehairygrape · 02-12-2025 09:29AM

Bit late coming to this thread. My wife and I bought two Brompton bikes on the CTW scheme. Great use for commuting and for our camper. My wife hates cycling so she left me trade in hers for a smart trainer. To me that’s the main difference from Decathlon. Besides them being sturdier, the second-hand market in Brompton is strong. We got a great trade-in, surprised us tbh. I think we’d have just scrapped the Decathlon bike. I still have my Brompton but not using it much atm. But, it’s a commuting bike, not a road bike. If you know why you’re buying it, I’d strongly recommend the Brompton.

Cyclingtourist · 02-12-2025 09:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124035378#Comment_124035378

Well I live in the Drumcondra area and have a Brompton I'd be prepared to sell for a reasonable price. Not pushing it as fortunately don't need the money.

The trekking bar not to everyone's taste but works well with more hand positions than the conventional type. No rear carrier so limited carrying capacity.

Happy to keep it for the occasional trip to the shops with backpack.

joey100 · 02-12-2025 09:53AM

Cheers Cyclingtourist, I'm not sure the handlebars are for me, but thanks for the offer!

Cyclingtourist · 02-12-2025 10:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124035495#Comment_124035495

No problem.

If I were you I'd go for the Decathlon option. For €155 you can get their basic folding bike that will get you round town. Not suitable for serious hills but even a 3-speed Brompton will struggle on them.

Tilt 100 Folding Bike - Grey - Decathlon

magicbastarder · 02-12-2025 10:18AM

an aside; i'm just back from a weekend in bristol. you'd see more bromptons there in half an hour than you'd see in two weeks in dublin.

Cyclingtourist · 02-12-2025 10:37AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124035551#Comment_124035551

It's a cool bike that's made in England. There's possibly an element of 'flexing' like owning a Range Rover.

CantGetNoSleep · 02-12-2025 11:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124035600#Comment_124035600

I disagree. The reason to buy a Brompton is both the ride feel and folding experience is infinitely better than any alternative (at least from the ones that I have tried). It is a solid comfortable ride compared to most cheaper alternatives, folds easily and is much more portable when folded thanks to the wheels (I'd get the version with the rack).

I say this as someone who has owned the cheapest Decathlon folder and a mid range Dahon.

Flinty997 · 02-12-2025 02:47PM

I think he means not all the Brompton owners in Bristol actually need a folding bike never mind a Brompton.

Not that Brompton isn't as good as the hype. Because it definitely is. But not everyone needs a Brompton.

Cyclingtourist · 02-12-2025 03:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124035777#Comment_124035777

All true at a price from over €1k (new), a classic British design still built in England that carries a certain brand cache.

Whether it's the best choice depends what you want to use it for and how often you actually do. I have two other non-folders that get a lot more use. I seldom ever fold it fully.

Flinty997 · 02-12-2025 06:00PM

Whatever about rarely folding a folding bike. You can never fold a non folding bike.

Folding bikes are allowed on the trains even at peak. Non folding bikes aren't. Electric bikes and scooters not allowed either.

If you're not folding it. Don't buy once.

CramCycle · 02-12-2025 08:04PM

Have to say, not helpful at all, but I know several with Bromptons in work, and they are so much more visually appealing than the other folding bikes, just in regards aesthetic. One co worker has had the same Brompton for over 20 years, I just never see anyone on the cheaper ones for that long but that means nothing, I also just don't see as many of them.

MojoMaker · 02-12-2025 08:35PM

Wait… @Flinty997 are you saying you can't take a regular non-folding bike on any train service at any time?

CramCycle · 02-12-2025 08:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124037218#Comment_124037218

I don't know if this is sarcastic but in case it's not, no, not DART and often not commuter services at rush hour times. This is a pain in Connolly when you have a power tripping ticket checker and your rushing for an intercity.

MojoMaker · 02-12-2025 08:57PM

So you can at off-peak times? That's what I was thinking. I probably took it up wrong, but was worried for a moment.

Flinty997 · 02-12-2025 09:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124037284#Comment_124037284

Off peak on commuters its subject to the driver and staff. If he or they think it's too busy he can order you off.

Reality is as long as you're not obnoxious stay out of the way, you'll ok with it off peak. But I've seen some block doorways to the point where the driver had to stop the train. That kinda stuff

Folding bike -- Brompton vs Btwin 1 second folding bike

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