RSSWhy I Chose a Brompton Folding Bike
May 21
Brompton folding bikes Brompton bike, Brompton Bus Travel, Brompton folding bike, folding bike, folding travel bike 1 Comment
Why did I choose a Brompton folding bicycle? Back in July of 2010 I ditched all my stuff and hit the road with my bicycle and laptop. After riding across all of New Jersey and most of Pennsylvania, I started taking my bike on the bus to different cities. This was fine for awhile, until I found myself removing the wheels and pedals every few days. It doesn’t sound like much of a hassle, but after an 11 hour, overnight bus ride and you’re in a new city at 5am, putting your bike back together isn’t all that fun.
My Brompton bike at the side of the road
In October of 2010 I started looking at folding bikes. I knew I wanted something that was small yet sturdy for serious riding. I didn’t want to settle for a bike that folded small but rode like a wet noodle on the street. I did a lot of online research, reading various bike blogs and forums, and talking to anyone else who owned a folding bike. Finally I was able to visit a bike shop and tested a Brompton folding bicycle.
First rides on my Brompton bike in NYC
The streets of Manhattan are the perfect testing grounds for any bike. I was doubtful that the Brompton bike’s 16” wheels could handle the New York City streets. However, with the relaxed geometry and the rear suspension block, the bike handled amazingly. I was surprised that such small wheels could handle the mean streets of the big city but the Brompton folding bike performed great.
Also surprising was the stiffness of the bike. I was able to stand up and really stomp on the pedals at intersections or at the top of steep climbs. The Brompton felt strong and stiff.
Since I was planning on riding long distances I needed a range of gears. The 6-speed version of the Brompton folding bicycle has served me well for 30+ mile adventures around New York City and for 30+ mile rides on the winding roads of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The low gears get you up the long grinding hills, and the higher gears let the Brompton fly down the other side!
Taking my Brompton folding bike inside
The size of the bike when folded is amazing. I’m able to take my Brompton folding bike into coffee shops, diners and grocery stores with no problems. Getting the folding bicycle onto commuter buses and trains is a breeze, too! It rolls nicely when folded, and if I need to carry the bicycle up or down stairs it’s light enough to not leave my arms too tired afterwards.
Learning to fold the Brompton was easy, too. After a few test runs I was able to fold and unfold the bike in seconds. The only thing to slow the process was demonstrating the folding process for strangers on the street who would approach me and ask about the bicycle! For whatever reason more people approach me now that I ride a Brompton folding bicycle then in all my 20+ years of biking.
If you’re planning on some long distance riding, some urban adventures and occasionally hopping onto a bus or a train with your bike, check out the Brompton folding bike. It’s a sturdy built bike, rides great on a variety of terrains and is compact enough to take with you anywhere you go.
