Brompton fall - new cyclist

[alath]

Hello, I'm new to the world of cycling and had really enjoyed it so far on my hired Brompton. I have received a quote this morning to get a Brompton on my cycle2work scheme.
However, yesterday I was cycling home from work along a canal path, it had been raining here in London all day - but cleared up for my commute home. It was a very uneven path and my tyre got caught and I completely went flying, my bike ended up in the canal (a kind fellow cyclist fished it out) - and have cut my hands and knees.

I'm wondering if a Brompton is the bike I should be getting? I don't feel its set up for even the slightest uneven path, you feel every bump. Would I have fallen off with a different bike with bigger tyres? Maybe I'm just feeling a little fragile. What do you think?

 

[vickster]

Do you need a folding bike?
If not, a flat bar rigid fork bike with decent width tyres might be better.
You can get folding bikes with bigger wheels too which might be an option if folding needed.
In those sort of conditions, you do need to have your wits about you on any bike

 

[fossyant]

You'll fall off bikes, it's part of the fun. Canal paths are fine on a Brompton, so long as you respect that the tyres aren't ideal. They are OK, but sometimes it can get very muddy, or the surface very un even - in these cases you need to pick your route. The issue is your tyres, they are more designed for surfaced or mildly off road routes. Throw in loose gravel, cobbles, roots and mud, then knobbly tyres are better.

Best bikes for canal routes are cross/gravel bikes, or mountain bikes, mainly due to the knobbly tyres, and even then things can get a bit sideways.

 

[alath]

Do you need a folding bike?
If not, a flat bar rigid fork bike with decent width tyres might be better.
You can get folding bikes with bigger wheels too which might be an option if folding needed.
In those sort of conditions, you do need to have your wits about you on any bike

I've weighing up the whether to get a folding bike but decided it might be better the better option in terms of space of storage. I felt quite nervous cycling along the canal even on a sunny day - so I feel I might avoid that - my commute is 11 miles and have heard the Bromptons are that great for longer journeys.

 

[steveindenmark]

You cannot blame the bike. It was your ability in the conditions.

People ride Bromptons around the world. They will go anywhere.

But you made me laugh 😁

 

[Dogtrousers]

Sorry to hear of your fall.

The Brompton is a bit twitchy and the small wheels aren't necessarily ideally suited to uneven surfaces, but really the differences between the B and a bigger wheeled bike aren't great compared to the similarities.

But if you haven't yet bought one and are reconsidering whether to get a Brompton or a different kind of bike (which is how I read your post) then now is the right time to reconsider.

At the risk of stating the obvious, the key thing about a Brompton is that it folds brilliantly. If that is an important requirement for you then carry on, buy a Brompton - you'll soon get used to it. They are brilliant bikes. Yes the handling is different, and you can't bump it up kerbs like you can maybe a mountain bike, but it's a great bike.

But if foldability isn't a "must have" feature then you might get better bang for your buck considering a different kind of bike.

 

[vickster]

I've weighing up the whether to get a folding bike but decided it might be better the better option in terms of space of storage. I felt quite nervous cycling along the canal even on a sunny day - so I feel I might avoid that - my commute is 11 miles and have heard the Bromptons are that great for longer journeys.

11 miles on a 700c wheel will be quicker and more comfortable than a Brompton. A Brompton would not be my choice as an only bike for a commute of that distance. They are quite expensive too compared to say a Trek flat bar which you could get for £600 or so

However, the Brompton gives you flexibility should you need to get on public transport if you just don’t want to cycle home in the pouring rain for example!

these guys specialise in folding bikes, they might have something with bigger wheels (although won’t fold as small as a Brompton obviously)
https://fudgescyclestore.com/category/bikes_folding

 

[Cycleops]

If you absolutely positively gotta have a folder then a Brompton is excellent as it’s very well engineered and has the neatest fold but there are others out there that are less expensive might not fold so small but offer more options like larger fatter wheels which might be better on a towpath. One such is Dahon: https://dahon.com/
A full size hybrid would certainly be better for your commute. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[alicat]

Hi @alath

Before lockdown, I did a route partly on a canal towpath on my Brompton. On the return trip, I found a nearby road and felt much happier. I love my Brompton; however, it is definitely hard-going off road and I wouldn't like to do an 11-mile commute on it.

 

[fossyant]

You just need to get used to towpaths - they are a bit unpredictable - I use my two MTB's on towpaths, far better machine.

 

[Tenacious Sloth]

Look on the bright side. At least riding a Brompton you didn’t have as far to fall.

 

[Cycleops]

.....but it doesn’t make the canal any less wet

 

[I like Skol]

Ouch! GWS and hope you are back riding quickly.

As has already been said, Brompton bikes do have a reputation for being twitchy and canal towpaths can be uneven and unpredictable, even experienced rough stuff riders like me can have the occasional OMG moment if not paying full attention when riding along canals!
If folding isn't essential I second the advice to get a full size normal bike, either a rigid MTB or fat tyred hybrid.

 

[vickster]

If folder not needed, Something like this would be perfect, quick on roads, stable off, will take mudguards and a pannier rack, weighs about 10kgs. Single chain ring but hills will still be easier than on a Brompton

https://whyte.bike/collections/fast-urban-commuter-r7-series/products/shoreditch

 

[BalkanExpress]

First, I am glad you are okay after your off.

Give the Bromption another couple of trys along the canal path in similar conditions and see how you feel. If you are still unconvinced there are plenty of options out there.

You mention space, how big an issue is this?

Obviously if you have very little room and or live up many flights of stairs a folder may be the best bet good bet. There are a number of "full size" folders out Dahon, Tern and Montague to name but three. These give big wheels for canal paths but may not save much in terms of space, (although they will be a different shape to a full size bike, and this may help).

If you don't need to fold, a mini-bike may be an option. These are big, or should that be small, in Japan where living space is at a premium. I have one and it slides in under a single bed. Wheels are 20" which makes a bid difference to the Bromptons 16" when on rougher ground.

Of curse, if you take the wheels off a full size flat bar bike, the frame and wheels can also be slid under a single bed . (or hung behing a door/doors

The choice is really about what you are most comfortable with, there will no doubt be compromises but only you can decide what you are happy/unhappy with. Whatever the eventual choice, enjoy the riding