Commuting bike choice - is a change a good thing??

[Time Waster]

About 4 years ago I bought a brompton ready for a change in commuting circumstances. I was moving further away but om a branch train line. So I was planning on train and bike, but I have seen cyclists turned away on the homewards direction due to the cycle areas being full of luggage (it is the train from Manchester airport). So I walked for awhile from the station to my place of work but after the move I treated myself to a Brompton. I needed it as the ticket checker tried to turn me away on my very first trip home with it.

Cue my purchase and use of the Brompton. It became habit to use it. Then I moved to a new yuob a year ago and used the brompton to travel weven further in the other way on the train. But that way there is no big issue with getting turned away with a rigid bike. A fair few do it and they all fit on. I then see them leave me behind on my Brompton. It is a slow bike afterall.

So should I ditch the Brompton and try my road bike? What do you guys think? Brommie or not too fancy road bike. The difference is road bike is 9.5kg the Brommie is nearer 15kg. I can also use a pannier on my road bike instead of the rucksack on the Brommie. I don't want to waste the Brompton but I am getting a bit annoyed with the slow feel to it and heavy too going down and up the stairs to the other platform or at the other end up and over the bridge. At least my road bike is lighter. Whilst the Brommie seat hooks icely on the shoulder for carrying the arm throug a rigid diamond frame is kind of better.

What would you do with a Brommie if you think it no longer needed for your trip?

Mind you very occasionally the homewards journey has had aboutt 6 bikes in a 2 or 4 bike area. A few could have been turned away if the ticket guy was strict about it.

 

[fritz katzenjammer]

I have several road bikes, a Dutch bike and a Brompton. Everything gets used on some kind of loose rotation. Sometimes the Dutch things sits for a week, sometimes it’s all I ride, similarly the other bikes come and go from the rotation.

The nice thing about bicycles is that they don’t rot badly or cost anything if they sit for a bit… keep it around, sooner or later it’ll be just what you feel like riding that day and then there’s nothing better.

 

[a.twiddler]

Well, you know your own circumstances better than anyone. Are you trying to get forumites to give you permission to go for n + 1? You must know that the answer to that would be "yes"!

I find my Brompton surprisingly nippy, but then I don't have a carbon road bike to compare it with. The drive is pretty direct with that short chain. People race them, they tour on them, it's more than just a commuter. I certainly wouldn't sell mine. Unlike my non folding bikes, it's the only one that I can guarantee to get on a train as luggage, if there's any hint that a standard bike might not be accommodated due to timing or a particular route's restrictions. It's very liberating in that respect. And of course a folding bike, even a modest one, is always a handy thing to have.

Would I want to ride it all the time? Maybe not, but it's an interesting contrast to my other bikes.

 

[ianrauk]

I was in exactly your position a few years back. Bought and used a Brompton for train/ride commute. It didn't take me long to realise the Brompton sucked the life out of me. They may be a fun ride if your pootling about, but not for a fast commute. So I went back to using the road bike with panniers and all was good in the world.
Funny thing is, I have gone back to the train/ride commute so bought a 20" folder (Tern Verge), the difference in ride and speed is chalk and cheese, it pees all over a Brompton for weight, speed, comfort and ride. OK the fold isn't as good, but that's the only downside and I can live with that.

My train commute is empty in the mornings but can be busy in the evenings, but could take my road bike easy and a couple of others do.
Work to home is 26 miles, I work half day Fridays so when weather is nice I take the road bike and ride home.

 

[Punkawallah]

About 4 years ago I bought a brompton ready for a change in commuting circumstances. I was moving further away but om a branch train line. So I was planning on train and bike, but I have seen cyclists turned away on the homewards direction due to the cycle areas being full of luggage (it is the train from Manchester airport). So I walked for awhile from the station to my place of work but after the move I treated myself to a Brompton. I needed it as the ticket checker tried to turn me away on my very first trip home with it.

Cue my purchase and use of the Brompton. It became habit to use it. Then I moved to a new yuob a year ago and used the brompton to travel weven further in the other way on the train. But that way there is no big issue with getting turned away with a rigid bike. A fair few do it and they all fit on. I then see them leave me behind on my Brompton. It is a slow bike afterall.

So should I ditch the Brompton and try my road bike? What do you guys think? Brommie or not too fancy road bike. The difference is road bike is 9.5kg the Brommie is nearer 15kg. I can also use a pannier on my road bike instead of the rucksack on the Brommie. I don't want to waste the Brompton but I am getting a bit annoyed with the slow feel to it and heavy too going down and up the stairs to the other platform or at the other end up and over the bridge. At least my road bike is lighter. Whilst the Brommie seat hooks icely on the shoulder for carrying the arm throug a rigid diamond frame is kind of better.

What would you do with a Brommie if you think it no longer needed for your trip?

Mind you very occasionally the homewards journey has had aboutt 6 bikes in a 2 or 4 bike area. A few could have been turned away if the ticket guy was strict about it.

The Cool Kids fasten a strap between the lower seat tube and down tube of their fixie to aid carrying ;-)

 

[All uphill]

I'd hang on to the Brompton for the occasional trip on the train, or to take on holiday.

Second hand bikes are currently cheap, and singlespeed bikes are very cheap, so you could buy something that is fun for your commute.

 

[Time Waster]

Not looking for excuse for N+1 as I have no intention of another bike purchase. I am just wondering whether a folder like Brompton is the best option. It is interesting about the Tern being a faster bike. I guess what I am most bothered about is that my Brompton is slow. Basic M6R and TBH the quality is not what a £1300 bike should be IMHO. A disappointment but it was bought for a specific reason and while that reason existed it was my best bike for the use. TImes change and commute changed. Basically I leave for work earlier and in the opposite direction and I come back before it gets busy. Mostly. The rare day it'll be 6 bikes in a two or four bike spot. Doable as the bikes can all be leant against the train side not with the wheels stuck in the two wheelbender slots. That is what happens, loads more bikes in the space of two. PLus the other side without slots comes into play with more bikes in the train. Plus the disabled end also gets used I think (I do not as I disagree with cyclists using it).

So basically I have a bike that is a lot slower, it is rusting even though I take care of it (the Brompton rusting bolts and internal rust too). Also, I do not think I will need the fold that much these days. In fact I do not fold it other than flip the tail under to stand it up. So do I take the chance and ditch in favour of my older commuter the road bike with panniers? Or sell it and get a better / faster folder? What is a faster folder than a Brompton that I could fund with a Brommie sale (must fit a 196cm / 6'5" person)?

 

[ianrauk]

Have a look at 20" wheel folders. I have the Tern Verge D9 (9 gears). The larger wheels and less weight do make a huge difference. There are other similar folders out there. Dahon and Decathlon both have good ranges of 20" folders.

I got from from E-Bay. Nearly brand new, had receipt from sale. Was ridden once or twice at most. I got it for £400 less then the RRP.

Check out the Non-Brompton folding bike thread HERE

 

[biking_fox]

N+1 is always the answer!
However perhaps it's worth servicing (getting serviced) your B. Tyres/chain etc can make a surprising amount of difference to the feel of a bike. Commuting isn't a race! If it's fun to ride then that's perhaps enough.

I've no idea on 2ndhand B prices, you say it as 1.3k new - perhaps you'll get 700+ plus for it, which sadly these days won't get you much in terms of a new bike. Cycle-to work scheme ? Ebike conversion kit? (keep it legal it's still fun).

 

[straas]

brompton is great when its a few miles, soul sucking after that. I find I ride mine completely differently to a road (or even MTB), less assertive, slower etc. Thankfully in S Manc there are more cycle lanes than there used to be, so I can take my time.

Nothing beats being able to unfold it from behind the pub chair and pootle home though.

 

[ianrauk]

brompton is great when its a few miles, soul sucking after that. I find I ride mine completely differently to a road (or even MTB), less assertive, slower etc. Thankfully in S Manc there are more cycle lanes than there used to be, so I can take my time.

Nothing beats being able to unfold it from behind the pub chair and pootle home though.

Indeed, and I think that is were a good few of us fail with Bromptons. We go from fast road bikes to a Brommie thinking nothing will change, but it's a whole new ball game. It plays with your mind and as you say it feels soul sucking if you don't get into that 'Slower' Brompton ride.

 

[wiggydiggy]

> What would you do with a Brommie if you think it no longer needed for your trip?

Keep it. I can fold it up and stick it out of the way somewhere (and more likely indoors out of the damp too).

I have to admit I've never Cycle<>Train<>Cycle on a commute, I've only ever done Cycle<>Train. I wouldn't like to try and carry one on my train on commuter/rush hour services as I can barely get a seat, never mind get a bike on too.

 

[a.twiddler]

Speaking as a shorter person I had a Dahon Vitesse (aluminium, with 20" wheels) and found it rather cramped, and oddly it didn't ride as comfortably as a similarly specced, non premium Viking Safari which I'd previously purchased as it was local. (I kept the Safari until I bought the Brompton). The Safari was a more comfortable ride than the Brompton too but the Brompton was a better folder.

If you don't mind used, one of the Dahon Speed models with a chrome moly frame might suit, or a Speed Pro which had drop bars. Some of them also had a Brompton style luggage mount. One of the best features of the Brompton for me is the luggage mount system.

Indeed, and I think that is were a good few of us fail with Bromptons. We go from fast road bikes to a Brommie thinking nothing will change, but it's a whole new ball game. It plays with your mind and as you say it feels soul sucking if you don't get into that 'Slower' Brompton ride.

I'd done a few longer rides on the Safari in the time that I'd had it and found it quite enjoyable to be out on a non threatening, non competitve bike and finding that random people would smile and talk to you. There was something very relaxed about it. Maybe mind training for when I took up recumbents? Though maybe a chicken and egg situation.

I did a 65 mile train out/bike back ride on the Brompton more recently and found that good, too and I could still walk and talk the next day.

A bit different from the grim business of daily commuting by bike/train and balancing out foldability versus the need for speed, but perhaps there is something to be said for trying to look at things differently. Would the OP be happier with a faster, non folding conventional bike with the nagging doubt that this day might be the day when the bike gets denied access? That day might or might not ever come, but the doubt could spoil your ride. Or find a way of making the Brompton marginally more speedy (different tyres, bars or something else?). Or do the research and find a faster folder, bearing in mind the folder market is a bit limited for the larger rider. The Non Brompton thread is your friend, in that case.

 

[wafter]

Indeed, and I think that is were a good few of us fail with Bromptons. We go from fast road bikes to a Brommie thinking nothing will change, but it's a whole new ball game. It plays with your mind and as you say it feels soul sucking if you don't get into that 'Slower' Brompton ride.

In this regard my experience has been "interesting". I've already had my expectations of speed slowly managed over a number of years in going from placcy road bike > steel gravel bike > steel tourer > Brompton.

Tbh I was surprised by how not-conspicuously-slow the Brompton felt; however I'm not a strong rider anyway so those of us with the power output to manage higher mean speeds might feel the aero penalty of the Brompton more.

I manage ballpark similar mean speeds on the loaded tourer to the shops and Brompton on the commute; however the commute has less elevation change, while I'm likely putting a bit more effort in (certainly on the way back) to stretch my legs after sitting in the office all day.

So basically I have a bike that is a lot slower, it is rusting even though I take care of it (the Brompton rusting bolts and internal rust too). Also, I do not think I will need the fold that much these days. In fact I do not fold it other than flip the tail under to stand it up. So do I take the chance and ditch in favour of my older commuter the road bike with panniers? Or sell it and get a better / faster folder? What is a faster folder than a Brompton that I could fund with a Brommie sale (must fit a 196cm / 6'5" person)?

Doesn't help you but it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one who's decidedly underwhelmed by some of the the quality aspects of the Brompton.

I hope eventually to move closer to work; rendering the Brompton unnecessary for the commute if I can do the whole thing on a bike without involving the car. At this point I'll be torn over what to do with the petulant little bastard.

On the one hand I bought it for a purpose for which it will no longer be required and I find some elements of ownership decidedly distasteful; on the other it could still be of use for occasional leisure trips (how nice would it be to be able to explore a foreign city on your own bike?).

On top of that, it's offset a good proportion of what it owes me in saved fuel / vehicle wear and despite its shortcomings I do feel it's owed a certain debt of gratitude for its pivotal role in my escape from the commute. At this point it feels like we've shared a lot of trauma and it's somewhat like I'm trapped in some dysfunctional, co-dependant relationship...

 

[Time Waster]

You can't make the Brompton faster with their gearing setup. It is dire to say the least. Hub gear that can't change unless you stop pedalling or pedal slowly without load and a plastic deraileur for hi-lo gears. So uphill you need to drop a gear if you cant do it with the plus minus gear you have to kind of lose momentum to change down. Not great and I have had that stall out due to not planning ahead.

Birdy has so many gearing options and actually folds as quickly and almost as small. Plus the IIRC trail is better and it rides more like a proper bike. Just expensive in anything but the basic.