Brompton Bicycle - Telescopic Seat Post - B&W Hard Travel Case

Video showing the main features of the B&W hard case which is designed specifically to pack the Brompton folding bicycle for travel, particularly airline travel. The case demonstrates that the case will take the Brompton bicycle with a telescopic seat post fitted without removing the saddle or seat post. Note that the telescopic seat post is different from the extended seat post and is about three times the price of the extended post. I have not tried to fit a Brompton bicycle into this case with the extended seat post fitted.

[@PedalBikerUK]

No problem at all, pleased it was helpful. I searched everywhere for a definitive answer about the telescopic seat post and couldn't find one so I thought I'd provide an answer for anyone with the same problem.

[@vinkor7824]

Thanks Quentin :-) ... Have Brompton since 2012, but ... now is the time to take it with me abroad on holidays. I was having an eye on this case, but your video helped with decision, as I am tall and use telescopic seat post :-) ... Thanks again for good video :-)

[@patrickmartin7751]

Thanks very much for this video. Partly on the strength of it, I picked up a B&W case at CycleSurgery (£135) last week. My 3-speed Brompton is ancient - manufactured in 1995 - so, I suspect, is heavier then current bicycles. It has a rear-rack & mudguards, front carrier block, cloth pannier & frame, cover & saddle bag, pump and extended seat pillar. All this except the cloth pannier & frame fit in the B&W case plus a 'D' lock, helmet and a modicum of tools. The extended part of the seat pillar has to be removed (though this is simple as it is just a QR clamp to undo). I agree that removing the fixed pedal seems to make sense, so I have. I had to adjust the angle of the brake levers (quite fiddly on the old-style levers) and the angle of the handlebars (M Type) to get them to lie flat enough against the wheel for the case to shut easily. All up this weighs around 21Kg. The case was bigger looking than I expected but it is well within the size and weight limits for BA. So, now, I'll have to go and test it out on a plane ...

[@SkyManagerNYC]

Quentin, just got Brompton and my next purchase will be the hard case. Your video is informative and will help me for sure. Great information

[@msrw1]

Quentin, thanks for sharing this info. Just a heads up to everyone that if you have your saddle all the way back on the saddle rails as a means to achieve a more stretched out position, the saddle will always need to come off for the Brompton to fit in the B&W case--even when using the shortest, non-telescopic seat post. For this reason, it can be convenient to fit the Brompton with a telescopic seat post--which allows the saddle to be easily removed and eliminates the need to readjust upon re-installation. There is plenty of room in the B&W case for the saddle even when attached to the upper section of the seat post, for a helmet etc. It’s probably not a bad idea to put the loose items in a small duffel bag in the case, the better to prevent anything from getting lost if (or more likely, when) the case is open for inspection during air travel.

[@PedalBikerUK]

Just an update, Lorena and I have just come back from Majorca, we took both our Bromptons this time, both packed in these cases. the bikes arrived and returned perfectly safely with no box damage or problems at all. This is definitely the way to take a bike on holiday, saves a fortune on hire charges and so, so convenient.

[@SkyManagerNYC]

Quentin, after watching your video a few times, the hard case is the way to go!

[@problempage]

Great, thanks! We have taken our Bromptons literally around the world a couple of times in three years. We had been using the soft bag. The advantage of that is its lightness enabling about 8kg of clothes getting up to 23kg allowed long-haul. However, we used foam pipe insulation to protect them but still a little unprotected. We looked for a while trying to get a hardshell case that would take the bike and eventually found one in a local store for £50 each. It weighs only 5kg. Unfortunately, United Airlines managed to drop one from a great height so now we are in New Mexico with a damaged bag and finding it utterly impossible to get one that will take the bike! Think one of these B&W is the way forward. Pity so heavy and only two wheels because the four wheels definitely help.

[@oliverstanton349]

Excellent factual presentation. Thank you. Oliver. Sacramento, CA

[@PedalBikerUK]

Oliver, glad you found it helpful, at least it gives a definitive answer to the telescopic seat post issue!

[@AkubraBromptonGirl]

Brilliant video thanks!! I just ordered it!

[@PedalBikerUK]

AkubraBromptonGirl Glad it was a help to you, excellent cases.

[@PedalBikerUK]

Just an update on this. Very recently I took a my Brompton out to Majorca packed in this case for pottering about on. Very convenient and no problems for the bike or case during the flights out and back, checked the bike in as a normal suitcase having simply paid for an extra case beforehand. Will definitely be repeating the arrangement, my wife and I will be taking both our Bromptons out to Majorca again shortly.

[@PedalBikerUK]

Just a short update note. On a return trip to Mallorca the baggage handlers managed to break one of the latches on the box, the latch could not be repaired, the box itself was fine. I contacted the UK dealer and with no problem at all they are sending me a replacement latch and spares. It is clear to me from this that this product will be supported on an ongoing basis (I've had these 5 years) which is worth a great deal to me and this is often not the case these days.

[@MetalAaron]

Why didn't you mention any cons of the case including the poor build quality of the handle?

[@PedalBikerUK]

I reported what I have found in use. I have had no problems whatsoever with the handle, if I had I would have mentioned it. My review is an accurate reflection of the case as I have experience of it, multiple flights later the handles on both our cases are fine. Probably the best thing would be for you to review the case and illustrate the issues you have problems with so that people can form their own judgements? I find the cases entirely fit for their intended purpose.

[@PedalBikerUK]

@@MetalAaron Because I was happy with the quality for my purposes, I've had no problems with the handle at all so speak as I find.

[@chakacohen]

Thanks for that. Just what I wanted to know.

[@phil200slk]

Very good, just purchased one, ( £155) I have the extended seat post and a Brooks leather saddle, The Saddle has to come off - without question - The pedal that sticks up, I put bubble wrap around it - I also back some clothes around the bike too :) Good demonstration

[@PedalBikerUK]

So glad you found it helpful, I'm sure you will not be disappointed.

[@PedalBikerUK]

Might be of interest to any Brompton riders out there.

[@myworldmytimes7632]

Great video thanks

[@sseb007]

Thank you for sharing.

[@saulserranoarte5158]

Thanks a lot, very well describe!

[@patrickmartin7751]

PS. Just realised it is, in fact, a telescopic seat pillar that I have. For me. I do need to separate the extended part from the main pillar for it to fit comfortably in the case. AND, don't forget to let your tyres down before you fly!

[@diane1959]

Great review. How does TSA handle the locks at the airport?

[@leifjohnson4881]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful. I do not have a Brompton yet but I am thinking of getting one and I would definitely like a case to go with it. I am 5 feet, 11 inches tall - would I need a telescoping seat post or not? Since you deflate the tires before packing is there room enough for a pump? It does not look like there is enough room for a helmet. Am I right?

[@PedalBikerUK]

Leif, I'm afraid you need to make the decision about set posts yourself. As a guide I am 6' tall and I can use either the telescopic or extended seat posts, the standard is too short for me. I use the telescopic so that I can pack it in this case. There is a pump on the frame of the bike, it comes with the bike. I would not store a helmet in the case, in "might" go in but it would be very cramped and would almost certainly get dented and scratched.

[@yizhou9098]

Thanks for the video. Does the case come with those FRAGILE stickers?

[@PedalBikerUK]

No, the stickers are just sections of packing tape printed "Fragile" - available widely.

[@arndgronenberg]

Hello Quentin, did you ever have to pay an oversize baggage fee because of case's size? Some airlines seem to limit the sum of all three dimensions to 158cm, while the case amounts to 167cm... Thanks!

[@PedalBikerUK]

No, the case has always just gone on as a suitcase.

[@nicolesprengers1361]

Great video. Just purchased one. Do you know if I have to deflate tires or is this not necessary?

[@PedalBikerUK]

Nicole, thanks for watching. Tyre deflation is advised but perhaps strictly not necessary. My personal approach, which has served me well, has been to reduce tyre pressures by say 10-20psi rather than completely deflate them so that when I arrive at my destination inflation to working pressure is less of a chore.

[@CaffeineJogger]

will it fit on the rear rack to cycle in and out of airport or will it cause heal strike?

[@PedalBikerUK]

Don't know I'm afraid, not tried that!

[@gianniyuma]

Misure ai limiti della compatibilità per bagaglio registrato

[@bobdrummer917]

great video, thanks