Brompton Folding Bike vs Steep Seattle Hills: Will it Climb?

Join me today as we take the #brompton #foldingbike up some steep Seattle hills to see how well it can climb.
Segment Links:
www.strava.com/segments/673526
www.strava.com/segments/702639
Time Stamps:
Introduction - 0:00
Level 1: 4% Gradient - 0:28
Level 2: 12% Gradient - 1:26
Final Level: 20% Gradient - 4:46

[@BestSideCycling]

Have you tried these hills before? How has climbing gone with your Brompton?

[@garyphilip3382]

No, I haven’t. I live in Massachusetts. Ma. is covered with brutal hills but where I live they are not so bad that I can’t muscle up them with the Brompton. Trade some comfort and maybe some speed to be good everywhere else. On Brompton Family Channel he put a one piece machined double chainring on his Brompton ( think the low ring is 22 teeth ? ) . If you had one of those you might be able to stomp up that hill , even with platform pedals.

[@garyphilip3382]

Of course I don’t “ BMX slam “ every hill but when it gets really steep I stand and keep a moderate cadence and save it for later. Some times I literally have to tell myself to the cadence “ don’t- sprint , don’t- sprint” to save the big effort for the end!

[@daninida31]

sur mon brompton 6 vitesses j,ai installe un plateau ovale absolute black de 46.ca m,a change la vie .je fais beaucoup de cols dans les pyrenees ou les pentes sont souvent raides.merci de montrer que le brompton n,est pas seulement un velo urbain mais polyvalent

[@superfoxbat]

mine using double chainring 34-44T

[@JoseJose-xb1md]

First time coming across this channel and I love his personality! Such a genuine, fun and positive spirit and couldn't stop smiling watching him challenge himself. A subscription well deserved!

[@davidgrainger7844]

This video was so much fun to watch. You are hilarious :)

[@BestSideCycling]

Bahaha 🤣 thanks for the comment! I had a lot of fun filming this too so glad you enjoyed it

[@phillblake6829]

You absolute destroyed that hill bro! Respect! I have the same bike as you no way I’m doing that😂

[@BestSideCycling]

Hahaha thanks man :P the Brompton is an awesome bike hope you're enjoying it!

[@matthewxcurry]

"Oh hell no!" Lol! I only went up once but cannot remember how......Market from "Freelard" too 55 or so, Phinney Ridge, a great coffee shop and the steep downhill over to Greenlake I think?! There are a couple going downhill, teeth gritted down to Madison Park as well! Good try mate! (And Matt)

[@BestSideCycling]

Awesome work! Haha I'll definitely need to go back for a redemption climb at some point.

[@Pelodoan]

When you dropped your front bag I thought it was gonna be a Rock Lee moment 🤣

[@BestSideCycling]

Bwahaha me too 🤣 but tbh I think I was alrdy mentally defeated by the hill. Didnt have the technique or risk tolerance for my shins to keep trying those flats /sneakers combo.

[@KennethWuAU]

Firstly, well done for climbing those hills. I know many Brommie owners actively avoid hills thinking it's not capable, it actually is more capable at climbing than larger bikes. Secondly, I have found the S-type bar is better at climbing as u can use your arms to counter-pull when on the pedal down strokes. Thirdly, good climbing techniques go a long way. U want to have ur body weighted to the front, it's easier to do that on the S-type bars, and foot position on the pedal should be a bit further forward if ur not clipped in. Lastly, don't be afraid to shift the weight if the bike left and right to get better downstroke mechanical advantage and if hills do get bad, zig zag the bike will help a bit.

[@BestSideCycling]

Thanks for all the tips! Definitely a learning curve, first time taking it out on any decent gradients.... Maybe a redemption video is in order for that last one eventually: I probably gave up a little too early (mentally defeated and laughing) but it was a lot of fun to ride anyway :)

[@phillblake6829]

Great advice I have this bike too and will take it all on board Thanks

[@hepela1959]

Fun and great video.

[@BestSideCycling]

Thanks so much for commenting and glad you enjoyed the video

[@MrBaxterrify]

Awesome adventure. That's really steep. I love the color of the Brompton.

[@15lastone]

Awesome😊, thanks for sharing. You did well, i do struggle with my brompton as well. Safe riding 😊😊

[@jeremyglenn3130]

Fun video 🤣

[@BestSideCycling]

Glad you enjoyed it. Lol we should go climb this thing properly sometime. I really don't know how to climb with flat pedals and sneakers... But maybe you're not supposed to 😂

[@willharris9761]

Thanks for this, very illustrative. A couple of steep hills where I live and the I've been hiring a three-speed Brompton and I just die every time

[@FOXMAN09]

There are Brompnots that have can come stock with lower gear inches (27 inches compared to Bromptons 33) and with the duochain ring (33/54) can go down to 17 gear inches. Those hills will be no problem at all and for half the price shipped or even 1/4th if you happen to be in Asia to buy it gently used from another owner.

[@artgat652]

no no, YOU are IMPRESSIVE!

[@christopherderrah3294]

I used to live in that Fremont neighborhood. In my younger days I would pull a bike trailer, with big 4 year old kid, up that hill with my now 25 year old Pine Mountain, with its really small granny gear. You know you can zig-zag up that hill in Queen Anne. You can see the oncoming cars before they are a danger.

[@b.griffin317]

If you want better hill climbing performance you could get the 44T crank, though it will reduce your top end performance.

[@gingerblue2265]

I live in San Francisco, with very steep hills. So your video is super helpful!!! Thank you! I may look into tern vektron to help me get up to the top lol.

[@hepela1959]

There is the electric Brompton

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

As an owner of the former Topmodel, and now down to 8,5 kilo, with mudguards, a "SuperlightH6LXBrompton" (Flame painted yellow) I have climbed a local and very steep serpentine road on the Danish Island of Bornholm, and the Brompton climbs very fine - sometimes even with me on it, going up!! I once in a while had to - walk with it, because it became too steep even in the lowest gear, of 6, which is very low, and I do like the idea of an extra, smaller chain wheel in front, but it is a Superligth bike, so some of the idea goes away by that! I have changed my seatpost and several other parts into titanium and my crank is a Ceramic ball, Titanium version! I must admit I was a little scared going down again with very high speed, as I often had to fully stop to pass some tubes for cattle protection on foot, but my Brompton never let me down!! Finn, Denmark

[@nikispaniki]

I think you did pretty good there. Even though that hill is not rated above 20%, we measured a ten yard section with a level and machinist protractor at 31%. I think that is probably about right because I’ve seen plenty of riders have to stop. I always thought it was steeper than 25th and Roy.

[@BestSideCycling]

Haha Matthew and I did the same at the lower parts with just our smartphone and got about 26%! Interesting, it is pretty good steep so always wondered how it fared against that.

[@UncleAT]

Makes me want to test my new C Line for more climbs!

[@BestSideCycling]

You totally should! It's a very fun bike, let me know how it goes

[@jaredharris1970]

I’m here because I have a lot of hills in my town and I have a mountain bike I wanted to get a smaller lighter bike for my commute and was thinking about a Brampton

[@bushmaster4481]

Bro I love cycling videos and also euc 😂

[@BestSideCycling]

Hahaha then hopefully this is a good channel for you. I've been amazed by EUCs but haha still haven't tried it out yet

[@JoeLeungHK]

Thank you for the experiments! ^^. I wonder would it be possible to ride Chilly Hilly with Brompton C Line.

[@BestSideCycling]

I'd say definitely! The worst hills on Chilly Hilly only get about as steep as the second portion of this video. Nothing like the last one, would definitely be slower than a road bike but still lots of fun!

[@will_jennings]

I was watching you cruise up Phinney in the first half and was thinking "He should try 4th ave" and sure enough that's what you did! I've never attempted that hill, it's so sketchy!

[@BestSideCycling]

Bwahaha great minds think alike! I have to go do a redemption climb now... Will definitely bring clipless pedals

[@will_jennings]

@@BestSideCycling You could probably do it on your Aethos with a strong tailwind.

[@BestSideCycling]

@@will_jennings haha though my confidence is shot... I'm fairly confident I'd be able to do it on my road bikes with clipless pedals. My gearing is a lot more forgiving than what's on the Brompton and I'm way more experienced 🤣 future video to come soon!

[@ericchen6803]

have you had any sketchy experiences with potholes, bumps, cracks, uneven pavement, streetcar tracks etc. with the smaller wheels? that's my biggest reservation about getting a Brompton - the climbing can be helped by a smaller chainring as the other commenter mentioned

[@BestSideCycling]

Good question, overall been quite all right with the Brompton, taking it on some of the gravel trails has not been an issue either. My one experience where I did sort of trip over uneven pavement was with the super low stand over height, it made it a lot easier to save the bike/put a foot down.

[@american-professor]

I live in Queen Anne and I take steep hills on my brompton every day

[@Tanstaafl1976]

Well done! How many teeth on your front chain ring? The C line comes with the standard 50-tooth, but 44-tooth and 54-tooth are also available.

[@BestSideCycling]

At time of filming it had the standard 50 teeth but I now have a 6 speed with 44 :)

[@SpeedyBlueBiker1]

Good fun watching that video! What is the rear cassette gearing? Did you think about getting out of the saddle again on that steep hill at the end? Maybe not as confident since you didn't have clipless pedals. I know I would be.

[@BestSideCycling]

50T and I think 16 in the back with some hub based gearing. As you pointed out, definitely I was lacking in technique and bravery to try (mainly scared of hitting my shins against my pedals badly 😅). I wasn't tired but just couldn't get the power down to keep me going up. Not sure if it'd be something I'd practice (riding super steep hills with flat pedals and sneakers) but I really was missing my clipless pedals in this regard.

[@sspoonless]

I guess yours has the default 50T chain ring. Looks like in that area you really need the 44T chain ring for more powerful climbing. I would.

[@readyplayer2]

Is this with a 50T or 44T front chainring? I’m not the hill climber that you are and rarely need the top end speed the Brompton H6L I have is capable of with the stock 50T chainring. I just ordered and received a 44T chain ring & guard spider (Brompton part no. Q00007). I’m planning to install it over the weekend, and hope it will make the hills a little easier to deal with.

[@BestSideCycling]

Should be 50T if that's what came with it stock! I haven't made any modifications to it at all. That's awesome, enjoy the Brompton!

[@KennethWuAU]

I've climbed some 20% grade hills with 54T, u basically lose the range of the last gear on 44T, but gain a gear range on the high side. I have found I spin out often on the 44T on flats, false flats and downhills. 50T and 44T is not much difference I have found. You start noticing gearing difference when u hit 54T. Even with a 54, I've rarely needed to use 1 - in Australia, but San Franz is a different story perhaps.

[@leath25]

Think I'll stick with my electric pedal assist bike.id be taken away in an ambulance after that hill.stayvsafe mate.

[@brightlightdun]

You should tried ride up as Z direction at the slope. Not straight up.

[@garyphilip3382]

Thanks for all your great videos! Did you find you were missing a lot power without clip less pedals?

[@BestSideCycling]

Yeah, that was essentially it. The interface with the default flats and sneakers definitely wasn't enough (on me for not having the technique or bravery). I'm so used to climbing steep hills with clipless which really makes sure you get your full power and stay committed to the climb 🤣

[@garyphilip3382]

@@BestSideCycling Yes . I have Shimano Deore XT pedals and Shimano XC 90 shoes with a Fizik Areone saddle on my steel N

[@garyphilip3382]

Brompton and it’s great !

[@garyphilip3382]

With mountain bike clip less pedals you can still run or walk when you need to. My steel Brompton was an M6R purchased from REI as yours was but I converted it to a single speed ( 60x12) and put an ACE of Fix short stem on it with Brompton flat bars . It’s fast but climbing is not an efficient rational thing , anything of steep gradient is a BMX slam out of the saddle!

[@GlobalAdventurer]

I walk mine up all inclines 😁

[@BestSideCycling]

Most important is that you're out there riding. Hope you enjoy your Brompton

[@tonytigerking]

You are running out of climbing challenges!? I wonder if the smaller wheels on the bike made it easier to turn?

[@BestSideCycling]

Haha no I just wanted to show off the Brompton and someone asked me before how they are. The smaller wheels definitely help cuz the gearing isn't actually all that low.

[@BlackyBrownDestruction9337]

Bromptons don’t have disk brakes? 😱

[@BestSideCycling]

Nope! They're pretty much all rim brakes and work quite well

[@davidmok5505]

Say, did you find it cheaper to get a Brompton in HK or in US.

[@BestSideCycling]

Actually, on retail cost... it's about the same: USA has sales tax but the HKD price came in a bit higher. Though the store I bought it from in HKG had a good discount for the whole bike!

[@davidmok5505]

Thank you. I am living in HK right now. Is P line good for climbing hills?

[@seductive_Octopus]

What is "Normal" for you on this 6 speed? 44T , 50T, 54T? There Worlds between 44 and 54 in how Easy you take % of Steeps. For Example I got a 33 + 54 Combo from H&H, Steeps are Easy with the Bike on 33T.

[@BestSideCycling]

Stock is 50T!

[@seductive_Octopus]

@@BestSideCycling Not in my Country, thats why I'm asking. They just say, this one is for Speed, this for Hills and this is a Mix of both. You select and they make the Bike Ready and aftermarket Parts always call themselves Standard Part replacement. So how to know, what is Standard when you never realize if you had one and most likely it quickly changed it for better Performance.

[@SIGNALacquired]

spin that wheel like a hamster ... 😁

[@BestSideCycling]

That's the way!!!!!

[@daninida31]

avec mon brompton de 6 vitesses j'ai installe un plateau ovale de 46 absolute black.c'est le pied pour grimper les cols.

[@sametkoc1986]

What is your body and leg length (cm)? I guess you are using M type handlebar?

[@BestSideCycling]

Yes it's a M type and I'm about 165cm with a 76cm inseam

[@jakelondon]

Curious how well an electric Brompton would climb those hills.

[@BestSideCycling]

I definitely could have used it. I think it's a 250W front-hub based and only weighs 7 more pounds~ I'd imagine it'd work decently well!

[@happy081479]

Any brompton rider here? I been looking for brompton fans in Seattle.

[@evacanlifeeva499]

Strong legs are more important 😂