Skip This Brompton Model, Here's Why... | 3 Things to Consider

[@StephenPowellebc]

Well done on getting the luggage block and T Bag - it does make a huge difference to your quality of ride by shifting the centre of gravity forward and reducing that responsive "twitchy" feel. The three speed hub that you get with the A Line is less than ideal - the 6 speed (or now 12 speed) is a lot more flexible and easy to live with, especially on hills. What size chain ring did you get on your A Line? A cheap upgrade for hilly locations would be to use a 44t chain ring - that reduces your overall gearing across all three speeds. When riding my 6 speed in alpine areas I use a 44t chain ring, whereas normally I use a 54t for my daily commute (higher gearing across all 6 speeds). The common standard is the 50t chainring - roughly in the middle. A Brompton cover is also very handy for when you want to leave your Brompton inside (in a meeting room or cafe...) without bringing attention to itself. Your folded bicycle becomes just another generic black bag. It doesn't even register with most people if you fold and cover it out of sight. In nearly 10 years of owning Bromptons I have never owned a bike lock and never leave my Brompton outside.

[@densitydad]

Thanks for watching Stephen! I have stock chain for the A Line. May be worth looking into the 44t!

[@trolleyob]

​@@densitydadThe A line is fitted as standard with a 44T chainring. An upgrade to a 39T chainring will definitely improve hill climbing ability.

[@MrAjayz]

I always add a back rack and use skateboard wheels on my Bromptons to make them easier to roll around, plus always have a back on the front to carry camera gear. I also recently purchased an electric brompton because of health reason and to help me keep cycling. The video would have been great to show your bike while talking.

[@densitydad]

Thanks for watching! I really appreciate the feedback. Didn't realize I have some old b-roll. I'll keep this in mind for future videos. Thanks for the skateboard wheel hack!

[@carltongadgettmannprice352]

I purchased a Brompton A line last September from Amazon and the bike arrived with several small scratches on the frame. I was able to use some touch up paint to correct the problem. I'm planning on purchasing a Brompton C line later on this year. The Brompton was my first time ever owning an internal 3 speed hub bike and I must say that I do like internal gear bikes now. I live in Roanoke, Virginia and Roanoke is a very hilly town surrounded by mountains and I'm able to get around just fine on the hills with my Brompton and that is probably because I'm use to previously riding single speed bikes about Roanoke.

[@densitydad]

Thanks for watching! A single speed in Roanoke is pure beast mode. I would definitely attribute much of the difficulty of getting up hills to me not being in shape as well as not having used much of any bikes in my adult life. What's prompting the bump to C-Line for you?

[@carltongadgettmannprice352]

The C line Brompton will be an upgrade for me.

[@GusGundersen-video]

Good to hear your thoughts Barry. Everyone has different needs from a bike and I agree with your point of projecting your needs somewhat into the future. Bromptons have an interesting community which offers some good advice on maintenance and upgrades and repairs, which usually are very helpful. However like many “rabbit holes” you can get pulled down into things which may not be relevant to how you’ll use your Brompton. I find Brompton touring and bike packing videos enjoyable to watch but my reality is I will not personally experience them, so I must resist the urge to outfit my bike with that type of gear. That said I have installed a 39tooth chain ring on my C-line 6spd to help me get up hills, (thanks to excellent videos by Brilliant Bikes and Wheels on a bike). I recently struggled with adding inline skate wheels to my rack and realized I don’t need these for the way I use my bike and pulled myself out of that 🐇hole. Although I have a 6spd, I primarily use three gears. I chose the Brompton for the ability to ride or transport it easily, no racks needed. This portability also adds simplicity and security, I don’t carry locks or chains or worry about a secure place to lock it, I take it inside. Another unique Brompton quality is the ability to adjust the bike for riders of all ages. I’m a Grandpa and my 10yo granddaughter enjoys riding my bike too. I suggest getting Rockbros Brompton kickstand a must have and quick to install. I look forward to your future videos.

[@densitydad]

Thanks for watching! Brilliant Bikes and Everyday Cycling may be the main contributors as to why I finally committed to a Brompton. I'll definitely replace the chain as it will help once we arrive in Greenville with smaller hills as the rest is relatively flat. A kickstand would be awesome as well so thank you for the recommendations!

[@sambam007]

You can add an electric conversion gap to fill in the gaps in gearing for hill climbing . Ez Brompton kit looks like the easiest but the best is probably ARCC but is very expensive

[@densitydad]

Thanks for watching Sam! I've definitely considered it. I wish there were more Brompton related reviews on it before commtting to something like the ARCC. I've only looked at the Swytch conversion kits.

[@awbrompton2308]

The one problem with the A line: if you start adding the commuting essentials, front carrier block and mudguards, you might as well have bought a heavily discounted C line with last years colours

[@densitydad]

Exactly! I just can’t see a practical use case to really get the most out of the Brompton A-Line

[@tandago7281]

Yeah, but what if you don't have the money to do that? It makes total sense to buy a bike, and use it without the accessories until you can buy those!

[@tandago7281]

@@densitydad The point of a bike is that you can ride a bike. The A-line does that, even without the accessories, which can wait.

[@densitydad]

@@tandago7281 that's definitely what I did. If you aren't intentional and plan to buy the additional components you miss out on what makes a Bromptn a Brompton. I still haven't gotten around to a bike rack, new rolling wheels or mudflaps which I would have had for a lot less had I just saved $200 more for initial purchase. I'm definitely for doing what's best for our individual situations.

[@tandago7281]

@@densitydad Yeah but you do save money by not paying for transportation. And you gain joy and health by riding the bike a bit more. So no, I wouldn't advise anyone to wait. Also, the Brompton bike rack is overpriced and ugly, I find (but sure, that's subjective). I'd prefer to buy a rack from a 3rd party provider, which would have the look I want, plus the flaps that have the colour I want (I really don't like those silver ones). Finally, I disagree that the additional components are what make a Brompton a Brompton. In my opinion, what makes a Brompton a Brompton is the fact that 1) it's a bike that you can ride and enjoy; 2) it folds in a nifty way, so you end up riding it more than other bikes, and so you enjoy it more. The additional components only give it more functionality, but are by no means essential. In fact, I find there is additional benefit from doing it gradually, as it gives one a sense of achievement in gradually creating a personalised bike and enjoying every new feature one by one. The only essential accessory is the helmet and the lights, in my opinion. But sure, I agree that every situation is different. :)

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

When I bought my 2019 SuperlightM6LXBrompton in 2019 it had the original plastic Carrier Block in front as Standard! I soon exchanged it with a "metal version", from China, as I think they look nicer! And the eventual leather-strap for its release I use to polish my naves in my wheels, the one in front in a shortened version, because of the smaller diameter! The T-bag is fine for must purposes so I have never added a carrier in the back. Finn. Denmark

[@densitydad]

I like the look of the metal versions as well, I thought of adding it just for a pop of color. Also considering switching out my suspension block for a pop of color.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

@@densitydad When looking at my main supplier of better parts for a Brompton, Chinese A.E. I found a wooden block for the purpose, and wondered, til I found out that the harder the block, the better the ride! I have a Superhard, Taiwanese, Joseph Kuosac block for it, as Brompton doesn't deliver any harder blocks than Standard. Finn. Denmark

[@Alan2Bordeaux]

Great cap Barry!

[@densitydad]

Thank you! Closet find from old merch samples I did years ago.

[@TheKos2Kos]

Why cant youvjust lock your bromptom outside like a regular bike? Am I ignorant to something?

[@densitydad]

In theory you can, but it would attract a lot of attention due to uniqueness. With the prominent branding, it’s more likely to be google’d and stolen

[@dldldldldldl]

Continental contact urban tyres

[@densitydad]

Thanks for watching! Definitely have these on my wishlist. Love the price point and think the brown would pop on the A Line

[@cleasanna05]

Changed to these immediately after buying my C line, makes the bike faster by default

[@hoser7706]

Do you think a 6-spd C Line would have been better for you or addressed some issues you mentioned?

[@densitydad]

Thanks for watching! definitely. There's times when I'm muscling through an incline and tapping out on gears and know an extra gear or so would have helped tremendously. Due to the weight of the bike sitting over the handlebars feels iffy sometimes when climbing. Here's a 6-spd Brommie climbing a 12% grade incline, I wouldn't stand a chance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmmZZH6Yp8urr7Msi=Fgve6DUCfqZgQ0PM

[@tdgdbs1]

You can modify the A line to your liking fairly cheap. Buy parts from Litepro, the exact clone. After years of riding Brompton, I just don't see the point of spending that kind of money when there are clones out there for far cheaper, better quality. I am now owning several clones; 3sixty, Litepro, Acceoffix, Mint.

[@densitydad]

@@tdgdbs1 Thanks for watching and I appreciate the recommendation. Do you have a favorite dupe?