This was Terrifying - Riding a Brompton in London!

I'm visiting London for a couple of days for work, and decided to hire a Brompton from one of their public hire docks, and try to navigate my way around London by bike!
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#cycling #roadcycling #roadcyclist #London #londoncycling #cyclinglondon #brompton #bromptonbicycle #bromptonbike #commuter

[@connormcc]

I'm visiting London for a couple of days for work, and decided to hire a Brompton from one of their public hire docks, and try to navigate my way around London by bike! Useful Links & Ways you can support this channel. I’ve put links below to some of the products and services I use, if you are looking at similar options. With many (but not all) of these links, you can support this channel by using the link below. These affiliate links don’t cost you anything more but do help support my channel. Bikes & Accessories Road Bike - Canyon Ultimate: tinyurl.com/yxkuckfs VEL RSL50 Carbon Wheels: tinyurl.com/bdefe3h9 Gravel Bike - Fustle Causeway: tinyurl.com/bdefe3h9 Hunt 4 Season Wheels: tinyurl.com/4c65d26d Mountain Bike - Cube Analog Hardtail: tinyurl.com/bdefe3h9 Brompton Bike: tinyurl.com/bdefe3h9 Tailfin Aeropack Bikepacking setup: tinyurl.com/2p9ey97z Other Bike Tech See Sense Lights: tinyurl.com/4etunxtu Garmin Edge 1040 Bike Computer: tinyurl.com/4etunxtu Favero Assioma Duo Power Meter Pedals: tinyurl.com/4nzz4zap Bike Maintenance GLF Wax - Hot Melt Chain Wax: tinyurl.com/3d3j9t5a Bike Insurance Laka Bike Insurance: tinyurl.com/4ebpr7bp Bike Nutrition Styrkr Energy Bars: tinyurl.com/4cm4u3un Bike Clothing/Apparel Victory Chimp Glasses: tinyurl.com/yptchrju Victory Chimp Clothing/Apparel : tinyurl.com/yptchrju Camera Tech Fuji XT5 (New Version of my camera XT4): tinyurl.com/4defsxp7 DJI Osmo Action 4 Camera (New version of my DJI Osmo Action): tinyurl.com/4defsxp7 Insta 360 X3 360 Camera: tinyurl.com/4defsxp7 Camera Accessories Rille Camera Strap: tinyurl.com/4defsxp7 Grill Mount (Mouth mount) for Action Camera: tinyurl.com/4defsxp7 Buy Me A Coffee Buy Me A Coffee: tinyurl.com/4defsxp7

[@davidhunternyc1]

I tried a Brompton T-Line. Your thoughts were echoed by me too. I'm thinking about getting a Tern Verge X11 or Helix Ultralight. Also, there's an upcoming ADO Air 20 Carbon, with a 250 watt Bafang motor and belt drive, weighing 12kg. Hmm... I'm on the fence about all these bikes.

[@connormcc]

@@davidhunternyc1 Brompton are probably by far the best out there, but always good to weigh up the other options and get whatever best suits your specific needs

[@srowley85]

I did a commute like you’re describing with a Brompton for over 5 years. I also did the commute using a larger folder before that. The Brompton held up very well through 20 miles of riding each day with an intermediate train ride-much better than its predecessor did. I’ve also traveled with it by plane, car, boat and train it has been very dependable.

[@connormcc]

Yea they definitely seem to be the best for sure, and the price is reflective of that

[@Asm-sg8gb]

I’ve had my Brompton for 12 years now and use it every time I have to attend meetings in London, so several times a month. It was a little scary the first couple of times but now coming from Paddington through Hyde park and across to St Paul, Camden or Westminster I absolutely love it. The bike lanes in London have certainly improved in the time I’ve been doing it though, going through Westminster used to be well scary. I remember my first folds and unfolds add you did very well in fairness, no blackened nails anyway. 👍🏻😂

[@connormcc]

No, no blackened nails or pinched fingers 😃 I was well impressed with the bike lanes in London! I wish we had that kind of infrastructure in Northern Ireland!

[@sassymia536]

I did as you did. In 2018 in Manchester I decided to try a Brompton. I'd registered with the Brompton App and picked up the cycle from Manchester Piccadilly and cycled the Canal towpath. The next year 2019 I hired a Brompton in London and cycled quite a distance. Then in 2021 I bought a Brompton and got it shipped to Christchurch, New Zealand. Covid hit so it was not until September 2022 that I travelled with the Brompton on a plane to London. I cycled a lot of London, 3 days in Portsmouth, 5 days in Manchester, and over a week in West of Ireland. The Brompton stood up well.

[@connormcc]

That sounds class!! Sound like I have a Brompton in my future now that I’ve tried one out 😂

[@AirdaleBill]

Interesting video thanks. I’ve been a Brompton rider for a dozen or so years, it’s my only folding bike. The fold and unfold require no thinking or effort after you’ve done it a few dozen times. The small wheels worried me at first but the whole feel of the bike is improved by having a bag on the front. The weight takes away the disconcerting twitchiness. I’d wholeheartedly recommend them.

[@connormcc]

Yea I can imagine with time and practice it you get used to the folding and also the feel of the ride… the costs is the other thing, it’s a lot of £ for a potentially occasional bike for me

[@AirdaleBill]

Yep. The cost is high. I agonised for ages about the cost versus the “need” but a tax refund made my mind up. I’ve got plenty of bikes so it doesn’t get used all the time but once I had it I found plenty of uses for it. Bit like an iPad in that respect. They last a long time and don’t need much attention. I’m not a mad enthusiast but I’m glad I’ve got mine and would buy a replacement immediately it mine went missing.

[@aw_mckinley]

​@@AirdaleBill It was the best purchase I ever made. I was in London at the time (2012) and it got me off public transport and my mental health improved immeasurably. Yes, it was a lot of cash, and it hurt for a couple of months before and after, but 10 years on it's still going strong. Couldn't say how many miles i've put on it; daily use for 7 years (~8 miles a day), not to mention regular 'days out' at the weekend. I've used it on- and off- the road, I've been through three chainsets (chain plus sprockets), two rear rims (one in a pothole-incident), worn out four tyres, countless brakeblocks, and had the bottom bracket replaced. All are normal wearing parts and a sign of how much the bike is used. I'd recommend the bike to almost any casual rider or city commuter. I just hate their marketing - i bought a bike, not a lifestyle...

[@connormcc]

@AirdaleBill yea I don’t think the price is unjustified at all, just our of budget for now 😀

[@connormcc]

@aw_mckinley for me the main reason would be to ride to the train and then work the other side and take the bike on the train (as I live a hilly 30 miles from work)

[@becca413b]

Watching you struggle reminded me how hard it was to unfold the brompton at the beginning 😂 tilting the bike backwards let's the back wheel drop so the front wheel unhooks. Took me a while to work that one out! A year later and it's a breeze sometimes not smooth with a full bag on the front. I've had 20in tern and the brompton. Hands down much prefer the Brompton because it's much easier to fold and push about in shops rather than having to lock it up.

[@connormcc]

Yea I started to get that eventually but also still had a long way to go 😂 I do agree them bromptons are probably the best, but the small wheel size and the cost are the 2 things putting me off at the mo

[@becca413b]

​@@connormcc maybe give a 20inch a go. I got mine 2nd hand in fab mechanical condition for £200. It had a few scratches but as aluminium frame was purely cosmetic. I'm only 5ft2 so the locking fold and compact size of the brompton probably has a bigger impact on me than for some. I have two flights of stairs to my flat and its a pita when the magnetic discs separate and the tern unfolds halfway up the stairs.

[@connormcc]

@@becca413b yea I think it was 20 inch wheels on the decathlon ones… I’m only 5 foot 6 so not much taller, but won’t have many ( if any ) flights of stairs to contend with

[@daelra]

Yeah! Being able to wheel it around in train stations, the supermarket and wherever and the fact that it can stored under you desk, in the luggage rack above the seat is why the Brompton is a no contest for me.

[@plodder67]

I have a Brompton and cycle in London most working days. I think your comments very fair but folding and unfolding and managing the small wheels becomes easy very quickly. The big advantage of the Brompton over other folding bikes (I have a Bobbin Fold too, and I like it) is that it is so compact. Nothing beats it on a train.

[@connormcc]

That's good to know, as a train would be one of my main reasons if I got a folding bike... I'd love to do an in person side by side trial of a few different ones

[@fender1000100]

All folders are a compromise. But I wouldn't swap my Tern Verge X20 for anything. It's better than any Brompton. But not alot of people know that.

[@connormcc]

@fender1000100 thanks for the suggestions, I’ll definitely have a look at Tern as well, I still haven’t committed to one yet

[@theablecyclist]

When you first unfolded the Brompton you did everything a first time user would do, including me. But you seem to have got the knack of it pretty soon. There are a few other tricks to make it really easy to fold and unfold in under 20 seconds. Glad you enjoyed the bike and riding around London. Also a great choice with the ProStandard. I have a black one myself.

[@connormcc]

Ha ha , yea I’m sure it just take a bit of getting used to and get quicker with time! I love the pro standard for my Osmo action cam… doesn’t work so well with the Insta360 x3

[@christopherhood9241]

I cycle around London most days on my Brompton .... guaranteed seat, faster than car/tube/bus. No issues on the train, fits under my desk ... what's not to like. Like a child I can't resist racing the e-bike users away from lights when they remember to stop.

[@connormcc]

Ha ha, yea the traffic lights seemed to be optional to some cyclists in London 😂

[@james-p]

I've had a Brompton for about a year now - a 6-speed C line. Folding and unfolding gets easier and faster lol. It takes me about 20 seconds to do each, and I'm not even very fast at it. There are compromises compared to a full-size bike, and even compared to other folding bikes, but they are toward a clear priority: folding up _small_ . Other folders have larger tires, some even have a suspension, but none fold up as small. Also, having the chain and gears on the inside of the fold is something I really appreciate - less worry of getting greasy muck on my pant legs when sitting with it folded between my knees, or in places I store it etc. And yes, riding it is a bit different, but I got used to that pretty quickly too. Anyway, you're a brave man taking your first Brompton ride in London during rush hour! Cheers from the US.

[@connormcc]

Sounds like it does get easier to fold! I’m not super concerned about how small it folds, as my use case would just be 1 train, not the tube in London… good point about the chain being on the inside of the fold though, hadn’t consider that! I will definitely bear that in mind! Thanks for watching the video! I hope you enjoyed it!

[@alexmorgan3435]

No other folding bike comes close to a Brompton. End of. I have toured widely on mine in the UK, the Pyrenees, Paris, Gran Canaria, Taiwan. It is very capable bike especially when loaded up. Mine is a 6 spd. It handles a lot better with the touring bag on the front. It has been on UK trains, Eurostar, SNCF, the TGV, flown with numerous airlines without a hitch as normal checked in luggage. It is a fantastic bike. Andrew Ritchie who designed it should be knighted. I looked at the rivals Birdies, Bike Fridays, etc prior to buying one and they were all inferior. Some were just awful in comparison. The Brompton is a complete package. The best machine I have ever bought, no contest. I guess riding in London you were on a strange bike, in a strange environment so you found it difficult to adapt. Cycling infrastructure has definitely improved in London in the last 20 years I was there. It used to be deadly. I think I last rode in London about 5 years ago. I used to ride in every day from Kent to central London.

[@connormcc]

Wow you’ve definitely put the miles in on it for sure! I think that main issue for me right now is the cost vs amount of use… I think they are worth the ££ for sure, they really do seem the best, probably just a bit out of my budget right now. I think you’re right about my experience being on an unfamiliar bike in an unfamiliar setting, would be a much different experience on my own home roads!

[@alexmorgan3435]

@@connormcc Hopefully one day you can buy yourself a Brompton. There's always second hand. ATB.

[@connormcc]

@alexmorgan3435 yea hopefully I will 😊

[@daelra]

I commute into London on mine. Yep, twitchiness is due to very light front and very narrow handlebars. I bought some short ergo grips for mine and it made a world of difference. I think they increased the width by a couple of cm but that 2cm made a massive difference to handlability. Def go for six speed and get a rack if you're doing more mix mode than straight cycling. I very, very rarely use it (the front bag position is far superior) but the added stability when wheeling it around train stations is worth the extra weight.

[@gsee66]

Excellent blog. Very interesting. Well done.

[@connormcc]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed! Make sure to subscribe and check out some of my other videos too 😁

[@theCree]

You get used to the folding fairly quickly. Only one pedal folds. I used to commute from Dunadry to Belfast every day using the train from Antrim. It was perfect on my Brompton.

[@connormcc]

yea that’s kinda my thinking if I get one at some point, commute Ballymena to Belfast by train and Brompton 2 days a week

[@DarrenWhittington]

I’ve just hired one out to evaluate if I should buy one, the one I hired cycled very sluggish and was very resistant to freewheel, was able to check the tyre pressure and they were both on 30psi 🙁 Pumped them up to 95 but still found it difficult to ride and very bumpy; in the uk with the roads the way they are this wouldn’t make for a comfortable time. I’m not even sure if I would hire one if I was in a city, if the tyres were flat again it would be difficult to pump them up to 95 with the supplied pump.

[@trevorhoward7169]

There are a few good Brompton unfolding/folding tutorials on utube.

[@connormcc]

Yea I think if I got one I’d be checking those out repeatedly 😂

[@boyafraidire]

Brompton have a subscription service in addition to the hire service so you can try it for a longer period of time. They offer a 30 day or 12 month option, and if you decide to buy one at the end you get a discount

[@connormcc]

Yea they do, unfortunately it isn’t available in Northern Ireland however, I did check with them, only available on the mainland

[@boyafraidire]

@@connormcc oh really? I hadn’t looked into too closely but that’s disappointing because that’s where I’m from too. I can’t think of any reason other than insurance?

[@connormcc]

@boyafraidire yea, it’s a shame, they didn’t tell me why, but my guess is probably something to do with shipping/collection or maintenance

[@andrewdemora3375]

Great bike for commuting, i cycled around London with mine for many years before retiring to the West Country if you think cycling around London is terrifying try here in Minehead. Not a day goes by when someone pulls right in front of me, either doing the school runs or collecting their pensions. 😊

[@connormcc]

Ha ha, I can believe it, there are some grim drivers around Northern Ireland too!

[@daelra]

Ha! Same for Brighton. I feel far safer in London where the car drivers are used to loads of bikes around them and where dodging potholes is not as much as a thing.

[@lewis2360]

I think the stickers on the cross bar were the fold/unfold instructions

[@connormcc]

Yea there are instructions to follow, but it’s still a bit tricky

[@dolphinlover1691]

Occasional London cyclists find that other more regular cycle commuters travel very fast because they are used to the (very good) cycling infrastructure there. The knack ofbit is to not be in a hurry initially. The Santander bikes and hire scheme is great, but the 30 minute hire time restriction system is quite stressful for outsiders!

[@connormcc]

I’m not in London very often, and actually, usually don’t need to cycle, but would like to try it more often

[@stephenelliott-wright3230]

Had a Brompton for many years. I have the six speed, as live in quite a hilly area used it for commuting riding to train then into work, but had to ride all way home due to finish time, Up hill all the way, never had a problem, once you get used to the twitchy ness it’s fine, The fact it folds so small is a great benefit, would definitely recommend it, pay a visit to Brompton Junction to see all the models to get the right set up, 🤗

[@connormcc]

I’ll make sure to visit Brompton Junction next time I’m over in London… if I did commute but bike and train, it would only be about 3.5 miles to the train, and then about 2 miles the other side… all pretty flat

[@stephenelliott-wright3230]

@@connormcc a Brompton will easily be up to the job 👌🏻 Brompton Junction is in Covent Garden near the Masonic Hall, Great staff very helpful, will go through all the options for you, You might like a CHPT3, the David Millar model, very sporty 👌🏻

[@connormcc]

I do love the CHPT3! But it’s even more £££ than the normal models 😂

[@brompton-cycling-time]

Nice ride! Well done. Still, the 360 camera after a while is not optimal. What do you think?

[@connormcc]

I think the 360 cam is great for on bike footage, but not great in low light

[@user-fe5kr9jr8e]

What camera model you use for this video?

[@connormcc]

I used a combination of the DJI Osmo Action, and the Insta 360 X3 … links to both are in the description of the video 😮

[@theotherstevesteve]

I use one three times a week between trains. It takes 2 or 3 folds (or watching a video) to get the hang of folding. The fold makes it compact, i see other folding bikes on the train but they're cumbersome and so their owners either give up or get a Brompton. The first time you need to put your Brompton in a taxi you'll know you made the right decision.

[@connormcc]

Thanks! Good to know! I wish that I could compare a few options side by side!

[@theotherstevesteve]

@@connormcc I'd advise not to get a 20" wheel bike,; the fold is hardly smaller than a 26" folder like a Swiss bike (if they still make them) that I have, and they're no less twitchy.

[@connormcc]

I think the decathlon ones are 20inch, and the Bromptons are 16… I think anyway

[@peaceone9733]

I recently rode the train up to Los Angeles (LA), California from Vista (an unusual venture in Southern California, which is totally car-centric) to pick up a Bromtpon C-Line bought on eBay. It was the first time riding one other than a quick spin at a bike shop. I picked the bike up in downtown LA amongst the skyscrapers towering overhead, with a quick lesson in how to fold and unfold it from the seller, and rode it for the first time to Union Station through downtown, to catch my train back home. What an experience! It was 33 degrees C (92 F), and the sensory overload of the smell of pot smoke, urine, exhaust, sounds and sights were intense, with homeless people, thick traffic, wild looking LA characters, blasting music from a Chicano park... with the phone GPS in my pocket because there was no mount. Thankfully, they do have bike lanes separated from a parking lane on most streets. No separate street lights though. Then I had to figure out how to fold the thing and roll on the "Easy wheels" (not so easy - needs bigger 3rd party one) or lug it through the station (with a pain issue in my neck) find my train on time and load it on the train. Along with a fairly heavy day pack. Quite an adventure! But met nice and helpful people along the way... The Brompton is quick and maneuverable, thankfully. It does take a bit of getting used to, but it's a genius design and seems like a great way to connect together wheels to travel the world... if it's any reassurance regarding cost, they hold their value well. A good investment, in my opinion.

[@connormcc]

That is an adventure for sure, you paint quite the picture 😂 Good that there are separate bike lakes though! Northern Ireland is very car centric too and there are very very few bike lanes or separate bike paths!

[@ChrisDevers]

I got to spend a couple of weekends in London at the end of last year, and really wanted to see as much as I could by bike. I’d been there once years before, so *sort of* knew my way around, but this time I wanted to cover more ground on wheels. The first weekend, I rented/hired an e-bike from a bike shop that I’d found online before I got there, and it was great. I covered maybe fifty miles, and was glad to have the electric assist to cover that much ground in the time I had to work with. The main catch was that the guy at the shop provided me with a lock, but urged me not to use it, on grounds that thieves would absolutely steal the bike if I left it unsupervised anywhere for more than a few minutes. That put a damper on locking it up & going inside anywhere, but that was okay - I just wanted to cover as much ground as I could, and did so. And as you say in the video, the infrastructure there was pretty good: lots of bike lanes, lots of people using them (even in cold, rainy conditions). My main problem was the cognitive dissonance of using the “wrong” side of the streets: I had to keep reminding myself which way to look at intersections, etc. The second weekend, I wanted to try the Brompton hire scheme, so I went to the vending machine kiosk near King’s Cross and… it didn't work out. I went through the process you did in your video, and the app told me to open a certain door to check out a certain bike …but the bike had a very flat tire. So I returned the bike, and tried to check out a different one, but the only box the app would let me open was the one for the bike that couldn’t be ridden. I could see through the windows on the lockers that there were other bikes there, but for whatever reason, I couldn’t get the app to understand that the first bike didn't work, and I wanted to try a different one instead. So the Brompton rental attempt was a bust. But I definitely want to give it another try if I get to visit London or the UK again.

[@connormcc]

Yea I agree that the Brompton hire setup can be a little confusing, I had trouble returning the bike (I didn’t realise it needed a separate reservation to return), and then it didn’t register as returned and I had to phone them a few days later to sort out. Next time you are over you should try one of the Santander bikes, that way you can hire at one point and dock somewhere else when you want to go inside somewhere and leave the bike!

[@fensterputzernuernberg]

A brompton is fantastic .. you need a couple of days to get used to it..... Like anything.. once you realise and see the benefitsof it you sort of feel proud in the choice you made.. that this time you did not waste any money and you got it right.. A quality product !

[@connormcc]

Yea I don’t disagree that it’s the best, very reliable, etc, just wonder if it is overkill for me for a few miles either side of the train, at most once or twice a week 🤔

[@marccarter1350]

I have always seen them as my LBS Condor is a Brompton dealer. Never needed a folding bike, the small wheels also put me of, great video thou 🙂 ps, what was the cost pre day?

[@MrAjayz]

Bromptons are great city bikes, I have two to get around Sydney.

[@connormcc]

Yea I live just outside a small town, but commute to a city by car at the moment, considering a folding bike to avail of the train and ride either side

[@greigs9384]

I’ve had three from the T5 to my latest one a P type from 2011. I don’t ride in the wet. They’re always skidding on drain covers and the never ending paint in London roads. I just hire one of the many Santander or Lime bikes which are all over central. If it drops, it’s not my nice clean Brompton

[@connormcc]

That's like me with my good road bike, I don't ride it in bad weather... do you use the Bromton on drier/more summer days?

[@BrownPeterAnthony]

Dahon is the best folding bike out there, 3x9 gears and steel frame. I've toured on mine and commuted for years on it. My brompton is the art piece thats sits behind the front door, for friends to ride when they visit or grand children to play around on. The new birdy folders are very good too, but again the Dahon beats it on price.

[@connormcc]

Yea the gears sound good! I do like a bike that looks nice too though 😂

[@NoZenith]

Dahon tri-fold or is it a basic fold in half? I'm shopping for a second bike and I drive a golf. I love my Brompton and it fits in the back of my car well but I want to have a second bike 4 trips and when friends are around and I figure I should go ahead and get another folder but maybe not spend as much money hahaha. I have heard of Dahan but they didn't have anything that got as compact as a Brompton but I was looking at a couple years ago so I'm curious what specific model you recommend so highly? Thank you very much.

[@connormcc]

@@NoZenith I’m not sure myself, I haven’t looked into Dahon too much yet… it’s one of those things that you kinda wanna try in person rather than just buy online I think

[@NoZenith]

@connormcc oh I was asking the original poster haha. My concern has been people who have been in the market for a while talking about how after a few years companies will change the design of their latches and stuff so if it breaks oh, there are no repair parts and that's even with good brands like Tern and Dahon. It also increases your failure points. The Brompton has a threaded bolt with a consumable aluminum clamping piece closing a hinge that also only has one hinge pain that is replaceable. If you look at the mechanisms on so many folding bikes there are so many little pieces that could break or fail or a spring could give out negating the safety catch... and aftermarket is so robust for the Brompton at this point as well

[@connormcc]

I know, I just don’t like leaving comments I replied to 😂 Yea that’s the risk with those brands I guess, and probably even more so with the decathlon range, and I know people say ‘buy cheap buy twice’ but I’m slightly reluctant to drop over £1000 on a bike I might not use

[@effyleven]

Oh dear! Watching you unfolding it was painful for me! It was so frustrating not being able to put a hand into the screen to help you! 😅 And... .... you couldn't HEAR me either.😊

[@connormcc]

Ha ha, yea I could have done with the help… but it was my first ever experience with a Brompton… I hope if I owned one I would get better at it with time 😅

[@patricabarrett9378]

I have a dahon folding bike and ive taken dahon bikes on tours .Because of flights ,trains and buses with my folding dahon makes it easier and i dont have to pay for a bike ticket .these bikes or not wobbly like bromtons .ive cycled scotland, ireland and on september 1st im off to norway, netherlands ,belgium and france on my dahon. Check them out.

[@connormcc]

Yea I’ve heard of Dahon too! Not sure I love the aesthetics/look of them, but they are definitely a more affordable option!

[@alanhargreaves-thevoiceofr2361]

...cool homes ....!

[@platypushatstand]

Nice to see my old office (blue doors: 20 Lower Thames Street, aka London Custom House) at 10:38 & 12:45 I bought my orange H6R (C-Line Explore as it’s called these days) new back in 2012. In 12 years I’ve done 11,145 recreational miles. Definitely the best bike I’ve ever had, robust, easy to maintain. I ride roads, bridleways and bike paths: anything from 18 to 45 miles. Watch a few vids for the unfolding to get the hang of it and it’ll become second nature. Also check out touring videos from Susanna Thornton, Wiltshire Man. In London, the RAF fly their Chinooks 25:46 on Anti-Terrorist sorties (protecting everyone). Working in Croydon I’ve even seen the Apache AH-64 gunships fly over (2016) but Croydon is kinda rough, school kids like stabbing each other at tram stops, and murdering each other at railway stations and bus stops in recent years.

[@connormcc]

glad to know you are still enjoying your Brompton after 12 years!

[@themeatspot5020]

Which brompton is better for london riding? Is the electric any good?

[@connormcc]

To be honest, I’ve never tried an electric Brompton, I guess it depends on your ride, are there hills, do you have showers at work or do you want to try and not get too sweaty etc… if you are in London it would be worth trying one of their non electric hires like I did in this video…

[@themeatspot5020]

@connormcc thanks for the insight much appreciated

[@connormcc]

No problem at all!

[@cyclingdry]

Great video Connor. I bought a Brompton C Line 6 speed last year for touring and it's been a great purchase. My latest tour was in NE England and it proved to be a brilliant touring machine. So handy to hop on public transport when needed too. I'd buy a 3 speed one if I had to to it again thought and put a 39t chainring in the front 👍

[@connormcc]

Glad you liked the video! I still haven’t pulled the trigger on a folding bike yet, I don’t know that I’d use it much in the winter… Interesting idea about the chainring, I wonder how ‘customisable’ they are with things like gear ratios 🤔

[@bobcannell7603]

3 speed +38T gives a bottom gear of 26 inches which isn't enough for 1:7 hills. And a top gear of 46 inches so max of 15mph on the flat. I fitted a cheap 38T stronglight chainset from Spa cycles when I discovered the London gearing (50T) was no go in WYorks. I'm now intending to get an 11 speed hub conversion from Kinetic to make my B a proper hill bike. Not cheap

[@connormcc]

@@bobcannell7603 sounds expensive, but at least good to know they seem to be as modifiable as a 'normal' bike - if and when I were to get a folding bike, most of the journeys I would use it for are flat anyway

[@albertmeyer8983]

You can look up on the internet how to correctly fold and unfold a Brompton…It is my no1 commuting bike.

[@connormcc]

Yea I've watched a few since... Just need to try it again now sometime!

[@zazi77]

What’s your phone holder?

[@connormcc]

I don’t have a phone holder for any of my bikes actually, just keep it in my pocket generally

[@Budguy98]

nice video, what helmet is that? it's nice

[@connormcc]

Thanks, that is the POC Ventral Spin in Grey!

[@kanikasingh889]

Whats the price of renting per day ? How do they make sure one returns it ?

[@connormcc]

They have an app that you book a ‘check out’ of a bike on, and you book a ‘check in’ of a bike on for returning it… www.brompton.com/why-brompton/brompton-bike-hire

[@rezakhairul6137]

I am unable to secure the payment, I think it's because my credit card was not issued in the UK, which is really poor since London is the international hub for tourism and Brompton's Ads.

[@connormcc]

Ahh that’s a shame, maybe reach out to their customer services and see if there is another way you can make payment?

[@davidmarsden9800]

I've been considering an ADO AIR 20 electric folding bike. It weighs about 18kg and might be worth you taking a look. There are a few KZbin videos on it reviewing it and there's a couple of delivery riders using them for Just Eat and Deliveroo deliveries.

[@connormcc]

I don’t know much about the electric folding bikes, but the one I have tried and than my friend has, and loves is the Estarli E20… they are a uk based company too, so good for delivery and support if you need

[@loushared6602]

@@connormccI received my Ado air 20 today and it’s brilliant. I’m a 5ft female and the weight is fine for me (on and off a train) and also test rode the Estarli too, but didn’t get on with the gears. I really recommend the assisted bike, I’m in places in no time, it’s a joy to ride. I recommend Electroheads near London Bridge for the service, test ride and answering all the questions I had. Nice video and interesting comments - completely agree with other cyclists being somewhat scary. Stay safe and look forward to more videos.

[@Francis-xl2gu]

Hi I bought the 16.7 estarli did yours come with the circular saddle light ?? If yes does yours switch itself off after a minute or so ?

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

As an owner I took my new Brompton to my cars service to ride back, so I also had problems to unfold. Since then it haven't been a problem and I have now made my 2019 SuperlightM6LXBrompton (mudguards) weigh 9,35 kilo, with still some gains to reach, probably 9 kilo soon? And not so much above a full T-line, with mudguards! So why pay double the price, and only get 4 gears? It is an absolutely horrible "bike" hard rolling on the small wheels, but for its purpose, the fold and easy bringing, it is exceptional.

[@connormcc]

Yea it’s the folding that’s the main reason for me, so I can take it on the train and maybe use the car less

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

@@connormcc I have presently reached (2019 SuperlightM6LXBrompton) what seems a possible, much modified weight of 8,5 kilo and still with my mudguards, so why buy what may compare to the price of a minor used car, for a T-line, with only 4 gears. And I have seen complaints about a bad and noisy function, at least of the first of those extremely expensive bikes! And a T-line also with mudguards weighs about the same. Finn. Denmark

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

As a first I gave my bike an Auto Polish all over, and found out that the "clear tape" solution to wear, from the Factory had nearly been worn to the paint after 2 or 3 folds! So I ordered a set of protective plates for all "week spots" on a Brompton (A fine Chinese Business from that!) to try to keep it looking as new! Since then I have changed much to Titanium, saddle post, bolts, discs and minor parts so that now 8,5 kilo is possible and still with my mudguards!!

[@connormcc]

Wow! You have really customised and modified it for your own needs! Where do you ride it mostly? And is it for commuting? I still haven’t bought a folding bike yet, I’m still reluctant to spend so much money on something that I will only use very occasionally

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

@@connormcc As a now reasonably wealthy 75 year old Danish Pensioner I can afford to buy "absurd things", also a folding Brompton! It became bought during High Covid19 for the Vacation Money sawed, and I had intended to bring it to our, by then common Vacation Area on Malta (Directly flown from Cph. to a now Danish owned, large Vacation Town/area in Mellieha! For being able to reach further out on the small Island/State, if wanted! It was designed and built by a Famous Danish Architect and Professor, as also the still existing Set for the Disney, Popeye Movie, with Robin Williams! Sadly my similar age, dear wife didn't find it such a good idea, as they do drive in the Wrong Side on Narrow Roads, with a rather extreme traffic, so we found out it wasn't such a good idea!! But for transport to my Service Garage and round vacation areas here at home, it is a fine option! And as a former Craftsman and - extreme bike builder for years, I now have my fun in making it as light as possible, and also, easily competing with an original T-line, with only 4 gears (And it seems, some/several Production problems?). Finn. Denmark 😁

[@chantalrobinson7399]

thanks for the vid...love the brompton....thanks mate

[@connormcc]

No worries glad you enjoyed! I’m torn on the Brompton, I love the style and design of it, but it’s a lot of £££ for occasional use, and I prefer the bigger wheels of the decathlon ones

[@gogosegaga]

Bike life is best 😊

[@connormcc]

Absolutely! The bicycle has to be one of the best things invented!

[@deborahclayton7105]

I find that I was better at using Google maps on foot than on a bike, but then again, I put the phone away when not using it. Wish I could rent a bike like that in a backwater in the Northeast. Cheers.

[@connormcc]

Yea I think if I had decent earbuds or something I could have the phone in my pocket and get audio navigation or something… Have a google for the Brompton hire as they so have some locations outside London…

[@paulroberts01]

@@connormcc That's what I do with google maps or Komoot when I need directions.

[@connormcc]

Yea, need some decent in ear bugs that also have a transparency mode, like AirPods, but preferably without that price tag 😂

[@Countrystock]

Gotta love a Brompton..... coolest bikes out there 😍. Nice one

[@connormcc]

Yea I can’t deny that, the design and look of them is pretty cool!

[@DedyMaryono]

Why there is no sound?

[@connormcc]

I’m not sure, loads of others have watched the video with no problems with the sound?

[@torinsall]

Nice video, except it's annoying to constantly have to turn down the volume for the too loud music then turn volume back up for the talking parts.

[@connormcc]

Noted… I do edit and rewatch with headphones on and off, to try and make sure I balance the music and speaking parts, but still have more to do to get it right…

[@ibras1428]

About to get the e bike version . What’s it like ?

[@connormcc]

I enjoyed it but I think I’d prefer something with slightly bigger wheels, like the decathlon folding bikes

[@amara6656]

The Brompton folds the smallest and is easy to take with you on a train or bus, its the best,

[@connormcc]

Yea I think it is, just think I would prefer a slightly larger wheel that’s all, plus the cost of a Brompton vs an alternative

[@20Kilogram]

I think you meant terrific, auto correct screwed up 🙂

[@connormcc]

Ha ha, well it was both terrific and terrifying I guess 😃

[@20Kilogram]

@connormcc believe me it's all much worst with a bigger bike, like a cargo bike for example, the Brompton is a dream in a congested place, glad you had an overall good experience 👍

[@connormcc]

@@20Kilogram yea a cargo bike would be totally bonkers 😂

[@20Kilogram]

@connormcc there's a company in central london called PedalMe, I worked for them for a while, they use massive electric cargo bikes Arrow XL if im not mistaken, not a fun experience, after a while I quit as you just end up getting stuck in traffic like a car a lot of times and can't wiz in and out of congested streets, it had been my dream to be a bike messenger or cycle courrier as its called in the uk but not with a ship on 2 wheels, lol

[@connormcc]

@@20Kilogram yea I can see their benefit in somewhere like Amsterdam, where the cyclists and pedestrians have priority, and possibly the benefit around where I live where it’s not as congested as London (although we have basically zero bike lanes/paths)

[@我行我攝]

I ride my Brompton to everywhere. Even climbing steep hills won't be a problem. Seeing is believing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opPGZKSYgZeGjdU

[@connormcc]

I’ll definitely check out your video for sure! Thanks!

[@Simon_J_Hodge_Outdoors]

so many cyclists!!

[@connormcc]

Yea it’s absolutely bonkers!