Worth the Hype?: Brompton A-Line Test Ride

[@trolleyob]

I bought one three years ago when it was called the B75 and only came in one colour; turquoise. It is my only means of transport, so it gets used on a daily basis, but for me, living in hilly Sussex, the bottom gear is just not low enough to cope with my local terrain and the top gear is a bit too high for my puny legs, except when going downhill. It has been ultra reliable and the only thing that stops its progress is a rear wheel puncture. Front wheel removal is a breeze; just undo the wheel nuts and out it comes. The rear wheel removal is a bit of a faff, especially in bad weather, because of the extra nuts involved when removing the chain tensioner and the 3 speed cable spindle. After a bit of practice, the folding is easy, but once folded, I was surprised by the weight and found it rather awkward to carry for any distance. I should imagine that the bigger roller wheels fitted to the A Line version would make it easier to push around than the tiny wheels of my B75. If I'd known what I know now, I would definitely have still invested in a Brompton , but paid the extra for the six speed Explore version.

[@8hrAdventures]

Thanks for that - very informative. There are no hills around here for miles, so it's good to hear about your experiences. I agree with the back wheel removal - I got a puncture on my very first ride so had to quickly learn how to remove it. Now I've done it a few times, it's much easier.

[@sockensurfer]

Simply mount a smaller chainring at the front and you'll be able to climb any hill.

[@8hrAdventures]

I'll certainly try that before my next visit to the hills. The 44T chainring looks like it could be a big help.

[@SimonBrowneNZ]

@@8hrAdventuresI installed a 39 tooth but if you want chain/trouser guard there is one about with 40 tooth. Less is more. It makes a world of difference. I have 6 speed. I have hills in all directions. You will need to remove at least a couple of links with the smaller chainring. Install quick link while you are at it.

[@8hrAdventures]

@@SimonBrowneNZ That sounds perfect. Where did you get the 39T chainring?

[@hoser7706]

Great video. Thx. Love the A Line look and simple internal gears. Well sorta simple. Nice clean look w/o fenders and rack. Simple beauty.

[@8hrAdventures]

Thanks. I really like its simple lines - but with the "summer" we're having here, I can certainly see the appeal of adding fenders!

[@KK-no7be]

Can you fit wider tyres than it comes with? Got some bumpy canal paths to go on. Cheers.

[@8hrAdventures]

I've heard some people have been able to fit 40mm tyres, but I'm not convinced that would work. The stock tyres cope surprisingly well on a variety of surfaces. Most of my videos feature rougher terrain - for example, the Hudson Way video was mainly mud, grass and gravel, and the River Trail video was on a very bumpy river bank, so they may help demonstrate how well the Marathon tyres hold up.

[@KK-no7be]

@@8hrAdventures Ok, thanks for the reply.

[@Домашниехитрости-й3о]

Вы живете в Британии? Природа понравилась. Вернулся к велосипедам из детства, но присматриваюсь к такому велосипеду - нравится что складной и функциональный. Но именно этот бренд у нас достаточно дорогой, выбираю нечто похожее из аналогов.

[@8hrAdventures]

Yes, I live in Britain. Fortunately I live away from the cities so there is lots of nature nearby. Any bike will work - my previous folding bikes were both very cheap and they were fun to ride but they were very old and broke down often so I invested in this. I'm hoping it will last me a lifetime.

[@tdgdbs1]

A 5 gear internal hub should be ideal, SA did make a 5sp, and Shimano have one but too wide for the rear triangle.

[@8hrAdventures]

I had no idea they'd made 5-speed hub. That would be perfect on one of my other bikes.

[@tdgdbs1]

Cheaper solutiong maybe a double chainring such as H&H 50/33

[@Thejahayward]

Avoid the 5 speed hub at all costs !!!

[@nightlorder147]

Yeah I really love mine. Awesome vid man

[@8hrAdventures]

Thank you. I just borrowed it but after 100 miles on it I think I'm going to have to buy it. In fact, I'm going to do that right now

[@rainbowhiker]

I follow a guy, Brian, on KZbin that has the same bike. In black. He loves it. Channel is called, I Bike Unfolded.

[@8hrAdventures]

I follow him too! I had no idea he had one in his collection though. Thanks for letting me know.

[@rainbowhiker]

@8hrAdventures I think it's the same. It's an internal gear Bromton. I thought it was a three-speed. Maybe not. Anyway, you guys love them from what I see.

[@8hrAdventures]

I just saw a thumbnail on his page that said he broke it. I'll have to catch up on that after work.

[@rainbowhiker]

@8hrAdventures He's had a number of serious problems with his bike. Broken frame, bottom bracket bearings, seatpost, other things. I don't think Bromtons are any tougher than any other bike. They're just a great folding design.

[@mestido]

It’s not too hard to ride hills with 3 gears?

[@8hrAdventures]

There aren't many hills around here. If you have to climb on a regular basis, I think you'd be better off with more gears. And if they're really steep, maybe get a smaller chainring fitted, too. I recently tackled a short 9% gradient and it was exhausting. Anything more than that would be impossible (for me, at least).

[@3kek717]

I saw it in the company website. For 1100 euros it seems a bargain. The chromoly frame is an added value. What is the lowest ratio of the gears ?

[@8hrAdventures]

It's definitely worth it. As far as I can tell, the gear ratios are 0.75, 1 and 1.5, giving even gear steps of 33% and an overall range of 177%

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

Honestly, why a bike for commuting, without mudguards? The well known "Brompton Stripe" up your back isn't a very tempting option during rain, if needing transport during that (It may start raining during a ride)? And the small weight reduction from missing the mudguards, on an A-line (My 2019 Superlight has titanium stays holding the "special" mudguards(?), and now, "carbon clamps" holding them on the guards), will be minimal compared to riding with a set of mudguards. It also looks as it did rain during the test? Finn. Denmark

[@8hrAdventures]

It always rains where I live. But the bike's owner didn't want mudguards. Now I've bought the bike, mudguards will be fitted as soon as they arrive. I'll be adding a rear rack at some point too, for holding camping gear

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

@@8hrAdventures I haven't got a rack on mine, though I have several models, also from titanium. An Asian copy of a T-bag in front functions fine for most needs, as also a frame with straps in front. A bike like this is mostly intended for transport as folded (That's why my bike is now down to below 9 kilo, with mudguards!)! It is a horrible "bike" on the small hard rolling wheels and I'm highly impressed, when seing someone riding them for long distances! Sadly I haven't been able to find a Danish Community of Brompton owners, for a common suffering 😊! By that, China, Korea and Taiwan are the main suppliers of better and more exclusive Brompton Parts, from exotic materials. Even on a now much former than than Superlight, the original brackets on the mudguards are made from "Heavy Metal", to be changed to a lighter version from carbon. The stays are from titanium, from the Factory. And do buy a set of frame-protection as a first. When new, I gave mine a full Auto polish and found that after two or three folds, the clear tape "protection" from the Factory, had been worn to the paint! Finn 😄

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

Protection is easily found from Asia, for all week points on a Brompton! As in the EU, parts are less difficult to buy from China than from the UK!! Finn. Denmark

[@8hrAdventures]

Thank you for the advice - I hadn't even thought of frame protection, but looking closely I can see what you mean. I may try a bag on the front block if the weather ever gets hot here to avoid having to carry the rucksack on my back.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

@@8hrAdventures It is easy to find protection. I have an UK shield boltet on my fork and a small badge behind the cable in front (below the wire, holding the cable). Also one below the crank and on the back triangle, below and on top, by the chain. It also covers wear from the small fork, when being helt in place during folds! Take care it isn't too thick, as "Chrisbybike", from Rio, had problems shifting gear when in New York, and had hers removed again, as her bike couldn't function! But my set works fine. You are also able to buy bolts, nuts and discs from titanium, for less weight, as a seat post, Brompton shaped, in several length versions. More than the original. And handlebar and a clamp for the sadle, lighter than the original - maybe except the T-lines? And the luggage holder in front are now metal on mine. I use the extra leather "release straps" for cleaning my naves during rides, a shorter version in front😄. By that I have sown leather on my frame and up my stem post, for protection during handling. You are able to find a version with welcro, if wanted! And Vincita makes an expensive pouch for the folding pedal. Finn. Denmark

[@kgilliagorilla2761]

I have a B75. Same bike as yours. I think it was $1100USD. Definitely worth it.

[@8hrAdventures]

I agree. After clocking up over 100 miles in the first week, I knew I wasn't going to be able to walk away from it. So I bought it - best investment I've ever made

[@samuraikaoss1455]

I can't but, I did!

[@8hrAdventures]

I'm now guilty of that too!

[@tjj5337]

It’s not about hype. It a great bike for people with disabilities and seniors who have bad backs and can’t lift a big bike. I love mine and have put many miles on it. It’s not for mountain biking.

[@8hrAdventures]

After covering a lot of miles on it myself, I think this is a perfect bike for virtually everyone. The quality of the engineering is incredible and it's so convenient to fold up and take anywhere.

[@やから-n3q]

日本にも入ってきて欲しい！！

[@8hrAdventures]

Bromptons seem to be quite rare in Japan, but I'll be taking mine there as soon as I get the opportunity. I love watching the KZbin videos exploring Japan on a Brompton by @hilmiiman

[@kscl-b9v]

Love the video - just got mine yesterday so thank you 😁

[@8hrAdventures]

Thank you. I hope the weather is kind to you so you can go out and enjoy it.

[@billhemingway5558]

buy a p line or t line if you can afford it they are fun