Brompton Bicycle - A new book by David Henshaw - the fascinating story behind one of the world's most unusual and popular folding bikes. All you need to know to enjoy this incredible folding
bike to the full. £13.49
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Price: From £600 Rating: 5/5 Verdict: "Still the best compact folder on the market"
After a production run of fifteen years, the Brompton remains the definitive folding bike. Revamped several times, the Brompton range was completely reconstructed for 2005, with two new families - the sporty S-type and touring P-type. With the new models came a whole range of new accessories and options, from ball-bearing rollers for the rear rack to lightweight titanium frame parts. The Brompton folds in less than 15 seconds to a volume of 85 litres (3 cu ft) and locks together, so it's easy to carry. Unique to the Brompton is a range of pricey but effective luggage secured over the front wheel by a quick-release system. Rear suspension deals with the bumps and the small 16-inch wheels make the Brompton very maneuverable through traffic, its natural habitat. The Brompton weighs from 9.7kg and is currently available with a 3-speed hub, 3-speed hub plus Brompton's own 2-speed derailleur, producing an effective 6-speed, or 2-speed derailleur alone. Primarily a commuter bike, the Brompton can actually be ridden considerable distances thanks to its rear suspension and high-pressure tyres.
Some Brompton models have a rack and dynamo lights, but our tip is to opt for the cheaper, lighter 'L' type, plus the front luggage and optional battery lighting set. If you can afford it, the L-X option is lighter still. The 'C' type (no longer in production) is similar to the 'L', but with a simpler, nastier spec - this one is only really suitable for leisure use.
Although designed and produced in England, the Brompton has also been built under licence by Neobike in Taiwan for sale in the Pacific rim countries, but this agreement has long been terminated and production wound up. Strangely, if you see a Brompton carrying a Union Jack flag, it will be made in Taiwan! Other manufacturers - notably Oyama and Merc - have tried to copy the Brompton, but the results are a bit laughable as yet. Recently, road tests elsewhere have questioned the Brompton's place at the top of the pile, but we can see no viable challengers. New scrummy titanium bits have put Brompton back at the cutting edge.
See our other folding bike reviews.
We have the following technical articles and road-tests of Brompton models.
| Article | Magazine | Date Published | Digital Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brompton M6R-XL | A to B 68 | November 2008 | Available Online |
| Brompton M2L-X (special lightweight conversion) | A to B 49 | August 2005 | - |
| Brompton S2L-X (new for 2005) | A to B 47 | April 2005 | - |
| Brompton S2L-X | A to B 55 | August 2006 | Available Online |
| Brompton P6R-XDL (new for 2005) | A to B 47 | April 2005 | - |
| Brompton Mark 3 (2004 upgrades) | A to B 40 | February 2004 | - |
| Brompton L5 Mark 2 (versus Birdy Red) | PHOTOCOPY | August 1998 | - |
| Brompton L3 Mark 3 | PHOTOCOPY | February 2001 | - |
| Brompton SP1 (special conversion) | A to B 14 | October 1999 | - |
| Brompton Light 3 (special conversion) | PHOTOCOPY or PDF | August 1998 | - |
| Brompton Mark 3 (specification only) | PHOTOCOPY | February 2000 | - |
| Brompton 6-speed (gear test only) | A to B 29 | April 2002 | - |
| Brompton C-Type (v Micro and Dahon) | PHOTOCOPY or PDF | June 2003 | - |
| Brompton (2010 upgrades) | A to B 74 | October 2009 | Available Online |
| SP Brompton (impressions only) | A to B 24 | June 2001 | - |
| SP Brompton (brief review only) | A to B 46 | February 2005 | - |
| Brompton (recumbent conversion) | PHOTOCOPY | October 1998 | - |
| Brompton Rear Child Seat | A to B 24 | June 2001 | - |
| Brompton Child SeatS | A to B 72 | March 2009 | Available Online |
| Brompton ITchair (Frame-mounted Child Seat) | A to B 46 | February 2005 | - |
| Brompton SPchair (Frame-mounted Child Seat) | A to B 72 | March 2009 | Available Online |
| Brompton SP Trailer Bike | PHOTOCOPY | August 2001 | - |
| Brompton SP Trailer Bike (2009 model) | A to B 72 | March 2009 | Available Online |
| Junior Brompton Home-built conversion | A to B 52 | February 2006 | - |
| Brompton Sparticle (power kit) | A to B 69 | January 2009 | Available Online |
| Brompton Nano (power kit) | A to B 60 | June 2007 | Available Online |
| Brompton Nano (500 mile update) | A to B 61 | August 2007 | Available Online |
| Brompton Nano (12 month update) | A to B 65 | May 2007 | Available Online |
| Zap/Brompton | PHOTOCOPY | August 1999 | - |
| 16-inch (349mm) tyres compared | A to B 40 | February 2004 | - |
| Brompton - Panaracer Crosstown tyres | A to B 69 | January 2009 | Available Online |
| Brompton - Wide Ratio 3-spd Hub | A to B 68 | November 2008 | Available Online |
| Brompton - buying secondhand | PHOTOCOPY | February 1998 | - |
| Brompton - after 11,000 miles | PHOTOCOPY or PDF | February 1997 | - |
| Brompton - drum brake conversion | PHOTOCOPY | June 2000 | - |
| Brompton - dual-pivot brake conversion | A to B 6 | June 1998 | - |
| Brompton - Oval EGGrings | A to B 6 | June 1998 | - |
| Brompton - alternative handlebars | PHOTOCOPY | Februaru 1997 | - |
| Brompton - Mountain Drive gear conversion | PHOTOCOPY | December 2000 | - |
| Brompton - Off-road conversion | A to B 33 | December 2002 | - |
| Brompton - 5-spd hub rebuild | A to B 39 | December 2003 | - |
| Brompton - Trike Conversion | A to B 44 | October 2004 | - |
| Brompton - Wide Ratio 6-spd Gear Conversion | A to B 47 | April 2005 | - |
| Brompton - Wide Ratio 2-spd Gear Conversion | A to B 52 | February 2006 | - |
| Brompton - 10-spd Conversion | A to B 55 | August 2006 | Available Online |
| Brompton - Front Hub Brake Conversion | A to B 48 | June 2005 | - |
| Brompton - Ergon MR-1 Race Grips | A to B 48 | June 2005 | - |
| Brompton - Back Pack | A to B 54 | June 2006 | - |
| Brompton - Spanninga Rear Light | A to B 59 | April 2007 | Available Online |
| Brompton - Rear Frame Clip | A to B 61 | August 2007 | Available Online |
| SP Brompton - Luggage Post | A to B 53 | April 2006 | - |
| Round the World without Flying (Brompton touring article) | A to B 59 | April 2007 | Available Online |