Test ride: If you only use bicycles as sports equipment, you could rethink this bike: The folding bike from the Brompton is so practical that you could even consider switching to a folding bike for everyday use.
And now for something completely different! Okay, a folding bike from Brompton is not quite as extravagant and bizarre as the comedy series by Monthy Python - but at least as British. This also includes a long tradition of craftsmanship, which the folding bike manufacturer shares with manufacturers such as Brooks, because the frame and many special parts are manufactured in our own factory in London.
The English are into their "folding bike"; A large fan base has long been established, which organizes events such as a Brompton race with the Le Mans start. And the current color variants offered by Brompton show that the classic bike has arrived in the trendy urban bike world.
Who is the target group for a folding bike?
We got ourselves a nice red model to answer the following question: What kind of bike does someone ride who doesn't actually ride a bike – at least not on a daily basis? Many cyclists have little interest in using bicycles as a means of transport, but those who live in the city and are confronted with the daily car chaos may at some point come up with the idea of using endurance and calf strength for other than leisure activities. Maybe not always, but more and more often, and then it can be something practical, or something unusual. So why not a Brompton? The steel miracle of space has many good sides, the first of which is of course the minimal space requirement when folded. Whether it's in the basement, trunk or train compartment: the metallic package fits in anywhere and can be taken anywhere - on the train, for example, without a bicycle ticket. The folding mechanism is easy to understand and so uncomplicated that you can quickly fold and unfold the bike on the platform, even under prying eyes.
You can also ride a mini bike very well. The steering is quite unsteady and you can forget about hands-free riding, but those who are used to an agile racing bike will get along with it quite well. Thanks to the adjusted translation, you don't have to whirl the pedals wildly, the third gear is rather too long for rides on flat terrain. Although wheels as small as the 16-inch Brompton are at a disadvantage in terms of driving dynamics, the rubber buffers in the rear triangle as well as the slim steel fork and the long stem ensure a decent reduction in impact. Even at higher speeds you won't be thrown out of the saddle by potholes and the like.
The equipment of a simple Brompton like the test model is undoubtedly spartan: three-speed hub gears, two rim brakes, mudguards, that's about it. But the occasional and short-distance cyclist does not need more; a set of rechargeable battery lights can certainly be found in the bike cellar, and instead of a luggage rack, it will do, too Messenger or backpack.
Anyone who is used to spending four-digit sums on sports bikes will probably not mind the 1.271 euros for our three-speed Brompton (the red finish costs 46 euros extra, in black, white, classic Racing Green or orange it is 1.225 euros), maybe but at the weight of almost 11,5 kilos. However, since the compact bike is very easy to carry, its mass is less important than that of “full-grown” bikes. There is also the super light and the titanium version. In short, it's something completely different, while being practical, stylish and fun.
product Highlights
- Super compact, easy to fold folding bike
- Easy to drive, very practical
price and web
- From 1.225 €
- www.brompton.de
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