I can’t stand it anymore. I can’t stand being without a bike when I’m on the road. Europe makes this exponentially worse seeing as they didn’t quite allow the oil and gas and auto industries to entirely consume their societal structure, but this also applies to my trips to Australia, Canada, and beyond. Not all countries are equipped to handle two wheel transpo, but many of the more intelligent places are, and these destinations are where I find myself wanting to spend more time.
I already own a Brompton.
At this point, there are so many different Brompton types I don’t even recall which model this is. There are A, C, P and T lines, which I know didn’t exist when I purchased my fancy little machine. I do know it’s a black edition with six speed cassette and flat bars. And I do know the newer lines are much, much lighter but do come with a price tag that isn’t quite so light.
If you don’t know about Brompton just know they are a bit different from many of the other folding brands. They have been around for a long while and have a stellar reputation. They also do a ton of collaborations. Some silly-ish due to cost, some not so silly, but any brand that collabs is doing cool in my book. The bike folds into thirds. Many folding bikes fold in half which isn’t quite enough for my needs. This baby packs up tiny and will actually fit in the overhead compartment. Now, I’m not insane, so I won’t be trying this, and I certainly won’t be attempting this in Europe with any of the discount airlines, but it is technically possible.
I have a shipping case picked out, one that is durable but also packable, which means I can ride from the airport depending on where I am, and I don’t have to worry about the airline destroying the bike, something I’ve heard plenty of horror stories about. These bikes are also highly customizable. Numerous companies make aftermarket parts and upgrades. I’ve done the rear suspension, seat, bar ends, pedals and roller wheels. I also use a Brompton bag that attaches to the front. (See image above.) Brompton now has a waterproof backpack that attaches, something they didn’t have when I bought my current bag. However, seeing as my wife has a Brompton too, we can rotate the pack and bag when needed. The idea is to get on a plane with the pack or bag, check the bike, get to airport and ride away. Super light. Super simple.
Now, seeing as this post will land on the Internet, I need to cut off that guy who will blow this plan out of the water by saying it’s the wrong bike, or the bike is too expensive, or that they use a handmade tricycle made from bamboo and trash bags to carry their possessions. I’m not saying this system is perfect or better than the system you have. Rental bikes suck. I needed to say that as well because someone is going to say “Oh, just rent.” Well, did you see the rental bikes at my hotel? I would guess 50+ pounds, single speed, no ability to stand, doesn’t fold up, can’t take on the train, etc. And when you are traveling from country to country, or even in one place for a month at a time, the cost of rental is far too high. (The same applies for vans. If you are in one place, or one country, for a few weeks, then renting is fine, but if you need a van for a three month trip, or more, those costs get out of hand very quickly.)
I should also mention these bikes are a blast to ride.
Fast and responsive. Faster than you might imagine. This guy is hilarious. I’ve done long rides in the mountains on this bike, not something I would suggest, but for most urban rides they are fantastic, and you don’t have to worry about theft because you fold it up and take it with you. Are there places that won’t let you? Of course. Do people who hate bikes hate these bikes as well? Yes. Can you find something wrong with this bike? Probably. But why?
I am one of the only people on Earth who has no interest in E-bikes, but if electric machines tickle your fancy you can get an E-Brompton as well. This bike travel system won’t work all the time, but I am planning for a future that may or may not see us living inside the continental United States. Depending on what happens come November, we may venture out for a few years. As I get older I have less ability to live surrounded by dumb, and we are now exhibiting a professional level of the stuff, so taking an international break may be in the cards. I don’t think this bike will work on Blurb trips, or on workshop trips, but for those rare trips where Danno gets a free minute or two, well, I can’t stop thinking about the fun and sweat that awaits.
Comments 25
Hi dan,
lovely post! as someone how does 90% of my daily transportation needs by bike I can agree. However I have never considered traveling with one other than on dedicated trips (which I have done only once and it did not end well) this gives me something to think about.
“As I get older I have less ability to live surrounded by dumb, ”
that my dear is pure gold and I want that on mugs and t-shirts and on buses this is the truest thing I heard all year.
all the best
frank
Author
Yes, more and more difficult to hear my fellow Americans scream things like Biden died in 2019 and the actor James Woods is playing him to keep the facade alive. Wood is a hard core right wing guy now, but that doesn’t seem to factor in.
Ha, it’s really too bad that it’s quite a hassle for non-residents to use the OV Fiets (PT scheme) rental bikes, ready to fetch at every train station in NL, no need to take them on board. The railway company could easily fix that, but they’re aware it would kill off the long standing regular rental bike economy. 50%+ of all train travellers in NL arrive at the station by bike, hence the massive bike parking garages.
Author
And I think renting would get costly if one were to rent all day, every day for several months.
“… but I am planning for a future that may or may not see us living inside the continental United States. Depending on what happens come November, we may venture out for a few years. As I get older I have less ability to live surrounded by dumb, and we are now exhibiting a professional level of the stuff, so taking an international break may be in the cards.”
This distopia has came true in my home country (Hungary) more than a decade ago so I’ve haven’t been living their dream for 9 years. It’s nice to be there as a tourist though.
Author
Yes, coming back to see family is totally fine. Living with this stupidity is more and more challenging.
Nothing is a Brompton. Nothing else folds and is as compact as the Brompton. I’ve had all manner of high-end folders (Bike Friday, Moulton, Tern) as well as dismantlers (Ritchey Breakaway), and nothing conveniently gets as small as FAST as Brompton. It took me a while to “settle” for the Brompton, which was me getting over the idea of a Sturmey Archer drivetrain, but that was really my issue and had little to do with the facts. Pedals were still a bit of an issue — I broke the folding one pretty quickly, and the QR one is good, but I live in fear of losing it, always.
I’ve never found bikes a great platform for photography, though. They’re great for scouting places to shoot, but still are kind of in-the-way for actual shooting, where there is no substitute for shoe leather.
But endeavoring to be a more dedicated urbanist, the Brompton is the best. I’ve never had an objection on trains, buses, occasional taxi. I don’t have a flight bag yet, but in the near future. It’s gotta be better than the Bike Friday. One has to get out of the mindset of locking it up places though. Fold and carry is what it’s about.
I’m still very N+1 on bikes, but if I was to pare it down to one bike, it would be this one.
Author
I’ve found my case. Now, I just time, money, a trip, etc.
When you hit Sydney be prepared for how brutal it is for cyclists. There are brave souls that look the LeTour part in the eastern suburbs but for the rest of us, riding in the burbs is a death wish. Despite decades of lobbying Government to improve/add cycle paths, we’ve got nothing. We all wish it were different.
Author
Oh ya. I’ve been three times. I know that it’s okay for cycling but not like Europe. I’ll do what I can.
Danielsan,
Within the circle-of-dumb; remains “some” level of intelligence and thoughtful perspective. Though, like yourself…I’m not sure it will survive.
Author
Oh ya, but their voices are being drowned out by the stupid information highway.
I’ve thought a lot about this. I already have three bikes – a road, a gravel, and an MTB (steel and titanium so they’ll last forever) that I have no desire to part with, but I genuinely think that with my current outlook on life, purchasing a foldable bike would be on of the best quality of life improvements I could make. It’d be perfect.
N + 1
Author
You know you want one. You are powerless against the Brompton.
Let us travel back in time to Uncle Dannos actual vacation to Jamaica. Would the Brompton have been an asset there or is a rented scooter/moped the way to go? I’ve never been and know little to nothing about the country overall (I can find it on a map). Pure curiosity at work here. I’m looking forward to the Seattle meetup and photo walk.
Author
Nope. Well, you COULD but they drive pretty crazy and not a lot of bikes on the road.
I love my Brompton P Line! I’m planning a trip to Copenhagen with it, which should be a dream city for bike enthusiasts like me.
Ruggero, more than 380 km of cycle paths await you here in Copenhagen. Welcome to Bike City 😉
Author
That’s perfect!
Hi, For all who don´t have a Brompton, or forgot it, check out the Brompton Docks (fee is 5 pound/day). Enjoy
https://bromptonhire.com/
Author
Such a great service. We need this in the US>
My kids are approaching urban cycling age and living in LA it’s a short-haul / helicopter dad experience due to text-and-driver dangers. I was a hardcore urban cyclist in my 20s/30s in SF hammering down on a fixed gear messenger bike, doing those slow speed maneuvers they are so great at. I want them to have that automobile independance as they develop. But I didn’t have zombie iPhone drivers like they do now. In fact I can’t remember a single bear-miss in my time in SF (Tt truly is a great town to ride in though. Cars are never able to go more than 35 there). It’s hard to find a balance.
Author
The single most important factor of getting people on bikes is separate lanes.
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