Brompton Electric - Bike train commute
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- čas přidán 28. 06. 2024
- I had to go to a meeting and thought “I’ll take the Brompton Electric on the train, I’ve seen the adverts where people trot up the stairs effortlessly carrying their Bromptons, it’s easy”
Follow along and find out the truth….
Got a question or comment? I’ll try to help.
If you don’t want to comment below, head for oldmanwith.com and use “ask a question” - Jak na to + styl
Thanks for making this video. I have recently purchased a BE and absolutely love it. I have been a leisure cyclists since a young boy. I often took my other bike on holiday in the UK but I'm getting too old to be lugging it onto roof roof rack so decided that a Brompton might be easier to transport. At 65 I manage to put 2 of these in the car and take them to various destinations. I don't need the battery assistance as much as my wife (who has knee issues) but it makes travelling long distances much more fun. TBH, the BE has been a game changer for my wife. We've also been wondering about using the train to explore further afield and this video has eased my mind. I have invested in the IKEA Dimpa bag to help keep a dirty/wet bike from becoming an issue in public places/transport. I think that the additional carry strap will be a great idea too. Thanks for sharing you experience in the UK.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Enjoy your Bromptons 😊
I often leave it assembled until on platform as it is easier move it around, obviously using lifts if needed. On buses I just push it into window area and I sit in aisle seat. I never lock my Brompton as it comes everywhere with me.
I commute and use two trains from two diferent stations on different side of Dublin.
As people have mentioned it's much easier to leave the bike in cycling format until you are on the platfrom, folding as late as possible before getting on and after getting off the train.
When in cycling format with the saddle up you can lift the bike by the main tube and rest the nose of the saddle on your shoulder. It will actaully hang there quiet balanced with the battery fitted. I carry it this way when going up and down the stairs. On the evening train home it is usually jammed so I stand with the bike folded between my legs and it doesn't get in anyones way.
As you said its not light so you don't want to be carrying it folded up for any length of time if you can avoid it. I also find it doesn't really roll that well on the small wheels.
TLDR - keep it in cycling format as long as poosible and only fold when you have to. They are quirky but for commuting using public transport they really are superb - you just need to dial in your system.
Great tips, thank you for the comprehensive explanation. In fairness I’m now retired and my only Brompton use is leisure but this should help others starting on their commuting journey.
A couple of tips. Point the nose of the saddle a little towards your direction and that makes the bike stay away from your leg when carrying it.
I use a velcro strap through the back wheel and frame when carrying so it will not unfold! Enjoy ":-)
Thanks Karen, I fitted a “temporary” Velcro strap about a week after I filmed it with the full intention of replacing it with a more professional looking one, needless to say I haven’t changed it but it does make a big difference. Equally great tip on the saddle pointing!
Better still get a leather frame carrying strap / handle then lift the whole bike from the folded bike's centre of gravity, which is much easier. They are about £20 on Amazon.
Thank you just what I have been looking for
Thanks you 😊
Hello, I loved the video, I also have an electric Brompton for 2 months now and I am still learning from people with more experience than me the easiest and most comfortable way to move with it, I have already subscribed to your channel, thank you and until the next video 😊👍🚴🏾♀️
Thank you Mithu, I wish you great success with it. There WILL be more videos soon 👍🏻
I have adjusted the bolt on the seat post a tiny bit to ensure smooth operation of seat post but no saddle creep .
Hi, the biggest problem I found after the event was the amount of grit in the frame tube where the seatpost slides. Once I cleaned it all out I added some rustproofer in the frame tube (waxoyl type of stuff) and it’s all good now. Thanks for your comment
As a member of the target market for e-Bromptons, I found your video most enlightening. Thank you for taking the trouble to give a real life view of multi-modal e-bromptoning. Where I live I am surrounded by hills so ebiking makes sense. I have already converted by full sized bike to electric using a kit from Grin Tech and I am or was considering doing the same to my newly acquired 2016 6 speed B. I'm now including what you have revealed to be true in my evaluation of my situation. Weight was always going to be an issue , and using buses and ferries was part of my reason for buying a Brompton in the first place. I'm going to see how I get on with the non-electric Brompton on buses and ferries before heading down the electric route. If I struggle with the manual B, doing the e-B thing might be out of the question - or may need a different approach.
Thanks Simon, if you do end up wanting to convert it I guess the latest Swytch kit might be a good route, their website says it adds 2.2kg to the all up weight (2.6kg for the bigger battery). But… the battery (small version) is only 700g so that’s 1.5kg permanently added to the bike whichever version you go with (I think 🤔). The actual E Brompton like mine is a heavier bike to start with because it has different forks and mine also has the rack so a conversion for yours would be a better experience I would imagine. Good luck with your experience 👍🏻
@@oldmanwithit is also worth it to keep it mind that adding a swytch conversion kit will void the warranty of the Brompton and most Brompton mechanics will refuse even touching the bike.
Hi, I don’t disagree but it’s also worth bearing in mind that with no retrofit option available from Brompton, the aftermarket suppliers are merely taking advantage of a market that’s sat waiting for them. As far as refusal to work on them, I can well imagine a mechanic at a Brompton specific facility refusing but given that most UK dealers that sell Brompton are multi franchise I’d be surprised if their mechanics wouldn’t work on the bike itself. In terms of the drive system whether Swytch or other then that might be a different matter. Pretty much all of the aftermarket conversions are lacking Aftersales support in the form of shops, dealers etc. It’s very much a matter of one gets what one pays for.
An enjoyable video, im also what is called a multimodal commuter, bike and 1/2 trains, been doing that for 0ver 5 years and absolutly love it, my bike is a Dahon Vybe D7 folding bike bit more heavier than a brompton. One question i like the jacket your wearing can you tell me what is is and where you brought it from. Thanks
Hi thanks for your comment. I’ve seen a lot of folk locally using Dahons and some of the other electric folders that are now available. The jacket is a Boardman (Halfords own brand now), just checked and they still sell it. It’s actually Navy although it looks black in the video. As at April 2024 Halfords are doing 20% off on 3 items or more. I’ve no connection with them, just noticed while I was checking.
I take my Brompton’s on the train and buses here in Sydney without any problems.
Good to hear. You don’t find the electric more challenging due to the weight? That’s my only major point really. Brompton ads tend to show bright young folk trotting about carrying their Bromptons like a Michael Kors handbag, I just find the reality a bit more of a workout 🏋️♀️ 😊
@oldmanwith Some time ago I used Silicon spray on the seat post, the resulting problem was that the seat post didn't grip and began to lower as a rode.(does that make sense ?) I cleaned it and did what @davet3804 suggested.
Hi yes, as I just replied to @davet3804 I found out after that there was a lot of dirt and grit in the frame tube where the seatpost slides. I cleaned it out and added some Waxoyl type rustproofer and it’s fine now. Regarding the quick release pinch bolt, in fairness I’m so used to adjusting them on all my bikes that have them, I can’t remember if I’ve adjusted the Brompton one or not. I think I probably have.
I consider buying one..wouldn't it be easier to wear it with the saddle nose on your shoulder ?
Sorry, missed this comment. Certainly you can turn the saddle to a slight angle to make it easier to carry but having had a quick try of your idea I'm afraid I'd say no. 2 things: It doesn't carry like say a cyclocross bike where you see riders with a shoulder under the crossbar when they have to run but also the other issue is that if you raise the saddle enough to get a shoulder under it, the frame comes unlocked and you have a very floppy mechanical mess....
Thanks for watching and commenting
The electric Brompton is a great bike, but it is a bit heavy to carry about. I have also a P-Line; it’s so easy to carry and lift in and out of the car compared with the electric. 👍
Thanks Gordon, yes I lifted a few of the non electric Bromptons up in a shop recently and the difference is even more marked than I expected but fortunately for me I don’t have to drag mine about too regularly these days. And even the Brompton Electric is waaaay lighter than my EMTB 😊 Thanks for the comment
Agree, the extra weight spoils a Brompton and kind of misses the point.
The weight is the biggest reason I would not convert my Brompton to electric. Without the extra weight of the motor and with a leather frame carrying handle fitted, it is a doddle to carry anywhere. The riding for me is no bother either, I am 65 but being a time triallist, whilst doing something like going shopping or commuting short distances, I hardly break into a sweat. In my opinion making a Brompton electric, spoils it. We do have an electric bike, a folding ADO air 20, a very good bike at a very good price but quite heavy, which doesn't matter if you don't intend to carrry it, the wife rides it mainly, to keep up with me, on my Brompton, whilst we are out and about whilst caravanning, where it is also ideal.
Valid points Steve. It’s definitely doable to commute wth it but if I were commuting every day I’d stick with the traditional Brompton also. I’m now 66 and not in any way a competing athlete but I still find a non electric Brompton very easy to ride in most routes. I bought mine primarily to haul shopping which it does fine and my wife likes the assistance it gives. I kinda feel that Brompton were doing a bit of bandwagon jumping and although it sells, it’s nowhere near the success of the original. That’s also shown by the lack of development of the electric. I really ought to do an update video with those thoughts…
I am retired now but for 25 years I commuted 34 miles per day, 5 days a week, all year in all weathers but on a regular light weight racing bike. Didn't have a Brompton then and it would have made the commute very long. I used to get up to 300 miles per week in total with dedicated training included I wouldn't commute to work all that way on a Brompton. They are ideal though for short commutes, that is their target audience. I even get a bit of training in on my Brompton, when space is at a premium and I can't carry a full size bike these days, whilst in my camper van / caravan.
What is the electric like to ride without the battery? Would you say it feels the same as a standard Brompton, or do you feel more resistance?
Hi, thanks for the question. I’ve not had too much experience of riding a non electric Brompton apart from the one I converted to a Swytch kit for somebody. But…. The standard Brompton was definitely noticeably lighter. However in terms of increased resistance I haven’t noticed any. I rode it home a few times in the early days when I had some failures of the power system and it just felt like riding a “normal” bike but with the added weight of the battery and motor. In one instance I rode it home with a full city bag of shopping, plus battery, plus motor about 3 miles mostly uphill and I pedalled it all the way. If I compare that with my Trek EMTB the Trek is incredibly hard work to pedal without power, even if I take out the battery and leave it behind. If I pedal that to the top of my road (again uphill) about 200 yards it seems incredibly hard work and definitely feels like it has resistance. I have seen people saying on forums that they feel resistance on the Brompton but I don’t. As a closing thought, the only thing that is different in resistance terms between the standard and the Electric is the front wheel. If I lift the front of my electric off the ground and spin the front wheel it spins pretty much like a normal wheel so if you can find one in a shop you can prove it to yourself. Hope that helps.
@@oldmanwith
Brilliant. Thankyou 👍
Hi, I can't compare with a standard brompton but as a newish owner of a BE I was curious to see if the motor had a drag effect when using the bike either with the battery switched off & no battery fitted. Personally, I could not detect any noticeable difference and often ride my BE with no battery fitted if I'm on short & flattish journeys.
What model is the Brookes saddle? I think the battery can remain on the bike for folding, I know the bag that mounts on the front can. See 10 minutes in czcams.com/video/V6bmuJ98Zc8/video.htmlsi=-OhZtXZ5JI0YiwVb
Hi, it’s the Flyer model in honey from memory. I might have misrepresented the bag / battery bit slightly, yes you can definitely leave the bag on when folding. It just makes it a bit ungainly when you’re actually folding it. The battery is integral to the bag and the other reason I take it off is that it reduces the all up weight of the bike and allows me to balance myself out a bit while carrying it. I actually use it with the city bag (again integral battery) on it and roll it with the handlebars up as a shopping trolley 😁 One of these days I’ll get round to doing a video on it…
Thanks for your comment.
@@oldmanwith great thanks. 👍
I've found folding electric bikes just aren't as practical as the companies would have you believe. I'm convinced that they should be focused on making the bike fold into a shape that can be worn as a backpack rather than making it as a small a fold down as possible.
Yes ain’t that the truth, and not just with folding bikes either…..
That’s a great shout on the backpack bike, I like your thinking 👍🏻
Very informative video. I would suggest using a short Velcro strap to secure the front wheel and top tube, which allows you to roll the bike around with the seat tube up. Most importantly, please, please don't spray your seat tube with any lubricate whatsoever. You will regret it, as you'll be pedalling while squatting.
Thanks for the comment Harry, I actually fitted a Velcro strap as a result of thinking about it while editing the video. On the seatpost, I don’t lubricate it but I do clean it and wipe it over with a cloth with a bit of silicon spray on it which stops the dirt and dust sticking. I’ve adjusted the clamp once since new.
Nice info but make life easier for yourself and don't fold it till you get on the train! That's what I do
Fair comment, it’s not something I’d attempted before so more “tricks” would come with time I guess. How do you deal with stairs etc? Carry or roll?
Bromptons are for old people and geography / RE teachers and those that no longer care about life so il continue to drive to work and use my Santa Cruz bronson for fun
What are you doing watching a Brompton video then? Scared what’ll happen when you get old? Looking for a career change to teaching? Yup I’m old, no I don’t teach and never did, and yes I ride 3 mtb’s and a trials bike for fun and I drive about in a pickup. Oh yeah and I also have a Brompton. Crack on mate, are you sure you’re old enough to drive?
@@oldmanwith 🙌
I'd say Bromptons are more for people who want to enjoy their lives, not the other way round.
I suspect you've never experienced the fun and convenience of riding one.
You can obviously tell a Brompton is not for you then being immature. I am 65, have a Brompton, I also own a Cannondale super six evo, a Cannondale System six and a Trek Speed concept in bikes and can still average 25 mph in 25 mile TT races and a Kawasaki 900 rs se as well as a Honda cbr 600 motorbike, that can do nearly 160 mph. ideal for an old doddery Brompton user seeking thrills. Obviously not a mid life crisis either, because that would mean I am going to reach 130 y.o.a. lol. Maybe I will slow down in later life and become a fat - tired - mountain biker.
Sometimes American spelling comes in handy.
I often leave it assembled until on platform as it is easier move it around, obviously using lifts if needed. On buses I just push it into window area and I sit in aisle seat. I never lock my Brompton as it comes everywhere with me.
Thanks Claire, yes I think if I was using it to commute regularly I’d adopt a similar set of tactics.