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 Chris Rust May 2006

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The Brompton might be the best bike in the world.

Usually the term "best" is taken to mean something that represents quality without compromise. For example it is widely accepted that the Stradivarius is the best violin that you can have although it is also clear that most of us can't have one because they are rare and very expensive. In contrast, if the Brompton is the best bike in the world, it is because it is a perfect compromise.

It is not a perfect touring bike, or racing bike, it is no kind of mountain bike (although I have seen photographs of a Brompton in the Himalayas), It is not the most comfortable or reliable (although it is pretty comfortable and very reliable), it is not the best load carrier (although it can carry a lot), it is not the lightest (although you can get a very light titanium Brompton if you pay enough). Even among small wheeled and folding bikes it is not the best for most tasks, a Birdy probably gives a better ride, a Moulton is faster etc. About the only thing a Brompton does better than any other bike is that it is the fastest and easiest to fold and it packs down smaller - these are very significant advantages but, on their own, they do not make the best bike.

But it is the best compromise. If you only want to have one bike this is the one that will give most value, most pleasure and most satisfaction.

First of all it is just a very good bike, as light as a good touring bike, it feels taught and precise with its high quality steel frame and high pressure road tyres and on a good surface it can go very fast. With a Brookes saddle you can set it up to be comfortable if not absolutely ideal (OK high pressure tyres will never give the softest ride even with big wheels) and the unique front-mounted luggage system carries a huge amount of stuff without affecting handling. It is designed very conservatively to be ultra reliable and it is very easy to maintain with simple tools.

And because it is the fastest folding most compact folder it can transform your life. You can park it just inside your front door, ready to ride off at a moment's notice. You can wheel it right up to the door of your train (carrying your luggage for you) and fold it up in the time it takes for the doors to open and a couple of passengers to get off. At your destination you can have the bike unfolded and loaded up and be on your way before most people have reached the back of the taxi queue. It allows you to carry far more stuff than you would in hand baggage on a day trip (I might have computer, change of clothes, music player, books, lunch, briefcase, drink, shopping, camera, waterproof, washbag etc). On a longer trip you can survive for a week on the contents of the Brompton front touring pannier, with a bit of ingenuity you can carry full camping equipment as well.

Brompton owners quickly become passionate about their bikes. Most agree that owning one changes your life, opening up new opportunities and making cycling something you do all the time. You may become a Bromptoneer, finding ever more ingenious ways to improve your mobility. You might be a Bromptonaut taking your small-wheeled bike to places that other bikes can only dream of or perhaps you are a Bromptonista, challenging the accepted order. I have found myself taking on all three roles at different times since I bought my Brompton in 2003, the one thing that is consistent is that I have not made a single solo journey of any distance with a car since then, I am a much fitter person, journeys are usually more reliable and less stressful and I spend a good deal of time relaxing on trains or riding my bike, instead of hunched over a wheel worrying about traffic delays and dodging the heavy metal on the motorway.

And it is fun. It turns heads, young men shout out "hey, cool bike man", people ask you about it and where they can get one. Other Brompton owners give you a quiet smile. It is very manouevrable, it parks in a trice with the unique flip-under rear wheel-cum-stand. Each little feature of the bike is beautifully thought out and satisfying to use, from snapping the folding pedal away, to ringing the little integrated bell. The Brompton is a miracle of elegant compromises and good engineering sense.

A Brompton is not a cheap bike, especially if you fit the Schlumpf Mountain Drive that is essential for riding anywhere hilly, but it is terrific value and when you decide to get one you will be buying the ticket to a completely new way of life.

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