I love my C Explore because I'm retired and have the time to travel to visit friends and family. I used to rent and borrow bikes, but I love to have a bike I know well, always at hand. I live on the ocean in Florida, so I also had a beach cruiser I got for free, but it can't leave home. I learned that my Brommie is better for me because even though I paid nothing for the cruiser, I still locked it outside places and worried a bit about it getting stolen. And it was eventually stolen. If you haven't seen Andrew Richie's explanation that he invented the Brompton because his regular bikes were repeatedly stolen outside his London engineering job, it's a treat. I call myself a cycling flaneur. Flaneur means to go for a stroll wherever your whims take you. It turns out that my Brompton does that very well because it takes any road in its stride. A few years ago my whims started taking me off-road, and to my surprise, the Brompton seems to like it!
Hi thanks for watching and sharing your story. I 100% agree I love that I don’t need to lock the Brompton up. And Paul often takes his onto gravel so he will agree with you there (long before the G-line!).
Would love to see that founders video about his bike being stolen is the reason he was inspired to create Brompton bikes. If you have a link or at least a few keywords to search for, let me know!
I definitely love my Brompton- in fact I probably tell people how much I love my Brompton as many times as Paul does. I have a number of other bikes - including modern gravel & hybrid bikes, an 80’s steel tourer, and a 1973 Lejeune racer which I’ve just restored- BUT, if I could only keep one of my bikes, it would be my Brompton (“Shackleton”)
@@markbelshaw9030 I had this exact conversation with paul today where he went through all his bikes and said IF he had to choose to only have one it would be the Brompton!
I’m glad you’re having fun! I purchased the standard seat post for my B75. My(I think all) B75s came with extended seat post stock. It makes the fold more compact. I also added mudguards. I have flown with it, very fun to explore on. Cheers, enjoy, from Chicago.
Thanks for watching and the feedback. I am planning to get mudguards soon. And maybe a rack, although I said I wouldn’t in the video, I’m now tempted !
I’ll give my two pence worth.I just bought my third Brompton,a C-Line H6R.The rack gives the bike more stability in the parked position,also the rack can offer a place to put a light jacket if you don’t want to carry the front Brompton bag.I have two Moulton bikes and also some other bikes that realistically you can’t compare with a Brompton.Thanks for sharing your experience with us and offering a place to learn more about these great little machines.
Great video. I too love my Brompton so much fun to ride. Can’t really take yourself seriously when out for a ride which is all part of the enjoyment. Thanks for filming all the best Pete 🚴
@@Pete40-b1u ah that’s it! You can’t take yourself seriously… hit the nail on the head. Just so joyful and fun! And thanks for the kind comments. I wasn’t keen on being in front of the camera for the video but paul convinced me so appreciate you saying you enjoyed it 👍
Welcome to the fold. Love my Bromptons. Am amazed at the condition of your B75. Glad you added the front carrier block. Perhaps some mudguards would be nice too. Keep things cleaner. I would have loved to see a comparison with the moulton - perhaps in a future video? Thanks for taking the time to make this.
hi sarah I have the same moulton as you and a tsr 30 plus 2 brompton bikes, I have to say although I agree the Moulton are a plusher ride with the suspension there is something about a brompton bike and I always have a smile on my face when I ride them 😄
I'm really keen on a C-Line Explore.......just a really versatile little bike. I've been sold on one for touring....... What a contrast to see a channel promoting real world bikes, unlike the usual channels falling over themselves over the latest race bike release........
Nice video and nice to see you falling in love with your Brommie and perfectly acceptable to love more than one bike. I have always loved my 9 year old Brommie but even more since I had it converted by Kinetics in Glasgow and it is just a stunning bike. I love the fact as you alluded to in the video that it goes everywhere including inside cafes and shops and thus is theoretically less stealable as it is seldom left anywhere and can live inside the house too. You mentioned 'twitchy' at the front and there is no denying that but like the fold you get used to it. I bought a rear view mirror which attaches to my glasses so I don't need to turn my head and ended up using it on all my bikes and never go without it. You don't have a rear rack and apart from load carrying, the bike rolls better when part folded with a rack, so worth considering for that alone. You can roll it by the handlebars or the saddle around shops or at stations etc and is far easier than trying to carry it, except for the final bit. I'd consider a rack for that alone never mind load carrying on tours. Enjoy and welcome to the 'fold' 😂
@@mattgemmell8345 hi, thanks for sharing your Brompton love and story and for watching the video - glad you enjoyed it. I’m unsure of the rack at the moment because of the extra weight but will certainly consider it!
@@veloworks9266 thanks, as I say it may be worth considering and the weight trade off may be worth it for the rollability alone. I also find it incredibly handy for carrying stuff that I never thought of. Bulky yoga equipment, shopping as well as camping stuff. The possibilities are endless
Hello Sarah, I am pleased to hear that you love your new Brompton... I think the B75 was a good model and the price point made getting your first Brompton more affordable. See you on the next one. Take care. Paul,,
I've been riding an aluminium Dahon for a couple of years and have newly acquired a superlight brompton. The brompton feels like a rolls royce to ride but the dahon feels like a Ferrari.
It will grow on you it is different in a good way. I fitted an extension handlebar retainer (from SJS Cycles) which allows you to move the levers / assemblies up to a more normal hand position. I did the first modification for my wife's Brompton liked it so much converted mine. The bonus is it does not interfere with the fold. Enjoyed the vid 👍
Thanks for watching and commenting. I quite like the handlebar position but maybe that’s why I find it twitchy so will ride for a while longer like this but take your suggestion on board and keep in mind! Thank you 👍
My Brompton has never let me down. If for some reason I can't pedal it, I fold it, put it in an Uber, tram...I never lock it up, if I can't take it with me, I am not eating at your restaurant, I am not shopping with you When I feel strong, I pass ebikes, road bikes and folks ask me "where is the motor?" I find it's easy maintenance. Adjustability is great. What other bike do you need?
I am more of a tinkerer than a cyclist and that is probably why I am not in love with my Bromptons, I love the versatility of external gears and if there were a derailleur hanger on them and the possibility to fit a 8-10 speed cassette I would be sold because the fold and size is unmatched!
I think the B75 is now the A-line. I'm considering getting one, and with all the extras like mudguards and a rack I want to put on it, arguably I "should" get a C-line which has 6 speeds. But right now I get around on a big Electra 7-speed cruiser and there are only 3 speeds in the middle of the gears that I actually use. I like the simplicity of just having 3 speeds.
@@alexcarter8807 hey thanks for watching and commenting. Ah I see the A line is the new B! Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Hope you make your decision!
Yep, I love my Brompton and it’s my regular take on public transport, but like you with your Moulton, I feel that my Birdy is a slightly better ride, not so twitchy, but it’s not as good a fold and needs a good service by someone who knows what they’re doing, my Thorn Nomad is my regular ride and I’m off to pick up a load of bottled water with it later this morning, as we have to use bottled or boiled water after Bert’s destruction in South Wales 😎
As to folding: after parking the bike (swing the rear wheel under the frame) the bike folds to the right, therefore you need to stand on the left hand side of it, and fold it ‘away’ from you. Simples. Had my H6R, from new since 2012, and yes I ❤ it.
Thanks 👍 I’ve got Paul’s video showing me but words and visuals don’t work for me like that 😂 so I need paul stood in front of me doing it and I copy. And then just repeating it
How do you find difficult hills on this bike? You must have flatter terrain than I do forget which gear you have on your bike - could never do in my hilly town. I have an E Brompton, but I am looking into getting a nonelectric to fly around the world with. Likely a 12 speed. Matching bike and helmet very chic!
@@GGg-ic9ku hi, thanks for watching and sharing. I have found the hills difficult and Paul would usually suggest to people to go for a 6 gear or above option. And our city is hilly! However, we live at the top of the hill so if I’m in the city I am generally on the flat. When we filmed this video I pushed it up the final hill (5-7 min walk) but we have other options like train or bus 👍
@ 😅 I don’t feel so bad then. You both are in much better shape than I because you do bike tours and cycle much more - something I hope to start doing a lot more of next year my first bike tours and hopefully can learn to camp like you both do. Would love to visit your town someday and Scotland from previous replies and discussions that we’ve had on your site about wonderful places to bike with a Brompton in your incredible country. Hopefully, somebody soon, you can hire me as a journeyman mechanic, Junior mechanic, marketing exec, sales exec something to get me out of the USA for good! Get me a green card fast! 😱
Hi - I’ve just bought a H6L C line and noticed your handlebars are pointing slightly inwards. Did Paul adjust them for you and did it affect the fold or need the cables to be adjusted ? I need to move mine inwards but am afraid of messing everything else up !
@@maureenarnold-hc4sg hi thanks for watching. This position is from the previous owner but I quite like it. Moving the handlebars inwards doesn’t affect the fold. It’s moving them outwards that does. Hope that helps 👍
@@veloworks9266 Any good bike shop can fix the cable lengths, even if they've never seen a Brompton before. You just have to show them how to fold and unfold. They'll figure it out, and there are UA-cams about how.
@@JosefMarc thanks for the comment. You are correct but in this situation to move the handlebars backwards and forwards there is no need to change the length of the cables (we are a bike shop if you didn’t know).
Me and the wife have a B75 each. Take them everywhere and on our holidays. Love them.👍
@@markhooper5824 great to hear! Thank you for watching
I love my C Explore because I'm retired and have the time to travel to visit friends and family. I used to rent and borrow bikes, but I love to have a bike I know well, always at hand. I live on the ocean in Florida, so I also had a beach cruiser I got for free, but it can't leave home. I learned that my Brommie is better for me because even though I paid nothing for the cruiser, I still locked it outside places and worried a bit about it getting stolen. And it was eventually stolen. If you haven't seen Andrew Richie's explanation that he invented the Brompton because his regular bikes were repeatedly stolen outside his London engineering job, it's a treat. I call myself a cycling flaneur. Flaneur means to go for a stroll wherever your whims take you. It turns out that my Brompton does that very well because it takes any road in its stride. A few years ago my whims started taking me off-road, and to my surprise, the Brompton seems to like it!
Hi thanks for watching and sharing your story. I 100% agree I love that I don’t need to lock the Brompton up. And Paul often takes his onto gravel so he will agree with you there (long before the G-line!).
Would love to see that founders video about his bike being stolen is the reason he was inspired to create Brompton bikes. If you have a link or at least a few keywords to search for, let me know!
@@GGg-ic9ku It's an hour long, but it's in his speech at London Business School 2017. ua-cam.com/video/snyYehenkhU/v-deo.html
@@GGg-ic9ku ua-cam.com/video/snyYehenkhU/v-deo.html an hour-long speech at London Business School
@@GGg-ic9ku "got nicked" ua-cam.com/video/snyYehenkhU/v-deo.html
Purchased a C Line Explore last week. About to start the journey 😊
Hope you enjoy it!
The fold is what brought me to Brompton. Being able to get on a bus and have bike rides in any town!
Yes isn’t it wonderful! I just need to practice so I’m as proficient as Paul!
I just love my M6. Met so many nice cyclists and seen so many great places.
Love Brompton.
@@GlenHoff-p2v aw lovely! Happy cycling 😀
I definitely love my Brompton- in fact I probably tell people how much I love my Brompton as many times as Paul does. I have a number of other bikes - including modern gravel & hybrid bikes, an 80’s steel tourer, and a 1973 Lejeune racer which I’ve just restored- BUT, if I could only keep one of my bikes, it would be my Brompton (“Shackleton”)
@@markbelshaw9030 I had this exact conversation with paul today where he went through all his bikes and said IF he had to choose to only have one it would be the Brompton!
I’m glad you’re having fun! I purchased the standard seat post for my B75. My(I think all) B75s came with extended seat post stock. It makes the fold more compact. I also added mudguards. I have flown with it, very fun to explore on. Cheers, enjoy, from Chicago.
Thanks for watching and the feedback. I am planning to get mudguards soon. And maybe a rack, although I said I wouldn’t in the video, I’m now tempted !
I’ll give my two pence worth.I just bought my third Brompton,a C-Line H6R.The rack gives the bike more stability in the parked position,also the rack can offer a place to put a light jacket if you don’t want to carry the front Brompton bag.I have two Moulton bikes and also some other bikes that realistically you can’t compare with a Brompton.Thanks for sharing your experience with us and offering a place to learn more about these great little machines.
Hi Joe, thanks for watching and the comments. Agreed it’s difficult to compare although apart from the fold the Moulton to me is certainly superior!
Great video. I too love my Brompton so much fun to ride. Can’t really take yourself seriously when out for a ride which is all part of the enjoyment. Thanks for filming all the best Pete 🚴
@@Pete40-b1u ah that’s it! You can’t take yourself seriously… hit the nail on the head. Just so joyful and fun! And thanks for the kind comments. I wasn’t keen on being in front of the camera for the video but paul convinced me so appreciate you saying you enjoyed it 👍
Welcome to the fold. Love my Bromptons. Am amazed at the condition of your B75. Glad you added the front carrier block. Perhaps some mudguards would be nice too. Keep things cleaner. I would have loved to see a comparison with the moulton - perhaps in a future video? Thanks for taking the time to make this.
@@carywatmore thanks for the kind comments and yes mud guards are on the list! Great idea for a video - will definitely think about it 👍
hi sarah I have the same moulton as you and a tsr 30 plus 2 brompton bikes, I have to say although I agree the Moulton are a plusher ride with the suspension there is something about a brompton bike and I always have a smile on my face when I ride them 😄
Thanks for sharing! I think I get that smile with my Moulton but am looking forward to riding the Brompton more for sure!
I'm really keen on a C-Line Explore.......just a really versatile little bike. I've been sold on one for touring.......
What a contrast to see a channel promoting real world bikes, unlike the usual channels falling over themselves over the latest race bike release........
@@Andy_ATB hope you get on with it well 👍 And thank you, glad you like the channel 👍
Great video. Thanks! I love my lime green high C-line - so ugly it's gorgeous, and just right for a city centre flat-dweller.
Ooo bold colour choice! Yes this is perfect for our city flat too (if we only didn’t have 9 other bikes between us 😂) 💚
@@veloworks9266 lol First rule of city riding - be seen. For me that means LIME GREEN, YELLOW and BLACK!
Nice video and nice to see you falling in love with your Brommie and perfectly acceptable to love more than one bike. I have always loved my 9 year old Brommie but even more since I had it converted by Kinetics in Glasgow and it is just a stunning bike. I love the fact as you alluded to in the video that it goes everywhere including inside cafes and shops and thus is theoretically less stealable as it is seldom left anywhere and can live inside the house too. You mentioned 'twitchy' at the front and there is no denying that but like the fold you get used to it. I bought a rear view mirror which attaches to my glasses so I don't need to turn my head and ended up using it on all my bikes and never go without it. You don't have a rear rack and apart from load carrying, the bike rolls better when part folded with a rack, so worth considering for that alone. You can roll it by the handlebars or the saddle around shops or at stations etc and is far easier than trying to carry it, except for the final bit. I'd consider a rack for that alone never mind load carrying on tours.
Enjoy and welcome to the 'fold' 😂
@@mattgemmell8345 hi, thanks for sharing your Brompton love and story and for watching the video - glad you enjoyed it. I’m unsure of the rack at the moment because of the extra weight but will certainly consider it!
@@veloworks9266 thanks, as I say it may be worth considering and the weight trade off may be worth it for the rollability alone. I also find it incredibly handy for carrying stuff that I never thought of. Bulky yoga equipment, shopping as well as camping stuff. The possibilities are endless
Hello Sarah,
I am pleased to hear that you love your new Brompton... I think the B75 was a good model and the price point made getting your first Brompton more affordable. See you on the next one.
Take care.
Paul,,
Thanks Paul. I am really enjoying it! Appreciate you watching and commenting as always 👍
Now the A line does the same job
I've been riding an aluminium Dahon for a couple of years and have newly acquired a superlight brompton. The brompton feels like a rolls royce to ride but the dahon feels like a Ferrari.
Ah I used to own a Dahon and would agree with this!
It will grow on you it is different in a good way. I fitted an extension handlebar retainer (from SJS Cycles) which allows you to move the levers / assemblies up to a more normal hand position. I did the first modification for my wife's Brompton liked it so much converted mine. The bonus is it does not interfere with the fold. Enjoyed the vid 👍
Thanks for watching and commenting. I quite like the handlebar position but maybe that’s why I find it twitchy so will ride for a while longer like this but take your suggestion on board and keep in mind! Thank you 👍
My Brompton has never let me down. If for some reason I can't pedal it, I fold it, put it in an Uber, tram...I never lock it up, if I can't take it with me, I am not eating at your restaurant, I am not shopping with you
When I feel strong, I pass ebikes, road bikes and folks ask me "where is the motor?" I find it's easy maintenance. Adjustability is great. What other bike do you need?
@@TheLicewine you explain it’s good points well! Paul is of the same opinion - if he only had one bike the Brompton would be it!
I am more of a tinkerer than a cyclist and that is probably why I am not in love with my Bromptons, I love the versatility of external gears and if there were a derailleur hanger on them and the possibility to fit a 8-10 speed cassette I would be sold because the fold and size is unmatched!
@@thomasmikkelsen518 hi, thanks for watching and I get that. Have you seen our Moulton restoration videos? May interest you 😀
I think the B75 is now the A-line. I'm considering getting one, and with all the extras like mudguards and a rack I want to put on it, arguably I "should" get a C-line which has 6 speeds. But right now I get around on a big Electra 7-speed cruiser and there are only 3 speeds in the middle of the gears that I actually use. I like the simplicity of just having 3 speeds.
@@alexcarter8807 hey thanks for watching and commenting. Ah I see the A line is the new B! Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Hope you make your decision!
Folding, stand on the other side, there's videos to watch, helps remind you of all the steps
Yes as I said in the video I’ll watch our own videos to help me 😂
Yep, I love my Brompton and it’s my regular take on public transport, but like you with your Moulton, I feel that my Birdy is a slightly better ride, not so twitchy, but it’s not as good a fold and needs a good service by someone who knows what they’re doing, my Thorn Nomad is my regular ride and I’m off to pick up a load of bottled water with it later this morning, as we have to use bottled or boiled water after Bert’s destruction in South Wales 😎
Sounds like you have a great collection and all have their uses. I hope you get your water back on soon 🙏
I really like the colour of your Brompton, but your helmet is even better! Please tell me what it is..
@@Caroline604 ah thank you!!! It’s a Giro mountain bike helmet as MTB’ing is my first love 🩵 Not sure which model 🤔
@@veloworks9266 am looking for that helmet now. Thank you!
As to folding: after parking the bike (swing the rear wheel under the frame) the bike folds to the right, therefore you need to stand on the left hand side of it, and fold it ‘away’ from you. Simples.
Had my H6R, from new since 2012, and yes I ❤ it.
Thanks 👍 I’ve got Paul’s video showing me but words and visuals don’t work for me like that 😂 so I need paul stood in front of me doing it and I copy. And then just repeating it
How do you find difficult hills on this bike? You must have flatter terrain than I do forget which gear you have on your bike - could never do in my hilly town. I have an E Brompton, but I am looking into getting a nonelectric to fly around the world with. Likely a 12 speed.
Matching bike and helmet very chic!
@@GGg-ic9ku hi, thanks for watching and sharing. I have found the hills difficult and Paul would usually suggest to people to go for a 6 gear or above option. And our city is hilly! However, we live at the top of the hill so if I’m in the city I am generally on the flat. When we filmed this video I pushed it up the final hill (5-7 min walk) but we have other options like train or bus 👍
@ 😅 I don’t feel so bad then. You both are in much better shape than I because you do bike tours and cycle much more - something I hope to start doing a lot more of next year my first bike tours and hopefully can learn to camp like you both do.
Would love to visit your town someday and Scotland from previous replies and discussions that we’ve had on your site about wonderful places to bike with a Brompton in your incredible country.
Hopefully, somebody soon, you can hire me as a journeyman mechanic, Junior mechanic, marketing exec, sales exec something to get me out of the USA for good! Get me a green card fast! 😱
@ I hope you do all the adventures you wish to do!!! Keep the dream alive 😀
Hi - I’ve just bought a H6L C line and noticed your handlebars are pointing slightly inwards. Did Paul adjust them for you and did it affect the fold or need the cables to be adjusted ? I need to move mine inwards but am afraid of messing everything else up !
@@maureenarnold-hc4sg hi thanks for watching. This position is from the previous owner but I quite like it. Moving the handlebars inwards doesn’t affect the fold. It’s moving them outwards that does. Hope that helps 👍
@@veloworks9266 Any good bike shop can fix the cable lengths, even if they've never seen a Brompton before. You just have to show them how to fold and unfold. They'll figure it out, and there are UA-cams about how.
@@JosefMarc thanks for the comment. You are correct but in this situation to move the handlebars backwards and forwards there is no need to change the length of the cables (we are a bike shop if you didn’t know).
I have a B75 and love it. Take it all over the world.
@@nickmorrison4985 great to hear 👍 How do you get on with it on hills? I definitely struggle with just the 3 gears.
I put a 40t chainring on. Game changer
@@nickmorrison4985 ah! I a cunning plan I may well do. Thank you 🤩