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Bike Advice – Brompton vs Single Speed & CX

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  • October 5, 2013 at 11:31 pm #20025
    middlering

    I’ve been dragged, kicking and screaming, by my partner from London (Clapham Junction area) to Guildford.

    Amongst many changes inflicted by this move on my lifestyle, one important one is that I can’t ride in to work (Farringdon) anymore. The new plan is to ride to the station in Guildford, take the train to Waterloo, then ride on to work. However, since I can’t take my road bike on the train to London, this facilitates new bike purchase.

    Options:
    1. Buy a Brompton, fold it and take it on the train (partner’s choice), and
    2. Buy a cheap SS/fixie to keep in London, and a not expensive CX bike for Guildford end of commute (my choice). Both will be locked at the respective stations when I’m not in town.

    Need help with reasons on which is the better choice, and suggestions on any alternatives.

    Also, if anyone’s selling: looking for a used Brompton, or decently maintained CX & SS bikes.

    PS: One final input: we’ve found shelter on top of a steepish climb that I’ll have to ascend after work, and I’m not sure how suited a Brompton is to that task.

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  • October 6, 2013 at 10:02 am #759497
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    freespirit1

    You could cycle to Guildford
    You could cycle to Guildford and then walk from Waterloo to Farringdon via Roupell Street and Blackfriars Bridge. I worked in Blackfriars for many years and that took about 15 minutes Farringdon is not that much further. On the days it’s raining have an Oyster card handy for the bus.

    October 6, 2013 at 9:51 am #759495
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    sm

    Sounds like a Brompton to me
    Sounds like a Brompton to me if you enjoy a test ride (and that’s coming from an ardent fixed fan). The two bikes thing sounds like hassle unless you’d use them for something else? Just make sure the Brompton doesn’t become your main bike (Others tell me that’s hard to resist!)

    October 6, 2013 at 9:35 am #759493
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    indyjukebox

    I have a 6 speed Brompton. It
    I have a 6 speed Brompton. It copes with most hills in SE/SW London. Best purchase I have made in a while. Best bit is that it resides under my desk at work, taking away any worry about theft. Unless you work in an non secure environment.

    Plus if you can ascend a steep hill with a SS, then you can certainly do that with a geared Brompton. Try one, you may be pleasantly surprised. I was.

    October 6, 2013 at 8:59 am #759491
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    hexhome

    I also bought a 6 speed
    I also bought a 6 speed Brompton after much deep thought. It turned out to be my best purchase ever. It will do the job perfectly but also find itself being used for all sorts of extra trips previously unthought of.
    Best of all though, if you found that it wasn’t for you (unheard off but strange things happen) you can sell it for very little loss! Cycle to work scheme?

    October 6, 2013 at 6:31 am #759489
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    onegreenhill

    I have a similar commute.
    I have a similar commute. Bought a 6 speed Brompton, does the job nicely. Rides surprisingly fast as well if you get the S version with the flat bars and then stick SPD’s on it.

    Best bit is that it lives under my desk at work, and in my house when I get home so no worries about it getting nicked.

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