I’m folding, Tim Dawson (2000)

An original article first published in The List (Edinbugh and Glasgow’s listings magazine) on 8 June 2000

For all the innovation in racing and mountain bikes, today’s smart research money is devoted to creating a ride-about-town bike that will change the way that we get about cities.

The there is already a cycle available that promises to take this kind of pedal-powered travel through such a paradigm shift: the Brompton folding bike. I test rode one of the newest models for a week to see if it lives up to its billing.

The design is deliciously ingenious; a Swiss army knife has nothing on a Brompton. It can be adapted for almost any height or weight of rider (I am six foot one) but collapses into a two-foot square bundle of bikes bits in under thirty seconds. And for all its apparent complexity I could create this origami of steel tubing in half a minute at my second or third attempt.

It is also a pretty impressive ride. Small wheels allow for quick acceleration, and only really suffer as you descend steeply-cobbled hills. Its five-speed hub gears got me up even the meanest of Edinburgh’s hills and gave fair scope for galloping down the other sides. And the riding position feels both comfortable and natural. There is flex in the frame but nothing that you can’t live with.

The Brompton’s real advantage, however, is that once it has got you from A to B, it reduces almost instantly into a hand carryable bundle. Clamber aboard a train, bus or taxi and no one gives you a second glance. Or stick it in the boot of your car in case an opportunity for a recreational ride crops up unexpectedly.

This flexibility really does change the way that you think about a bike; who cares if the first bus does not go quite where you want? You will be speeding to your destination as soon as you get off. And if it is raining when you set off home from work, you can accept a lift home with a colleague without a worry for where your bike will go.

The Brompton’s only drawback is its image. Ten minutes into my test and I had already attracted some helpfully shouted comments about ‘riding a proper bike’. And, if you are going to ride it to meetings – for example – you will probably need to arrive with it under your arm. Its fine if you don’t mind endlessly explaining why you have a bike that has apparently been through a crusher under your arm, but a pain if you prefer to keep private your transport preferences.

By the end of the week, however, I was persuaded that if a Vespa can be cool, so too can a Brompton. I will join the army of eccentrics on their folders, as soon as resources allow.

Tim Dawson June 2000

Update July 2018. I am now on to my forth Brompton (I own two, two were stolen). It is the most remarkable bicycle, as well, in my view, of being the pre-eminient consumer product manufactured in Britain today.