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Excellent advice for anyone looking for a used Brompton. I was very lucky with mine, bought on eBay after a few failed bids on others. It was four years old but in mint condition, having spent most of its life under the seller's stairs when he moved house and job shortly after buying it new and no longer commuted. It even still had the rubber spikes on the tyres. I made the poor man go to a lot of trouble to prove it wasn't stolen before I bought it. He didn't bear a grudge, though and actually gave me an Ortlieb O Bag in new condition, as well as a cover and saddle pouch, all for free along with the bike. I immediately sold the O Bag and bought a T Bag in similar condition with the proceeds as I wanted it for touring, not commuting. Six years later, it is still immaculate, as I like to keep my expensive purchases in good condition. I absolutely love the bike and highly recommend getting a Brompton, but only after taking a test ride. Although they ride like a full sized bike, the steering is very sensitive and they like a comparatively smooth surface. I think they are very much a "Marmite" bike. Being able to fold and keep it in the car boot or hop on a bus with it is so liberating, as well as not having to worry about it being stolen due to being able to take it just about anywhere. Another good thing about them is the resale value. If someone finds they really don't like the bike after purchase, the chances are it has probably increased a bit in value, unlike just about any other machine you can buy. Because mine came with all the bells and whistles, including rack and dynamo, it cost me a third less than a new Brompton at the time. My advice to would be buyers is to be sure and take into account the cost of adding extras after purchase. Brompton accessories are very expensive and quickly add up if you buy a basic model.

The canal is the best place to be when it's hot out. No climbing either :-)

As ever, Paul, brilliantly clear advice and explanations of what to look for. Love the tip about taking a small piece off the rear mudguard.

Great Video and great points for used Brommies. Most important sentence is within the first 35 seconds: If a Brompton is used heavily in the wrong circumstances, it can (it does) suffer quite a lot! If you want to use your Brommie as a touring bike, with all the challenges that brings , it's NOT the usual circumstances that it's made for. Than you have to invest a little more maintainance work. But if you do, it will be a faithful companion. Btw: In terms of rust, we use Fluidfilm at the end of every summer to protect all our steel frames in the wet month. Smells horrible for a while, but after two days in the saddle, I smell worse 😝 Stinky regards! Ben&Sarah

the Asian dupes are excellent. For 300£... Brand new.

thinking about selling my brompton, but don't know what it's price should be. it's an s2l raw lacquer without mudguards cca. 2011, single owner, and i'm in the european union

Well done, usefull information!

Ti part workshop made in Hong Kong

I´m getting interested in a Brompton. I´ve been pining for a Moulton a long time, but here I Sweden they're not really showing up... This seems like it would be a decent compromise.

Some really good advice in this video. Even for a experienced Brompton Rider. Greetings from Düsseldorf.

Thanks for that, really helpful and timely post, a lot of food for thought.

Very comprehensive video. The only thing I would perhaps is to check it isn't stolen, do they have the original receipt and handbook and is the frame number registered.

Tools to help you buy with your head not your heart ! Love it 🎉

Ha! Excellent video and excellent timing for me! Thank you! I've just begun shopping around for a very good condition used Brompton for the international travel that my Dahons are a little less well suited for. I found a ~10-year-old 6-speed C line which looks to be in outstanding shape owned by a Brompton aficionado. Thanks again for this very helpful video!

Great video. I have aspirations of doing Lejog and would like to adopt your approach to the journey.

Was expecting to see the Moulton?

A good video with some interesting and relevant points. You didn’t mention it, but I’m sure you are aware that there are companies selling kits to convert ordinary bikes to e-bikes. I worked for nano Electric Bikes for a year and we made a nice kit for a Brompton that was very successful for many years. If anything happened to it, we could almost always supply a component, rebuild a wheel or repair the motor. I replaced parts in many older motors to get them running again. The kit used to be £850 and of course the customer supplied their own bike, which seemed a very sustainable system to me.

Well you had good weather, beautiful area around Llantony/Hay on Wye…..walked up from Capel-y-Fyn to Offas Dyke footpath on the Big Black Mountain Challenge, it was a killer, you two are a class act, definitely need to see more of your adventures 👍

I normally really enjoy your videos spoilt for me with your friends foul mouth no need to to use that language

Loved this, really inspiring and looking forward to my own cycle touring adventure in the future.

Captures the joy of cycle touring 😊

A lovely video. Inspired to do that Pass. I’ve planned a diy Audax from Newport Gwent to Newport Pembrokeshire 138 miles. On a classic 1982 Raleigh Record Ace.

how tall are you and what size frame is that bike? thanks.

I love my Brompton too. It’s funny, convenient, and so cute.

Like 'Weather Report' version of Bardia!!!

About 1 hour

I upgraded my 2017 to carbon fibre, it’s very light like titanium but I don’t like the flex and slippage

You're absolutely right, the 90's was an awesome time for MTB. The magazines, the bike shops, no sanctioned trails anywhere, just making it up as we went along! Love that 90's ATB and the Kona looks like it would shred just as well today as back in the day. I've recently built up an old steel 1990 Apollo MTB for touring, this has inspired me to take it on some single track. Thanks for the video!

is the diameter the same as the original steel one? Mine was a slightly smaller in diameter. I had to tighten the screw a little more.

Thank ypu for an informative video, really appreciate it

Ok Paul, you did ask for suggestions... I use mine to explore the South Downs. I tend to carry quite a lot of stuff on the front and back (photo &/or painting gear). Country lanes and tracks are my main routes. As Brompton are extending their range beyond their traditional city bikes, new riders will, I suspect, be thinking, how they might push their Bromptons beyond tarmac. Perhaps even bike packing. Keep up the good work promoting independent bike shops ...

The design is beautiful and it is the only 'thing' I have ever owned that brings me such joy.

I am using a titanium seatpost from Bompfication and i am very satisfied with it. This titanium seatpost has no slipping issues and, of course, still needs to be cleaned, but I like your seatpost color

I have one I’ve owned since 1995

Looks great!

As a Dane, I found my by then, Top Model, 2019 Superlight in an ordinary bike/Brompton Shop in Cph. A Dealer I connected before that, claimed that Brompton - hardly cared to answer questions about bikes!! I saw what they had ready as finished bikes and found my Flame Painted, "black version" as my choice, so even though much less of my original bike is - still in place, my now Titanium seat post is black! And it didn't in any way felt flimsy or thin, so I trust it completely! With near all loose parts on my bike changed to carbon and titanium it now weighs below 9 kilo, and still with my mudguards, as a "Rainy Dane"! I have changed the clamps holding the original titanium stays to carbon, from the original "Heavy Metal versions! Finn. Denmark

I’ve had my brompton six-speed since 2013, and I love it. I plan to buy another brompton soon for no other reason than to support the company.

I have the silver matte finish TiParts on my Brompton and yes it is more comfortable. Only thing I have noticed is it the matte/slightly rough finish seemed to wear the plastic insert out faster and I just got that replaced, maybe I just didn't have the clamp tight enough so it was sliding?. Anyway would recommend the TiParts post if it fits your budget.

I wasn't sure about the colour when you first showed the seat post, but I must admit it looks great on your bike. I am also envious of that flex but doubt it would do much for my ride because I have so little exposed post. The penalty of being both vertically challenged and short in the leg.

Apart from the weight loss, the gain in comfort and the beautiful rainbow you’re riding on now, there is a further side effect that should be mentioned. The titanium seat post will slip less than a chromium plated one. So the seat post sleeve replacement has to be done less often. A nice benefit that equalizes the high costs in the long run. 😊 Nice video Paul. Thank you very much.

Called it! 😂 Love the rainbow colouring with that lacquer finish.

A worthy upgrade Paul. Really suits the bike and the rainbow finish looks premium.

We actually met a fellow Japanese Brompton cyclist on our tour in Korea! He had the exact same seatpost plus the diet kit. And two days later, we only met his companions again , but he wasn't with them anymore because the seatpost broke while he was going uphill. To be fair: he was a bit more on the heavier side 😂 Hope you'll have more luck, but be careful!

That post would look great on the Paris edition P Line

I love the ti seat post on my S3L raw lacquer titanium - looks and feels good although I am rather jealous of your rainbow finish

Try the titanium seat post with a super firm Joseph kuosac suspension block, you may be surprised at the ride 👍🏻

Sweet! I cringed though when you just slammed in the post with all the crunchy dirt 😁 But all seems well, and it looks great!

I love the rainbow color of the seat post, though not quite as beautiful as the color of your rosy cheeks. I'm sure Sarah would agree. Just sayin'. ♥ Paul, I have a question. Let's say I were to get the 4-speed T-Line and only wanted to have a single tooth chainring. What size chainring would I need to ride comfortably, with a casual cadence, at 32 kph (20 mph) in fourth gear? Thank you. Stay awesome.

Surprise at how much I liked your video. The algorithm popped it up on my feed. For what it's worth I'm a fan of Maxis High Road HPR tyres on my carbon Focus race bike. They are very very supple especially with TPU tubes. And depending on your weight you could probably drop the pressure to 85 psi easy. I pump up to 80 rear and 70 front and let them come down over a week or two. You have inspired me to do more videos myself 😊