September 2014 - That was the month and year when I bought a Brompton, it was my second folding bike having ridden a BTWIN folding bike for a good few years before hand. But the Brompton was something different, everything reflected quality, from the feel of the spokes, to the finish of the paint, the Brompton felt like something classic and special.
 |
| The Brompton during our first month |
 |
| The Brompton folded |
Many manufacturers have attempted to compete with the compact size of a Brompton, and no other manufacturer has come close as yet. Indeed, its hard to find anyone who would criticise a Brompton, they have an almost cult status, with members being fundamentally loyal to its quality and rideability, but for me this unconditional loyalty harks to a bit of emperors new clothes. You see I rode my brompton for the best part of ten years, daily. I took it everywhere I went and took advantage of its ability to go in luggage racks or subways, even under a bus seat, the versatility had no end. The ride however, is where I would challenge its greatness, as this bike was far from perfect.
Andrew Ritchie, Brompton creator, has public said that there are many faults with his innovative bike. For me the wheel size, gearing, and riding position meant that a brompton was always uncomfortable when taking on hilly geography, such as that which covers my local area. The weight of a steel brompton isnt much lighter than a full size bike. And my final irritation with it, is the maintenance, an official in-store service for a brompton is significant, but even if you are a proficient home mechanic, the phhhafff of working on a brompton will test your patience, changing a tyre is not the quick side of the road job you'd be faced with on a full sized bike.
Much as I initially enjoyed my brompton, it just wasn't full fit for purpose for what I needed, the advantaged rarely outweighed the issues. So, I turned to another option. A few years ago I started to read articles and see social media posts on mini-velo bikes. These are machines that are a full sized frame, but with small (usually 20inch) wheels. Think a tiny home, but in bike form.
 |
| My Polygon Zeta 2 on its first day |
Much as I wanted to try one, I found there was little chance of doing so in the Scotland with no retails stocking. Then one day while scrolling through the google, booommmm right in front of me was an advert for a mini-velo bike through Blacks outdoor shop. It was a Polygon Zeta 2, and priced at only £400. I let my excitement get the better of me and quickly ordered it, without trying it, without reading a review, and without checking the spec.
Within a few days the bikes had arrived, posted in a large box, fully built, and when I say fully I mean fully, I didn't even need to fit the wheels. I checked the bike over and seen that I had bought something that was spec'ed pretty high for £400. There was fully tiagra groupset, hydraulic disc break, Vee tyres, and a nice quality self branded finishing kit.
Within seconds of riding it I knew my risk had paid off, this felt like a sturdy bike, not at all like a folding bike. I had 10 gears, a standard derailleur and familiar shifters. This was a bike that could easily be self maintained, and best of all had standard quick release wheels that were basically identical to a BMX size in terms of tube and tyre.
I have used this bike nearly everyday now for a couple of years, its became my main commuter and my shopper. I have even went to the point of fitting and integrated cargo bike handle bar for a usable rack. This bike can take the rough pothole streets that I need to ride daily, and with eight gears can genuinely climb comfortably. Its compact size means it easily goes on the train, although cant go on the underground, bus, or a plane cabin.
I am fully sold on this style of bikes, and can recommend people consider it over a folding biking when you are needing something smaller and compact.
 |
| fitted rack |
Comments
Post a Comment