Brompton folding bike
Folding bike in Cars & transport
People recommend it for how small it folds, how well it is built, and how well it suits daily train and city travel. The most common caveat is its high price.
People recommend it for how small it folds, how well it is built, and how well it suits daily train and city travel. The most common caveat is its high price.
27 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 22
- criticize it
- 5
- approval share
- 81%
Recommended in 2 of 13 months
- November 2025: not recommended
- December 2025: not recommended
- January 2026: not recommended
- February 2026: not recommended
- March 2026: not recommended
- April 2026: recommended
- May 2026: not recommended
- June 2026: not recommended
- July 2026: not recommended
- August 2026: not recommended
- September 2026: recommended
- October 2026: not recommended
- November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)
Owned for 12 years
Median of the 5 owners who said how long they have had it.
Each square is one year.
Why it doesn’t carry the badge
- 22 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, met.
- 4.4 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, met.
- Recommended in 2 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, not met.
The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works
What people say about it
The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Built to last for years
“The Brompton bike is also quite bombproof. It's heavier than other options, but solid as hell.”
Comment from 26 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes” “I'm 15 years into owning a Brompton and I know I'll never get rid of it.”
Comment from 26 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes” “with a reputation for a quality product that can last decades”
Comment from 27 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes” - Comment from 26 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes”
- Comment from 26 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes”
Folds very small and effortlessly
“they fold down into the tiniest package of any folder but my god they've gotten expensive in the last couple of years”
Comment from 26 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes” “They fold effortlessly; folding and unfolding a couple times a day at the station is no hassle at all.”
Comment from 25 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes” “folding was a thing Brompton made mainstream, partly by inventing a fold that was so convenient”
Comment from 26 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes” Good for daily commuting trips
“we love them. we wouldn't travel around teh city without them. they're amazing.”
Comment from 26 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes” “It paid for itself in saved fuel and parking fees in the first year I had it.”
Comment from 26 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes” “I do find my brompton a lot more convenient for the train”
Comment from 26 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes” Useful carrying and pushing features
“I'm a big fan of the fact that you can push a Brompton while folded.”
Comment from 26 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes” “Brompton with Burley Travoy trailer while the guy moves house.”
Comment from 25 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes” “the bag and rack are so functional”
Comment from 27 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes”
What people warn about
Each mark is one comment
Expensive to buy
“they fold down into the tiniest package of any folder but my god they've gotten expensive in the last couple of years”
Comment from 26 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes” “the mentioned Brompton is very expensive when buying with a motor”
Comment from 26 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes” “bromptons around here are filthy expensive”
Comment from 25 Apr 2026 in “The Joy of Folding Bikes”
What people said
32 of the 38 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“soon, me taking possession of a top-of-the-line Brompton electric folding bike”
“the bag and rack are so functional”
“with a reputation for a quality product that can last decades”
“It turned out to be a great choice of bike for travelling around slowly on.”
“Most of the parts are proprietary, so if you bork a derailleur you get to wait 6-8 weeks for a replacement from the UK”
“they fold down into the tiniest package of any folder but my god they've gotten expensive in the last couple of years”
“we love them. we wouldn't travel around teh city without them. they're amazing.”
“The Brompton bike is also quite bombproof. It's heavier than other options, but solid as hell.”
“What I appreciate about Brompton is there is a well-established hacking culture.”
“I'm a big fan of the fact that you can push a Brompton while folded.”
“folding was a thing Brompton made mainstream, partly by inventing a fold that was so convenient”
“It paid for itself in saved fuel and parking fees in the first year I had it.”
“it really does ride a lot like a regular bike”
“I think of my Brompton as an unbelievably well made tool.”
“I use my Brompton in ways which are not on its label.”
“the mentioned Brompton is very expensive when buying with a motor”
“I can see the genius in it now”
“Bromptons try to balance it, which for me is a much better package”
“I do find my brompton a lot more convenient for the train”
“I'm 15 years into owning a Brompton and I know I'll never get rid of it.”
“I love my Brompton. I've had mine for 12 years”
“It's absolutely punishing on the wrists.”
“I love my Brompton, expensive as it was.”
“The 16" tires killed all the joy I normally get from riding a bike tbh.”
“Brompton with Burley Travoy trailer while the guy moves house.”
“YouTuber Susanna Thornton does bikepacking and wild-camping on her Brompton”
“They fold effortlessly; folding and unfolding a couple times a day at the station is no hassle at all.”
“No issues handling that distance.”
“it is also a reasonable touring bike if done within its constraints”
“he regretted his because it's surprisingly heavy and bulky even when folded”
“bromptons around here are filthy expensive”
“Brompton is probably the #1 brand bike thieves will target though”
Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.