touring on folding bike/brompton?

[jonnycapes]

Anybody done any uk cycle touring on a folding bike?
I've taken quite a shine to brompton bicycles recently & could quite fancy a leisurely few weekends away doing some lightweight touring & camping on one, but I wonder if that's just a bit daft or not? Anyone else done any touring on a brompton or other folding bikes?
PS, i don't own one yet, I just really like the quirky look of them & the portability - I also wouldn't be able to afford a brand new one so if anyone has any advice on second hand buying of Bromptons that'd be much appreciated too!

[Ian Atkinson]

With limited gearing and luggage space I don't know how suitable they'd be to touring really...

What would the advantage be? I know they're good for folding up on busy trains but if you're out and about would you really need to do that so much?

[jonnycapes]

Hmmm, you're probably right... just wondered if any had any experience of this. I.e would it be a TOTALLY ridiculous thing to do? lol

[Saint-Just]

I think Moulton bikes have been used quite successfully for touring; but as Ian pointed out they are much better geared than Brompton for that type of use.

As for finding a cheap Brompton, good luck, even 2nd hand; Been looking at the bay on and off for months and I might as well have been looking for rocking horse manure.

[Chui]

I wouldn't bother - novel thought though that it is

Touring on a touring bike - any wee problems you're more likely to find someone that can help/have parts if need be.

On a Brompton, great as they are, if it went wrong or summat, I want to be able to hail a London cab......

[Ropeman]

Most trains can take a large bike, can't they?

That idea of taking public transport to a touring area and then cycling round for a few days, get a train past the boring bits of long road and on to the next scenic area is an appealing one though.

Must see about selling rocking horse pooh on ebay, it seems rather sought after.

[Chui]

.......

Must see about selling rocking horse pooh on ebay, it seems rather sought after.

.........esp if polished

[Andy]

St John in Nottingham use Montague folding bikes as response bikes as they can be folded for storage but are more like normal bikes once going.

I don't believe they can be folded in under 20seconds but they would be an option for taking on public transport to get to a ride. They cost a fair amount more then a normal bike though and I haven't seen any second hand.

[filleep]

I've got a Brompton and have used it on 20 odd mile hilly rides, but for touring, I agree with the advice so far.
Folders have limited luggage capabilities and limited clearance if you venture on to tracks.
I love them, but theyre not light to carry. They do fold & unfold quickly. The gearing soon reminds me I need to work on the engine
pity you weren't at the great northern, I had to use mine to find somewhere with a phone signal.

[1gear]

Raleigh Twentys have been used for touring. Have a look around on the net and you will find pictures of them in their touring set up.
There are people that use Bromptons for touring and on a cycle forum im on someone has used one for an Audax but i wouldnt chose to tour on one.
If you want something that you can fold up for storage and tour on then a Raleigh Twenty might be the way to go. Get a secondhand one and do it up nice. Sheldon Brown had a few and he seemed to really like them

[beachcaster]

Any tracks or off roads will be very bumpy........limited carrying capacity.....great for commuting and clever bits of kit but for touring you really are better off with bigger wheels

barry

[mirage]

There was an item in Cycling Plus years ago about three mates who toured across the Gobi desert on either Moultons or Bromptons.

If you wait until you've got every conceivable piece of equipment, in this year's model, with the Mk. II titanium upgrade, you'll end up in 10 years' time with an attic full of mouldering kit and no experiences.

Every day people go cycle camping with dad's Scout tent, a rusty 40lb. antique bike, a £9.99 sleeping bag from Lidl and a rollmat from a car boot sale, and they have a great time.

Go for it!

mirage

[zed6309]

ive done a lot of touring over the last 30 years and prefer a suitable touring bike with 26inch 0r 700c wheels, i find smaller say 20inch wheels not as comfy a ride, moultons are nice with a correct set up, as said space for panniers and gears could be your issue, good luck though if you give it a go, i like a challenge .

[Basemetal]

Alpine downhills are going to be interesting on small wheels, especially if laden...

[zed6309]

Alpine downhills are going to be interesting on small wheels, especially if laden...

lol yeah tank slapper all the way down ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHHHHHHH