A Ride on the Brompton Electric
I popped into the Brompton store in Covent Garden, London, to pick up bike after some repairs and before heading downstairs to pick it up, I asked the woman working there if I could test-ride a Brompton Electric. No problem, she said.
I put my bag behind the till and she explained to me how the bike works which can be summed up as: just ride the thing. I was test-riding the six-speed, which was interesting in itself as I'd only ever ridden the three speed. She said I had fifteen to twenty minutes to test the bike out so I headed onto the busy streets that surround the shop.
My first thoughts were the usual ones the first time you feel the pull of an electric bike: this is fun. The bike was not noticable heavier than a non-electric one. Not noticably different in any way, in fact. The pull was slightly less than I was expecting but then the one electric bike I'd ridden in the past was a lot more sustantial and I believe it had a more powerful motor (not certain though). The six gears didn't come entirely naturally, I am probably not used to the different gear ratios; I spent a fair part of the time trying to use the gears well.
But this was certainly good fun. The striking thing was just how solid the ride felt. I suspect that this is just the improvement in build quality made since my Brompton was made and the fact that it was brand new. I had a lot more confidence on this bike than on my own. The electric motor certainly helped noticably. It's a lovely bike but I wasn't quite at the point of really wanting one.
I took the bike back to the shop and spoke to a man working there. He was very interested in my opinion of the bike and suggested that I try the two-speed version. I was dubious that it would be much different but thought, why not?
Immediately I liked it much better. Perhaps as it's lighter, perhaps because the gear ratios are closer to what I am used to. But this bike was to me a lot simpler to ride and a lot more fun. It really is a Brompton with more of a kick. I was a little sad to give this bike up.
Collecting my repaired bike, I was struck by how hard it was to get mine to accelerate. The motor must have been doing more than I thought at the time. But yes, my old Brompton is very shaky in comparison.
It was a good experience navigating the bikes around the horrible roads south of Shaftesbury Avenue and down to the Strand. I do slightly want one, but while the price is the wrong side of £1500, I'm putting it out of my mind. I am however much more sold on swapping my Brompton for a brand new one. With the prices of second hand Bromptons holding up so well, it wouldn't cost that much to do this.
I put my bag behind the till and she explained to me how the bike works which can be summed up as: just ride the thing. I was test-riding the six-speed, which was interesting in itself as I'd only ever ridden the three speed. She said I had fifteen to twenty minutes to test the bike out so I headed onto the busy streets that surround the shop.
My first thoughts were the usual ones the first time you feel the pull of an electric bike: this is fun. The bike was not noticable heavier than a non-electric one. Not noticably different in any way, in fact. The pull was slightly less than I was expecting but then the one electric bike I'd ridden in the past was a lot more sustantial and I believe it had a more powerful motor (not certain though). The six gears didn't come entirely naturally, I am probably not used to the different gear ratios; I spent a fair part of the time trying to use the gears well.
But this was certainly good fun. The striking thing was just how solid the ride felt. I suspect that this is just the improvement in build quality made since my Brompton was made and the fact that it was brand new. I had a lot more confidence on this bike than on my own. The electric motor certainly helped noticably. It's a lovely bike but I wasn't quite at the point of really wanting one.
I took the bike back to the shop and spoke to a man working there. He was very interested in my opinion of the bike and suggested that I try the two-speed version. I was dubious that it would be much different but thought, why not?
Immediately I liked it much better. Perhaps as it's lighter, perhaps because the gear ratios are closer to what I am used to. But this bike was to me a lot simpler to ride and a lot more fun. It really is a Brompton with more of a kick. I was a little sad to give this bike up.
Collecting my repaired bike, I was struck by how hard it was to get mine to accelerate. The motor must have been doing more than I thought at the time. But yes, my old Brompton is very shaky in comparison.
It was a good experience navigating the bikes around the horrible roads south of Shaftesbury Avenue and down to the Strand. I do slightly want one, but while the price is the wrong side of £1500, I'm putting it out of my mind. I am however much more sold on swapping my Brompton for a brand new one. With the prices of second hand Bromptons holding up so well, it wouldn't cost that much to do this.
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