What's the Best Brompton?
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Brompton C Line Explore Mid Handlebar (previously known as Brompton M6L)
The C Line Explore Mid Handlebar is the most popular configuration we sell for a reason—it’s the most versatile. With six gears to choose from, it has a wide enough range to feel right for most places, and the actual gear range can be altered up or down to allow for better hill climbing or faster riding. The mid handlebar is 2.32 inches lower than the high handlebar and 3.5 inches higher than the low handlebar, designed for relaxed, upright riding, and suitable for anyone over 5' tall. It wouldn’t be our best selling bike if it didn’t come with fenders—the C Line Explore Mid Handlebar is ready to ride, whatever the weather. Here’s what it’s best for.
Commuting
Many people use Bromptons to speed up their commute. The C Line Explore Mid Handlebar is great for that. The mid handlebar's more upright riding position allows you to see and be seen more easily, which is especially useful when you’re commuting. In a flatter city, you could probably get away with a 2 or 3 speed Brompton. In a hilly city like Portland, a 6 speed is the most practical. Because the small wheels of a Brompton spin faster than larger wheeled bikes, they tend to kick up more spray from the road. Fenders help keep your clothing clean. Remember, even if you don't plan to ride in the rain, you may find yourself riding through a puddle from time to time.
RVs
Folding bikes and RVs work perfectly together. Traveling in an RV is a great way to see the country and having bikes in tow gives you more freedom to explore. Even the biggest RV storage compartments will not fit a bike without disassembly. Racks are costly and can damage your bike or vehicle if not installed properly or loaded correctly. They also do little or nothing to protect your bike from the elements. Folding bikes eliminate the need for expensive racks because they stow inside your RV, where theft is less likely. Bromptons are the easiest folding bikes to find storage space for because they’re the most compact. Others fold in half. Bromptons fold in thirds. The C Line Explore Mid Handlebar is our recommended setup for RVers for three reasons: Mid-height handlebars make the bike very shareable, it gives you enough gear range to do some distance or hilly riding, and the fenders will save you trips to the laundromat.
Bikepacking and Touring
A Brompton C Line Explore Mid Handlebar can be used for touring, whether that’s riding down the Pacific Coast, bikepacking Central Oregon mountains in Spring, or Bromptoneering the Blue and Wallowa Mountains. Maybe it’s the challenge of packing lightly. Maybe it’s the freedom to switch modes of transportation without having to pay surcharges, find bike boxes, etc. Whatever the reason, people love them for touring. If you want to do self-supported travel, we recommend the C Line Explore Mid Handlebar. Laura from The Path Less Pedaled said it best, a 6-speed Brompton “may only have six gears, but it turns out that they’re the right six.” Six speeds is the recommended gearing setup if you’d like to do longer rides. The mid handlebar lends itself to touring because it puts the rider in a comfortable, relaxed, upright position. Fenders are essential for touring—roads are often wet from drizzle or snowmelt, and changes of clothing are limited.
Travel
People who travel love Bromptons. A Brompton is the size of a carry on suitcase when folded. Small enough to fit in cars and most airplane overhead bins. Easy to store in hotel rooms. If you’re looking for the ultimate travel companion for business travel or vacation, you can’t go wrong with the C Line Explore Mid Handlebar. Take it on a plane, train, or bus to explore further and see more. Taste your way through local cuisines without ever having to leave it locked up outside. Travelers prefer the leisurely upright ride they get with the mid handlebars, and you can cover more ground with six speeds. The C Line Explore Mid Handlebar gives you enough gear range for long rides and challenging inclines, plus fenders for the unexpected rain shower.
