Bike Blog 31-01-25

There has been a question asked of me recently. That question was why on earth would you want to convert a Brompton folding bicycle to single speed? Actually, this question has been asked before. A few years ago, I converted some of my bikes to single speed and loved the experience of riding them. However, last year I decided to refresh all my bikes and purchase new, up-to-date modern bikes to replace them, none of them single speed.

I should say all my bikes were at least 12-years old and while perfectly serviceable, none had hydraulic brakes and all had heavy steel frames. As I’ve long wanted to own and ride a carbon fibre framed bike as well as a titanium framed bike, and the fact that I’m now on the wrong side of 63-years old, time was getting short. All my older bikes were donated to a local bike charity.

Then, in late December last year, my wife and I purchased a couple of Brompton folding bikes, both the 6-speed C Line Explore model. We wanted bikes that could be easily carried in the car, or onto the bus or train when we travelled away from home and could also be taken into the hotel we were staying at for overnight safety. And now that we have used the bikes, I came to me that the Brompton was the ideal candidate for a single speed conversion. Small. nimble and some importantly of all, fun.

So, I bought another Brompton, the C Line Urban, in bumblebee yellow, the easiest model to convert to single speed. He is called Mr Bumble. My other Brompton is Mr Orange. Brompton do offer a single speed model in their range, the T Line One, but with a princely price tag of £4250.00, well, come on! And I would require additional parts to change the gear ratio to suit my needs. Actually, I was tempted but another £3000 just to save 4Kg of weight, no I cannot justify that. Better keep my money for that other bike in the wish list, the Trek Farley 9.6 fat bike.

Now, this brings us to that question again, why on earth would you want to convert a Brompton folding bicycle to single speed? Well, I think the main reason is the word minimalist, and perhaps simplicity as well. The Brompton is quirky, different, weird and jolly good fun to ride as well. It also fits neatly into a concept I have. That concept is one bike for everything. For some strange and unknown reason, I feel the urge to use a wholly unsuitable bike for all manner of silly things. One example would be riding the Seven Hills of Edinburgh, that’s seven summits spread across the city. I hope to better my time of 4h 13m 27s achieved on my Swifty Air kick scooter.

I just love the simplicity of a single speed bike. No gears to change, just you and your legs to deal with the hills. But what about going fast downhill? Well, on a single speed going downhill you will soon find yourself spinning out, that where you reach the point where you cannot pedal any faster to gain additional speed. It’s not really a problem; you just chill out and enjoy the relaxed ride. Single speed bikes are simpler to maintain and usually quieter as well, juts more chilled and relaxing. Back with more soon, once I actually get Mr Bumble back from the warranty repair.

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