4th October 2023:
So I’ve had my C-Line Brompton 6 months now and thought it was time I compared it with my road bike, to see which I now prefer. A hard decision!
I’ve had my road bike for about 10 years, and bought it from Ribble Cycles who are based in Preston, Lancashire. I have bought many bikes from them over the years, including almost all of the racing bikes I used when I was a keen club-cyclist and time triallist.
In this video I compare the two types of bike – but you’ll have to watch til the end to learn which I eventually felt was the best. Towards the end I did a little market research. My filming was rudely interrupted by a phone call from a VIP – watch the video to discover who it was!
I hope you’ll enjoy the video and also that you’ll like the humorous section towards the end – and please do let me know about that!
By the way, if you do enjoy it, then please consider subscribing – it really helps me to grow the channel!
You can see more of my videos, including my journeys along the canals, and of my Brompton bike at:
https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCpU5ERG8MwVJN7vRLVvrHMg/content/playlists
Cheers,
Jeff
6 Comments
Enjoyed the review Jeff, also enjoyed the bit of stand up comedy at the end 😄 Like you I have my Brompton and other bikes including a road bike and an e- mountain bike. I don't have any specific preference but do agree that the road bike is the most comfortable for longer distances. Horses for courses really and it's good to have a choice 👍
The advantage of calliper brakes, is that the blocks at relatively inexpensive and carrying a spare set not a problem. Fitting and adjustment during a ride is also easy. And the feel of blocks is more progressive, more forgiving when it all goes honey-shaped. But they can overheat and if the rims get muddy, the efficiency will suffer noticeably. Plus gritty blocks will scour the rims, leading to uneven braking.
For a well maintained bike, I doubt there’s much difference in time for the weekly check. But disc brakes have a little more complexity. If brakes starts to fail and things go pear-shaped with blocks, it’s usually a gradual thing. With discs, it’ll go from pear-shaped to full on honey-mode, before you can say, “Where’s the Heffalump?”
Nanny sounds a hoot and one to avoid in the afterlife. I once tried to ride a bike with a chainsaw & stuff bungyed on, I gave up after a few metres and walked the near mile to the trees. A humourless society, is not one I wish to be party to.
Which one is best, depends on your needs on the day. Each have their niche, advantages/disadvantages. Personally I like mountain bikes but they’re not as portable as the Brompton. What I don’t understand, are full on downhill bikes. What’s the point of a bike, so heavy you need a van or ski lift to get you to the top of a hill. Just so you can have gravity bring you back. At least with base jumping, you get a view and a walk.
😂 liked the comedy!
Absolutely brilliant Jeff. Loved the comedy more of that please. 😂
You’ve given me lots to think about regarding bikes. Thank you.
Oh it was nice to see Howard from Last of the Summer wine on your survey. I bet Marina was hiding near by in the bushes 😂
Hi Jeff. That's a really nice road bike. It doesn't look 10 years old at all and it's easy to see you look after it well. If you had said it was only 2 years old I'd have believed you as it looks so modern. I agree with you that both bikes have their advantages with the Brompton being a must on the canals. Anyway, the comedy section at the end took me by surprise. It made me spit my tea out onto my laptop when I laughed. Absolutely hilarious 😂😂😂. It's been a while since you've serenaded us with the guitar and we subscribers are due a classical performance from your good self. I've heard the Prime Minister himself is a fan. Great vlog as usual Jeff, entertaining, informative and funny. See you on the next one mate, I'm off to wipe the tea off my laptop. 👍👍👍
As a former owner, now 75, of one of the first disc-brake bikes I ever saw, an alu frame, GT Zaskar MTB, I couldn't imagine that the difference would be that much from my former ordinary and – very well braking MTB. I couldn't have been more wrong!!
Today I have and use a specially hand built, superlight carbon, full Shimano XTR with oversize Shimano XTR9120, double caliber disc brakes (203/180mm), which I originally was afraid would be able to block the wheels on a flat road!! But they are extremely well functioning! And 33 possible XTR gears and – wheels (I don't find less gears better and I can't even start on a flat road in the low gears, and get riding speed. But going up an insane hill with a risk of falling backwards, while doing it (Of course with XTR click pedals and shoes) they are indeed fine!!).
As now an elderly man I also had an 6,8 kilo bike with a LOOK top frame with a full Dura-Ace, but I sold that some years ago.
It's an equipment race you will never be able to win 😄! Finn. Denmark