Home > Stories > Guides

What’s the best bike for commuting? The Brompton breakdown

At Brompton we want to create the best bike for commuting it’s possible to make. We set out to turn travelling into something joyful, and we see the folding bike as a problem-solver that sets you free. 

We pride ourselves on always pushing forward, trying to come up with new ways to surprise you with just how much fun you can have getting from A to B. But in a lot of ways, the answer is the same as it was when the first Brompton rolled off the production line… 

There’s nothing in the rulebook that says commuting has to be a bummer. 

Whether you’re thinking about swapping to a Brompton for your existing cycle commute, or hoping to get out of your car and into the saddle for the first time, our Brompton guide to bike commuting has all the information and inspiration you’ll need to make that leap. 

If you already own and commute on a Brompton, keep reading. There’s plenty here for the seasoned rider too.

Which type of bike is best for commuting?

Naturally, we believe a folding bike is the best bike for commuting.

But why do folding bikes make good commuter bikes? Actually, what is a commuter bike? And why do we feel justified in calling the Brompton a commuting dream machine? What qualities should any commuter bike have to be great at its job? 

Here’s why you should seriously consider a Brompton folding bike as your next commuter bike.

Versatility

No two people’s commutes are the same. In fact, one person might experience several different commutes in one week, perhaps it’s their turn to collect the kids from school, or they need to pick up some dry cleaning on the way into the office. 

There’s no predicting what modern life will throw at us, so a commuter bike needs to be versatile enough to reflect all those possibilities. 

Being able to fold your bike up and carry it onto public transport, or put it quickly and compactly into a car boot, is a real secret weapon, an ace up the sleeve that conventional bikes simply can’t match. 

Durability and ease of maintenance

Commuting puts your bike through a lot. First, there’s the varied weather you ride in – sometimes all four seasons in one working week if you live in Britain. Then there’s the challenging state of urban roads, be it broken glass or potholes. 

To thrive in the urban jungle a good commuter bike needs to be tough, and the best bike for commuting is one that is both hardy and easy to maintain. 

In our folding bike maintenance guide we go over the key points for taking care of your Brompton. Give it a read and you’ll quickly see that a little bit of easily-acquired know-how goes a long to keeping your commuter bike on the road.

Comfortable, upright position

While road cycling speedsters may wish to hunch down over their handlebars for every marginal gain they can manage, in the city aerodynamics are not so important. It’s far more valuable being able to sit comfortably, and have a good sense of what is happening around you.

Brompton folding bikes are designed around this upright position, helping you see what’s ahead and be aware of other traffic. 

How to choose the best commuter bike 

Buying a bike to commute on is an investment. You’ll be spending a lot of time with it, and to ensure that you get the most out of riding your bike it’s important to feel confident in your purchase. 

To help you navigate the process of choosing a folding bike for commuting, we think you should ask yourself these questions.

Where will you be riding your bike and how’s the weather?

For city streets the C Line and A Line are adept, nimble and tough enough to withstand the demands of urban riding. Not to mention letting you whizz through traffic with ease. 

The G Line is even more capable, with larger wheels, grippy tyres and an entirely new frame geometry designed to model the ride feel of a conventional bike – making it the ideal choice for commuters with a bit more off-road to tackle. 

If you live in a hilly part of the world, you will enjoy having a wider range of gears to help you climb up the inclines. The C Line is now available in a 12-speed option, more than enough to get you up your local hills.

If you plan on riding in all weathers, a set of mudguards are worth their weight in gold. They come standard on the C Line and can be upgraded on those models that don’t have them. 

Do you want to carry things on your bike?

Packed lunch, laptop, a manila envelope filled with top secret documents – whatever you take to work with you, your commuting experience will be improved if you can load that stuff onto your bike rather than your back. 

There are lots of ways to do this, and we’ve invested significant time and effort into developing some smart ways for you to add luggage to your Brompton.

Our C Line, P Line, G Line and T Line models all come with a front luggage adaptor as standard, and this clever little feature can also be added to an A Line as an optional extra when you place your order. 

The luggage adaptor allows you to slot a Brompton-friendly product like our Borough Basket Bag into place quickly, then remove it just as easily when you reach your destination. 

Need even more carrying capacity? You can add a rear rack to your Brompton which then allows you to ride with a bag on the back of your bike too. 

The Advance Roller Frame Kit is suitable for use on any Brompton built around our Advance Rear Frame: P Line, Electric P Line, T Line, and 4 and 12-speed C Line and Electric C Line models. 

For you gravelistas, we also offer a special version of the Roller Rack for G Line models.

Should you go electric?

Honestly, if having a motor is what makes the difference between you bike commuting and not, get an electric bike. 

Since introducing Brompton Electric in 2016 we’ve been blown away by both the public response to the bikes and the amazing ways our customers have used their Bromptons. 

Based on budget and capability our best electric bike for commuting is the Electric C Line, although an Electric G Line may be better if you tackle a lot of off-road.

The lay of the land: storing and carrying your commuter bike

What is the bike parking situation where you work? Is there a safe place to store your bike outside the office? Typically this takes the form of a bike shed, or a gated or underground area that can’t be accessed by the general public.

It’s good to know before you start commuting that you’ll be able to store your bike with peace-of-mind. One of the nice things about using a Brompton folding bike for commuting is it’ll store comfortably under a regular work desk when folded up, taking all the stress out of this consideration.

Likewise, for people living in apartment blocks or working in a high-rise building, having to get a bike up to the fifth floor can be a hassle – especially if the lift is broken. Having a folding bike will make a big difference to how inconvenient this is. 

Commuting should be something to look forward to. That’s why we’ve spent years perfecting the ideal commuter bike. A folding bike gives you the freedom to move your way – whether that’s hopping on a train, storing it under your desk, or weaving through city streets with ease. 

Built to last, designed for comfort, and ready to carry whatever you need, a Brompton fits around your life. Thinking electric? Need to bring your laptop or lunch? We’ve got the perfect solution. Because the best commuter bike doesn’t just get you there – it makes every journey better.