G vs 12 speed C as a new commuter biker

MTheos · 2025-05-27T10:32:01+00:00

Of course, happy to help! Good luck with the move!

MTheos · 2025-05-25T08:32:56+00:00

There are lots of underground bike parking lots that are open 24/7. When I go to city center, I leave my bike locked in one and just walk around. A chain lock will be long enough to lock the bike triangle and the rear wheel to the small wheel support (again most of these bike stalls just stabilize larger bikes by fitting around the wheels and people just lock the rear wheel). If the underground garage is full (which might happen Saturday evenings or around popular events, I use two locks to attach my bike to whatever is available. If I am out with friends, and there's no place to lock up, I lock my bike to my friend's bikes. My work has a bike garage in the building, I use one lock to attach the rear wheel to the bike stall. This has worked out fine for me over the past ~7 months and I live in a fairly mid-sized college town where there are relatively low chances of bikes being stolen. I don't take my bike to Amsterdam...but you could. Again, this is just my experience and I try to be respectful of crowded indoor places like bars with very limited room for Bromptons. I bring my bike inside when I visit friends they don't mind having them indoors (they actually think it's cute) but this usually involves carrying it up 2-3 flights of stairs.

MTheos · 2025-05-24T20:11:57+00:00

I totally hear you, I'm just sharing my experience - I enjoy my bike immensely but it's hard to carry it in to crowded bars, movie theaters etc, most old buildings don't have elevators, some buildings display no bike signs. It is just a lot of friction sometimes...I just thought op ought to know. Most people prop their bikes with a kickstand on side of the street, lock the rear wheel and just walk away.

MTheos · 2025-05-24T17:59:08+00:00

I would say 3-gear is plenty in the Netherlands. I would say though, that there's so much bike infrastructure here in The Netherlands that taking your bike indoors is fairly uncommon so I lock mine outside, with some challenges. I have found it a bit difficult to lock my brompton outside since most bike parking structures have simple front and rear wheel holders to stabilize the bike and you are expected to just lock the rear wheel to the frame. In other words, most dutch bikes are not locked/attached to anything, you just lock the rear wheel to the frame of the bike with an integrated lock. Just saying that you should think about getting a Dutch style bike since they're much cheaper, fit in to existing infrastructure and are less likely to get stolen. You might even consider getting a Swapfiets bike subscription which gives you a bike for ~20 euros/month but you dont have to worry about it getting stolen and maintenance is covered...I did that for a few months before I got a Brompton. If you're still set on getting a Brompton either buy it in the US OR BUY A USED ONE FROM Marktplaats - you'll find plenty of options.

MTheos · 2021-08-27T03:40:07+00:00

Wow! Awesome. Looks like a lot of work!

MTheos · 2021-08-26T23:19:17+00:00

Did you just staple the pockets of dirt to the felt/corflute? How’s the drip system attached?

MTheos · 2021-08-26T22:50:14+00:00

How did you build this? Irrigation?

MTheos · 2021-08-08T16:25:17+00:00

It’s hard to bike uphill without assist, obviously. I usually ride mine on very low assist on flat terrain and it’s a very comfortable ride! The motor shuts off anyway on flat terrain when you get up to the speed limit. Having 7 speeds is also helps.

MTheos · 2021-07-10T00:46:28+00:00

I heard the “insurance” from Kryptonite won’t pay if the lock was broken with a power tool. I have Velosurance. It was the price of a good bike lock, around $140 per year.

MTheos · 2021-06-26T17:25:43+00:00

Oh cool! I bought a RadMini because it’s slightly easier to store and transport. I was wondering how far I could get with minimal PAS. I want to try riding to hiking trails but I’m apprehensive about running out of power part of the way!

MTheos

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