A Brompton Reborn: How to Future-Proof a Decades-Old Foldable Bike

And that’s precisely what happens. A quick blowtorch to the back frame loosens the bolts, and Pala is able to swap the original part for a state-of-the-art titanium rear triangle in just a few minutes. Instead of the original hefty old Sturmy-Archer three-speed gearing, Brompton has developed its own new 12-speed system, which has a mini three-speed cassette on the outside, and three in the internal hub.

“Because the dimensions are the same, we’re going to be able to strip the bike back completely,” enthuses Pala. “We’re then going to rebuild it around the main frame and fork.”

Now, while WIRED appreciates this is going to be a Brompton stowed safely on the Ship of Theseus, it remains an impressive, decade-spanning example of good design, and the importance of considered, rather than reactionary upgrades.

This sort of advanced-level repairability is par for the course for Brompton, and if you have your own tired old folding bike, every nut, bolt, bracket, and accessory is available to order. If bike maintenance isn’t something you’re comfortable with, there’s a detailed list of all Brompton stores and authorized dealers on the company’s website, with around 150 across the USA. In the UK, especially around London, there’s plenty of scope for repairs, and Brompton offers a complete service at one of its dealerships for £295 (less than $400.)

It’s this familiarity of design and attention to detail that has transformed the bicycle company into something of a global luxury brand. It’s a bike for people who wouldn’t necessarily call themselves cyclists, with a uniform in some countries that’s more Lacroix than lycra.

“We’re very globally spread out,” says Will Carleysmith, Brompton’s chief design and engineering officer. “The UK is our most commuter-focused audience, but it represents just 16 percent of our business—the rest of what we make goes overseas, with China taking 40 percent of our sales, interestingly with a 50-50 male/female split.”

In Asia, the Brompton is viewed quite differently than in the UK, where it’s typically seen as a practical tool for urban commuting. “It’s a super social, highly desirable tool that’s much more about self-expression,” claims Carleysmith. Collaborations are helping to underline this “style” narrative, too, with the likes of Barbour, Palace Skateboarding, Liberty London, Tour de France, LINE Friends, and art collaborations with Crew Nation and cultural luminaries including Radiohead, Phoebe Bridgers, and LCD Soundsystem.

But like any good 50th birthday, there have been both happy and sad tears. In 2022, Brompton sold its 1 millionth bike. During Covid lockdown, demand increased five-fold, but as a result of supply chain and shipping bottlenecks, rising costs, and heavy investment in new designs, pretax profits plunged by 99 percent to just $6,335 (£4,602, or roughly the cost of a single Brompton T-Line One Speed) for the year ending March 31, 2024.

It’s not the only cycling brand faced with post-Covid cash flow issues, but rather than being stuck with excess stock, its financial woes have been thanks to a global drop in demand and heavy investment, first with the Brompton Electric range and the bigger, 20-inch all-terrain G Line, which WIRED tested at launch.