The Elusive Brompton B Pod

Jenna and I are planning some travel to far-off distant lands, and I’m really keen to take my Brompton folding bicycle along.

But how to transport the Brompton without damaging it? The Brompton catalog lists something that I’ve had my eye on for a while: the “B Pod, a semi-rigid flight case; comes with castors and handle.” And after reading this Flying with a Brompton forum thread, a hard case sounds like a good idea.

However, actually finding a B Pod proves difficult. No stores carry them.

Alas, when I asked Brompton about B Pod availability, this was the response:

Thanks for your enquiry, it is with great regret that I let you know the B Pod will not be available this year.

Having first offered this product in 2010 (albeit as a mid-year launch), we have unfortunately been let down by an unreliable supplier which has lead us to the difficult decision to cancel production.

We continue to have great faith in the B Pod, which we know was set to be a very popular product addition, and will be looking for a solution in the coming months.

Eric from Curbside says that though the B Pod isn’t available, the Brompton soft case works just fine:

I’ve travelled tons with a Brompton before that (including the Brompton World Championships!). Never had a problem. The bike protects itself, the case just keeps the frame scratch free (and extra protected).

In the meantime, I’m curious about this third-party Brompton hard case from B&W. Looks nice, but $350 is a little crazy for a single-purpose piece of luggage.

So I ordered a Brompton

I love riding my bicycle. I ride it to work, I ride it to school, I ride it to pick up groceries. I use and enjoy my bicycle enough to warrant owning a nice one.

But the problem is, I live in a city (and a neighbourhood) where nice bicycles get stolen. Quickly. Thus, for the past four or five years, I’ve simply resigned myself to the fact that I need to own crappy bikes that aren’t worth stealing. These bikes, of course, are not much fun to ride.

Whenever I’ve talked to bike shop guys about this problem, they’ve said, “Well, you should buy a nice bike. Just bring it inside.” I know that’s what I should do, but it’s something I would never actually do. I can’t imagine lugging a bike up the flights of stairs to our apartment, let along finding a place to put it.

So then, last weekend, when Jenna and I were walking along Bloor Street, and we ducked into Curbside Cycle (“Just to see”), I again explained my conundrum to the salesperson, Aaron. He countered by showing me the Brompton Folding Bicycle. Gorgeous, and handmade in London, they fold down to a package that weighs just about 25 pounds.

Perfect! This is a bike that I could actually imagine carrying up some stairs, or bringing into my office.

I took one for a test drive on Saturday, and loved it. It feels a lot like a “real” bicycle, despite the smaller wheels. A bit low to the ground, obviously, but otherwise, a totally normal, comfortably smooth ride. I tried folding and unfolding it a few times, and I’m not quite at the 30-second fold yet, but I’ve been assured that with practice, I will.

So yesterday, I bit the bullet and placed my order: a 3-speed M-type in Cornflower Blue (similar to the one above, without the leather Brooks saddle).

Because Bromptons are all custom, the turnaround is about 3 weeks. It’s going to be a long wait.

Last bike ride before winter?

Today, I picked up my bicycle from College and Clinton and drove it home. The sun was shining, I had a brand new haircut, and every traffic signal turned green for me just in time.

I’m tempted to put my bike away for the winter, because it just doesn’t get much better than that.