1. Ordering your Brompton at PerennialCycle.com

    In 2013 we set a goal of adding all of our in-stock Brompton folding bikes to our website. Once they'd been added, we set a second goal: to keep the listings accurate as 1 bike is sold and another arrives. All that means that today, you can go to PerennialCycle.com and browse our in-stock Brompton selection knowing that the bikes you see are bikes we have ready for in-store pick-up or shipping to your door.

    We've sorted our Brompton folding bikes models by handlebar type, so you can shop for an S-Type, M-Type, or H-Type with the right gearing for your needs and the color of your dreams. You'll also see a special section for our in-stock Ti Brompton Superlights. If you're interested in a P-Type handlebar or don't see the bike you're looking for available, call us at 612-827-8000 and we'll be happy to help you with a B-Spoke order.

    Brompton Handle Bar Types illustrated

    As you browse through each handlebar type, you'll see a variety of different combinations of gearing and color options. From the short description for each bike you can gather quite a bit of information. As an example, a listing for an M2L in Black and Turkish Green looks like this: "M2L [Black & Turkish Green]." M is of course the handlebar type, 2 tells us it's a 2-speed, and L indicates the bike has mudguards but no rack. Black, listed first is the color of the bike's main frame. The bikes extremities are Turkish Green, the second color indicated. For a listing with only one color mentioned, the main frame and the extremities are the same color.

    Clicking on the listing for an individual bike, it's possible to see more details about the bike's gearing. It might say "standard," or "12% reduced." For single speeds and 2-speeds, you'll always see "standard," as we order all of our 1- and 2-speed bikes this way. For 3-speeds, you'll see a mix of standard and lowered gearing. In the case of 6-speeds, you'll see mostly lowered gearing and a handful of bikes with standard gearing. After riding Brompton folding bikes and helping customers through hundreds of test-rides, we've come to see that -12% lowered gearing is the ideal set-up on the 6-speed for the majority of riders. As of 2013, we began ordering many of our 3-speeds with the same idea in mind. Prior to 2014, lowered (or reduced) and raised gearing incurred an extra charge. Fortunately, that's no longer the case. Now you can choose the right gearing ratio for your Brompton without worrying about an added expense.

    What's the difference between lowered and standard gearing? All Brompton 6-speeds have a Brompton Wide Range (BWR) Sturmey Archer hub on the rear wheel and all come set up with the same rear sprocket set. The physical difference between bikes with standard and lowered gearing is in the front chainring attached to the crank. A 6-speed with standard gearing has a 50-tooth chainring, while a 6-speed with lowered gearing has a 44-tooth chainring. Practically speaking, that means the every gear on the bike with a 44T ring requires less effort on your part when pedaling. That means you'll climb hills more easily on a bike with reduced gearing. And, the average rider will be more likely to use the full-range (even the hardest gear) on a 6-speed bike with reduced gearing. If you're one for crunching gear ratios, you can find Brompton's chart here.

    Once you've decided on a particular bike, here are the remaining details to keep in mind:

    Seat Height

    You can choose from one of three seatposts for your Brompton. For an inseam over 84cm/33", we suggest an extended or telescopic seatpost. The latter is best for an inseam over 90cm/35", or for taller riders wishing to minimize the height of the folded bike.

    Saddle

    Several options are available to select within your bike's listing, including the brightly colored Brompton Rail Saddles. If you'd like to order a saddle other than one listed here, simply add it to your shopping cart separately. If you select an alternative saddle (e.g. a Brooks saddle other than the B17 Special in Antique Brown), you may note in the comments section with your order whether or not you'd like to have the standard black Brompton Rail Saddle as well. If you choose a Brooks saddle, we recommend a rain cover for all-weather riders and the Brooks Maintenance kit or a stand-alone tin of Proofide.

    Tires

    We order all of our Brompton folding bikes with the company's standard Kevlar tire. It's light-weight and offers good flat protection. For an upgrade fee, we are able to send your Brompton with 1) Schwalbe Marathon tires 2) Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires 3) standard Schwalbe Kojak tires or 4) folding Schwalbe Kojak tires. Please call us at 612-827-8000 or make a note in the comments section with your order if you'd prefer we swap out the standard Kevlar tires for one of these upgrades.

    Rear Suspension

    Two levels of resistance are available, to suit body weight and riding style. We recommend Firm suspension for most riders, and anyone weighing over 80kg (175+ lbs) and those who value responsiveness above comfort. If you prefer a softer ride, are a lighter person or if you ride and pedal particularly smoothly, you may opt for Standard suspension.

    Lighting

    We order a percentage of our Brompton folding bikes with Shimano Hub Dynamos and the accompanying front and rear lights each year. The majority of our bikes arrive to our door with reflectors only in front and back. We are, however, happy to add a dynamo lighting system to any in-stock bike. We stock both the Shimano and the SON hub systems and a variety of dynamo lights. Note that pricing here may vary from the B-Spoke order form as factory-installed systems are offered at a lower price than the sum of the parts in our store. We do offer free labor when installing dynamo lighting or battery lights on any new Brompton. Still, for the greatest savings on a dynamo system with Brompton's stock headlights and taillights, it's best to B-spoke order your Brompton.

    If you're interested in a headlight other than the B&M Lyt (standard for the Shimano hub) or the B&M Cyo (standard for the SON hub), or a taillight other than the standard Brompton dynamo rear light, you may either place your order by phone or choose "reflectors only" and add the necessary parts to your order one-by-one. You'll need to add a front dynamo wheel (Shimano or SON) and a Hub Dynamo/LED wiring loom to your order along with the lights of your choice and a Hub Dynamo/LED wire form bracket.

    Should you be shopping for more powerful battery lighting in lieu of a dynamo system, you may consider pairing the Brompton rear battery light with a rechargeable front light from Light and Motion's Urban series. Simply choose "reflectors only" and add the lights of your choice to your cart separately. We'll install the Brompton rear battery light for you and include the headlight in the box with your Brompton.

    Front Luggage & Accessories

    Choose a front carrier block alone or opt for a bag set (a front carrier block + the bag of your choice). You will see a few options in our list not included on Brompton's B-Spoke order form. Learn more about the Carradice City Folder here. Or, view of the Carradice Stockport here.

    If there are other parts and accessories (e.g. a rear rack or non-standard pedals) you'd like to add to your order, simply add them to your cart as you would with any other order at PerennialCycle.com.

    Shipping

    Our standard shipping charge on Brompton folding bikes is $40 per bike. Choose "folding bicycle" under other options at checkout. Check our homepage or sign up for our newsletter for information about shipping promotions throughout the year.

    We'll install parts like the Front Carrier Block or Eazy Wheels for your convenience prior to shipping and include items such a Carradice Saddle Bag inside the box with your bike as space allows. For larger accessories like Brompton's B Bag, we may package your bike and the chosen accessories in separate boxes under one tracking number. If you're ordering a Brompton Travel Suitcase, we'll ship your bike inside the case in one box.

    We welcome your questions by phone or email. If you're in the neighborhood, come on in for a test-ride any time.

  2. 2023 Guide: Holiday Gifts for Cyclists

    Best Gifts for Cyclists

    A holiday-themed header showing a cargo bike pulling a trailer full of gifts.
    Santa's sleigh looks different this year.

    Congratulations on making it to the end of the year!

    If you're struggling to find the perfect gift for the biker in your life, don't worry, we've got you covered. Perennial has been helping people like you find the best gifts to celebrate the holidays since 1992, and we're excited to share our annual holiday gift guide with you once again.

    Plus, if you spend over $100, your order ships for free, and we also offer extended returns during the holiday season for your peace of mind. Take advantage of our special discount code 5off25 at checkout and save $5 on orders of $25 or more. 

    Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect from our gift guide:

    Before we get too personal, this first category holds some tried and true ideas you can't go wrong with.

    Small gifts for cyclists under $25

    Adjustable size bottle cage

    An example of the various sizes of bottles the Arundel Looney Bin bottle cage can accommodate.
    Fits bottles 65-95 mm.

    The Arundel Looney Bin dials to fit anything from a vending machine water bottle to a Nalgene, Hydroflask, or even a bottle of wine.

    SockGuy wool socks

    Various socks pinned to a clothesline outdoors.
    A popular gift for a reason.

    Year-round performance socks that are shrink resistant and itch-free. SockGuy socks, made of a TurboWool blend base, are 5x stronger than merino wool alone. Socks make foolproof gifts for cyclists (or people) who have feet…

    Perennial logo water bottle

    Bicycle water bottles lined up.
    Flowering Midwestern perennial plants and our signature green color.

    Purist Insulated water bottles feature a Chromatek insulating liner. Chromatek acts as a barrier to keep water cold and also slow it from freezing (hello Minnesota!).

    As long as your gift budget complies, here are some recommendations on

    Gifts for cyclists under $100

    Gofluo Darkchamp reflective vest

    Two smiling people face each other wearing rainbow safety vests.
    Reflective safety vest, perfect for a daily commute.

    The Darkchamp features a longer back, two-way zip, and perforated fabric that minimizes sweating. There is a pocket in the side hem for your phone, keys, or cash for a quick pit stop at the bakery. 😉

    Also, Gofluo made a matching model named the Julian for those who want to twin with their kids!

    Classic water bottle cage

    Two bottle cages on a bicycle made by King Cage, with “Made in the USA” overlaid.
    Handmade in Durango, Colorado

    Ron Andrews founded King Cage in 1991 while working at One Off titanium. When a customer asked Ron for a titanium bottle cage, he gave it a go, and has been making them since. Then, in 1996,
    the stainless steel cage came to life. These cages are as aesthetically pleasing as they are sturdy.

    Arkel waterproof handlebar bag

    Two images of bicycle handlebars showing the front and back of the Arkel handlebar bag.
    Arkel's handcrafted bags are built to last tens of thousands of miles. 

    A light, simple bag that quickly mounts onto handlebars with velcro loops. The Arkel Signature BB is big enough to carry essentials, yet not too heavy. The included shoulder strap makes it easy to carry around at the destination.

    This brand makes quality gifts for cyclists with discerning style. Furthermore, the brand is dedicated to community empowerment, evidenced by the lively crew from CRDITED Estrie – a social service program for folks with Intellectual Disabilities and Pervasive Development Disorders. They’ve worked at Arkel’s Quebec headquarters since 2003.

    Another few ideas to consider for the young ones:

    Fun gifts for kids

    Baby Nutty Helmet with MIPS

    Children's helmet with cow print named Baby Nutty Moove Over.
    Baby Nutty helmets fit heads 48 to 52 cm.

    Even though the tots expect toys for Christmas, their parents will thank you for such a practical gift.

    Nutcase's Baby Nutty line is for the smallest of passengers, featuring a lighter weight for littler heads and extra sets of pads to grow with them. Little ones will be even safer with MIPS, protecting against more types of falls.

    MSW Kitty horn

    Child standing next to bicycle with hand on the kitty shaped horn.
    Choose between a kitty, narwhal, koala, or cactus, or panda.

    For one thing, kids love to make some noise. Once in a while, you should give them something that drives their parents up the wall, like this handlebar horn.

    Approximately 3" wide and fits standard 22-26 mm diameter handlebars. These are cute gifts for cyclists who are getting started on their first bikes.

    Gofluo Julian reflective vest

    Full body shot of child modeling rainbow safety vest.
    The child-sized version of the Darkchamp vest.

    Perfect for the bus stops and early morning rides or walks to school. The Julian vest is water-repellent and features a longer back, two-way zip, and perforated fabric to minimize sweating.

    Coupled with Gofluo’s original, adult model Darkchamp, your recipient will be proud to twin with their mini.

    'Tis the season to be freezing, so upcoming are tips on

    Warm gifts for cold weather riders

    Wolftooth handlebar pogies

    Handlebar pogies on a bicycle's handlebars.
    Foldable cuff for three distinct warmth settings and easy hand access

    Wolf Tooth Pogies provide warmth and comfort while riding in cold temperatures. They attach to mountain bike handlebar ends and cover brakes and shifters, shielding hands from wind, rain, and snow.

    Rainlegs Arctic cycling chaps

    A person riding a bike while modeling Rainlegs reflective chaps.
    Rainlegs help you gain both mobility and visibility while riding.

    No more 'wet bag' feeling while you protect yourself from wind, rain, and snow. The winter variety of the classic Rainlegs, the Arctic chaps have an extra insulating layer to keep your legs comfortably warm, while the tops are a durable and highly reflective material.

    Great gifts for cyclists who commute to work and don't have time to spend changing their clothes.

    Fat tire bike / cargo bike floor pump (up to 80 psi)

    Mike Plumpatire fat tire floor pump by Rivendell.
    Low effort: A high volume floor pump for tires 38 mm +

    By comparison to standard floor pumps, users of the Plumpatire find this much easier. Rivendell designed this to address the recent shift to fatter road tires, as most floor pumps deliver high pressure for narrow road tires.

    The Mike Plumpatire floor pump has an alloy body with a durable wooden handle.

    Following are some niche gift ideas for a niche bike like a Brompton:

    Nifty gifts for Brompton riders

    Borough Tote bag with DISRUPT print

    Tote bag with camouflage print in orange, red, black, and navy blue.
    Fits on the front carrier block when riding.

    This large capacity Brompton DISRUPT bag with a special edition camouflage print packs in 20L of space with an internal padded 15” laptop pocket. The zipped Borough Tote fits on the front of a Brompton when riding and works as a regular tote off the bike.

    Brompton Toolkit

    Folded pink Brompton bike, showing person pulling toolkit out of its place within the frame.
    The toolkit is designed to fit discretely within the frame.

    Being that the toolkit was sold out (with a waitlist) at Perennial for most of this year, this tool is worth it!

    Indeed, the Brompton Bike Repair Toolkit contains everything you need to fix a puncture and make adjustments to your bike. It fits nicely inside the main frame tube, locking into place with a no-rattle rubber bumper. Silent and invisible security to keep rolling into work on time.

    EZ hinge clamp spring

    Various colors of the EZ clamp spring on a gray background.
    The 3D printed EZ Clamp Spring simplifies Brompton folding.

    Emphatically, a must-have for Brompton owners. These gadgets make fantastic gifts for cyclists who value useful accessories.

    The EZ Clamp Spring enhances the fastening and unfastening process by automatically aligning the clamp plate. This also helps to prevent vibration unfastening during transit and more, without any modification to original Brompton parts.

    You can watch a 15-second video to see it in action. The EZ Clamp Spring is compatible with any Brompton Hinge Clamp post-2004.

    Last but not least,

    Some gifts for cyclists you really, really love 😉

    How about a gift card to Perennial Cycle?

    A hand holding Perennial Cycle gift card.
    Online & in-store gift cards are available separately.

    All things considered, arguably the best gift for cyclists who have everything!

    An online gift card so your Secret Santa giftee can pick out some new tires, lights, or a new bag. We’ll send you and the recipient a confirmation email with your gift message and a unique code.

    Or, an in store gift card to possibly use towards an annual tune up. Available for pickup, or mailed for no additional charge. Each card comes with a small envelope with space to hand-write the recipient and sender’s names, as well as the total value.

    Consider a dynamo lighting setup for a favorite bike

    A person riding an orange bike outdoors with a headlight shining.
    Dynamo lighting is EVERYTHING for dark winter rides!

    Before we get a dynamo installation project rolling, please get in touch with us for a quick consultation. Our shop experts will take your bike and budget into consideration to make you a custom quote.

    So, everyone has their eye on the Tern HSD Gen 2 electric cargo bike

    Mother smiling at child riding on the back of her bicycle.
    Surprise your family with a sweet new bike.

    In brief, this bike is the best. May we convince you of the many Reasons to Buy a Tern HSD Gen 2?

    Conclusion

    This wraps up our 2023 holiday gift guide. Who’s on your list?

    As always, your order or gifts for bike lovers over $100 ship for free, and we offer extended returns during the holidays. Don't forget, place an order today and take $5 off $25 or more with the discount code 5off25 at checkout.

    See you next year!

  3. Special Edition: 2019 CHPT3

    The next evolution of the collaboration between Brompton and David Millar’s CHPT3

    Are you looking for the hottest Brompton ever made? There's no doubt that the CHPT3 is going to win a lot of votes in that contest and... well, I did buy a 2018 CHPT3 myself, so you know it wins my vote.

    From the CHPT3 press release*:
    Everything about the new Brompton X CHPT3 has been designed with style and substance but also weight reduction in mind. Textured matte black titanium rear frame and forks, complement the fire red front frame and reduce weight over a standard Brompton – tipping the scales at only 10.3kg overall. The design philosophy continues within the black componentry, race-tuned suspension by David Millar himself, Schwalbe One tan-wall tyres and Fabric Scoop saddle, carrying the Devesa print pattern of CHPT3’s home town of Girona. All parts selected for performance and lightness, yet durable and comfortable for day to day city riding and carving out new routes.

    Fabric Scoop Saddle
    Offering exceptional performance and designed to suit your riding style. Extremely light, durable yet comfortable, the Fabric Scoop is designed exclusively for Brompton and features the Devesa print, inspired by the home of CHPT3, Girona.

    Fabric Slim Grips
    Stay in control with the lightest lock-on grip in the world. Dual texture kraton rubber sleeve, in red and black, over a perforated lightweight core. Maximum grip with or without gloves.

    Schwalbe One Folding Tire
    The fastest tires ever made for a Brompton. The new 35mm Schwalbe One offers low rolling resistance while retaining a high level of puncture protection by utilizing extremely cut-resistant high-tech fibre. The stunning Tan wall color sets off the unique CHPT3 look.

    Suspension for SPEED
    The extra firm rear suspension block paired with the Schwalbe One tyre provides sharp, responsive rider feel. Ideal for carving up the city streets with precision.

    CHPT3 Looks!
    Textured matte black titanium rear frame and front fork. Light, fast and durable. Complimented perfectly by CHPT3’s signature fire red on the front frame.



    The CHPT3 has many amazing features, yet at the core is the ever amazing Brompton Folding Bike

    Ready to Order?

    Brompton is only manufacturing 1,000 CHPT3's for the globe. If you want one of them, now is the time.
    BUY NOW!


    Superlight (Titanium) Details:
    For a few months now, Brompton has not been offering Superlight Bikes as an option. Titanium is difficult to source and it also challenges the manufacturing crew. At the moment Brompton is not saying that Superlights will be available at any time in the future. IF you want a titanium Brompton, I'd recommend that you get yourself a CHPT3 as the future of titanium Brompton bikes will continue to be a challenge for Brompton.
    Customization:
    If you are looking to make the CHPT3 a better commuter, we'd recommend adding fenders and a front bag as well as dynamo lighting (or at least USB lights). These items are all options on our CHPT3 product page.
    The CHPT3 is available from Brompton with the only options being seatpost length (standard, extended or telescopic), so any upgrades or modifications will be handled by our expert Brompton technicians.
    At Perennial Cycle, we are Brompton specialists with a lot of Brompton super-users on staff. Let us know if you have any questions.
    Call: 612-827-8000 | email
    Mailorder:
    Yes, we will mailorder you a CHPT3 if you live in the US. Shipping's a little extra to Alaska or Hawaii, but pretty reasonable all across the board. All bike's being shipped out first get fully assembled and test ridden by a Brompton Technician, then the bike is boxed for shipping. We expect you to be riding within 20 minutes of receiving the bike (and that's giving you plenty of time to be very deliberate and thoughtful about the process). If you have any questions along the way, feel free to give us a call: 612-827-8000.




    *Full Press Release Here

  4. Introducing The Flat S Senso Light

    Here at Perennial Cycle we love the German Busch & Müller dynamo and battery-operated lights! Germany has strict cycle lighting laws and B&M abide by them and we benefit from that. We have recently brought their battery powered Flat S Senso light into our shop and have found it to be a wonderful upgrade to a Brompton.
    The Flat S Senso has both a light and a reflector, so it is legal to use this to replace a reflector on a bike. The Flat S Senso sports B&M’s LineTec technology which has a single LED as well as multiple mirrors that extend across the light in a  line, making you very visible on the road. In its Senso mode (S), the light turns on and off using light and  motion! This means that it will turn on whenever the bike is in motion and it is dark out  and it will remain on for a couple of minutes at a stop to keep you visible. If no further motion is detected the light will turn off on its own!
    The light works on both rack (R) and non-rack models (L/E) of the Brompton. When installing it on a L/E (non-rack or non-fender) all you need to do is replace the reflector with the Flat S Senso. The reflector/light mounts on the the bike have a slotted hole that allows the light or reflector to slide up or down a bit. When tightening the Flat S light on, be sure and have the light as low in the slots as possible. This allows clearance with the ground when folding the bike.This light also fits very nicely on our Tubus and Racktime racks (also German engineering at is finest).

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