Is rock solid
Sometimes even perfection can be perfected: A kickstand suits the Brompton well!
There are always situations in the life of a cyclist where it's important for the bike to stand securely and quickly! And that includes a clever folding bike like our Brompton. Normally, when she has to let go of the bike, the experienced Brompton rider simply folds it onto the luggage rack, which looks very smart in a civilized environment and on a designer carpet, and indeed it is.
But what to do if something is already strapped to the luggage rack, perhaps a crate of drinks, a shopping bag, a baguette, a carton of eggs, or a bouquet of flowers, just to argue with increasing fragility of the transported goods? Or if the ground is dirty, greasy, or just soaking wet, which can happen? After all, you can't lean the bike securely everywhere. Well! This is where the additional kickstand comes into play, and with a quick click of the foot and a light heart, the short shopping trip to the store on the roadside can begin. Then, the luggage rack can be loaded with further necessities of life.
Of course, the kickstand should also hold the loaded and thus more unstable bike stably, ideally leaving the miniature air pump, which is latched to the rear wheel, in its place when folded, and be as light as possible. Considering these aspects, a comparison of the types available on the market is worthwhile. Otherwise, in my opinion, as an enhancement to the usual compact cycling luxury, it generally applies: Never again without a kickstand!
Want another example from everyday Brompton practice? I enjoy going on photo excursions with my super bike. I store it in the trunk – if that name is even appropriate for its minimal space – of my Smart, and unfold it wherever the view from the car window doesn't lead the curious photographer any further. Then I cycle through cities and landscapes, getting a feel for the area, as happened, among other places, in Mölln, Göttingen, Frankfurt, Constance, or Mantua: Extremely practical, because I can glide past all car traffic obstacles and jams, simply drive up to inner-city attractions or even head for more secluded destinations, and then find a parking space at every lamppost. The most beautiful experiences are often not where everyone else is. However, if you are in the middle of it, then be careful in pedestrian zones, as these are, as experienced in Munich or Aachen, for example, guarded by greedy uniformed gangs who ambush you as unexpectedly as the Spanish Inquisition once did other poor sinners...
The rather contemporary "mobility concept" of Smart & Brompton has proven itself on many trips, but it also requires good locks and, ideally, an inconspicuously placed AirTag for the folding bike. More on that perhaps later. But for now, to stick to the topic: the bicycle kickstand for the Brompton is about as practical as a tripod is for a camera at night. If this comparison doesn't mean anything to you: a tripod provides a stable stand so that you can expose for a long time and thus get a sharp image in the box despite the darkest darkness. The kickstand on the folding bike is practical for the photographer because you can quickly put the bike down in any environment and take care of the camera, the situation, and the picture, instead of dealing with Brompton origami and then possibly watching the luggage rack sink into the mud (just dramaturgically cleverly fabricated).
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0502/1145/5154/files/20230518_026_IMG_7569_tn.jpg?v=1689945506Speaking of mud: The Brompton is a bike that rides surprisingly well through thick and thin, over asphalt and cobblestones. Anyone who has taken a tour through forests and fields, or even gazed into the distance on a secluded beach, greatly appreciates it when it can be stood upright on its wheels. Sand and forest floor offer wonderful experiences and an atmospherically dense surroundings, but as a machine empathizer, you'd rather not let the sensitive mechanics of the bike come into contact with them. In this sense: Have great experiences, always two finger widths of air in your tires, and always a good stance!
