Brompton C Line Explore Folding Bike - Mid
Ideal for weekend escapes and urban rides, the Brompton C Line Explore folding bike pairs a mid handlebar height and compact fold with the speed and stability of a full-size bike.
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- Folding bike with a 6-speed, 300% gearing range offers versatility for getting around town—including hills—and going farther afield
- Neutral riding position works for commuting and fitness rides
- All-steel frame adds durability
- Main frame features precision-drawn, heat-treated steel tubing with hand brazing and selected auto-brazed joints
- Rear frame features hand-brazed, cold-formed, micro-alloy steel tubing
- Front carrier block adapter fits all types of Brompton luggage (luggage not included)
- Lock-on grips are made with a soft-compound rubber adhered to an engineered core
- Composite seat clamp and rear frame clip
- Included fenders with rubberized flaps cut down on road spray, keeping you and the bike drier and cleaner when the weather turns wet
- Puncture-resistant tires with reflective sidewalls keep you moving and add visibility in low-light conditions
- Includes tubes with Schrader valves
- Included Brompton pump with flexible hose is compatible with Schrader and Presta valves
- Folded size measures 25.3 x 23 x 10.6 in., making it easy to fit in a car trunk or on a bus or train
- Fits riders with inside leg (inseam) measurements of 26–35 in.
- Handmade in London
- NOTE: Specs and images are subject to change based on component availability
Imported.
- 1 year of free adjustments (see more below)
- In-store bike assembly
- Pickup in store or curbside
- Bike experts available at 170+ bike shops
- 20% off shop services
- Free tubes with purchase of flat tire repair (Co-op Cycles brand tubes only; tube must be installed at time of purchase)
New bikes go through a normal break-in period, after which they should be readjusted. All bicycles sold at REI include free adjustments for one year after purchase date—as many times as you need. Included: derailleur and brake adjustments, lateral wheel truing, hub and headset bearing adjustments, tire inflation and chain lubrication. Not included: replacement or installation of new components or accessories, any other services. Call your local REI Co-op Bike Shop for more information.
| Best Use | Cycling |
|---|---|
| Frame | Hand-brazed steel |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Step-Through | Yes |
| Bike Suspension | No Suspension |
| Fork | Steel |
| Crankset | 6061 forged aluminum crank with 50T chainring and integrated chainguard |
| Bottom Bracket | Brompton |
| Shifters | Brompton |
| Rear Derailleur | Brompton |
| Rear Cogs | 12/16T |
| Number of Gears | 6 gear(s) |
| Internally Geared | Yes |
| Brake Type | Rim |
| Brakes | Brompton Dual Pivot Calipers |
| Brake Levers | Brompton |
| Rims | Front: double-wall rim, 28 spokes laced to a Brompton front hub; rear: double-wall rim, 28 spoke, Brompton wide-ratio 3-speed internal gear hub with 2-speed external gears (13- and 16-tooth) |
| Front Hub | Brompton |
| Rear Hub | Brompton BWR by Sturmey Archer |
| Wheel Size | 16 inches |
| Tires | Schwalbe Marathon Racer 16 x 1.35 in. |
| Tire Width | 1.35 inches |
| Handlebar Shape | Riser Bar |
| Handlebar | Brompton triple-butted 6061 aluminum with shot-peened finish |
| Stem | Brompton M type |
| Saddle | Brompton Standard |
| Pedals | Brompton folding left-side pedal and nonfolding right-side pedal |
| Headset | 1-1/8 in. threaded |
| Chain | SRAM |
| Weight | 27 pounds |
| Bike Weight | Bike weight is based on median size, as sold, or the average of two median sizes. |
| Gender | Unisex |
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Customer Images
Brompton on the bus
I bought the bike to use with buses. It is the only folding bike I found which will fit under all bus seats. And it will fit in the space in front of the seat. However 16 inch wheels will not lock into some bike racks they need to be 24 inches.
Excellent bike for commuting and travel!
The Brompton is in an entirely different category from other folding bikes. The design and engineering are incredible. I own road bikes, mt. bikes, and a commuter, but it's so convenient to grab this little guy for my ride that includes a bus, train, or car pick-up. It's also great to be able to take it into work and not worry about it being locked up outside. The ride quality is different from a full sized bike, but easy to get used to, and the first time you see someone fumbling with a larger folding bike on the train, you'll be glad you went with a Brompton.
INCREDIBLE bike!!
I am a bike tech and have ridden bikes on and off most of my life. The idea of using a bike to get from point A to point B has always fascinated me. I used to commute to work and loved it. Now my work is much farther and the idea seemed to difficult. Then I saw people Touring on Bromptons and fell in love! I was skeptical about 16" wheels and the need to pedal more..... the engineer in me... I can confirm that 16" wheels are actually fast! I can accelerate quick, climb like on a "regular" bike and don't feel like the steering is squirrelly! I have ridden other folding bikes and the steering just felt terrifying! The Bromtpn's wheel base is LONG!! That makes the steering feel great! I plan to commute to work and use this for Bike Touring anywhere and everywhere....once it is safe to start to travel again.
Even Better Than I Thought.
This is my first Brompton. I knew the practicality that this bike offered was amazing. Didn't know how smooth of a ride it would provide. I've seen YT vids claiming that you'll feel everything when riding this bike. IMHO, this bike does a bang-up job of absorbing road irregularities incredibly well! I'm not saying don't avoid potholes, but it's quite impressive with grooves, dips and minor dents that you'll find in many neighborhood asphalt roads. Footprint is beautiful! Fits practically anywhere and everywhere. Not needing a bike rack for my car makes me appreciate it even more. Just fold it up, pop the hatchback open and voila! Glad I discovered that REI had them, cause there were hard to find anywhere else. REI provided great customer service, and I got the bike in less than a week after ordering.
I live this bike
I don’t have room to store a normal bike so I got this one. Been riding it almost daily for 2 months now and love it. It handles Seattle hills like a champ. High quality design. One thing to note is that I’m 6’1” and had to order the extended seat post.
Joy to ride
The bike is well built and a joy to ride and very easy to fold and unfold. Easily fits with my wife’s recombinant bike in our Jeep
Exceeded expectations
I purchased this bike to have a small, easily transportable bike for travel. Bicycling is my sole transportation and the Brompton has ended up becoming my primary ride (commuting, shopping, as well as travel). Overall, it is faster and more comfortable than expected. I will outline some areas of concern and what I discovered. Small wheels: One concern was the ability of the little wheels to handle road problems (pot holes, grates, tracks, etc). It is true that it takes a few days to adjust to the feel of the small wheels and to catch the balance of the bike, but suddenly it felt as stable and secure as any bike I have ridden. These little wheels handle the road (and smooth dirt) totally fine, even in the dark. The fenders are too tight to tolerate thick mud, but otherwise you can ride with abandon on most surfaces. In fact, the smaller wheels, super maneuverability, and ease of stepping over this bike made riding through traffic in Kolkata, India, much easier than on my big touring bike. Hand/knee pain: I added Ergon grips with small bar ends (Ergon GP3) and have avoided any hand or wrist pain or numbness whatsoever, even on 50 mile rides. I initially had sharp knee pain when I stood on the pedals, but after significantly adjusting the handlebar position, it no longer happens. For saddle, I use my Brooks B17 Imperial and find it superior to the stock seat. Lack of a rear rack: The front block with the available bags makes the rear rack unnecessary. In fact, putting the load on the front of the bike (yet independent of the steering) is superior to any system I have used; the weight balance is excellent. I have the T bag and often stop to add groceries on the way home, expanding the bag as needed. (No lock; I bring the folded bike in the store with me without problem everywhere). Not only can a rear rack be easily added at any time (many after market racks cater to Brompton), a quick release seat post style rack can also be used. Gearing too high: I am not sure I can crank this thing with a load up a steep hill using the current gearing (though so far I have been OK). The front chain ring can be replaced with a smaller ring to lower the gearing and I plan to do this for more heavily loaded touring. Shifting: The shifting can be annoying. Because of the combination of internal hub gearing (changed with the right shifter) and 2 external gears (changed with the left shifter) it is easy to miss-shift. It's a long story to explain in detail. Annoying, but tolerable. It really does fit in a checkable suitcase. I use the Samsonite Silhouette XV Large Glider Case (though I do remove the seat to fit). Overall, I am delighted with this bike and wish I had bought one years ago.
Fun
Fabulous bike, easy fold up, fits in my Chevy Spark. Get one!
The little runabout that will steal your heart
If you live or work in the city and are looking for a quicker way to get to and from the subway (or avoid the subway altogether!) then Brompton is for you. The venerable British bike brand comes with all the street cred, sensibilities, and details you’d expect from a Savile Row tailor. Sure, it’s a bike with two wheels, but it’s the little features that give you a smile every time you ride it. Like the latch behind the seat tube which allows you to quickly fold the rear triangle - it’s in just the right place so that when pick the bike up from the latch point the rear triangle effortlessly swings round. The same rear triangle, that when folded acts as a bike stand. Or how the seat post locks the bike in a folded position when it’s all the way down, allowing the saddle to act as a handle making it easy to slide under your desk, or cart up a flight of stairs to your shoebox NY apartment. It’s comes in many sizes, colors and configurations so that you can get just the right fit and the finish. Like that Savile Row suit, only a lot more fun.
Good but overpriced and seat creeps down
Purchased this blindly from REI without ever having a folding bike before. Stores were all closed because of COVID. Ends up my local REI didn't have this Brompton M6L in stock anyway. Had to get idea of this bike through YouTube. So I ordered online basically because of the REI dividend program. As far for the bike, the major issue for me is the seat & post. There is 1 locking lever to set after one positions the seat to their height. After riding the bike for a mile or so, the seat gradually sinks down about 4 to 5 inches. After I reposition the seat, it does it again. I weigh 155, well below the max recommendation. It would have been better design to have a secondary lock for the seat post so it wouldn't sink. This model is made of steel and the weight reflects that, pretty heavy compared with aluminum alloy. I'm also concerned about rust in the future. Overall this bike is pretty well built otherwise but it is overly expensive at $1600. I probably should have bought the "TERN" instead and I would like to see REI carry DAHON and MONTAGUE folding mountain bike in their selection too.