Previously, I compared the United Trifold against the Fnhon DB12 folding bike with 20 inch 451 wheels. Now, I will compare the United Trifold with the original Brompton, to see the difference in folded size.
As far as I know, this is the only detailed comparison between the United Trifold and the original Brompton. I had already sold my Brompton M6R some time ago, as it was severely underutilized. This time, in order to do this comparison, I borrowed a Brompton from my friend. This Brompton is 100% stock condition, which is great for this comparison.
View from the drive side. One major difference is that the United Trifold front wheel folds the other way, and does not cover the drivetrain. This is usually perceived as a downside as it does not protect the drivetrain.
Top view shows the different folding direction of the front wheel and handlepost. Even with a folding pedal on the United Trifold, the folded width would still be slightly wider.
Another side comparison. Note how much lower the top tube of the Brompton is.
On the United Trifold, the folded handlepost sticks out quite a lot.
Highest point on the Brompton is the saddle.
On the United Trifold, the head tube is positioned higher, while the double bolt handlepost also has a taller base.
Together with the upward tilting saddle and longer seat post, it contributes to a taller folded size for the United Trifold.
Next, to compare the length from front to back, I aligned the front edge of the bikes when the bikes are folded, as shown below.
Top tube of the United Trifold is quite far back from the front edge of the folded bike.
The Brompton's top tube stretches all the way to the front of the folded package, to help lower the head tube and thus the folded height.
With the front of the folded bikes aligned, the rear of the United Trifold sticks out a lot.
The saddle and the handlebar sticks out from the rear of the United Trifold, which increases the folded length. Also note the different seat tube angle when folded.
The Brompton seatpost and saddle are designed to place the saddle forward, to prevent it from sticking out at the rear.
On the United Trifold that uses a standard 33.9 mm diameter seatpost, the consequence is a saddle that sticks out a lot from the rear.
Side view of the bikes, with the handlebars facing the camera. The Brompton design is a lot neater and more compact.
Handlebar sticks out from the folded package, due to the folding design.
On the United Trifold, the handlebar is exposed on one side, while the drivetrain is exposed on the other side. Not possible to lay down the bike on its side without risk of damage.
On the Brompton, the handlebar covers the drivetrain, which allows the Brompton to be laid down on the non-drive side without damaging the handlebar or the drivetrain.
Width:
United Trifold is slightly wider, and does not fold as neatly as the Brompton.
Height:
United Trifold is taller, due to the higher handlepost folding joint, upward tilting saddle and also longer seat post.
Length:
United Trifold is longer when folded, due to the saddle and handlebar sticking out from the rear.
Based on this comparison, the folding design of the United Trifold is poorer than the Brompton in every way. If you need a trifold bike with a compact folded size, the United Trifold is not the one.
However, if you want to modify a trifold bike to have an external derailleur and cassette drivetrain, the United Trifold is more suitable, due to the exposed drivetrain which will not cause folding interference, since the front wheel and handlebar folds to the other side.
The United Trifold also has a standard 135 mm rear OLD, which accepts standard hubs, unlike the Brompton which has a narrow 115 mm rear OLD.
Hi, any other comments between stock united trifold and 3sixty frame? I saw you post something about the stem area for united trifold. =)
ReplyDeleteThey are very different bikes, as the 3Sixty is like a Brompton with steel frame.
DeleteCheck out the other posts about the United Trifold to find the info you need.