Still, should you pay a good deal more than $3,000 (and probably more like $4,000 after accessories) for a bike with 16-inch tires—especially one you might never want to leave locked up outside?

And there lies the problem with Bromptons. They are inaccessible to many people, even if they are the perfect bike for them.

That’s not to say that the premium price tag isn’t worth it; I haven’t met a single Brompton owner who was unhappy with their bike, but I wish they offered a <$1000 bike for regular people who just want a dependable folding bike in a small form factor.