Each month citycycling highlights a favourite bike. It could be something particularly shiny, or an old favourite sitting in your shed. But whether bodged or new it really doesn't matter.

This month we take a long overdue look at a British classic. It really was about time for this city classic.

If you have a favourite bike, or have seen something that you think we should be looking at drop us a line a botm@citycycling.co.uk

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Almost thirty years ago the first Brompton bicycle was born, dreamt up by Andrew Ritchie. It probably seemed a long way to go from there to supplying 27 countries in the world. In the time in between the Brompton has become a bit of folding legend, acting as a point of reference for many with a perfectly operating folding system, and excellent comfort for a daily ride.

It really is simplicity itself with the hinge swinging the rear triangle underneath the main body. For riding this doesn't lock into place, but rests on a rubber bung. This is effectively rear suspension when in use - ideal for riding in a potholed city.

There then come other advantages to the small-wheeled wonder. Want to get away from the lights quickly? Well 16" wheels will pull away swiftly. The bikes tend to be pretty manoeuvrable as well, and the little wheels are strong enough to handle those same rough streets.

If you're travelling part of your way by bus or train then really a folder is the perfect choice, and the Brommie is still the first we consider here at cc, even though none of us yet has the type of commute to justify it. It's almost worth moving to a job without any cycle parking to get one to sit under the desk, but that might be taking a love of this little engineering marvel a bit too far.

So for the time being we'll just keep thinking of the perfect Brompton for us, the 'normal' M Type, the touring P Type, or the sportier S Type.

You can find out more at the official Brompton website.