We at BikeFolded have reviewed folding bikes for nearly a decade and a Brompton is still our favorite. However, the problem is that Brompton bikes are too expensive for most average consumers. In the US, their prices range from $1,075 to nearly $2,500, depending on the specs. That’s the reason why they have never become popular in the US and there are more cheaper alternatives coming from Asia. The Camp Royale comes from Mobot, a company based in Singapore, and it costs SGD$1,299 or US$960.
Unboxing Video
Specifications & Features
| Folded Dimensions | 600 mm (L) x 380 mm (W) x 630 mm (H) |
| Unfolded Dimensions | 1480 mm (L) x 540 mm (W) x 960 mm (H) |
| Weight | 28.88 lbs (13.1 kg) |
| Wheel Size | 16 inches |
| Frame | Chromoly steel |
| Drivetrain | 6 speed c/w STURMEY ARCHER 3 speed internal gear hub |
| Suspension | Rear rubber |
| Crankset | 48T |
| Freewheel | 13/16T, 2 speed |
| Shift lever | ROYALE SL |
| Rear derailleur | ROYALE 2SP |
| Brake | ROYALE Linear Pull brake system |
| Tires | 16″ x 1-3/8″ |
| Max Rider Weight | 240 lbs (110 kg) |
Product Images
Performance
The Camp Royale’s under-$1,000 price tag is really crazy, considering the fact that a similar-specced Brompton M6R costs over $1,700. That means a saving of about 45%. It is equipped with all important components like a rear rack with wheels, mudguards, and a hand pump attached to the frame. Moreover, it includes extra accessories that are often sold separately when you buy a Brompton. Those include a front carrier block and an extra seatpost with integrated battery and rear light. You might even get a free carrying bag as well when ordering from their website.
As compared to the Brompton M6R, the Camp Royale is just slightly heavier (27.07 lbs and 28.88 lbs) while the folded dimensions are pretty much the same. Without close examination of some components, it is almost impossible to tell the difference between the two bikes. I’m very surprised with the design and build quality of this bike. It costs roughly half the price of the Brompton but it also uses a steel frame, all parts and finishes are very well done. It doesn’t look and feel like a cheap folding bike at all.
What I loved the most about Brompton bikes is the compact size and amazing folding mechanism. The folding and unfolding processes are the same on this Camp Royale but my bike has a few issues during the folding process. Firstly, when folding the front wheel back, the hook is not entirely attached to the frame; Therefore, it gets loose easily and sometimes falls off when I carry the bike. Secondly, when I drop the handlebar, it is a bit stiff and not clipped to the fork catch automatically; I often have to press it in myself. This is probably a quality control issue since I haven’t heard of similar complaint from other users.
The bike has 6 speeds and it performs well enough during my test. The left shifter is to adjust the rear derailleur while the right shifter is for the rear internal hub. Shifting gears is quick and smooth, so I have no problem climbing some moderate hills, although it is much more exhausting as compared to bigger bikes. Obviously, the riding experience is not really comfortable because it uses small 16-inch wheels. As compared to bikes with 20-inch wheels or fat tires, riding the Camp Royale is a little rough and you can feel it on your bottom even when riding on nice paved roads. It is much bumpier so you shouldn’t ride this bike off-road. Besides, you should be also more careful to avoid potholes on the road. Those disadvantages are expected for a bike at this size and it is not my priority when using this bike. I still love it because it is compact, lightweight and can follow me on any trip on a bus, subway, or my car; I can easily put it in my car trunk without taking too much space. Then when coming home, it can be hidden underneath my desk and nobody is aware of it.
Conclusion
Pros
- Affordable price
- Great design and build quality
- All accessories are included
- Lightweight and compact
Cons
- Folding mechanism is not perfect
- Uncomfortable for long rides
Overall, I have no complaint when using this bike, especially when it costs just about half the price of a similar Brompton. The differences between them are minor, therefore, you totally can get this Camp Royale if you’re on a low budget.
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is your lower stop disc properly set? it’s the thingamajig on the opposite side of the rear brake caliper which determines how far down the hook on the front of the bike catches on the chainstay when folded
Why don’t you say that the the Mobot Camp Royale has stolen the design of the Brompton.
I own the exact same model pictured in this article. The Innova tyres that come with the bicycle have no tread marks and are flimsy. It deflated when I was unfolding it at home because the outer tyre was peeling off, and then when I had just changed the inner tube and was about to leave the neighborhood bike repair shop, it burst right there! I straightaway changed it to a Continental tyre, which required 2 layers of wheel tape to fit the dimensions. The bike shop commented they have encountered this tyre bursting problem with several customers using Mobot Royale. Recommend changing out the Innova the tyres before they burst on the road.
Pls share the tyre u changed to, its price n where u changed it. Thanks.
Well, you should be proud that Asia has learnt well from the west. Western culture and pretty much its entire history has been about theft from all around the world. It is even in your history books. Everybody knows about The Great British Empire and how it is the single biggest looters, genociders all over the world. You might say, it’s all in the past, but the Brits and the Yankees are still at it Think Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Afghanistan, nobody said anythign about it.
In fact, the Brits are quite proud about it, the even call it The Great Empire. British Musems are fully of stolen artefacts displayed proudly too.
Perosnally when it comes to technology I think it’s ok for the betterment of humanity, that is how humans evolved, we have always learnt from each other.
Though I still think lootings, genocides committed by the west is way way way more grotesque, don’t you. So save your virtuous “holier than thou” antics please, before you embarras yourself in public for goodness sake.
Thanks for your condensed history lesson – perhaps you should also mention the murderous feudal Chinese dynasties, the Japanese Empire – not forgetting Genghis Khan or Attila the Hun.
Seems to me the Brits left their colonies in better shape than they entered them – democracy, healthcare, railways, education – Look at Africa now, for example, not done very well since Europeans were effectively kicked out in the ’70s.
They all want to come to Europe now, whether we like it or not.
Copying western technology is a lazy, cheating way of operation to make a quick buck. Better to try to advance humanity by original thought and the practical application of that.
Maybe then, when you come up with an original idea (apart from gunpowder) like the steam engine , the internal combustion engine, the electric motor, the linear motor,the jet engine, the digital computer etc. etc. Not to mention Tesla, Newton, Faraday, Davy, Curie, Einstein and the rest.
Wouldn’t want you to embarras yourself by having a blinkered, one sided view of the world.
Well Stolen is strong words. There are current three or four Brompton clones on the Market from China, Taiwan and Singapore. The patent on the Brompton Tri Fold expired about 20 years ago. So it was inevitable that people would say, hey good idea fold the back under and the front to the side. Most folding bikes fold in half, bi fold. So they are not as narrow when folded. However we are talking a few inches. Form most people that is not a big factor. If you are trying to carry your bike onto and off of trains and busses the Brompton is better. However other fold in half folding bikes especially 20″ tires give a better ride than the Brompton. So Brompton got a 20 year hold on the market and people will still buy them and pay almost double. Brompton is also shot ahead with the Titanium framed version the clones can’t touch.
Where can you buy these in the US?
You can’t, since it’s just a copy of the Brompton. Authorities in Asia don’t care because it’s only hurting a Western company.
You’ll have to wait until an Asian company comes up with a version that’s different enough to not fall under copyright law.
Normally patent can last 30 years, once it expires, everyone can use the design for free. Therefore, I wouldn’t say they stolen the design of the Brompton. I’m a Brompton owner, What like about the Mobot is they have 9 speed offering, 3 cogs + 3 internal. Which is missing from Brompton for ages.
There’s patents, and then there’s copyright.
You can’t simply copy a design. It’d be like selling a copy of a BMW and just put your name on it.
That’s why Dahon can sell its Curve: It folds like the Brompton, but it looks different enough to be legal.
Sorry you can copy a design once patents expire. The Brompton patent expired long ago. The Dahon Curve D3 is a BI FOLD, folds in half like most folding bikes. The Tri Fold where the back comes up and under and the front folds back has been the trade mark of Brompton. They had a hold of the mark from 1975 until about 2010. Now there are several Brompton clones. Some of the clones have improvements, like 9 gears. You say BMW. Well anyone can make aftermarket BMW or Chevy parts, especially after the design has been out 10 much less over 45 years. Brompton did not invent bikes or folding bikes. They came up with a clever way to TRI FOLD, verses BI FOLD… Still a BI FOLD 20″ folding bike is better ride than a Brompton in many cases, but never will be as compact when folded.
Patents have expired long ago. The reason you won’t find Brompton copycats in the West is that it’s illegal to just copy a product: It must be different enough so you can’t mistake it for the real thing.
You haven’t opened the bike in the right way! Lift the seat up first & unfold the back wheel, once that’s done, the front wheel will open up smoothly. Do not force open the front wheel
Yes the price is cheaper but don’t forget the shipping charges which is almost the price of the bike itself if going to the USA!
This is why we simply must stop all Western technology being sent to Asia. Disgusting copying. Oh and if you want to talk about the sins of past generations try seeing how the Japanese treated WW2 prisoners of war. Yea, Asians are so decent. Not.
I really appreciate the public service you have provided by reviewing new bikes like the Mobot trifold. I have gone through your findings several times as research into my own purchase of a folding bike. In fact, I just returned from a shopping trip to Singapore during which I spent 3 days test riding a number of Mobot and Brompton folding bikes.
Let me offer my opinions: As you have noted, the two bikes are remarkably similar. But I found the Royale 9-speed (GT M9) had a bit of a flimsy feel. The shifters and breaks in particular did not feel like they would survive much wear and tear. The Brompton 6 speed had a much more solid ride and components. The Royale 10-speed (EX M10) felt much sturdier, with Shimano parts. I also preferred the shifting system (no internal hub) and the broader range of gear ratios. The Royale 10 speed with upgraded components was also forty percent less expensive than the Bromption 9 speed, which is a huge issue given the high cost of the Brompton. As noted by others, the Mobot folding mechanism tends to come undone to the point where I bought a strap to hold it together on buses and trains. Like the Brompton, the seat post is not long enough for my 183 cm, but fortunately the Brompton telescopic seat post extender will fit the Mobot (but it will set you back another S$150). I would have had to buy that for the Brompton regardless.
Further thoughts after having spent a month riding my Mobot Royale EX M10: The bike rides well–solid and smooth. I added a handlebar bridge for a phone mount and upgraded the Schwalbe tires from slicks to a touring tire. Although unlike the Brompton, Mobot does not come with toolkit, Mobot sells one that fits into the frame of the bike. I do not like the pedals, however, which are much smaller than standard pedals (I have UK size 10 feet, which are not particularly large). The rear rack, which is standard unlike the Brompton) comes with telescoping wheels for stability. Fantastic. But due to the strange triangular shape it cannot accommodate the VincIta Nash Bag (which has a wonderful mechanism to quickly attach the bag).