Got my new Brompton Competitor - Downtube Mini

SamWise72

I'm preparing to add the Downtube Mini to the Velo Chocolate lineup, but before doing so, I wanted to get one myself, firstly because I don't like to sell anything I don't personally have experience of, secondly because I wanted a good multi-mode commute bike, and thirdly so that I can offer it to the press for testing.

It arrived yesterday, and I'm very pleased indeed. 8 speed Sturmey Archer hub shifter well straight out of the box, the fold is compact (a little bigger than a Brommie, but not much), and it rides beautifully. I'm 6'3, and I can get the seatpost high enough as long as I ride flat-footed, but I could do with another inch on there. Anyone smaller should have no problems. I put a sprung Brooks on there to see if that helped, but it wasn't enough - think I need a Sidetrak Butt Buddy. So far, I've only taken it up the road and back, but some longer rides will soon follow. Apologies for the image quality - it was pouring with rain! I'm anticipating that this will go in a train luggage rack almost as easily as a Brommie, and once I get the quick release seatpost rack I've ordered, it will be a more capable carrier. 8 speeds means it should have the legs of a Brompton anywhere but on the flat too.


Folded


Unfolded, with Brooks

RussAlf

Looks like a mini version of my dahon. How stable it it when folded? will it fall over on a rocking train, i have to be carefull with my dahon as on big bumps its liable to get a bit wobbly.

SamWise72

It's not bad, but I think I would lean it up with a bit of angle, to be on the safe side.

meagain

You trailed this following one of my Posts in SI a couple of days ago - it LOOKS very nice! I know a difficult Q for anyone (it's all subjective!) especially a dealer, but do you think as much of a big bike feel as a Brompton (with which I was VERY impressed)? How does wheelbase compare (a deciding factor I suspect)?

What sort of price are we looking at? Straight £/$ (I've seen the price in USA, tho' escapes me for the moment!)? And when? Cut me an opening offer deal and I'll write some reviews (honest, mind!).

At 5'9" and a bit and less than 9 stone, size shouldn't be an issue!

SamWise72

I'm not going to pretend I have enough Brompton experience to answer that properly, but it feels pretty good. It doesn't feel significantly smaller than my 20" Downtube (though in fact, it is), and it certainly doesn't feel like the cheapy eBay £120 folders. Here are a couple of comparison photos (not mine) to help you see how it stacks up. I'll be happy to meet prospective customers in London for tests.

meagain

That's helpful - thank you.

SamWise72

Regarding the price, I actually don't have any sway. I'm not a dealer as such, in that I don't buy the bikes in and sell them on. I'm acting as a sales agent, orders being placed through my site go straight to Downtube, who ship directly. What I have been able to do is to negotiate a better deal on shipping, and to fix a price in £'s, which will be, I think, £349 shipped for the Mini. We have fantastic prices on the IXFS at the moment, £200 plus shipping, but they don't fold as small as the Mini, nor do they have the internal gear hub. For me, the Mini hits the Brompton market head on, and if you compare it with even a 3 speed Brommie, it's dead cheap. Start comparing with the 6 speed, and it's an absolute bargain. Now, it doesn't fold as neatly as a Brompton, and it doesn't have the neat rolling wheels, but as a real useable bike, I think it's probably better in some ways, and as a value proposition, really good.