Self - on Brompton!

NervexProf

An insightful and engaging article here on the appeal of the 'Brompton' - by Will Self.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/th ... 26741.html

How many here ride a Brompton?

downfader

I have seen the cheap Jap copies and didnt like them at all!! But that makes me want a (proper) Brompton. :P

Shame the article just ends so suddenly with a wheelie

NervexProf

downfader wrote:

I have seen the cheap Jap copies and didnt like them at all!! But that makes me want a (proper) Brompton. :P

Shame the article just ends so suddenly with a wheelie

Downfader - click this link and read all about the concept of the Brompton and how it is made, et al:

http://www.brompton.co.uk/content.asp?p=188&l=1

downfader

NervexProf wrote:

downfader wrote:

I have seen the cheap Jap copies and didnt like them at all!! But that makes me want a (proper) Brompton. :P

Shame the article just ends so suddenly with a wheelie

Downfader - click this link and read all about the concept of the Brompton and how it is made, et al:

http://www.brompton.co.uk/content.asp?p=188&l=1

Bookmarked!!! - I'm off for some lunch :P

ris

office has some 'pool bromptons' for trips around bath and london (to reduce taxi journeys), so when the cyclescheme started up i did the logical thing and bought an airnimal

they are great bikes but everyone seems to have a brommie in my place, it makes the birdy owners look like radical free thinkers!

biondino

Sorry to spam but a friend of mine who runs a very well respected lbs in Newcastle has 3 secondhand Bromptons in at the moment - he mentioned it because apparently 2nd hand ones aren't at all common. If anyone's interested PM me and I'll give you his details.

(his dad, a frame manufacturer and lbs owner for 50 years and a really well known bike champion in the NE was killed a couple of months ago while out riding, so my friend has taken over the shop permanently. He specialises in folders and also recumbents, if there are any perverts reading )

dang65

I find it infuriating that Bromptons are so obviously superior to all the other myriad folding bikes (and there are hundreds of designs out there), but are way beyond my budget. I regularly go on to eBay in the hope of snagging one, but even the second hand ones on there go for 4-500 quid. At the same time, I don't think I could settle for any thing else.

I'm working in Dusseldorf at the moment, a heavenly place for cyclists, and really wanted to get a Brompton to carry back and forth on flights home or on the trains here, but I can't justify the outlay. I ended up buying a cheapo town bike from the local flea market for 40 euro, expecting to abandon it or give it away when I finish my contract here.

I should look into getting one through my company I suppose, but I never seem to quite have the justification. If I was doing a regular train journey I might do it.

biondino

I think Dahons have a pretty good rep, for what it's worth, starting at around £300.

andrewc3142

I've had a Brompton for a few years and very useful it can be. No match for a road bike (although there are ultra-devotees who do use them for long distances), but on the days I can't commute all the way at least I can avoid the tube part and great for taking on busines trips to give some freedom and ability to explore a bit more than otherwise would be possible. Especially the year before last when I was based in Brugge during the week for 6 months - pack it onto the Eurostar, commute from hotel to office and explore the town and outskirts in the evening - perfect.

Sometimes fun to give roadies (which I normally am) a surprise run for their money wearing jeans or even a suit.

cakewalk

dang65 wrote:

I find it infuriating that Bromptons are so obviously superior to all the other myriad folding bikes (and there are hundreds of designs out there), but are way beyond my budget. I regularly go on to eBay in the hope of snagging one, but even the second hand ones on there go for 4-500 quid. At the same time, I don't think I could settle for any thing else.

I'm working in Dusseldorf at the moment, a heavenly place for cyclists, and really wanted to get a Brompton to carry back and forth on flights home or on the trains here, but I can't justify the outlay. I ended up buying a cheapo town bike from the local flea market for 40 euro, expecting to abandon it or give it away when I finish my contract here.

I should look into getting one through my company I suppose, but I never seem to quite have the justification. If I was doing a regular train journey I might do it.

Brompton are doing somewhat of an upgrade on the range in jan next year - may well get some bargainns on eBay as people 'upgrade'.

I had a Dahon once. Once is enough ..

knight2k

Having read the article I want one as much as I want a scooter after watching Quadrophenia or a Mini after waching the Italian Job (original version, of course).