Bromptons

Thanks very much Oliver(Ollie?) - I'll take a look. :)

Some totally unbiased info about Bromptons. But first a disclaimer: I have a Brompton, a fixed, a geared roadie and a geared hybrid. Too many bikes really.

However the Brompton lives in the hall rather than the shed and comes out like an umbrella. Late for collecting the kids from school? Shake out the Brompton (unfold time c25 secs). Need to whizz to the bank to put a cheque in? Shake out the Brompton. Meeting in London but it's 10 miles to the station? Shake out the Brompton.

Mine's a 2000 (date) model with only 3 gears. After 14/21 gears I though three would be a problem but it's not an issue. It really does change your life, as suddenly you don't need to go to the shed, unlock, disentangle, remove a normal bike. And if I'm going almost anywhere in the car I sling the Brompon in the back, dump the car somewhere cheap and pedal to somewhere expensive.

Plus (here in the sticks), you almost always get into a conversation about it. I am a total convert, but when distance or sheer speed are required the the Brompton is not the tool of choice. However...

Out of interest, a timed 7.5-mile run I do a lot takes 28 mins by Carlton steel geared roadie, and recently took took 34 mins by Brompton into a stiff headwind. 16 and 13.2mph .

De Selby, when I test road it today,I was shocked at the speed I could get. I think the main pint is comfort - though I appreicate I didnt set it up perfect - over distance i just thinkit might be a bit too raw...but selby i like the sntiment of wha you are saying. Thats what I see it doing. It can always be talen anywhere, and that is liberating.

@ De Slby - Particapants bias? ;)

Sho' thing. We is talkin' bicycles, not inanimate objects. Ever see an objective opinion on here?

I don't do emoticons but maybe I should have said, "Some totally unbiased info about Bromptons.;)"

You won't find many Brompton owners un/dispassionate about their steeds, and those who don't have 'em won't know.

To be scientific: you will never get a truly scientific, unbiased survey about Bromptons, but that in itself speaks volumes!

Love my S2-LX. Not sure about the narrow Stelvio tyres option though- lots of punctures.

Late for collecting the kids from school? Shake out the Brompton. Need to whizz to the bank to put a cheque in? Shake out the Brompton. Meeting in London but it's 10 miles to the station? Shake out the Brompton.

Love it! You should sell that slogan!
On the other hand I was late getting off the train today because some nodder was in the doorway shaking out his Brompton...

Can't wait to try out VeLLo's one, he's lent me it for a couple of weeks, so i can do a convoluted commute with my kid two days a week.

As TFL will probably say, I'm already brand-loyal.

Actually I'd really dig a try of a Moulton, but they don't really fold up as small do they?

Love it! You should sell that slogan!
On the other hand I was late getting off the train today because some nodder was in the doorway shaking out his Brompton...

that's just selfish though, I make my way to the centre of the platform

I love mine, I got the Titanium M3 with Raw Lacquer and increased gearing, it's pretty swift. It's a useful utility bike as has been mentioned earlier

Can't wait to try out VeLLo's one, he's lent me it for a couple of weeks, so i can do a convoluted commute with my kid two days a week.

As TFL will probably say, I'm already brand-loyal.

Actually I'd really dig a try of a Moulton, but they don't really fold up as small do they?

they don't fold.

Alex Moulton even registered on a website somewhere to say that! - they are seperable not foldable. gettit? :)

Think 'for putting in boot of car' or 'for 2 reasonable sized bags on the eurostar' style seperation. Not sure you'd want to put the cable seperators through too many folds either.

the exception to the rule is : http://www.flickr.com/photos/83752362@N00/3919418856/
Where Steve Parry (who mod's bromptons) took on a Moulton project.

and back to SP + bromptons see http://www.foldsoc.co.uk/sp.html

does anyone know if Brompton update their models yearly - i.e should we be expecting 2010 versions soon?

I realise their designs don't change much (if at all) but they must update their finishing kit from time to time?

does anyone know if Brompton update their models yearly - i.e should we be expecting 2010 versions soon?

I realise their designs don't change much (if at all) but they must update their finishing kit from time to time?

unlike every other bike manufacturer they do not release year models till the year is there. So you'll get 2010 models in 2010.

The design has been around 20years+ and the last real change was a few years ago (frame was lengthened) - for 2010 maybe an increase in price plus you could expect, as with every other 2010 model, for the toys added to be of lower quality than the 2009 equivalent if they bought them in $ or euro. Brompton make a lot of their own stuff tho, so I'd expect this to be less than many others.

YMMV, IANAL, IANABD

anyone racing in the brompton world champs?

I'm gonna head up there but I'm not racing.

Tempted to ride up but I think I'll miss most of the action.

Is Roberto Heras going to appear again this year or is he still sulking after getting beaten last year? :D

If only the Moultons could fold, they'd be perfect. I love these little bikes - I have two F frame Midis - but continue to hanker after a Brompton because it would be so handy to have a folding bike.

i rode my brompton to work this morning and had heaps of fun overtaking startled fixie skidders.

If only the Moultons could fold, they'd be perfect. I love these little bikes - I have two F frame Midis - but continue to hanker after a Brompton because it would be so handy to have a folding bike.

check the flickr link in my post. a moulton F Frame mod'd to fold like a brompton!

Is Roberto Heras going to appear again this year or is he still sulking after getting beaten last year? :D

He's racing again I think.

Is Roberto Heras going to appear again this year or is he still sulking after getting beaten last year? :D

Perhaps he should be pointed in the direction of the TNRC Kent Folder Special? He's a climber, after all.

So I rode the Brompton this AM (don't ask me which model).

Second gear was a bit too spinny, third a bit too crunchy.

Strange getting used to the wheel size and all that entails.

Felt a bit short. I note they made them longer recently.

Interesting but not what I'd call a good ride. Maybe I just need to acclimatise.

As a mechanic in a shop the sells bromptons, I can say that they are totally amazingly engineered and very reliable practacle...BUT a pain in the arse to work on when they go wrong.

Skully, did you try a 2sp or 3sp model?

I find the gears on a 3sp are a bit much, if I was to get one I'd go for a 3sp with 12% lower gearing.

We should catch up by the way:-)

3 speed.

Yep, was constantly switching between 2 and 3, neither was what I wanted it to be.

Yeah! Might swing by Easts this week, briefly though. Trouble at mill.

Anyone seen those Phil hubs that fit Bromptons? Why spend so much more on a bike that works so well already?

I reckon about 68 is best for a Brompton, gear inches wise.

Furious - I understand that if you put Stelvio's on them, it lowers the gearing over the marathons. not sure how this is the case but apparently it is. And ive no idea by how much.