Brompton cycles

On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 14:54:27 +0100, Bob Downie

bob_news@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk said:

I have been told that Bromptons are good folding machines (i.e. they
really fold) and are reasonable to ride. Anyone have any thoughts e.g.

ride quality?

Responsive or twitchy depending on whether you like them or not. Small
wheels take a little while to get used to if you are used to 700 and 26"
wheels. I find the ride very smooth, there is a little built-in
suspension, and with the right tyres fairly fast.

Quoted message said:

foldability?

Excellent. Fast and small.

Quoted message said:

will they fit on an aeroplane?

Depends on the size of the aeroplane. Boom boom!

Quoted message said:

which model?

Get an L or a T rather than a C. Get the T if you want to carry stuff on a
rack and need dynamo lighting. Alternative get an L and fit a front
luggage holder and then upgrade the front wheel to the new SON hub dynamo.
You then have the option of 3 gears or 6 and of standard or lower gearing.
I've not cycled in London though so I'll defer advice to someone else.

Quoted message said:

prices?

Variable. New from 300-600ish.

Quoted message said:

alternatives?

A lot these days but nothing to match the foldability.

Quoted message said:

Anyone know of a second-hand one for sale?

There are always half a dozen on ebay these days. There are often bikes
listed on the free ads at Velo Vision and some bike shops (I bought mine
through one of the York bike shops online free ads). Campervan John will
probably have one for sale ;-)

Colin

very practical for the last few miles of a commute and you won't ruin your
clothes, but I'd have a full sized any day. Can't do the small wheels.

Beware the thieves though. Congestion charging has made them hot property.
We lost one from outside the police station at Waterloo Station. I
understand that there is a man on the Commercial road who fences the stolen
items but I was dissuaded from discussing the matter with him by my
girlfriend.

*sighs*

======
"Bob Downie" <bob_news@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk> wrote in message
news:nzR62lDTEF0AFwN0@downie-geo%23n0spam%23.co.uk...

Quoted message said:

Anyone here have any opinions on Brompton cycles? I am shortly to find
myself spending most of my summer in London (commuting home at weekends)
and am distraught at the thought of not having my cycle to hand.

I have been told that Bromptons are good folding machines (i.e. they
really fold) and are reasonable to ride. Anyone have any thoughts e.g.

ride quality?
foldability?
will they fit on an aeroplane?
which model?
prices?
alternatives?

Anyone know of a second-hand one for sale?

Thanks
--
Bob Downie
bob@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk
Remove #n0spam# to reply directly

Bob Downie:

Quoted message said:

ride quality? foldability? will they fit on an aeroplane? which model?
prices? alternatives?

Prices are on www.bromptonbicycle.co.uk - and those are the prices you
can expect to pay for a new bike because they don't allow dealers to
sell them for less (according to my local Brompton dealer).

They hold their value well too so even the ones on ebay won't be cheap.

I love them. Unfortunately, I don't *need* one enough at the moment to
be able to justify the expense. Otherwise I'd go straight for the T6.

d.

--

Colin Blackburn said:

On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 14:54:27 +0100, Bob Downie
<bob_news@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

ride quality?

Quoted message said:

Responsive or twitchy depending on whether you like them or not. Small
wheels take a little while to get used to if you are used to 700 and
26" wheels. I find the ride very smooth, there is a little built-in
suspension, and with the right tyres fairly fast.

I don't find it twitchy at all, maybe I've just got used to it. Lent it
to a pal back in January and she said she found it twitchy right after
starting, but by the time we'd got to the end of the station car park
she pronounced it fine, having "dialled in" by then.

The ride position is quite upright, which can be a bit odd if you're
used to drops but again it doesn't take long to get used to.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

foldability?

Excellent. Fast and small.

Indeed. I've yet to see anything else that comes too close to either
the speed or compactness of the Brom fold (and the unfold is just as
quick and easy).

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

will they fit on an aeroplane?

Depends on the size of the aeroplane. Boom boom!

The folded package is just under 2' square by 1' deep, so it won't go
under the seat in front or in the overhead lockers. But there shouldn't
be any problem getting them in the hold, though they'll take a chunk out
of your baggage allowance. They're not the lightest folders out there,
but OTOH they're well built and will take a fair bit of punishment
(mine's been mountain biking a few times and lived to tell the tale!).
Depending on spec it's between 10.7 Kg and 12.9 Kg

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

which model?

Quoted message said:

Get an L or a T rather than a C. Get the T if you want to carry stuff on
a rack and need dynamo lighting. Alternative get an L and fit a front
luggage holder and then upgrade the front wheel to the new SON hub
dynamo. You then have the option of 3 gears or 6 and of standard or
lower gearing. I've not cycled in London though so I'll defer advice to
someone else.

I agree with Colin that the C is a false economy, with generally lower
spec bits and no mudguards. Spending the extra will mean longer until
you replace bits and you get substantially better tyres to start with.

IMHO the front pannier system is well worth considering for any model of
Brom: it really does work well. The rear rack is too low for panniers,
and since I tend to take luggage in panniers I didn't really see the
point. I have a SON dynohub on mine for the front lamp. The new SON in
narrow width that will fit a Brom as-is is only in the prototype stage
at present, AIUI.

Mine is a 3 speed with the -18% gearing. Recommended if you have big
hills. I'd have the -12% in any case as the default is a bit overgeared
to my taste, but tastes vary. The 6 speed works well and makes the bike
a better "do everything", but it isn't necessary and is another thing to
go wrong and need maintaining. Since mine is primarily a hack bike I
didn't bother.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

alternatives?

A lot these days but nothing to match the foldability.

VeloVision #10 has a buyers' guide for folders. But if you want a quick
and compact fold first and foremost the Brom still leads the pack. The
Birdy is a better ride and has options with all sorts of gearing for
multiple uses, but costs more and the fold isn't so good. If you want
something cheaper the Dahons are very good value for money but are
generally just fold in two jobs.

Quoted message said:

There are always half a dozen on ebay these days. There are often bikes
listed on the free ads at Velo Vision and some bike shops

But they do hold their value well, so expect to pay a fair bit in any
case. Most I see for sale have the standard gearing, so by the time I'd
have faffed about getting something lower I'd probably be just as well
getting a new one. Note that Mk 2 Broms have inferior brakes and are
missing various other minor tweaks, but that doesn't seem to be
accounted for in 2nd hand pricing.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

davek said:

Prices are on www.bromptonbicycle.co.uk - and those are the prices you
can expect to pay for a new bike because they don't allow dealers to
sell them for less (according to my local Brompton dealer).

Also the case that since they could probably beat customers off with a
[censored] stick and /still/ sell the production, there just isn't any real
sense in people discounting them.

Quoted message said:

I love them. Unfortunately, I don't *need* one enough at the moment to
be able to justify the expense.

I never needed one until I had one. Now it's practically indispensable.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 15:34:52 +0100, Peter Clinch <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Colin Blackburn said:

Responsive or twitchy depending on whether you like them or not. Small
wheels take a little while to get used to if you are used to 700 and
26" wheels. I find the ride very smooth, there is a little built-in
suspension, and with the right tyres fairly fast.

I don't find it twitchy at all, maybe I've just got used to it.

That's my point. I think a 5 minute ride may put some people off, once you
get a feel for it it is responsive!

Quoted message said:

I have a SON dynohub on mine for the front lamp. The new SON in narrow
width that will fit a Brom as-is is only in the prototype stage at
present, AIUI.

The latest issue of Velo Vision seemed to suggest a finished product, my
copy is at home so I can't check.

Colin

Will H said:

very practical for the last few miles of a commute and you won't ruin your
clothes, but I'd have a full sized any day. Can't do the small wheels.

The small wheels do make it an object of ridicule to the local yoof, but
I still ride it faster than they can manage because I have 100 psi tyres
and they probably don't even realise they can pump theirs up...

Unless you're going over major bumpage on a routine basis the small
wheels aren't really much of an issue IME. And for occasional bumpage
the rear suspension works pretty well and the upright position takes the
sting out of the wrists.

Quoted message said:

Beware the thieves though. Congestion charging has made them hot property.

Though on the plus side, being able to fold them up and take them in
places (quicker than locking a bike outside) gives you more security
options.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Peter Clinch:

Quoted message said:

Mine is a 3 speed with the -18% gearing. Recommended if you have big
hills. I'd have the -12% in any case as the default is a bit overgeared
to my taste, but tastes vary.

When I looked into this, I found that the standard 6-speed gearing gives
very close to the same range as my road bike, albeit with larger gaps
between gears, of course.

d.

--

Colin Blackburn said:

The latest issue of Velo Vision seemed to suggest a finished product,
my copy is at home so I can't check.

My inference was that it's at least not yet in the shops. Whether it
will be in time for Christmas is another matter.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 14:54:27 +0100 someone who may be Bob Downie
<bob_news@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

Anyone here have any opinions on Brompton cycles?

Google will bring up many opinions on these bikes.

atob.org.ukBuyers' Guide.htmlOpen ↗

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E
I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government
prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

Peter Clinch said:

Will H said:

very practical for the last few miles of a commute and you won't ruin your
clothes, but I'd have a full sized any day. Can't do the small wheels.

The small wheels do make it an object of ridicule to the local yoof

I get a lot of that here, but if you get the chance to stop and fold it
in front of them, the yobbery can turn to admiration.
Suddenly they are cool.

John B

"Colin Blackburn" <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

foldability?

Quoted message said:

Excellent. Fast and small.

Very quick.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

will they fit on an aeroplane?

Saw someone at BikeFest who told me someone on his plane had taken
Brompton as hand luggage and rode off from the plane.
I think that might be stretching some airlines' tolerance.
I think they'd be fine as checked baggage. I've not tried this though.

Quoted message said:

Depends on the size of the aeroplane. Boom boom!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

alternatives?

Quoted message said:

A lot these days but nothing to match the foldability.

Birdy are good, pricy, rigid and slower to fold than the Brompton.

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden]
Edgware.

Thanks for the help folks.

Here's the killer question. If your kids were needing new shoes would
you still buy a T6 Brompton?
--
Bob Downie
bob@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk
Remove #n0spam# to reply directly

Bob Downie bob_news@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk said:

Here's the killer question. If your kids were needing new shoes would
you still buy a T6 Brompton?

Yes, a Brompton would be very suitable for shoe shopping ;-)

Roos

On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 16:55:12 +0100, Bob Downie

bob_news@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk said:

Thanks for the help folks.

Here's the killer question. If your kids were needing new shoes would
you still buy a T6 Brompton?

Yes. Though as I have no kids so it's academic. Hell, if I had 'em I'd
send 'em up chimneys for a Brompton.

Colin

Bob Downie said:

Anyone here have any opinions on Brompton cycles? I am shortly to find
myself spending most of my summer in London (commuting home at weekends)
and am distraught at the thought of not having my cycle to hand.

I have been told that Bromptons are good folding machines (i.e. they
really fold) and are reasonable to ride. Anyone have any thoughts e.g.

ride quality?
foldability?
will they fit on an aeroplane?
which model?
prices?
alternatives?

Anyone know of a second-hand one for sale?

Thanks

Bromptons are ideal for London and you will find lots of people riding them.
I have never yet come across a place in London that has objected to my taking
in a folded B which, given the risks of leaving a bike locked up outside, is
another strong point. You can take them on the train, plane, underground and
taxis. No need for a toolkit - if it breaks/gets a puncture fold it hail a
cab and fix it at home. The Birdy is a better ride but a worse fold and much
rarer in London but worth considering. The other is to get a Steve Parry
Brompton if you want something better. He does all sorts of mods to them from
disc brakes to more gears at a price.

To go by plane, get a Airnimal Turtle suitcase which fits the B inside nicely
with the saddle removed.

For London the L3 plus front basket is fine unless you want a rack for luggage
and dynamo lights in which case get the T3. The six gears are not really
needed in London and you can always to a deal to retrofit them for the price
difference if you change your mind when you buy the bike.

You can find them second hand in Loot but they hold their value and are not a
whole lot cheaper second hand than new. Another reason for new is they have
recently changed the main hinge which gives a slightly longer wheelbase which
rides better. Check though that it is new hinge stock and not old hinge stock
you are buying

Tony

Peter Clinch said:

I never needed one until I had one. Now it's practically indispensable.

Ditto here.

Tony

"Bob Downie" <bob_news@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk> wrote in message
news:bBdV6SHg1G0AFwZb@downie-geo%23n0spam%23.co.uk...

Quoted message said:

Thanks for the help folks.

Here's the killer question. If your kids were needing new shoes would
you still buy a T6 Brompton?
--
Bob Downie
bob@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk
Remove #n0spam# to reply directly

Using a Brompton in London compares very well cost-wise to using public
transport, even after investing in a front carrier. Do the math for your
fares - maybe with the assumption that after a really tiring day or
after-work drinks you'll take the Brompton on public transport.

Ben said:

"Bob Downie" <bob_news@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk> wrote in message
news:bBdV6SHg1G0AFwZb@downie-geo%23n0spam%23.co.uk...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Here's the killer question. If your kids were needing new shoes would
you still buy a T6 Brompton?

Since I bought an L3 by choice and chose not to fit the retrofit 6
(despite having the money in my pocket) then, no, I wouldn't. But they
could get their feet squeezed for a while and I'd let them play on the L3...

Quoted message said:

Using a Brompton in London compares very well cost-wise to using public
transport, even after investing in a front carrier. Do the math for your
fares - maybe with the assumption that after a really tiring day or
after-work drinks you'll take the Brompton on public transport.

My next door neighbour was quite impressed with mine, and bought one
(L3) himself. They run a single car for the family so it wasn't
replacing a second car or anything like that, and Brian's commute is
only a couple of miles, but he reckons it paid for itself outright
within a year. So since this is well past the year, their 3 girls have
more shoe possibilities opening up now!

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/