Brompton: which model?

Blue Frog said:

I'm looking at Bromptons both on Ebay and from Cycle dealers (EBay seem
overpriced!)
Could anyone advise me which model is best (old models / new range) value?
I'm looking at the C3 brand new for £379 - is this good value?
I don't need dynamo lights (LEDs are better), just light reliable commuter
model

Any tips appreciated

The C3 is a false economy - don't get one unless the budget really is
tight. The best option, in either the new or old range is the L3 and
use the money saved from not having the rack etc of the T3 to buy the
luggage system (the L3 is lighter too than the T3). If you can get a
newer model they do ride a little bit nicer but not enough to bother too
much about.

--
Tony

"Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using
his intelligence; he is just using his memory."
- Leonardo da Vinci

Blue Frog said:

I'm looking at Bromptons both on Ebay and from Cycle dealers (EBay seem
overpriced!)

Ebay prices reflect the relationship between desirability and
availability...

But you can still get a good bargain if you are patient and careful to
avoid getting involved in a bidding war. I got my L3 (equivalent of the
current "M3L" model) from Ebay in "nearly new" condition for
significantly less than the price of a new C-type, and about £150 less
than I would have paid for the same bike new, which I thought was a
pretty good deal.

And this is what I got with my L3 that you don't get with the C-type:
better brakes (dual pivot front, standard rear)
better tyres (Schwalbe Marathons)
mudguards (essential for commuting unless you are a fairweather-only
cyclist)
frame-fitting Zefal pump
folding left-hand pedal
front luggage block

But if you think you can manage without those extra bits, and you really
want a new bike rather than second hand, go for the C3.

Also, if you buy a C-type you have to want it in red because that's the
only choice of colour.

d.

davek said:

And this is what I got with my L3 that you don't get with the C-type:
better brakes (dual pivot front, standard rear)
better tyres (Schwalbe Marathons)

Some notes...
If you buy a new M3L (or whatever they are these days) you can have
Brompton's own tyres (good fast tyre) or the same but Kevlar belted
or the Marathons as a (small) extra cost option.

The C has Raleigh Records, which are relatively Plop.

Quoted message said:

frame-fitting Zefal pump

Not exactly something I'd miss, to be honest.

Quoted message said:

front luggage block

Available as an extra cost option on any Brompton, and would just
as easily fit to a C.

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/

In article <[email hidden]>, davek <[email hidden]>
writes

Quoted message said:

frame-fitting Zefal pump

A nice addition, but you'd need to clean the pump regularly as I found
with regular commuting it gets very messy and rusty. I bought a
replacement Topeak road morph pump, which stays in my bag.

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