Brompton bikes.. who has one ?

[scotjimland]

Quite fancy them, rather than taking our mountain bikes and using a bike rack these will store easily in a locker or garage..

Visited the local dealer today and had a test ride.. and I am very impressed... a 3 speed model, very comfortable and I was impressed how easy it was to cycle.. impressed with the construction and ease of folding.. expensive.. well yes they are but we looked on ebay and they really hold their value.. so when selling on eventually shouldn't be a big loss.

Not quite needing an ebike yet.. but before we jump.. owners opinions valued.. thanks..

 

[DBK]

I only know they are very well made and are enthusiastically endorsed by their owners. There is a very good electric conversion you can get for them, the Nano, so you can "electrify" them later.

 

[Tootles]

Got one of these last year Jim, and at the present price, might just get another for the boss...

Broken Link Removed

 

[thehutchies]

How about building a custom Raleigh twenty?
Very cool!

http://sheldonbrown.com/raleigh-twenty.html

 

[thehutchies]

I had a Brompton years ago (ride a 29er now - one extreme to another! ) and they are surprisingly addictive once you are accustomed to their quirks.
Avoid potholes!

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[scotjimland]

been on the build your Brompton web site.. http://bikebuilder.brompton.com/

bog standard, single speed, no mudguards, rack or luggage.. .. £770

'my' bike build comes in at £1085 ..
that's with mudguards, rack, 3 speed, Brooks saddle, front bag, black frame..

I could spend a lot on this ..

 

[DBK]

I would go for the six speed.....but then I like spending other people's money!

 

[Tootles]

been on the build your Brompton web site.. http://bikebuilder.brompton.com/

bog standard, single speed, no mudguards, rack or luggage.. .. £770

'my' bike build comes in at £1085 ..
that's with mudguards, rack, 3 speed, Brooks saddle, front bag, black frame..

I could spend a lot on this ..

OUCH. Sell you a car for half that price Guv........

 

[ivorantony]

I have a six speed jobbie and very pleased with its ride, I use it mainly when flying because it fits in the back with no problem,
The MH has a large garage so treated my self to a 26 in wheel hybrid 24 speed, the only thing it does better is over the potholes/ bumps,
With the Brompton I'm very conscious of how easy they are to pick up and walk, so always try to lock it to something substantial,

 

[thehutchies]

I was being serious about the custom Raleigh twenty!
It might be the kids' next project.

Bromptons are 'marmite ' bikes.
The riding experience is very different; the centre of gravity, rotational momentum of the wheels, acceleration and gearing.

But very well made and, as you say, hold their value.

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[UK Pete]

I liked the look of them as well , so i researched a bit and looked in to the other makes, i ended up buying a dahon vitesse p18, it has slightly bigger wheels making it more stable, and the 18 gears makes it a go anywhere bike, i have riden this bike 20 miles and it was a pleasure, it folds up real small and fits into a shoulder bag, great bike to have in the van for when its needed
I have fitted a rack and mudguards to it now , best of all its a better looking bike than the Brompton and cost me a lot less to buy
pete

 

[Lenny HB]

Must admit not a fan of small wheel bikes they just don't stable especially on gravel. Tried out a couple of e-bikes last week one was a 20" wheel the other 28" stability wise no comparison. I am quite taken with e-bikes better than expected just have to persuade the boss to let me spend 5 grand on a couple. Funny really I'll spend ages talking her around to something like that, but when I want a new car I just go out and buy it & first time she sees it is when I bring it home.

 

[landscaper]

Yes got one when I retired - a six speed - a real extravagance but delighted with it and it fits right into one of the back outside lockers. Love it!

 

[funflair]

They are good but you didn't need two post the same so deleted one.

Should have deleted the second one, ah well.

 

[funflair]

This is my Airnimal, the tri spoke wheel is not standard (I made it)

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[Lenny HB]

But you are not at the top.

 

[funflair]

But you are not at the top.

On the way back down


Not.

 

[funflair]

I did post saying that you could look at Airnimal folding bikes, 24 inch wheels with good speed and stability, the chameleon has suspension on the rear but the Joey does not. Both over a grand but nice bikes.

Don't know what happened earlier, I posted and got two posts so deleted the text out of the first one and then subsequently the second one disappeared.

Trying again.

 

[Wobby]

We have two, my wife's is a three speed job and mine a six speed one. I had the Nano electric conversion fitted to both a couple of years ago and we're delighted with them.

Wobby

 

[Richgj]

I've got one it's brilliant yes they are a lot of money but I spent ages looking and came to the conclusion they were worth it. I've got a 6 speed one. I did a test ride at the local cycle shop and was convinced. Managed to do deal on one in the shop which made the price slightly more bearable.

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[Chockswahay]

@ScotJimland

We have had two Bromptons for the last 9 years. They are very portable and are the easiest and quickest folding bikes available (this is VERY important because if they are not easy to fold you WON'T bother folding them and that defeats the point of ownership).

Originally we bought them because we were sailing full time on out yacht and they were our only form of 'land' transport. They had to be easy to lift on and off the boat and stow in a locker.

Since then we have sold the boat (bought a PVC van two years ago) and use them every week. We also have two Specialised Crosstrail Hybrid bikes for touring on.

The Bromptons are perfect for using with a MH, easy to stow (we put ours under the bed in the garage). We think nothing of riding 20 to 30 miles on them and can manage around 50 or so miles a day if on a mission!

When we go touring with the van we tend to park up nan Aire then cycle our way around the patch. They fold and fit in supermarket trollies (no worry about theft!) and go under the table if in a pub or cafe!

Ours are standard 3 gear 'cooking' versions but we did have the gearing 'lowered' by 18% at the factory (this makes the 1st gear much more suitable for hills) and gives a practical top speed of around 17mph with a cadence of 75 to 80 rpm.

If I were to buy again I would go for the 6 gear because they now have the 'wide range gears' which really does give a good 'granny gear' for hills and yet a more relaxed top gear for the flat.

Bromptons are well made, reliable and worth the money. I fully recommend them.

You will find that people who have not ridden one will just not understand what they are about.

Just buy one Jim (or one each!) you won't regret it

 

[Chockswahay]

P.S....... (you will never want to sell on)

 

[scotjimland]

Just buy one Jim (or one each!) you won't regret it

thanks.. so you reckon the six speed is worth the extra ?

would you recommend the -12% (for hilly riding) or just the standard ratios ?

 

[Judge Mental]

Lovely bike, but really a city bike and multi deraileurs models seen sipping around sll over the place..very impressive...

BUT for motorhome touring? I think not. Far better of with a nice light full size bike. Just buy a van with garage......

Just like vans probably wrong time of year to look for a deal..... As prices firm up, as well into the season now. October onwards best, as new 2016 models are released. Then time for cheeky offers on a pair of 2015 bikes......don't ask you don't get

 

[scotjimland]

Lovely bike, but really a city bike and multi deraileurs models seen sipping around sll over the place..very impressive...

BUT for motorhome touring? I think not. Far better of with a nice light full size bike. Just buy a van with garage......

obviously you haven't watched the Brompton World Championships.. and I already have two Specilized light weight mountain bikes..

what I asked for is reviews from people who have a Brompton.. .. not advice about buying a van..

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[Judge Mental]

Temper temper if not interested in general opinion how exactly am I to know that........ Others might just value different opinions...not just all about you you know

 

[scotjimland]

Just like vans probably wrong time of year to look for a deal..... As prices firm up, as well into the season now. October onwards best, as new 2016 models are released. Then time for cheeky offers on a pair of 2015 bikes......don't ask you don't get

There is a five week lead time at present.. last year it was 17 weeks.. there are no deals unless you buy the demo bikes.. and there is little saving... with so many different specs to choose from, each bike is built to order .. the dealers only have a demo bike and a couple of off the shelf for those in a hurry and are not fussy.. but no savings.

 

[scotjimland]

Temper temper if not interested in general opinion how exactly am I to know that

by reading the OP ..." owners opinions valued.. thanks.. "

 

[Judge Mental]

suggest you go back to bed and get out the other side......

 

[Chockswahay]

thanks.. so you reckon the six speed is worth the extra ?

would you recommend the -12% (for hilly riding) or just the standard ratios ?

I'd go for the six speed version but not bother about the -12% (we only had the gears lowered because of limited range on the 3 speed model.

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