1995 Brompton

[DBoyd]

When visiting a cousin in N. Ireland last week, out of the blue he produced a Brompton from the back of his garage and asked me to take it off his hands. He had been given it for a specific work project during the 1990's but did not need it and did not like it, so after using it three or four times he stuck it under its cover in the back of his garage, where it has sat ever since ! He had a lockdown clear out, wanted shot of it, and thought I might have some use for it. I didn't want it myself, but agreed to bring it back to England, and if I got anything for it we would give the money to a charity that helps one of his family members.

It is has a frame number of 21342, which some web research suggests means it was manufactured in 1995, and is in almost perfect condition. We pumped up the tyres - which stayed pumped up, and rode it and all was fine. It is black and has 6-speed Sturmey Archer gears. It is however very heavy - not something I would carry on and off the train every day.

I have no idea what it might be worth or what channel I should try to sell it through - all the second-hand Bromptons being sold online are much newer and I suspect a lot lighter. My local bike shop suggested I look at a User Forum for ideas - hence the post. Any suggestions about valuation or how/where I should try selling it ?

 

[Cycleops]

Check prices on eBay, that should give you a good indication of how much you can sell for.
Id think somewhere around £500 if in good rideable condition. Check the tyres for perishing, they’ll probably need replacement, or sell as is which the proviso it’ll need some work.
All Bromptons are heavy, even the new ones.

 

[Blue Hills]

When visiting a cousin in N. Ireland last week, out of the blue he produced a Brompton from the back of his garage and asked me to take it off his hands. He had been given it for a specific work project during the 1990's but did not need it and did not like it, so after using it three or four times he stuck it under its cover in the back of his garage, where it has sat ever since ! He had a lockdown clear out, wanted shot of it, and thought I might have some use for it. I didn't want it myself, but agreed to bring it back to England, and if I got anything for it we would give the money to a charity that helps one of his family members.

It is has a frame number of 21342, which some web research suggests means it was manufactured in 1995, and is in almost perfect condition. We pumped up the tyres - which stayed pumped up, and rode it and all was fine. It is black and has 6-speed Sturmey Archer gears. It is however very heavy - not something I would carry on and off the train every day.

I have no idea what it might be worth or what channel I should try to sell it through - all the second-hand Bromptons being sold online are much newer and I suspect a lot lighter. My local bike shop suggested I look at a User Forum for ideas - hence the post. Any suggestions about valuation or how/where I should try selling it ?

May be wrong but I had the idea that the 6 speed came in after that.

 

[DBoyd]

Thanks for the steer on value. The tyres are surprisingly not perished and have stayed up for over a week now.

Just checked gears and is actually a 5-speed, not 6.

 

[rogerzilla]

You'd get £700+ on eBay if you are prepared to post. People are buying any Bromptons.

 

[FrankCrank]

I lifted one up in a mall over here - it's one heavy lump of a bike is that.

 

[annedonnelly]

There is generally no need to carry a folded Brompton far, unless you live up a flight of stairs or something. I always push the bike through stations/bus stations and fold near the train/bus door. Then just lift on board. And I'm skinny & weak.

 

[Blue Hills]

Thanks for the steer on value. The tyres are surprisingly not perished and have stayed up for over a week now.

Just checked gears and is actually a 5-speed, not 6.

I have the 5 speed. I think it great as no derailleur. Folk have to be careful to not ride it when the hub/toggle wire is out of adjustment though.

Mine was called the traveller I think. Rack as standard. Came with a dynamo and dynamo front and rear lights but they were pretty useless and connections kept playing up so I took that off.
Shorter wheelbase than more modern Brommies I think though I have never really found a problem with mine and remain slightly puzzled about the advantages of the new longer wheelbase ones.
Damn fine bikes and I would have thought a near mint 5 speed would command a premium. Brakes not as good as newer brommies but I have always stopped OK.
They get around.

brommie

• Blue Hills
• 21 Jul 2018

I bought mine towards the end of last century, just a matter of weeks before the 5 speed was discontinued as Sturmey Archer got flogged off by some financial adventurers and brommie's access to the 5 speed gearbox was interupted/stopped.

 

[12boy]

I don't find my Bromptie a whole lot heavier than my Surly Steamroller or my Holdsworth. At the moment it has 2 chainrings, a 3 speed chainpusher rear hub and a 480 gram leather saddle and Ergons with little stubby bullhorns. Around 25 lbs. When loaded up with a cable lock, 22 oz steel vacuum water bottle a tool roll, a bag on the front block and 4 or 5 hardback books it weighs at least 10 lbs more, but so would any other of my bikes with all that crap, and unlike them, the ride is improved with the front weight. It is still my favorite unless the roads are icy and snowy.

 

[Cycleops]

I can imagine that your Brompton might be on a par with a Steamroller @12boy

 

[Blue Hills]

I can imagine that your Brompton might be on a par with a Steamroller @12boy

flatten a dahon for sure
(I also have a dahon - got me to the same place as that pic of my brommie above - I was far less confident that it would get me back)

 

[DBoyd]

Thanks for all the input. Have stuck it on ebay and will see what happens.

 

[Blue Hills]

Thanks for all the input. Have stuck it on ebay and will see what happens.

please report back.

 

[rogerzilla]

I thought it might have got a little more, but local collection always reduces the sale price.

 

[Blue Hills]

I thought it might have got a little more, but local collection always reduces the sale price.

how much was it? - I didn't spot it.