Kell
Veteran
- Location
- High Wycombe/London
Another new edition.
https://www.brompton.com/bikes/special-editions/explore?sfns=mo#MadeForEscaping
https://www.brompton.com/bikes/special-editions/explore?sfns=mo#MadeForEscaping
I am a Brompton fan and was excited to hear that Brompton was making the Explore, but it is a big disappointment.
Does the entire design department at Brompton consist of a box of paints? Because there is nothing new on this bike.
They have changed the colour of a bog standard Brompton to a military greenish colour and taken off the mudguards.
I dont know how long Brompton think they can just keep painting bikes a different colour and calling it a Special Edition. Its not a Special Edition, its just a different coloured bike.
Even Brompton owners are getting disenchanted now.
There are lots of RTW Brompton riders online. If Brompton really want to make a genuine effort at an Explorer bike They should be asking their advice.
I have a Koga World Traveller and a 6 speed Brompton. The Brompton is actually the better touring bike in Europe. But it could be so much better if Brompton made a serious effort.
Same as Piaggio does with their Vespas....paint and stickers. Maybe a SE seat now and again.
(oh and for an "exploring" bike, a proper kickstand (or at least a tab for one) would be nice)
Yup. Milking the product, and it’s fans for all they’re worth.Motorcycle manufacturers do that BS as well.... Usually promoted as 'Bold new graphics'
Is this like the last "special edition", which was just a way of using up old components?
The marketing strategy has changed and they are priced as luxury goods now. An S3L has doubled in price since I bought mine 10 years ago. Brompton profits have soared. I blame Cyclescheme; they've basically inched the price up to the common £1000 limit, knowing that many people get them in easy instalments with tax (and sometimes VAT) taken off.
Getting rid of the mudguards is a good idea. I have never owned a bike with such a small gap between the tyre and mudguard. Even small stones can rattle around in there. If its wet and muddy, a lot of crud can get in there.Ah the dreaded word bespoke.
All that camo green and then a bright orange bit?
I can't see that it has any significant innovations.
The removal of the mudguards seems to me to actually make it less suitable for its declared use but I assume is aimed at folks who think no mudguards marks them as mean go getting types.
An exploring brommie model from last century.
Complete with mudguards.
And green paint.
(The green and cream colourscheme is actually a homage to nottingham council's old buses before they had an, er marketing fit, and made different routes different colours)
Oh, and it has a rack - original equipment. Maybe the explore will have that as a premium price add-on.
It also has stubby bar ends added - great for climbing and cruising. But the explore design team seem to see them as less important than camo orange handgrips.
Getting rid of the mudguards is a good idea. .
Looks like Brompton has changed its mind.
The Explore - for September 30 delivery - now has mudguards.
https://www.brompton.com/bikes/bikes-in-stock