Thanks all - appreciate all the responses although this thread has become a little overwhelming!
I take mine in the shop, always, use it as a shopping trolley. Fold the rear and front wheels, then push the bike around shop using the bars, like a trolley. Did it this morning in fact , around both the little Sainsbury’s & Co-Op. I’ve also pushed it round Wickes, and the big Sainsbury’s.
Have you ridden one yet? If not get yerself over to Warlands, they’ll let you test ride one. Or you can come over to Didcot have a go on mine. Better still, do like
@Gunk says and just bloody buy it.
Thanks - should have clarified I was thinking more from the perspective of moving from one shop to the other over modest distances rather than taking it inside - really a question of to unfold, ride, fold or just push in its folded state. Probably less of a concern for me currently anyway as I'd not envisage doing any shopping on it..
I've not ridden one yet; however am fairly comfortable with the idea of buying one off the bat as the commute is driving me insane and providing I don't buy an overpriced pup I should be able to shift it if I don't get on with it.
Ta for the suggestion of Warlands, however I'm not looking at buying new and am too morally upstanding to waste someone's time when I have no intention of rewarding them with a sale. If I find myself in the area I might pop in for a nose though, if they have any on display
Based on your calculations the Brompton will pay for itself relatively quickly through saving fuel cost alone: A saving between
£2.20 and £4.00 per day accumulates to between £440 and £800 per year, 200 working days assumed. If fuel prices rise it will be more saving and faster payoff. So even an expensive new Brompton will pay for itself relatively fast and even faster if you are able to profit from a cycle2work scheme (which you can't with a used bike).
Thanks; although unfortunately your calcs are a bit optimistic. For a start I only do three days a week at that office and realistically am less likely to use the bike in the winter. So.. based on 3 days / 6 months use that's more like £172 and £312 depending on fuel saved.
As per my previous post I can't do Cycle to Work, although did wonder if I could blag somebody else's...
The other main point that I think has been missed is that they’re just a lovely thing to own, a great bit of ingenious engineering and great fun to ride. I sold my first one and instantly regretted it, having a Brompton back in the garage has been great, I can’t imagine selling this one, in fact I’m now on the look for another for Mrs Gunk
Yes, I do find myself drawn to them for their intrinisic qualities as well as the utility they afford.
I think they’re made by Velo
Yes, looks like it. The more recent Brompton-branded saddles look very similar to some of those sold by Madison (which are also Velo-made).
Seems they make nearly everyones' saddles, which is no bad thing as I get on very well with them and think they suit a lot of people
I think Brompton saddles are made by Fizik.
I've seen a few Fizik saddles on later Bromptons; possibly just the C-Line black editions..
Thanks - seems it's sold now, however..
So.. the quest continues. Still on the fence about exactly what I want but being more proactive about chasing stuff. A few things I've learned so far:
- Prices are solid: While a typical bike might lose half its value once a couple of years old, the Bromptons I've been looking at (mostly more recent M6s and C-Lines) seem to command more like 2/3rds of their new value.
- Prices are variable: I think because the product range is so confusing to the casual buyer, people take the pish with older / lower-specced bikes. In particular I've seen a few B75s (the pared-down, base-spec bike that was replaced with the A-line) for £750; which would buy you a better-specced model.
- Demaind is high: Probably because it's the ideal weather to be using them. I've enquired about a couple of decent-priced examples that have sold the day they were listed.
- Everything's in bloody London: Local at least, but a bloody pain..
At the other end of the spectrum I'm also keeping an eye out for a BTwin 120; which appear well thought of and would at least allow me to try out a folder on the commute while I look for something more up-market.