Prototype 20" Brompton
- Thread starter Origamist
- Start date
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I noticed that two. I figured on the medium I would definitely want the bars pointing away from me and higher up. On the large, which is that much larger I would want it the other way around. I still can't decide if I want one and which size. I guess rotating the bars gets another 1cm or so of reach -would you say that was correct?
FrankCrank
Old layabout
One for all you Bromptonauts
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_MN4P9KlBA
Hadn't realised they went through such exhaustive testing - can understand the premium pricing now (to a degree).
Seems they have another double-barreled Billy in the ranks.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_MN4P9KlBA
Hadn't realised they went through such exhaustive testing - can understand the premium pricing now (to a degree).
Seems they have another double-barreled Billy in the ranks.
Fastpedaller
Über Member
I've worked in R&D in the auto industry, and it's fair to say there will always be a real-world test scenario that 'escapes' the rigours of testing (often customer misuse). I have to say the Brompton testing shown in the video looks to be exhaustive, and I very much doubt 'clones' experience anything like it. 
HeinrichManouvre
Member
- Location
- London
That's what I thought. It didn't occur to me that the marking had been added afterwards.Just googled dr_Brompton as I genuinely thought it was on the guy's tights.
Kell
Veteran
- Location
- High Wycombe/London
This diagram gives the MSP details. Can't imagine the current versions will be wildly different.
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Kell
Veteran
- Location
- High Wycombe/London
Sounds like the same one.
Not had the chance to get down there to see if they have a medium in stock yet.
The price premium is partly down to manufacturing costs as they are still designed and built in the UK. I like the fact that you are buying a genuine British product and IMO the price premium is worth it.
tinywheels
Über Member
- Location
- South of hades
The price is now a major issue in my opinion.
For the price of a g line there are many other alternatives. I am struggling to think of why buy a brompton, when 2.5 grand can get me a nice non folder.
Budget is a big consideration for many,and unless you have access to cycle to work, top end bromptons are out of reach.
Kell
Veteran
- Location
- High Wycombe/London
I suspect the price creep is down to two things.
One, just inflation. It’s surprising how much of a difference it’s made.
My bike was £1080 in 2015. With inflation that’s £1500 today (according to an inflation calculator I just googled).
Just checked the Brompton website and a c-line 6-spd is £1,449, so it’s actually cheaper than it was comparatively.
But I suspect the bigger driver was when they took the limit off the Ride to work schemes.
When I got mine, the limit was £1,000. Now it’s technically unlimited I think, (though our company caps it at £3,000 apparently).
Funnily enough almost all the ‘good’ folders were priced at around £1,000. Now you can spend thousands.
Bromptons have always had a price premium and that’s partly due to being British built. You have to pay the workers a decent wage. And that’s reflected in the price. It may or may not be reflected in the quality.
One, just inflation. It’s surprising how much of a difference it’s made.
My bike was £1080 in 2015. With inflation that’s £1500 today (according to an inflation calculator I just googled).
Just checked the Brompton website and a c-line 6-spd is £1,449, so it’s actually cheaper than it was comparatively.
But I suspect the bigger driver was when they took the limit off the Ride to work schemes.
When I got mine, the limit was £1,000. Now it’s technically unlimited I think, (though our company caps it at £3,000 apparently).
Funnily enough almost all the ‘good’ folders were priced at around £1,000. Now you can spend thousands.
Bromptons have always had a price premium and that’s partly due to being British built. You have to pay the workers a decent wage. And that’s reflected in the price. It may or may not be reflected in the quality.
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T4tomo
Legendary Member
My brommie, an SL3, lightweight with the titanium bits, was £982 in 2005. again £1000 C2W scheme applied!
tinywheels
Über Member
- Location
- South of hades
you may be on to something with cycle to work. However, I can get max discount but I'm still looking at proper bikes.
2.5 to 3 large puts me on a whole heap of nice bikes.
Wonder if anyone has stats for how many are bought on c2w?
2.5 to 3 large puts me on a whole heap of nice bikes.
Wonder if anyone has stats for how many are bought on c2w?
Kell
Veteran
- Location
- High Wycombe/London
Just recalculated the price of my bike compared to today, but on the Bank of England site and it comes up as exactly the same price as modern bike. Despite the newer bike being substantially upgraded.
According to the BoE site, yours seems surprising in 'today's money'
According to the BoE site, yours seems surprising in 'today's money'
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T4tomo
Legendary Member
Yes - surprisingly cheap compared to today P-Line, although not that surprising as they were better vfm back then.
