Should I buy a Brompton?

[Cycleops]

What experience have you got riding a Brompton, Cyclops? Have you ever owned one or put some serious miles in on one? You always seem to be quite negative about them but I’d find it helpful to know why.

Sorry to hurt your feelings BB. I think they are great and the high price is fully justified if you're using it as intended on a train commute but the OP just has a hankering for one. That's fine and if he can afford it why not, I was just pointing out he could get a like experience for a fraction of the money and he my not enjoy the small wheels, not everyone does.
BTW I don't have one eye .

 

[Cycleops]

One day I’ll post a thread like this but for a Moulton.

Now you're talking. I've always fancied a Airnimal.

 

[Rocky]

Sorry to hurt your feelings BB. I think they are great and the high price is fully justified if you're using it as intended on a train commute but the OP just has a hankering for one. That's fine and if he can afford it why not, I was just pointing out he could get a like experience for a fraction of the money and he my not enjoy the small wheels, not everyone does.
BTW I don't have one eye .

Sorry I didnt mean to take the e

 

[ColinJ]

BTW I don't have one eye .

Oh - I have been misreading your forum name all this time!

 

[nickyboy]

I inherited one about 6 months ago and it's been in the garage ever since. It might come in handy in the future but I'm sure glad I didn't buy one

 

[straas]

My wife doesn't really mind that much to be honest, I just don't want an "I told you so" when it's not used.

I prefer the brompton as a folder because of the size it folds down to, and I generally like more popular products because replacements are easier to come by.

In my head I'd use it to head to the pub, or nip out to the shops with it.

I generally dislike leaving my bikes locked up anywhere because of their vulnerability.

I have considered trying one from the lockers by Piccadilly but I've never got round to it...

 

[vickster]

Not saying it is just an option we don't all have wide range of dealers on hand.

The OP is in Manchester so can presumably access Cycle Republic, Evans, Cycle Surgery plus independents

 

[Cycleops]

If it's a pub bike then one of the cheaper alternatives would work just as well but if you want to spend the money go ahead.

 

[FrankCrank]

They do a Brommie lookie likie over this way:

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/l...40.html?spm=a2o4m.10453683.0.0.a1bf100cW5dXhv

.......and the money saved can be spent on beer and chocolates - you know it makes sense

 

[MarkF]

They do a Brommie lookie likie over this way:

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/l...40.html?spm=a2o4m.10453683.0.0.a1bf100cW5dXhv

.......and the money saved can be spent on beer and chocolates - you know it makes sense

Like a Toyota MR2 with a Ferrari bodykit, it won't.

 

[Fab Foodie]

No idea where the desire has come from, but I really want a brompton.

But I don't know what to use it for?

I've got a commuter for the 6 mile work trip, and a roadie for the weekends - so why should I get a brompton?

My wife has done a lot of eye rolling...

YES!
I was in exactly the same scenario some years ago. I had 7 nice bikes at the time. I didn’t NEED a folder at all.....
So, I bought an SL6 s/h and fell in love.
I have 10 bikes including a lovely custom Rourke Audax bike, but if the garage was on fire I’d rescue the Brompton first...
They are just super-useable fun bikes. It lives in the boot of the car or motorhome. I’ve flown with it, toured the outer Hebs with camping gear, it folds in the corner of the pub, I can push it into shops, it goes in a shopping trolley, it carries loads well, I can ride 100 miles per day on it without issue. It’s brilliant in the city. It’s fast enough. It climbs steep hills well.
What more could you want from a bike?

 

[straas]

YES!
I was in exactly the same scenario some years ago. I had 7 nice bikes at the time. I didn’t NEED a folder at all.....
So, I bought an SL6 s/h and fell in love.
I have 10 bikes including a lovely custom Rourke Audax bike, but if the garage was on fire I’d rescue the Brompton first...
They are just super-useable fun bikes. It lives in the boot of the car or motorhome. I’ve flown with it, toured the outer Hebs with camping gear, it folds in the corner of the pub, I can push it into shops, it goes in a shopping trolley, it carries loads well, I can ride 100 miles per day on it without issue. It’s brilliant in the city. It’s fast enough. It climbs steep hills well.
What more could you want from a bike?

This is exactly how I think I'd use it!

I can get 10% off at cycle republic too, so it'd be rude not to - wouldn't it??

 

[vickster]

This is exactly how I think I'd use it!

I can get 10% off at cycle republic too, so it'd be rude not to - wouldn't it??

You night find Bromptons aren’t included in any offers. They weren’t when I was buying. Fudges however sometimes have Brompton discounts (folding bike specialist)

 

[straas]

I don't think it's excluded - I can buy vouchers through a work portal at a discount of 10% then use them as cash.

 

[Pale Rider]

I was offered 10% off a Brompton in Halfords without asking.

Some concern in the trade that putting the bike into Halfords/Cycle Republic will cheapen the brand.

There are a few wrinkles when it comes to service and repair of a Brompton.

I would prefer to buy from an established dealer who will have seen most faults before and know how to sort them.