The G Line Brompton

[Fastpedaller]

Yeah, does seem they fit comfortably into the box of British manufacturer's stereotypes - like all of the once-great (and not-so-great) brands that are no longer with us for this reason..

Brompton Lightbike

 

[Fastpedaller]

Joking aside, it really is a case of 'do we question that?' British Leyland had some great innovations, way ahead of others (see their concept cars), but nothing really made it to production (or at least not before other manufacturers). The Brompton has some great features, and the early ones had 'ironed out' most of the traps other folding bikes fell into. If year-on-year sales were growing as fast as Brompton could keep up with demand, there is a case for saying 'don't change', but it could also be said that other people (both commercial and amateur) have had good ideas which Brompton seem overly reluctant to dismiss. I know some owners have had 'paint' problems, but I'll give Brompton the benefit of the doubt on that - maintaining or improving all aspects of painting must be very difficult with ever-changing emission regulations.

 

[wafter]

Joking aside, it really is a case of 'do we question that?' British Leyland had some great innovations, way ahead of others (see their concept cars), but nothing really made it to production (or at least not before other manufacturers). The Brompton has some great features, and the early ones had 'ironed out' most of the traps other folding bikes fell into. If year-on-year sales were growing as fast as Brompton could keep up with demand, there is a case for saying 'don't change', but it could also be said that other people (both commercial and amateur) have had good ideas which Brompton seem overly reluctant to dismiss. I know some owners have had 'paint' problems, but I'll give Brompton the benefit of the doubt on that - maintaining or improving all aspects of painting must be very difficult with ever-changing emission regulations.

Certainly many similarities - I think genuinely innovative ideas hamstrung by poor design choices, penny-pinching and a stubbornness to make real improvements for example...

 

[tinywheels]

Im back looking at Kinetics options.
Discs and an 11 speed hub however it's the price as always.
Even on cycle to work im thinking, possibly not a clever buy.
Goddam it, I need to stop faffing about and make a decision

 

[steveindenmark]

My opinion for a long time is if you want something different in the Brompton line. You go to Kinetics in Scotland and get them to do it. It certainly not cheap, but they look great.

https://www.kinetics-online.co.uk/