I bought a B75 in March this year. I loved the idea of the Brompton and wanted one but psychologically couldn't justify the price (or more accurately couldn't justify it to my wife 🤔) then I found that my local
Halfords had one tucked away in in their back room. I had the £850 and was able to swing it with my wife and one click and collect later I had my very own Brompton! I have to stress I've never even ridden a Brompton before much less owned one but I knew I wanted one and I'm happy to say I'm not disappointed. I love it! I love the look of it, the engineering of it, the hand made in England heritage of it, the take anywhere compactness of it but especially the riding of it! It just puts a smile on my face every time I go for a ride. I've got a Brompton at an entry level I can afford. Yes you can get a Sub £200 Halfords folder but I don't see the point. Bigger, heavier, clumsy for commuting, same for taking into a shop or cafe. Might as well get a £10 bike lock and leave it outside, no one will look twice at it. Also if you have a mind to modify it's the perfect base Brompton. I left mine stock to start with, just enjoyed riding it. Now as I'm using it I'm figuring out what I want to mod or tweak here and there. First was the extended seat post. I'm on the shorter side at 5'6" and wanted the standard one. So I got a black standard length off
ebay for £15 then sold my extended seat post on ebay for£12 so my black standard seat post ended up costing me £3! Next thing I went for was a Brooks flyer saddle and matching grips. Got a deal on the saddle for £80 and grips were. £49. Then I got a black folding pedal £25 and non folding £10 from different sights ( the pedal kept bashing my leg when I was carrying it around)
Now coming into winter I've picked up black front and rear mudguards ( you can probably see I'm liking the black theme, I think it's a nice contrast with the B75 colour)
What next? I don't know, easy wheels and an extender maybe? 🤔
I've never ridden the new Brompton so I don't know what I'm missing as far as the breaking, handling and different gear set up goes and I don't really care if my Brompton ends up costing me the same or more than the equivalent 2021 model because I'll have my own unique Brompton done the way I like it and as I can afford to do it!