Yet another Brompton X colllab

[Kell]

Now with Bear Grylls.

As far as I can see, it’s just a paint job.

https://www.brompton.com/stories/co... #1_Aug 23&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en_uk

 

[Tenkaykev]

Now with Bear Grylls.

As far as I can see, it’s just a paint job.

https://www.brompton.com/stories/collaborations/bear-grylls?xnpe_tifc=hux8bDUsOI4LOFsu4IE.hypsafeWaeiWhFWghfp3tupJaueAtf4vEdecnyEJauQsVuJLa9Q6adJXVdictu4vaMXpOfY8bDz84DVp4DEs4kQ.&utm_source=exponea&utm_campaign=Email_Brompton x BG Influencer #1_Aug 23&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en_uk

Yes, really just a new paint job and a " Celebrity " paid endorsement. I'm half tempted to knock up my own using my 2015 M6L, a rattlecan and a customised decal, maybe one of the ladies who used to adorn the WW2 Flying Fortress, I'll call it the " Bare Girls " Edition 😁

 

[Drago]

Unfortunately timing, seeing as his name isn't exactly glowing at the moment.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Unfortunately timing, seeing as his name isn't exactly glowing at the moment.

What's he done? Has he been cancelled or something?

I know he got caught out living it up in a 5 star hotel, then being chauffeured over to the filming site and saying "aargh I had an awful night troubled by scorpions" or something like that.

Still, you can take your Brommie into a posh hotel room. I've done it. OK it didn't quite have 5 stars.

 

[berlinonaut]

Now with Bear Grylls.

A bit late to the party - the bike has been announced on Eurobike 2 months ago.

As far as I can see, it’s just a paint job.

The usual thing they do with their special editions: Special paint job and some custom accessories like bags or different saddles. I am wondering why everyone on this forum seems surprised every time about that.

With Bear Grylls, admittedly, one could have expected something more reduced. A single wooden wheel i.e. instead of a bike. Plus a camera crew that follows you on your adventures.

 

[Drago]

What's he done? Has he been cancelled or something?

I know he got caught out living it up in a 5 star hotel, then being chauffeured over to the filming site and saying "aargh I had an awful night troubled by scorpions" or something like that.

Still, you can take your Brommie into a posh hotel room. I've done it. OK it didn't quite have 5 stars.

He took some minor flak for his handling of the welfare of British scouts during the heatwave at this years jamboree in Sarf Korea. Apparent,y stating the bleeding obvious (stay well hydrated) while not actually doing anything positive to assist with evacs etc earned him a minor raise of the eyebrow from some quarters.

Let's hope this isn't as sheet and badly made as his penknife range.

 

[Kell]

A bit late to the party - the bike has been announced on Eurobike 2 months ago.

The usual thing they do with their special editions: Special paint job and some custom accessories like bags or different saddles. I am wondering why everyone on this forum seems surprised every time about that.

With Bear Grylls, admittedly, one could have expected something more reduced. A single wooden wheel i.e. instead of a bike. Plus a camera crew that follows you on your adventures.

First I heard of it was from the Brompton email...

Maybe it didn't get posted here because "Ooh look, it's a Brompton with a paint job" isn't really news.

 

[Gunk]

First I heard of it was from the Brompton email...

Maybe it didn't get posted here because "Ooh look, it's a Brompton with a paint job" isn't really news.

I wish Brompton would stop all this nonsense and produce a fresh model that actually has some innovation, it seems that is taken care of by third party specialists like Kinetics in Glasgow, Brompton should employ Ben as a development engineer.

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

 

[Drago]

I wish Brompton would stop all this nonsense and produce a fresh model that actually has some innovation

Disc brakes, 9 speed, hollowtech, higher weight limit, stiffer frame...but they don't seem to want me as a customer.

To be fair they seem to sell all they can make anyway, so why waste time on the fat bloke who wants a high spec market?

 

[EltonFrog]

Disc brakes, 9 speed, hollowtech, higher weight limit, stiffer frame...but they don't seem to want me as a customer.

To be fair they seem to sell all they can make anyway, so why waste time on the fat bloke who wants a high spec market?

Why, indeed.

 

[Drago]

Why, indeed.

Well, to make even more money. That's the only thing I can think of.

But hey, they're a business. Who gives a stuff about making money, right?

Seriously though, I guess me and my mighty brethren represent a fairly small segment compared to the mortal weakling market.

 

[berlinonaut]

Well, to make even more money. That's the only thing I can think of.
But hey, they're a business. Who gives a stuff about making money, right?

Yes, good that you mention it. It is absolutely expectable that a random anonymous bloke on an internet forum knows more about their business and how to handle it than Brompton themselves.

They had a turnover of GBP 107.000.000 in their last financial year (+40% compared to the year before) and profits after taxes of GBP 6.500.000. I guess you've earned more, haven't you? So I am sure you would do better, wouldn't you? You could apply to replace Will Butler Adams. Given your expertise as a forum member and non Brompton rider I am sure the the Brompton owners will be happy to hand the company over into your hands.
You could then also care for better handlebar grips on the Brompton as this is, as I've learned from you, the key to success.

 

[berlinonaut]

I wish Brompton would stop all this nonsense and produce a fresh model that actually has some innovation, it seems that is taken care of by third party specialists like Kinetics in Glasgow, Brompton should employ Ben as a development engineer.

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

Oh dear, here we go again. They introduced a fresh model full of innovation last year - the T-line. Did you buy it? No. You bought another cheap used Brompton of 15 years of age. Seems that you are not willing to pay for the innovation you demand... So why do you demand it then?
Ben does very good work but there's a huge difference between being a one man band, building customized one offs on demand and being a factory employing roughly 1000 people doing serial production of more than 100.000 bikes per year.

 

[Gunk]

You bought another cheap used Brompton of 15 years of age

Thanks for the cheap insult, but my interest as you well know is rebuilding them, and the final bill is not what I would call “cheap”

The T line is not a huge innovation, just a lighter Ti frame material, they still persist with rim brakes, a 70 year old Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub, the basic Raleigh RSW style drivetrain has not moved on for decades.

Rather than buy a T line I would personally do the Kinectics Alfine 11 speed conversion.

But horses for courses

 

[berlinonaut]

The T line is not a huge innovation, just a lighter Ti frame material,

I guess you missed to look at the T-line then. I looks more or less like the traditional Brompton but they do not have one single part in common and it was designed completely from scratch, using state of the art technology. No sense in discussing on that level.

they still persist with rim brakes, a 70 year old Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub, the basic Raleigh RSW style drivetrain has not moved on for decades.

The T-line has rim brakes (possibly due to weight reasons), but no Sturmey Archer hub.

Rather than buy a T line I would personally do the Kinectics Alfine 11 speed conversion.

The man who always would never does something. I do own a Brompton with Kinetics rear frame and fork. It has disc brakes. To be honest: They are nice but not at all necessary on a Brompton. I do have the comparison. And while the Kinetics mod is nice it has it's issues that would make it not acceptable as a factory standard. In terms of hubs mine has a Rohloff. I do own a bike with an Alfine 11 and my eyes it is an awful hub. Not worth spending the money for it when for the same money you can get a used Rohloff that is way superior and will last longer than a brand new Alfine 11 anyway, even a heavily used one.

It is just annoying that forseeably in this forum (and ONLY in this forum) whenever Brompton releases a Special Edition the same monaning starts. Every single time. And every single time the very same tirades. The Special Editions are marketing. Easy to make and they attract people that were not aware of the Brompton until now. Easy, simple, stupid. It has even been outlined in Will Butler Adam's book. And it works. They sell like mad and hours after release are sold on for a profit. You are not the target group. The target group is in Asia, that's where the growth is. But no - in everlasting ignorance the eversame monaning starts with every new special edition from Brompton. From people would not buy a new Brompton anyway, have no knowlege about the company and take their own shortsighted perspective and personal taste as the absolute and everlasting truth, avoiding the smallest bit of learning along the way and being unable to perceive anything else than their personal taste. And then have the guts to harshly give "advice" to one of the few globally successful Brithish companies that are left. Sorry, that's stupid.