Bromptons anyone?
I'm nervously poised to throw a huge wad of money at buying a Brompton (www.brompton.co.uk). My idea is that as they are so incredibly light, and fold smaller than anything else out there, owning one should allow me to catch most forms of transport and be mobile at journey's end. I need this as I don't have the stamina for long distances due to some health issues. However, I haven't been able to find any dealer selling them in SA.
Does anybody happen to know of a source of Bromptons in Adelaide I've yet to ferret out?
Failing that, is there any chance of a Brompton owner out there who would be good enough to let me have 'real-life' look at one and, maybe, a short test ride?
Odd spot of info ... I read in the UK press a couple of days ago, that due to authorities' anticipating extreme over-crowding on the Tube during the London Olympics, Brompton owners will be the only cyclists allowed to bring their bikes onto trains. Apparently, even other folding bikes are verboten due to their few, minuscule, extra folded-inches - a reverse 'size does matter' scenario.
Anyhow, with more recent reports of dismally low security staff numbers, a bike owner or three may feel free to flaunt this draconian ruling.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Sophia MacRae on -
When I lived in Barcelona from 2003-2008, Bromptons became THE inner urban bike. They were everywhere. My best friend got one, and absolutely loved it, it became his second favourite tool and possession (after his instrument - we worked together as musicians).
Not sure how you should go about finding one in Adelaide - however, go your hardest, I can highly recommend them, although to be fair, I don't know anything about the alternative brands of folding bikes! Seriously, Bromptons held the foldingbike market in Barcelona - and that's a city where A LOT of people ride bikes!
-
Permalink Reply by Michael Murray on -
I love the order form
http://clients.squareeye.net/uploads/brompton/brompton_pricelist_au...
You can customise just about everything and they are available in hot pink. What more could you want :-)
-
Permalink Reply by Simon Lownsborough on -
That is a delightful piece of graphic design.
-
Permalink Reply by Frank on
-
AUSTRALIA
DISTRIBUTOR
Name Address Contacts
Brompton Bicycle Ltd
Kew Bridge DC
Lionel Road South
Brentford
Middlesex TW8 9QR
(t)
+44 (0)20 8232 8484
e-mail
DEALERS
Name Address Contacts
Cheeky Transport
3a Georgina St
Newtown
NSW
(t)
00 61 2 9557 5424
info@cheekytransport.com.au
Epic Cycles Pty Ltd.
81 Baroona Rd
Paddington
QLD
(t)
00 61 7 3368 2324
info@epiccycles.com.au
Flying Furniture
Unit 20 Downer Business Park
2 Bradfield st
Downer 2602
ACT
(t)
+61 (0) 419697405
ian@flyingfurniture.com.au
Garland Cycle Works
87 Canning Hwy
South Perth
Western Australia
(t)
00 61 8 9470 1990
bikeshop@bigpond.net.au
Human Powered Cycles
562 High Street
Thornbury
Victoria
(t)
613 9029 6504
sales@humanpowered.com.au
St. Kilda Cycles
150 Barkly St
St Kilda
Victoria
(t)
00 61 3 9534 3074
info@stkildacycles.com.au
This is from their website, perhaps there is a opportunity for someone to be the re-seller in SA
-
Permalink Reply by Clive Palfrey on -
THere are similar folding bikes such as Bike Friday which are pricey when new and have to be imported from the USA, however 2nd hand ones do become available from time to time, There is also the Dahon and theres are a couple of members of AC that own or have owned them.
If you're not in a hurry I'd try putting a "Wanted Folding Bike ad in Ride on and Australian cyclist.
I think I've seen folding bikes in Super Elliots window Rundle Street.
Clark Cycles Magill Road, Star Cycles Elizabeth and Bernie Jones cycles Warradale are all well known for sourcing bikes that the bigger chain store bike shops won't/don't carry.
-
Permalink Reply by Dstone on -
We were the distributors for them at Lifecycle and were for a few years. I have sold a few of them and yes they are really cool bikes. We are still waiting for an Australian distributor to be reappointed for them so we can stock and fully support them. Without an Aust distributor warranty, public liability, parts, price, support becomes an issue.
At the moment we have 4 different Tern (nee Dahons) folding bikes in stock
-
Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on -
There is a person on the touring cyclists that has a bike that folds like this I am uncertain of the brand.
They have a meeting next Wednesday they will be giving presentation about the ride to Birdsville they did.
there would be people there with expedience in folding bikes that would be happy to give an opinion
-
Permalink Reply by maggie chandler on -
Thanks to everyone for your Brompton-related input. I've heard they have an absolute cult following in European cities including Brussels and London, with forum contributors lovingly penning paeans to the small machine.
I'll now check out the other folding alternatives more fully, although the Brompton has one feature I can't seem to find in other brands. This is the ability to semi-fold the bike and wheel it around inside buildings using the seat as a handle. For me, who won't be able to carry a fully-folded bike far, this is a big plus. Many of the other brands seem to mostly fold with a long metal cylinder protruding - just begging to impale some unseen bystander. Also, there is anti-theft aspect - less frequent leaving outside shops or offices. (Michael, I think I just may have to get that hot pink one - no self-respecting bike thief would be seen dead riding off on it.)
-
Permalink Reply by Dstone on
-
Come into Lifecycle and try a Dahon or Tern. They fold up without any sticking out impaling innocent people poles and you can roll them around by the seat. Granted nowhere near as well as the Brompton which you can get with the rollers on the rack - optional extra if i remember correctly
-
Permalink Reply by heather on -
Maggie, understand when you have selected the exact bike or accessory for your cycling requirements.
-
Permalink Reply by Eric Fraga on -
I have a Brompton. Well, it's in London and I'm down here at the moment...
I've had it for 7 years, I think, using it to cycle through central London, usually from Victoria station to Bloomsbury.
It's a fantastic bike. It does take some getting used to initially due to the small wheels and the less stable ride that results from that. Once you get used to that, you can cycle pretty much as you would on any other bike. I have the three speed (hub) version and the three speeds are fine for typical London cycling: lots of starting and stopping, some hills, some opportunities for getting some speed going.
Being able to fold it as small as it goes, much smaller than most (if not all) other folders I have ever seen, is a real advantage, especially with the ridiculous cycling restrictions in London, even when the Olympics are not on.
Anyway, highly recommended!
-
Permalink Reply by Trevor Hill on -
Have you caught up with this article on Bromptons? Have a look at there New Zealand tour on Bromptons as well.
http://pathlesspedaled.com/2011/09/zen-and-the-art-of-brompton-tour...
© 2013 Created by Gus K.
