Brompton

See:
 * Brompton 1.0 and Brompton/crash
 * Brompton 2.0

History
The idea of folding bikes is not new now and was not new in 1976 when Andrew Ritchie, then a landscape gardener by trade, decided to try his hand. Contemporary folding bikes from Bickerton in particular had shown that a market existed, but the quality and utility of the product left much to be desired. Ritchie obtained financial backing from a few friends and founded a company named after the Brompton Oratory, the famous London landmark, visible from Ritchie's flat where the first prototypes were built. Initially he sought to license the design but in the end the drawbacks of this approach outnumbered the advantages and after five years, and a further five of searching for venture capital, the idea remained on the drawing board. Finally Ritchie decided to go it alone and with the backing of thirty friends who paid up front to buy the first production run he began manufacturing the bike himself. The bikes were well received, others started enquiring, and with rudimentary tooling and as much enthusiasm as expertise the Brompton Bicycle company was in business. Enthusiasm and immense hard work were enough for the firm to break even but further capital would be required to expand. Despite the fact that around 500 bikes had been sold, no venture capitalists were interested and production ground to a halt in 1982. However, the company was still solvent, there was still demand for the bikes and Ritchie was convinced that the product had a future so he continued to explore possibilities while doing various other jobs to make ends meet. Finally in 1986, again with backing from friends and former customers (notably Julian Vereker, founder of Naim Audio), enough money was raised to resume production on a larger scale in a railway arch in Brentford. By early 1988 Brompton bicycles were once more rolling off the production line. In the years since, the firm has grown to be one of the best-known brands in the UK. The order book is full (lead time for a new bike currently runs at about six weeks) and a host of imitations have been spawned. The bike has earned a strong following at home and abroad, earning a Queen's Award for Exports in 1995. Brompton is one of the few major bicycle companies still manufacturing in the UK (another being Inspired Cycle Engineering). The company makes one product, and makes it superbly well, but that is not to say it has stood still. Recent developments include optional part-titanium frames, new styles of handlebar, rather better trolley wheels (see below) and a menu approach to specification, with buyers able to mix and match many options and colours. One thing has not changed, however: the bike is still manufactured in West London.

About the bike
All Bromptons are basically the same: a characteristic curved main tube with a hinged rear triangle, three-speed hub gears (with an optional two-speed cassette to give six speeds), 16" wheels, a tall seatpost and a folding handlebar stem. The handlebars are aluminium, traditionally a moustache shape (though with a deep U shape). There is a hinge in the middle of the main tube. In riding position the rear triangle rests on a rubber spring to give some suspension; it is held in place by the rider's weight, and this is disconcerting to some. A clip is available from some third party suppliers, notably Steve Parry (see below). On the left is a folding pedal, made specially for Brompton. On the right is a standard pedal. Mudguards are fitted as standard, an optional rack and factory-fitted dynamo lighting is also available. The dropouts are unusually narrow, which restricts the range of available gearing. Schmidt Maschinenbau now manufacture the SON XS hub dynamo suitable for fitting to the Brompton. Many parts are unique to the Brompton, including the (flimsy-looking but functional) brake levers, the rear derailleur and chain tensioner, and the handlebars. The bike is surprisingly rigid given the length of stem and seat pin, but heavy or powerful riders might find the flex disconcerting.

Specifying and buying
A test ride is strongly advised before buying, particularly to check gearing preference. The Brompton is fairly expensive (prices range from £350 to around £1200) and particularly fit for purpose, so most buyers do their research thoroughly and get the right bike first time. Bromptons are exceptionally reliable (as are most hub-geared bikes) and long-lived. These characteristics mean depreciation is lower on Bromptons than many other bikes. Two main equipment options are available, one which comes with a rack and bottle dynamo lighting system, and one without. Both are available in three and six speed versions, and now with titanium rear triangle and seatpost for a weight saving of around 2kg. For riders over about 1.85m (6') tall a telescopic seatpost is available. There are Brompton riders 2m (6'7") tall and more. The deep moustache bars are somewhat flexible - earlier models were prone to fatigue failure and the tube was subsequently thickened - and a brace is available for those who find this problematic. A range of special luggage is available: panniers, which mount on a quick-release block on the head tube; a trunk bag which mounts on the optional rack; a seat pack. Experienced cyclists usually recommend the 12% or 18% reduced gearing option. The standard gearing is suited to a slow pedalling cadence. Consensus is that faster cadence is efficient and less stressful to the rider's joints. The rather crude suspension tends to "bob" under load - the two most common fixes are a pair of jubilee clips around the rubber spring or replacing it with an elastomer from a Riese & Muller Birdy. The optional dual-pivot caliper rear brake is also a worthwhile upgrade for fast or heavy riders. For the traditionally minded there is an optional Brompton branded Brooks traditional leather saddle. Although the supplied plastic and foam saddle is light and cheap, it widely regarded as uncomfortable.

Folding
The fold is in four stages. The fact that the bike stands unsupported at each stage of the fold is a strong selling point, as is the fact that the bike can be folded in around 15 seconds and unfolded in under 20 by a proficient rider. The two hinges, on the main tube and the steerer, are secured by clamping a thick machined aluminium channel over them and fastening a wing-bolt with a large plastic handle. Folding is accomplished standing on the right side of the bicycle, from the rider's perspective. Before folding the luggage must be removed (panniers are quick-release). First, the front wheel is turned slightly left and the rear triangle flipped under, the wheel touching the bottom of the main tube. The bike sits reasonably securely on the front wheel; two small wheels which are mounted above the rear light/reflector bracket on the rear triangle; and either a small wheel on the mudguard or two small wheels on the back of the rack, if fitted. At this stage the pedals may be freely rotated; the right pedal should be rotated to around the seven o'clock position. Second, the main tube hinge is unlocked; the head tube is grasped and the front wheel swung back (still facing forward) and hooked to the rear triangle with a hook mounted on the left fork. Third, the saddle is dropped down. There is a quick-release seat pin clamp, one of the few cheap-looking pieces of design on the bike. The seat pin is long and projects far enough down that it locks the rear triangle in place. On newer bikes with free-rolling trolley wheels a rubber foot on the bottom of the seat pin stops the bicycle rolling when folded (this is also available as a retro-fit). With the seat pin down the rear triangle is secure. Fourth, the handlebar stem clamp is unfastened and the bars simply drop down into place; a clip on the right fork leg secures the handlbars to the bike. Some riders reverse the order of stages three and four. The folded package is 565mm x 545mm x 250mm (22.2" x 21.5" x 9.8) and mass is between 9.5 and 13kg (21-29lb). Once folded the pannier can be re-attached to its block and the integral handle used to trail the bike like a piece of wheeled luggage.

Brompton Culture
The Brompton is a somewhat unusual bicycle, and has inspired a devoted following. Brompton fans with engineering expertise have not been slow to improve on the bike; the most notable of these is Steve Parry whose "SP Brompton" includes a 7-speed derailleur, V-brakes, carbon fibre seat post and suspension handlebar system. Parry will incorporate any or all of the above to suit the customer's requirements and budget. Superficially the bike is not well suited to long rides, having a restricted range of gears, but with an upgraded saddle it is comfortable enough to undertake ambitious journeys.`