Brompton secondhand prices

Getting a new Brompton from a shop at the moment is a little like pushing water up hill. Finding a super light, titanium version is like spotting a unicorn flying over the Royal Albert Hall! The prices on the secondhand market are nothing short of ridiculous at the moment. I wonder what sort of person would part with the vast amount of folding stuff for an old Brompton?!

There have been reports of a few Brompton dealers out there selling some of their stock of Brompton bikes online, perhaps cashing in on the inflated prices. If true it is of course rather naughty and Brompton probably won't like it one little bit.

The trouble is if you want a folder that can get you to work, without having to resort to public transport and you want it to be built like a tank, the Brompton is your first choice. I have seen one poor person with a lesser brand that had snapped in two at the hinge. I won't tell you what they paid for it! 

I have no advice or pearls of wisdom if you want a Brompton. If I were in the market for one, I think I would pay a little over the odds. However, there are some people that are to be blunt, taking the p@#*!!

Stay safe out there people!!

Think carefully when buying your second hand Brompton!

This blog post isn't about taking care with serial numbers, provenance or possible damage when buying a second hand Brompton. No. This is about what sort of Brompton you end up with on a purely superficial and flippant level.

At the weekend I got chatting to a new Brompton owner in SW7 about their new pride and joy. Now I must point out that the person in question was a lovely lady who was very enthusiastic about her new bike. She was only just over 5 feet tall and at first I thought her bicycle was one of those custom Americana-types that resemble a Harley-Davidson (low seating position and very high handlebars)!

This lady had bought an H-type and it must be said was totally wrong for her height. She actually realised this herself and said as much when I spoke to her and I suggested that she could simply fit an S-Bar which would help with this. She was however so keen to get a Brompton that anything would do. I won't tell you what she paid for it but for a 2014 model (I think it was that year) in pretty ropey condition, she was robbed!!

As she cycled past the Albert Memorial, I speculated as to how far she she would be able to cycle as things must have been very uncomfortable?  I just hope that she took my advice on the S-Bar!

Stay safe out there people!!

Monopoly Board locations - possible Brompton ride

During the height of lockdown I remember looking at an old ride from a few years ago in which we visited the Monopoly board games locations. More recently I have seen that there have been a few rides doing just that.

Over the next few weeks I am going to get a route together that takes in as many of the board locations as possible. As yet I have not decided whether this will be better done at night or early on a Sunday morning. I suspect that the latter might be better as things are pretty quiet in London if you are up early enough. Naturally there will be several photographs to accompany the ride and now that I have written this, early Sunday morning will probably be better.

Stay safe out there people!!