|
|





UK |
London's bike success story The Brompton bike, designed by Londoner Andrew Ritchie in the 1970's, is one of only two mass producing bike builders left in the country and continues to grow. |
The fold A key feature of the Brompton is the compactness and practicality of its fold. With a little practice, this is achieved without any difficulty in 10 - 20 seconds. The dimensions of the folded bike are: 565mm high x 545mm long x 270mm wide (22.2" x 21.5" x 10.6"). When folded, a Brompton stays locked together, making an extremely compact package little larger than its wheels. The folded package may be picked up without any risk that the bike will unfold - reassuring when running for a train or handing it to a cloakroom attendant! There are no projections or loose parts with the folded package and, using the frame or saddle as a handle, it carries like a small suitcase, lightweight and easy to manage. The fold is designed to keep vulnerable parts, like lights and cable-runs, out of harm's way and, by folding them in, to keep the greasy chain and gears away from clothing and luggage. Small rollers allow the bike to be pushed into inaccessible corners. |
M Type |
The distinctive U-shape of the M Type's handlebars has been used on the Brompton since the outset: it gives a fairly upright ride with excellent control. The grip height is 1015mm, which gives a fairly upright ride with excellent control, and there is scope for a little fore/aft adjustment. The M Type is the all-rounder in our range and remains the most popular Brompton, as much at home in the city as on a country lane, and with plenty of room for luggage at the front. The key M Type is the M3L (also available as M3L-X) - it is the classic Brompton, featuring Sturmey Archer's reliable 3-speed hub and all the fundamental advantages of the Brompton design. For those looking for weight savings, each of these key models can be built to a superlight specification (with the suffix "-X"), with front forks, rear frame, seat pillar and other smaller features made out of titanium. |
P Type |
The multiple positions afforded by the P Type's handlebars are designed with the touring cyclist in mind. Although they are a little heavier than the M Type's handlebars, the lower grips, about 880mm from the ground and angled for comfort on longer stretches of road, allow the rider to get down out of the wind and deliver real power to the pedals; the upper grips at about 1033mm provide a welcome contrast after a long stretch of riding and also give great control for manoeuvring in traffic. The key P Type is the P6R (also available as P6R-X) - a rear rack gives additional luggage-carrying capacity and the six well-spaced gears will handle almost all gradients encountered on a long ride. |
S Type |
For many, this is the prettiest Brompton, and it is the lightest. The grips, at about 935mm from the ground, are appreciably lower than on the M type, and 50mm further forward, giving a sporty riding position which complements the positive feel of these bikes. The key S Type is the S2L (also available as S2L-X) - Brompton's derailleur system turns a single-speed into a nimble 2-speed bike without the weight of a gear hub; the result is a light bike that can handle most journeys. |
Click "Playlist" to select video. |
Andrew Ritchie at ifest, 22 July 2008 |
BWC 2008 London |
Photo Album on |
Brompton bike gets showcased in Beijing Olympics Closing Ceremony! |
Picture by Xinhua agency. |