Christmas Gift - A Brompton

**kmehrzad** · 12-25-2010, 11:50 AM

Yesterday I picked up my new Brompton 6 speed, fresh in from the UK.

It gave me a nice ride this morning and am looking forward to more outings.

**Cataboo** · 12-25-2010, 12:15 PM

Just beautiful, Ilove the red.

**OakLeaf** · 12-25-2010, 12:18 PM

Very cool!

**kmehrzad** · 12-25-2010, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by Cataboo

Just beautiful, Ilove the red.

It's actually two colors ... red frame with black stem and triangle.

Thanks Oakleaf and Cataboo.

**Red Rock** · 12-25-2010, 01:52 PM

Congrats on your Brompton. I have a Dahon and have thought about other versions of the folding bike. What do you think about those handlebars? Do they fold down to a 90 degree angle? I can't quite figure them out. Enjoy your rides and the flexability that the bike gives you.

Red Rock

**shootingstar** · 12-25-2010, 01:55 PM

Nice bike. I am curious....you have a Bike Friday already.

There must be something that the Brompton offers for you. So when do you plan to ride the Brompton compared to all your other bikes?

**kmehrzad** · 12-25-2010, 02:51 PM

Red Rock & Shootingstar,

Yes, I do have a Bike Friday, it's a New World Tourist. The Brompton offers portability and ease of transport on bus or train. One may not go as long a distance on a Brompton as they would on a Bike Friday, but it's excellent for commuting (so I've read). However, I've also read other Brompton owners' blogs giving reports of their lengthy tours on the bike, so I suppose it's up to the individual owners.

Regarding the handlebars, I'll take photos of the fold and post them so you can see that in one stage the bike can be used as a cart in the grocery store, for example, and then I'll show how the handlebars clip compactly in place providing a tight fold.

**divingbiker** · 12-25-2010, 02:56 PM

Very funky. You are quite the collector.

**Cataboo** · 12-25-2010, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by kmehrzad

It's actually two colors ... red frame with black stem and triangle.

Thanks Oakleaf and Cataboo.

I only love the red half

**7rider** · 12-26-2010, 05:05 AM

Very neat.

Of course, you have to change your sig now!

**kmehrzad** · 12-26-2010, 09:28 AM

Red Rock,

Here are some photos of the Brompton folded.

First photo shows how the Brompton can be used as a shopping cart, pulled along by the handlebars. I don't have a bag at the moment, but it would connect to the black carrier block directly across from the saddle nose in this position.

Second photo shows how compact the fold is and how the chain and derailleur are nestled inside the fold, not on the outside where damage might occur. The left pedal also folds in but I forgot to do so before snapping the shot.

Third photo shows how the handlebar clips into place near the fork thus securing it.

7 Rider - sig has been updated (keepin' it real).

**hebe** · 12-26-2010, 11:27 AM

Cool! Bromptons always amaze me, especially when you see someone taking one off the train, unfolding it and just setting off. In one of my bicycle books the author (Helen Pridd) says that she once saw 42 folded Bromptons fitting into a single office parking space.