starting at $7,550 in the U.S.
Is it any wonder why Bromton is currently struggling?
Their latest models have been so niche, overly expensive, and do nothing to improve their situation. They’re adding more SKUs to add more SKUs.
They need to make more affordable bikes, expand their customer base, and focus on what the market is asking for.
They sell cheaper ones and they do ride well but they’re still too expensive. I’d considered buying one but was pretty underwhelmed by their customer service after I had trouble using a friend’s referral code (they took forever to respond, then didn’t help at all) so I said screw it and bought a Ride1up Portola for half the price, with e-assist, and all sorts of other bells and whistles.
By contrast, Ride1up’s customer service has been outstanding so far: Fast and helpful! For the amount of money Brompton charges, they really need to step up their customer service game.
They do make more affordable bikes with the A-line and C-line. This one is the highest end folding bicycle that they make, but I still agree with the sentiment: Tons of bike companies are charging really high prices that seem too high
They do make more affordable bikes with the A-line and C-line.
I checked my local dealer: A line starts at $1900 (Canadian) and $2700 for the C-line. That prices them way out of most people’s budgets who are looking for a commuter bike.
They aren’t competing with Cervelo, they are competing with brands like Tern, Dahon, or even Decathlon, so they are priced at least $1000 too high. I’m suggesting they have an actual affordable model.
Tons of bike companies are charging really high prices that seem too high
No doubt, but the majority if bikes you’ll see regular people riding are not high-end. I’ve met one cyclist in my life with a titanium bike, so why is Brompton throwing away resources even developing and manufacturing this thing?? How many do they possibly expect to sell, and does it help lift them out of near bankrupsy?
Well, if they do go bankrupt, maybe we’ll get affordable trifolds that are good quality. I’ve been considering a brompnot but IDK if I’d trust a bike off Alibaba
Priority also sells cheap folders, kinda looking at the belt bike but I heard the hub sucks
Maybe if I win the lottery…
Also, it looks uncomfortable.
I rode a C-line Brompton with tall bars and, much to my surprise, it was very comfortable to ride even over a cobblestone road and gravel. The low bar was much less pleasant (very twitchy and not as smooth as the high bar, I think the extra length in the tall stem soaks up more shock).
I have a C Line. It’s 8-10 lbs heavier and it hauls a 15-20 lb work bag. It was a stretch to buy that bike. So like you, the only way I’m buying this one is if I strike it rich.
Do you regret buying it?
I don’t regret it. I really enjoy it. I’ve always wanted to be a road bicyclist, but being Asian and of shorter stature, it never really felt comfortable to buy a road bike. Maybe road bikes just aren’t comfortable for anybody and I’m overthinking it. But I felt at ease on a Brompton.
The smaller wheels do make it much more maneuverable than a standard bike and I can easily weave through cars that are sitting at a light but of course it’s pretty dangerous. And I can take the bike easily onto trains and public transit without taking much space.
Lugging it up a flight of stairs with my work bag can be a bit taxing, but I see it as exercise and mostly only do it when the escalators/elevators are out of service.
FYI - they sell titanium rear triangles on Alibaba now if you wanted to swap out lighter parts over time
Also, don’t knock the A Line. My wife has one. She doesn’t ride it as much as I ride my C but we throw them in the trunk and ride on scenic trails in the area. I take it whenever my C Line is out of commission and it’s pretty nice still because it’s lighter than my C Line by maybe 5 lbs. It doesn’t sound like a lot but when you’re carrying it, you will feel the difference.
I almost bought one until I saw the gear range on the A-line, not being able to climb well is an instant non-starter for me. I’d like a 12 speed C-line but they’re just so ridiculously expensive you could get a good ebike or bikes for the whole family after you add basic stuff like a bag, rack, etc.
I’m probably just going to end up not buying any new bike and mad about it.
I’ve been considering one after a test ride (was surprised and impressed at how it handled) but even Cline is pricey and A-line doesn’t seem like it can really get up hills without the wider gear range.
