Prototype 20" Brompton

[Schwinnsta]

The fold size is the Brompton selling point. Unless Brompton have found a way round the laws of physics it will be a tough job convincing buyers to pay more for a 20" version. In the Brompton universe, surely less is more, and more is less.

It should ride nicer and still fold smaller than bifolds.

 

[FrankCrank]

There's 20" versions over this way, have been for a while. Also with disk brakes.
Double-barreled Billy needs to get his skates on.

 

[rogerzilla]

If it passes TOCs' rules for folding bikes, people will buy it. However, a current 16" Brompton with the extended seatpost, needed by most male riders and now the default, only *just* fits under the Class 800 luggage rack.

 

[tinywheels]

I am waiting on the spec of the G and of course the price. It seems that mid-September will be some announcements and bikes available from mid October.
I am not sure how well it will do, there seems to be a pent up demand for it amongst some people, but with demand falling for new bikes in general I think it will need to be priced well. Obviously, the folded size will also be key.

Price wise I suspect Brompton is at terminal velocity.
They need to be careful their prospective customers are not confused by the plethora of models now available.
I find it all confusing and I own one.

 

[Kell]

I think that most people would appreciate the additional comfort/reduced rolling resistance offered.

And most (but not all) of the people I see with Bromptons on commuter trains never put them in the luggage racks.

They’re almost all put in the area by the doors. The additional size of a 20” over a16” wouldn’t make much difference here.

The biggest thing really is that it makes a stable folded package. Lost count of the times you hear a massive clatter as someone’s bike has fallen over as the train brakes.

 

[Origamist]

In breach of NDA

https://www.reddit.com/r/Brompton/s/nYZoiY7IpD

Interestingly, there appears to be four different stem options.

 

[wafter]

In breach of NDA

https://www.reddit.com/r/Brompton/s/nYZoiY7IpD

Interestingly, there appears to be four different stem options.

Was looking at this last night.. like the disc brakes; on the fence about the wheel size. Don't like the placcy fork or apparent sh*t frame hinge design that's my current Brompton whinge. Price is a bit mental too.

I'm not really sure who this is intended to appeal to; I guess the bulk and weight will affect the folded characteristic.. perhaps that's a hit some are prepared to take for a more comfortable / perhaps more rough-terrain-tolerant ride..?

 

[tds101]

I'm so interested in this... I'm in the USA, and when I saw this my interest was piqued. I can't wait to see what the final product might be. I did find a (possible) preorder for it via Carousell in the Philippines. Quite expensive... https://www.carousell.sg/p/new-brom...wheels-8-internal-speed-pre-order-1321854937/

 

[ColinJ]

There LOT of very negative reviews about Carousell!!

 

[tds101]

There LOT of very negative reviews about Carousell!!

I believe you. I only posted it for information... I'm not interested in buying a Brompton unless I do so locally.

 

[T4tomo]

The 16" version will still appeal most to those who commute on a crowded commuter train, but tats only one slice of the brommie market, but for those who want, what will presumably be a better ride, especially over rougher surfaces at a small cost to the folded package size and weight, then I can see the appeal. It will be a lot more foldable and storable than Dahon type 20" folders, but also massively more expensive.

 

[Kell]

If everything there is true, it answers some of my biggest wants.

Including more gears and disc brakes.

Will definitely be getting hold of my local Brompton dealer.

Shame it's only three colours though.

 

[tds101]

If everything there is true, it answers some of my biggest wants.

Including more gears and disc brakes.

Will definitely be getting hold of my local Brompton dealer.

Shame it's only three colours though.

How do you know it's only going to be available is 3 colors? It would make sense though, considering it would be a test of the market.

 

[albion]

The 16" version will still appeal most to those who commute on a crowded commuter train, but tats only one slice of the brommie market, but for those who want, what will presumably be a better ride, especially over rougher surfaces at a small cost to the folded package size and weight, then I can see the appeal. It will be a lot more foldable and storable than Dahon type 20" folders, but also massively more expensive.

One thinks that might become its only market, much fatter tyres being needed for UK roads.
It could however progress by launching a 16" fat tyre folding version.

 

[Kell]

How do you know it's only going to be available is 3 colors? It would make sense though, considering it would be a test of the market.

Said it on the Reddit link...