Brompton dealers throughout the UK have just started taking orders for their new range and I have lined up to be one of the first to take delivery of a super-lightweight machine.
The process of ordering is relatively simple and the firm is listing ten non-bespoke models for prospective customers to choose from. For those who want to specify precisely what they want there are seven key decisions you have to make.
Handlebars
The main differential is the handlbar
type where there are three choices - the existing standard fitting now
deemed the M-type; the new multi-position bar - the P-type; and the
sporty S-type.
Gearing
The existing options of 3 a 6 gears remain but there is an additional
choice of a two-speed based on the derailleur system developed for the
six-speed.
Specification
Do you want no mudguards, pump or rear carrier which becomes the E.
With mudguards and pump you get the L and the addition of the rear
carrier creates the R.
Superlight or not
The big decision is whether you want to spend £300 extra on the
superlight option which gives you titanium rear triangle and forks.
There's also a range of new colours.
Seatpost
There are four possibilities: the standard, the extended, the
telescopic and for a further £76 a titanium one.
Saddles
There are four choices: the standard, the Vitesse, the Brooks and the
Brooks Ti
Lighting
Your choices here are the battery lighting set front and/or rear;
dynamo, dynamo with rear standlight, hub dynamo, and hub dynamo with
rear standlight.
The bike I have ordered is a six-speed with the new multi-position handlebars, no carrier, battery lights and as much titanium as is possible. I want the lightest machine possible with the most gears. The cost with the front carrier is more than £1,100 which is not too bad compared with the £400+ I paid in 1991 for my first Brommie.
For those wanting some weight reduction without breaking the bank the titanium seat post seems a good idea. It is not clear whether this could be bought for existing machines.
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(C)2005 Mike Smithson
Last updated: 24 May 2005