You might want to also look at the Vello, made in Austria, particularly the titanium models. I've owned a Brompton for years, and they're great for urban commuting, but I think the Vello bikes, with their 20" wheels, look better for longer journeys and train / plane cycling holidays.
IMO, with Moultons you don't have to go with the most expensive models, although their fit and finish is WAY above the cheaper models and in the top tier among all bicycles of similar prices. Personally, I would get a 2x SST model. It is more like 23lb than 20, but saving that 3lb costs some $10,000. For a fraction of that, you can upgrade with a carbon stem and bars, saving half a pound. Building new wheels with light carbon rims, fewer and lighter spokes can knock off another half pound, and TPU tubes another quarter pound. Knock of 1/8 lb with Jagwire segmented cable. Wear out the chainrings and put on last year's top carbon crank and knock of half a pound for not a ton of money.
I think I saw a Prodrive this week when I was on my way to work cycling my Brompton here in Belgium. At first I thought, weird looking frame Brompton but it was to far away to see any sticker. I was thinking about what it could be and your channel now shows what it probably was. Never ever seen it here but I hope to have a talk to the person riding it.
T Line - 8.8kg P Line - 10.5kg P Line is almost half the cost, keeps the classic look, has better compatibility with existing Brompton parts. And many would prefer the P Line's titanium fork, vs carbon.
I've been examining the Prodrive with belt drive and Shimano 8-speed hub. This system uses a grip shift. I've never liked this, especially with sweaty hands like my own. Can the grip shift be easily converted to a click type shifter?
I've been waiting impatiently for this video!!! Yay!!! It's here. _Let's go!!!_ Prodrive ruined Hummingbird !!! The logo looks like it's from an auto parts store. It's hideous. The website sucks too. It's soooo sad. Also, Brompton's fold, ease of rolling, and luggage capacity is unbeaten, though you might persuade me to get a Hummingbird over the T-Line. I 100% agree with you about how awesome scooters are. I ride an Oxelo Town 9 and I love it. _I'll be back._
You can make as many points for and against the Brompton but for me, it is the best money I’ve ever spent. I love my Brompton as I’ve never loved any of the other bikes I’ve ever owned. It changed my life. I have a simple 3 speed hub version. It is - for me - perfect. When I get old and weaker I’ll probably buy a Swytch kit for it.
I have seen notes that the eastern titanium frames may not be strong enough to hold a heavy European? But I have bought a lot of titanium and carbon parts for my 2019 Superlight, now weighing below 9 kilo, as a similar T-line with mudguards! And for a much lower price! Finn. Denmark
Dude, YOU have NO CLUE, Your Statement that you CAN'T GET a saddle that is TOO WIDE is COMPLETE BULL $HIT. Apparently YOU have NEVER HEARD of THIGH CHAFING?
You can buy stuff from taobao by using a third party agent. They buy the stuff check it for obvious flaws and send it to you.For example I have used superbuy before.
I wonder if there will ever be a Brompton Clone that is qualitatively better than a Brompton T-Line in every way? Yes, the Brompton T-Line is expensive. Yes, the parts are basic but what Brompton has is an unlimited budget for R&D. Even with unlimited resources there are problems with the T-Line, like the handlebar stem that twists off-center. If resell is a concern, no Brompton clone will retain their value like a real Brompton. The type of Brompton Clone I'm dreaming of, as a fanciful dream, would be built by some guy in Japan, Singapore, Thailand, or in the U.K., with the kind of attention and extreme exactitude normally reserved for the best Swiss watches. The quality would leap off the page, so much so that Brompton owners would dump their T-Line to get their hands on one. It would be great to see a Brompton Clone that's an engineering and artistic masterpiece. This exists in the world of full sized bicycles. For me, the best bicycle builder in the world right now is Tom Sturdy at Sturdy Cycles in the U.K. He 3D prints his titanium frames. Very little brazing required. If Tom Sturdy can do it, a Brompton Clone builder can do it too.
@@SmallWheelWonder You're a master at keeping us coming back for more. hmmm.... I'm trying to guess. Unfortunately, the Hummingbird is sold and is now Prodrive. Yeah, same manufacturer but it doesn't feel right, nor is it a Brompton Clone.
I hear what you’re saying but first Japan doesn’t always mean quality. Money equal quality. I suspect a Chinese high quality bike may be close to the t line price totally negating the attractiveness Add onto that everything is a compromise. Have you seen the guy with a p line who snapped his rear titanium frame ? That’s British quality for you. The funny thing is British is known for ingenuity and not quality and I wouldn’t even say brompton may be quality. It’s built to a price and higher price margin for a western build to pay western employees. There’s even a 1:1 t line clone now. But if I recall correctly it’s only like 1000 cheaper than the real thing and you bring up resell and yes that must be taken to account. So it’s not very attractive. But still I don’t think the t line is a good design. I hate the frame gap collecting water and road debris. The clone frames come in 1.5 and 2.0 but actually it’s the diameter of the frame and not the thickness that matter more. But even then we have to think of the properties of titanium and the flex and does it offer the performance someone wants. It offers rust resistance. But also aluminum line the aceoffix r1 is doing that now. From what I hear , aluminum transmits more road vibrations. So you have a cheap build and rust resistance of titanium but then a compromising. lol Ok I look forward to what brompton does with aluminum as they have been looking for sources which is rumored. Eco friendly aluminum.
As a Dane I bought a new 2019 SuperlightM6LXBrompton during high Covid19. for the vacation money saved. Since then I have changed near all the loose parts on my bike to carbon and titanium, the clamps on my mudguards, bolts, nuts and discs, axle in front, bolt and wedge holding the fork and handlebar, part of the brakes, and a slightly padded Selle Italia saddle. It now weighs below 9 kilo and still with mudguards! I have 6 gears and no problems with water and gravel coming in from the strange holes! So I wouldn't waste my money for a new bike. It is possible to buy a titanium frame from China, Taiwan and Korea by that. Finn. Denmark
@@SmallWheelWonder Well honestly you are hardly able to see anything Special on my Flame Painted 2019 SuperlightM6LXBrompton (Black Version), as the new Brompton shaped, titanium seat post and the carbon, M handlebar are still black. The brakes, though to a large part now titanium parts, also looks Standard, as all the bolts, discs and nuts on my bike are just now yellow, even the S.A. nut for the 3/6 speed changer control. A new and ligther fork-hook holds the original titanium stays and my new carbon brackets on top of my mudguards. I have a Ti bolt and new alu wedge holding the fork and a titanium axle in front, as all security parts on the wheels. I could buy a Ti, H type stempost, but honestly the gain from that is so small and I won't buy one without my - Flame Paint, as my model originally comes with. I want it to look just Standard, unless when being liftet! I have a Titanium crank with Ceramic balls, and a titanium bolt on my folding pedal. I don't like loose pedals, to eventually be lost, so I will rather have the small extra weight on my bike. Finn
