Folding Bikes - what Brit gear/bikes would you buy ?

Calling all our US pals, and anyone else whose currency has held up against the plummeting pound (thats nearly everyone).

Given the UK pounds sterling's collapse :( why not by some stuff from here in Blighty. By crikey you'd be doing us a favour - can Brompton save the UK economy single handed ?

But seriously, out of interest, what would/can people buy from outside the UK now our currency is gone down ?

I like Dyson vacuums. And Doc Marten shoes.

My brother likes English soccer.

Those Page 3 girls are hot hot hot.

And package that accent in a box and sell it.

I just bought a Brooks Flyer Special from SJS Cycles.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=16396&src=froogleUS&currency=USD

But seriously, out of interest, what would/can people buy from outside the UK now our currency is gone down ?

You pose a theoretical question - I give you an real response: :p

SC's read my mind. Though I'm sure the New Series range is still a bit pricey for most....:lol:

Brompton, of course! They're even more attractive to me now that they have purple as a frame color...I can't afford one though, so sorry Brits. :(

Given the UK pounds sterling's collapse :( why not by some stuff from here in Blighty. By crikey you'd be doing us a favour - can Brompton save the UK economy single handed ?

But seriously, out of interest, what would/can people buy from outside the UK now our currency is gone down ?

What is the source of the term "Blighty"?

Great idea for a thread!!

What bike stuff would I buy?

1) Mercian Frame

Gorgeous, classic look. Fabulous paint jobs. I first saw Mercians when my wife and I did a tour in England in the eighties. Lust at first sight!

2) Bob Jackson touring frame

Not quite the pinnacle, but still pretty nice.

3) Any one of a number of bikes made by Thorn (Saint John Street Cycles)

4) Moulton, except that they don't seem to cater to tall people

5) Brompton

6) Brooks saddle (another one)

Speedo

6) Brooks saddle (another one)

Speedo

Wow! That is pretty cheap for a Champion Special (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/froogleUS/currency/USD/product-Brooks-Brooks-B17-Champion-Special-Leather-Saddle--Honey-with-Copper-Rails-12729.htm)!

Speedo

I just bought a Brooks Flyer Special from SJS Cycles.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=16396&src=froogleUS&currency=USDBloody 'ell! That's a lot less than I can get one for wholesale, and my supplier only carries the special in black. How much was S&H to the USA?

Wow! That is pretty cheap for a Champion Special (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/froogleUS/currency/USD/product-Brooks-Brooks-B17-Champion-Special-Leather-Saddle--Honey-with-Copper-Rails-12729.htm)!


Bloody 'ell! That's a lot less than I can get one for wholesale, and my supplier only carries the special in black. How much was S&H to the USA?

The order confirmation I got says shipping was £25.00, but they applied some type of discount (saw it when I checked out) that doesn't show on the confirmation. The total was £64.13, which is $89.50 at current exchange rates. Bloody awesome!

Have to get a Pashley some day...

What is the source of the term "Blighty"?



Blighty
From: The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | Date: 2006 | Author: ELIZABETH KNOWLES | Copyright information

Blighty an informal and often affectionate term for Britain or England, chiefly as used by soldiers of the First and Second World Wars (in the First World War, a wound which was sufficiently serious to merit being shipped home to Britain was known as a Blighty).

The term was first used by soldiers serving in India, and is an Anglo-Indian alteration of Urdu bilāyatī ‘foreign, European’, from Arabic wilāyat, wilāya ‘dominion, district’.

Brompton, of course! They're even more attractive to me now that they have purple as a frame color...I can't afford one though, so sorry Brits. :(


Have to get a Pashley some day...

They'll never be cheaper. The pound is now at its lowest in relation to the US dollar that it has been since 1983.

Me want a new Bob Jackson World Tourist (http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=43):love: only problem is my dollars aren't worth a whole here...:innocent:

Aaron:)

I know this is anathema in the folding bikes forum, and it isn't what you're asking anyway, but if I were to spend some time in GB I'd try to search out a classic tourer or club racer in my size (24" or so)... you know the one, something with a 531 frame, fancy lugwork, and maybe a sturmey archer 4-speed hub and dynohub lights. Preference would be given to a maker that also made motorcycles (such as Norman).

Not that this would help your economy, you know; I'd just be trying to make off with the family jewels.:innocent:

Bloody awesome!

A Persons #77 Deluxe (IMO a better tensioned leather saddle than the Champion Special) is around $60. How much is it worth to you to have the Brooks designer logo on your bike?

Best,
tcs

The pound is now at its lowest in relation to the US dollar that it has been since 1983.

Ah, when I bought my Alex Moulton AM7. I paid $650US for the bike with F&R racks, brand new.

Back in '83, most of the US distributors of British cycle products did not cut their prices and merely pocketed the exchange rate delta as extra profit. Now in '09, the US consumer need only go only line and order direct from the UK.

I'm eyeing a Brompton. We'll see.

tcs

I don't get too carried away with pound/dollar exchange rates. One of the things I always do is to purchase when I can afford it, keep it-bikes, classic 1960s Mini Coopers, classic UK styled clothing, and the like almost forever as my father had done with his UK and German imports before me. I love and greatly cherish my own prized possessions created so carefully and beautifully in the UK and Europe and that is the critical bottom line for me. I think it is rather tasteless to try to "bargain hunt" something so carefully well made in a first world countries I still would like to visit someday soon. I want to feel welcomed when I do get to call on Europe and the UK-not tolerated or even hated.

I would buy a second-hand Bike Friday from a Brit who flew to the States to buy one, back when the exchange rate was slanted the other way.

Based on this thread, placed a nice order with SJSCycles for Sturmey hubs, tools, and other bits.

I don't think anybody minds people buying their products - quite the reverse actually. A lot of people in manufacturing would be more than happy if foreigners wanted to buy what they make. The more the better. It creates and preserves jobs.

Calling all our US pals, and anyone else whose currency has held up against the plummeting pound (thats nearly everyone).

Given the UK pounds sterling's collapse :( why not by some stuff from here in Blighty. By crikey you'd be doing us a favour - can Brompton save the UK economy single handed ?

But seriously, out of interest, what would/can people buy from outside the UK now our currency is gone down ?



I :love: UK stuff !!!!!

I owned a 70's MG Midget by choice, not Community Service sentence....
Im rebuilding, correctly :P the doors of a British Sports car at work, currently.....
I watch The Eastenders religiously-------------> Phil :thumb:
Give us all you can !!!!!! Brooks, Brompton, Falcon, Hadouken, Posh Spice........

Really though, devise a way to ship here reasonably and non-problematically and
I think you could move a lot of stuff :)

white Dunlop 16 x 2 tires... two please.

A Persons #77 Deluxe (IMO a better tensioned leather saddle than the Champion Special) is around $60. How much is it worth to you to have the Brooks designer logo on your bike?

Best,
tcs

Logos are ok, but I generally don't notice them much unless they resemble a hazmat sticker.

I believe you're thinking of a Persons "Apollo" model, since the #77 Deluxe has no suspension like the Flyer Special. A more relevant matchup to the #77 Deluxe would be a Brooks B17. IIRC I paid $62 shipped for my current B17 a few years ago.

You know, your observations on Persons saddles (link1 (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7359981&postcount=21) link2 (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7369772&postcount=31) link3 (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=7555852&highlight=persons#post7555852)) and this fellow's (link4 (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=6917346&postcount=2) link5 (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7091689&postcount=23)) are pretty much at odds. It also seems there's sparse info available on BF for these saddles. You guys should probably start a thread in the General Discussion forum and trade more insights on this.

I believe you're thinking of a Persons "Apollo" model, since the #77 Deluxe has no suspension like the Flyer Special. A more relevant matchup to the #77 Deluxe would be a Brooks B17.

No, I am thinking of the #77 Deluxe in comparison to the Brooks B17 Champion Special, as this thread records I mentioned by name in post #16 and as was spoken of in post #8 which I quoted.

A little saddle education for you: the B17 has small steel rivets, and the B17 Champion Special and comparable #77 Deluxe have large copper rivets. Neither the Champion nor #77 have suspension.

Best,
tcs

white Dunlop 16 x 2 tires... two please.

Somebody else with a Raleigh Compact:D

Aaron:)

No, I am thinking of the #77 Deluxe in comparison to the Brooks B17 Champion Special, as this thread records I mentioned by name in post #16 and as was spoken of in post #8 which I quoted.

A little saddle education for you: the B17 has small steel rivets, and the B17 Champion Special and comparable #77 Deluxe have large copper rivets. Neither the Champion nor #77 have suspension.

Best,
tcs

And here's a short course for you chum: Nobody cares what "this thread records" about your arrogantly stated opinions. Suggesting I bought based solely on brand name qualifies you as Ignoramous-Rex in my book and the latest entry on my ignore-list. Some swell evangelist for Persons saddles you make, hope they can handle the order volume.

*PLONK*

And here's a short course for you chum: Nobody cares what "this thread records" about your arrogantly stated opinions. Suggesting I bought based solely on brand name qualifies you as Ignoramous-Rex in my book and the latest entry on my ignore-list. Some swell evangelist for Persons saddles you make, hope they can handle the order volume.

*PLONK*

:eek:

Er - anyway.... :innocent:

Please US buyers (and Eurozone shoppers too!) - buy away from our shops at our distressed prices. Us Brits love jumble/car boot sales and you can get some proper bargains - actually - worth nothing that you can get new Dahon Jacks for about £200 so much cheaper than in the US - ALSO, shipping is normally quoted in £s so that'll be cheaper too!

Doesn't even seem a year ago that I was tossing up whether or not to buy a thudbuster from the states for half the price it cost in the UK....

:eek:

As long as it is not contagious.. :D

"You know, your observations on Persons saddles (link1 link2 link3) and this fellow's (link4 link5) are pretty much at odds. It also seems there's sparse info available on BF for these saddles. You guys should probably start a thread in the General Discussion forum and trade more insights on this."



I never said the Persons #77 wasn't comfortable, but the fit and finish of the two examples I had were not up to Brooks' standards. Not even close. I might be willing to put one on a beater bike, but I don't have any beater bikes. You might not agree with my asessment. Order one and decide for yourself.

I never said the Persons #77 wasn't comfortable, but the fit and finish of the two examples I had were not up to Brooks' standards. Not even close. I might be willing to put one on a beater bike, but I don't have any beater bikes. You might not agree with my asessment. Order one and decide for yourself.

I never claimed you said it wasn't comfortable. This is what you stated in the first post ("link4" above, emphasis added by me):


The only Persons saddle I have experience with was a made in India ***.

http://www.permaco.com

Their #77 in green wasn't the green I had in mind:

[/URL]

I "aged" it with lacquer thinner and sold it for way too much at a bike swap:

[URL="http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2880983620068014369oOLccb"] (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2553843680068014369DPxFyk)

Your sudden loss of conviction almost seems like you got threatened by someone. If so I'm sorry I got you involved, but hey, if you don't have the stones to stand by your statements then don't make them.

:eek:

ROTFLMAO!!!
wrong (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plonk_(wine)) right (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plonk_(usenet))

well sisters and brothers, been so long in the coalmine that I hadn't checked the thread for a while, glad I started it, as I guess maybe SJS cycles, whose Brookes saddles are now out of stock. The mailing thing is a real drag, both directions over the Atlantic (abebooks being my other vice). Thread turned a little tricky at the end wot wot wot still if saddles are all one has to get worked up about that says something good about the world.:thumb:

Peace and love sisters and brothers

Well, this may be considered heresy on a cycling site, but my wife bough me Top Gear magazine for Christmas. It comes directly from the UK and despite the exchange rate, its still bloody expensive.

Among other things, a Brommie may be in my future. Not doing things in half measure, I'd check every option box.

Next time I'm over there, maybe a bespoke Gieves and Hawkes suit or two. I hear the market for those is beginning to dry up.

-Old Army

I'm beginning to notice missing posts, two by now.

I'm beginning to notice missing posts, two by now.

:innocent::innocent::innocent:

Shhh...keep it down until I'm finished shopping for myself!

When all this is over and the whole english speaking world is in shambles we can all post our great buys. :)