Folding Bikes - Brompton 2010: WHat should we expect?

Besides the new BWR hub and the availability of the 09 colors (black mate, different versions of the raw lacquer, etc...) what is coming up?

Just getting ready...

silly question, but when does the 2010 line become available... I mean, is it worth holding off a purchase?

Not much! LOL!

I think you should be expecting a higher price. Dahon never keeps the same price and neither does Brompton. Other than that, we should all send an email asking Brompton to widen the rear triangle to 135 mm so those of us can choose multiple hubs that sell on the market.

If there are any changes there will be very minor changes cause brompton is a pretty conservative english company and I don't think they'll be doing massive changes on a bike that works great. You might get minor stuff improved to it over the year.

But one thing for sure like ALL the folder bike companies is that there will be a price increase next year again. I've seen dahons within the last 2-3 years go up more than a hundred!

What are the different versions of the raw lacquer? Are they currently offered and is there a web page where I can see the hue difference? In all web pages I viewed for Brompton colors there was no mention of it.

What are the different versions of the raw lacquer? Are they currently offered and is there a web page where I can see the hue difference? In all web pages I viewed for Brompton colors there was no mention of it.
The best pic ive seen is on Flikr.Brompton Bike Pool,but you have to go through dozens of pics to find it as i cant remember which page it was on.

Things are moving forward at Brompton; you can in 2009 get wheels with machined rim sidewalls, butted spokes and sealed bearing hubs, you can get aluminium alloy headsets & a choice of frame colours...

What I think we're missing from the B-spoke option is being able to get, say, a standard sealed-bearing front hub or an alloy headset without buying a Titanium frame, fork & seatpost. We already have a no saddle option, I think we could do with a no pedals option too. And faster delivery times.


BTW, from the Brompton website:

"...we can’t go into details about current projects, except those whose release is imminent" (http://www.brompton.co.uk/page.asp?p=3080)

"...we are considering developing an extended handlebar stem as part of our programme of product development." (http://www.brompton.co.uk/page.asp?p=3067)

So I'd say unless you've got some inside knowledge then everything else is speculation.

silly question, but when does the 2010 line become available... I mean, is it worth holding off a purchase?

The new specifications for 2009 were made available from the 1st January 2009 so I suspect Brompton will follow suit and release any new modifications for 2010 from the 1st January 2010. In fact I seem to remember reading somewhere that 1st January each year is when new upgrades will be released.

What are the different versions of the raw lacquer? Are they currently offered and is there a web page where I can see the hue difference? In all web pages I viewed for Brompton colors there was no mention of it.

Here is one photo from flicker: http://www.flickr.com/photos/flamejob/1563350116/in/photostream/

I ordered a B-Spoke Brompton in January with the raw lacquer finish and I was quite apprehensive as to how the new matt finish version of the raw lacquer would look, certainly since I had seen the 2009 matt black in the shops I thought it didn’t look as nice as the old gloss black.
Anyway my new B-spoke bike arrived in March and I was delighted with the look:
http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr17/venomherps/PDRsBrompton.jpg
http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr17/venomherps/Picture212.jpg
http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr17/venomherps/Picture213.jpg

Great minds think alike PDR. RL rocks! :-D

Hope you are loving your new bike!

I think year are on year bike models are mostly marketing hype. When there is a significant change in a bike model, it is because it was a major innovation due to launch anyway. In fact in some cases, some Dahon models disimprove from one year to the next. E.g. Discontinuing the Dahon Speed Pro TT and taking the Alfine hub off the Dahon Cadenza 09 which my 08 model has.

Brompton is an incremental innovator. It's best to judge their progress in 3-5 year periods. Certainly the Brompton has improved vastly in its performance and options over the last decade while retaining the classic and largely unbeatable fold. Yes sometimes they are a little conservative but all their improvements tend to be stick to their mission of reliability and durability. Look at the amount of hi-tech products like new smartphones rushed on to the market with bugs and design flaws. You won't find this with Bromptons.

I wouldn't hold off a purchase but I'm sure there will be some minor introductions in parts and accessories. I love my new Brompton 2009 bag, far nicer than the older ones!

well if you plan on riding now you'll still have like 4 months of riding left! unless you live in a snowy area like me so i'm just hoping for 3 more months! If you can wait for a minor improvement then it is up to you, but just try to find out what it is first to see if it's even worth a bother else missing on some riding time wouldn't be worth it.

It's almost like computer buyers where they'll wait for the next thing cause the one that's out is coming down in price becoming out of date, but by the time it happens to the thing you are about to get the next minor upgrade is announced. It's a never ending cycle!

For me living in Canada I'm glad I found my strida in the 5th generation (by time time we learned of such a bike) over the 20 years there was major things done to it also in around 3-5 year increments to make it such a capable ride that it's now today. Just like the brompton mulleady said 3-5 years would give it enough changes to be actually significant. Every year you'll not notice one from the next.

now go out and ride!

In 5 years when there's another clear winner in the folded size area, they will have regretted their slow attitude toward fixing a few of the fixable items (handlebars, rear hub spacing, gearing, plastic seatpost shim needing mfctr replacement, price, warranty is now reduced from past, etc). As an owner theyre still clear winner in the most important category for certain applications : folded size.

HERE WE GO (http://road.cc/node/9085)


Brompton has unveiled details of new products for 2010 ahead of what promises to be a busy week for the folding bike specialists, with the Brompton World Championships at Blenheim Palace this Sunday followed by next week's Cycle Show at Earl’s Court, where the company will be exhibiting.

Aluminium replaces Titanium for lightweight seatpost

First off, the Titanium seat post currently found on the West London-based company’s superlight models will be replaced by an anodized, scratch-resistant aluminium version – these still offer weight savings, but are more cost-effective and easier to source than the Titanium version, where Brompton says supplies have become unreliable.

Tyre options reduced from four to two

Brompton also revealed that it is reducing tyre options from four to two. Currently, two Brompton-badged versions are available plus two from Schwalbe, but for 2010 there will be one of each. Brompton Kevlar remains, with the company saying that it offers improved puncture protection compared to its standard tyre while the Kevlar belt has little impact on rolling resistance.

The existing Schwalbe tyres, the Marathon and Stelvio, will be replaced by a new model, the Kojak. Unsurprisingly, given the name, it’s a lightweight slick tyre, weighing less than the Stelvio, and Brompton says it offers better puncture protection. It will also have a reflective strip.

Two new hub dynamo lighting systems

The company has also changed its dynamo lighting offer. Currently it has a high-end hub dynamo and a tyre dynamo version, but says that the size of Brompton tyres plus the folding nature of the bike means that the latter is not as reliable as it would ideally like.

Instead, for 2010, there will be two new hub dynamo sets. One, the Son hub dynamo, offers “exceptional performance”, claims Brompton, “but at a price”. A more reasonable option is a new dynamo set developed by Brompton in partnership with Shimano, which comes in at around the same price as the existing tyre dynamo set.

High-end laptop case plus Ortlieb bag

Brompton has also made changes to its luggage range. Highlights include the A Bag, a handmade leather attaché case complete with laptop compartment and “ideal for both the city player and the style aficionado”, plus the O Bag, designed by Ortlieb specifically for use with Brompton’s front luggage system.

Have bike, will travel - finally a specific flight case

Finally, the company has responded to consumer demand by introducing a hard case suitable for use as in-flight luggage. Previously, in the FAQ section of its website, Brompton had said that it considered the collapsible B Bag to be adequate for the purpose. But the new Brompton Pod flight case, in rigid moulded EVA with the bicycle strapped within, will provide reassurance to owners who might otherwise panic when they see luggage being loaded into the hold with what can sometimes seem like reckless abandon.

According to the company, many of the innovations result from feedback given by customers as well as dealers and distributors. It added that it has doubled its design team during the past year, although the full impact of its enhanced capability won’t be properly felt until 2011.


and my research continues...


14R

Indeed, my ticket for the earls court show has already been purchased, i wait in anticipation, the camera battery is on the charger.