CSG

I'm open to the folding basket or a C bag but geez, they want a LOT for them at all the usual suspects. Any thoughts?

jur

Get a frame and cobble your own bag onto that. I got me a very nice Ortlieb SlingIt Small, and Velcro'd the bottom and magneted the top to the frame. The frame was made narrower.

CSG

I've been looking at just the frame. I've got 3-4 lumbar and day packs and I don't see why I couldn't just bungee something on a frame. Then, I'd have something more useful for hiking too when I leave the bike in the rig.

badmother

All about brompton luggage one way or another. I am in the process of adding a soft top to the Brompton "basket" with a rolltop (can also use a drawstring) to avoid stuff falling out. Wil continue with the project and post pics as soon as I finished my kitchen remodelling. I think somebody else on the forum is doing the same.

https://www.toehead.plus.com/bagmain.htm

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ompton+luggage

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ompton+luggage

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ompton+luggage

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ompton+luggage

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ompton+luggage

https://pathlesspedaled.com/

fietsbob

I had a messenger bag with a waist belt,
I laced the waist belt thru the front bag frame, snapped the buckle shut,
and put a piece of Coroplast in the bag, as a stiffener.

chagzuki

I added a shoulder strap to the folding basket recently, something I'd had in mind to do since I got it. I tend to put a messenger-type bag inside the basket and if I need to go shopping I can put the messenger bag over my shoulder and the folding basket is empty. Having a shoulder strap for the basket (or whatever luggage) is crucial for certain things, i.e. if I need to completely fold the bike and carry it having the basket on my shoulder gives me a free hand for opening doors etc..
I've got the Carradice front bag but I never use it as the basket is generally more useful.

folder fanatic

Been there, done that with my own Brompton-and the other bikes I have or had too. I either adapt already sewn bags to my Brompton's front frame (the large blue bag) , or I simply make one myself for the frame (the black one with the beaded bicycle image on the front).

CSG

So while it's interesting to see what creative ways some of you get around buying Brompton luggage, I'll try again - does anyone know of a source that sell their luggage for less than MAP pricing?

fietsbob

Guess not.they, are not racing to the bottom.
have no 'bikes direct' and don't sell to Wall Mart.
and there is the dollar to UK-pound exchange rate in addition.
U$D is the weak one..
Try, SJS in UK, nearest UK source with international shipping..

folder fanatic

A Brompton is an expensive bicycle (though very well worth it IMO). It also means that the accessories are expensive too. You just cannot walk into a discount store or shop and expect to see a bag already sewn that is made to just slide over it's unique frame and go like a shirt or a handbag. I have had my own Brompton for almost 7 years now. I have yet to buy a special or official genuine bag-whatever that means-as I don't depend on Brompton to do everything for me or the bike. Several years ago, there were absolutely no Brompton dealers in the Los Angeles vicinity-now there are 3 and counting. At that point in time, I had to travel a considerable distance to buy my bike plus being limited to mail order any official Brompton accessories for the bike. So I turned to adapting other components/accessories from many sources to my own needs over the years that appealed to me for various good reason(s). This is the result (shown in the photographs is a Nirve beach cruiser saddle, and a 98mm razor scooter wheels. Not so obvious are the brake pad replacement with Kool Stops, and of course plenty of bags and slipcovers):

jur

I think you can forget about that. Andrew Ritchey has had a very tough public stand against large chain shops discounting the bike and the accessories over the smaller dealers who stood by Brompton at the beginning.

CSG

I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and buy the frame or a frame/bag combo. The saddle post bag just won't cut it and if I ride in warmer weather I hate having a day or lumbar pack strapped behind my back.

I cheaped out and didn't get the rack on mine so I guess I'll have to pay the piper to get the post mounted set-up. I do have the block which was mounted on the bike I ordered through the guy up in NorCal. I had to mail order the bike as there are no dealers anywhere near me. I looked at them last year at the store in El Segundo but they didn't have what I wanted in stock. I'd also ridden Dahons and a couple Bike Fridays at the store down in Laguna but didn't care for either.

I updated my Brompton with some Ergon grips and a Brooks B-17 and the bike is always in the back of my Land Cruiser, ready to ride at a moment's notice. My longest ride was nearly 30 miles and I'd wished I'd had more space.

So the question is: frame only and strap on a day pack, or get the basket, C bag or T bag???

jur

I have the basket also; I thought that would be my everywhere carry-all solution. However it is rather BIG. That's why I cobbled my own alternative solution together - I wanted something that is guaranteed waterproof, and Brompton items aren't, or extremely costly.

CSG

I think all that stuff looks big too, even the S bag. I don't commute or shop by bike, I just like to ride for fun and have a bike with me wherever I go. I just need something I can shove a windbreaker and windpants in as well as a little lunch and a few more items than I can stick in my little wedge saddle pack.

fietsbob

Combine German Ortlieb bags made exclusively for Brompton,
and the price really goes up,
but they now sell a ready to snap on the frame mount clip version
of handlebar, and Downtown bags

Seam welded construction, keeps stuff dry..

chagzuki

The folding basket is big, just about right for groceries for one person I find. I get the impression that it acts a a sail/wind brake in headwinds. . . I've no idea how substantial this effect is but in headwinds I do find myself resenting it's presence, rationally or not. Jur's narrower frame/bag combo looks elegant.

alhedges

I'm a big fan of the Brompton front bags, as I think they work brilliantly. But there are other options, particularly if you want something smaller. There's this:


Or this:

Or even something like this:

All of these use leather straps to go through the two attachment points on the saddle and then a third strap loops around the seatpost. Larger sizes are available, too.

badmother

Did you try e-bay or similar? I`d guess sometimes peopel buy the wrong bag and want to sell it again.

folder fanatic

I agree. I have seen ads for "used" or "gently used" Brompton or other brands bags either on e-bay or Craigslist. I have yet to see the prices more moderate or at a similarly used condition price range. Every time I spot an bag ad, I noticed that the price is almost as much as a new bag would cost at a official dealer. I don't think I want to pay for someone else's mistake and absorb their cost. Maybe an older bike, but not for accessories.

CSG

I've looked for used on the usual places but like FF points out, most of the time people want nearly new prices for them.

Dynocoaster 

Tere is a guy on ratrodbikes that builds leather bags and they are reasonable. I believe he is located in Spokane.
https://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/vie...hp?f=2&t=49900