Originally Posted by
chucky
Not to discount the Brompton's virtues (of which there are many), but if "imitation is the sincerest of flattery" then I think the relative lack of it on the expired Brompton patent is a testament to the bike's shortcomings. Enjoy your Brompton if you have one, but it's just not the folder for me.
The Brompton is protected in UK and the Neobikes were crushed to prevent them from being sold. I have no problems with this form of protection since the UK saw the loss of Sturmey Archer and Ralleigh. If we did the same, maybe Schwinn and Cannondale would still be made here.
I happen to think Bike Friday, Birdy and Dahon have too much pride to copy off each other or the Brompton bike. Dahon has the resources to copy any folding bike but choose to go the high road. Yet, the Brompton clones continue to appear on Ebay but no dealer will stock them because they get no support from the manufacturer.