There's definitely resentment, but I think you're misunderstanding where it's coming from. Your post a perfect example of the way that Brompton owners seem to think that the only reason other people wouldn't buy a Brompton is because we don't want to lay down the cash or jump through the hoops Brompton Co lays out for the enlightened few who think that they're design is the holy grail of folders. This attitude is just snotty and that's what makes the rest of us a bit angry.
Believe it or not the Brompton is not desired by everybody. Believe it or not some people just think it's overrated and find it terribly insulting when elitist Brompton owners like yourself smugly imply that we're secretly jealous. It reminds me of how Apple computer customers "congratulate" each other upon purchasing a new Apple as if it were a forgone conclusion that every individual in recorded history that ever chose to spend a single cent on anything else is simply a buffoon. Why can't you just respect the fact that your brand of choice doesn't meet the needs of some people as well as it does yours? Why can't you just accept that what's best for you might not be best for someone else?
Chucky you've gone off the rails lol! There are several of us on the forums who like Brommies. Let's summarise some of the largely unfounded comments you've made about some brommie owners on the forum!
1) You said many Brompton owners bought the bike simply because it's 'Made in London'. How do you know that? Have you done a market research survey with a valid sample set? I think you may find that's a sweeping generalisation. Did you know 70% of them are exported?
2) You call us the equivalent of 'Apple fanboys' for defending the Brompton and/or it's bikes. Yes it is not the bike for everyone but it enough for over 20,000 people worldwide each year . Can you me why it has such a good growth rate overseas and not just in the UK? The people who buy into it think the ride is good enough and love the fold. Most forum members who own a Brommie are not claiming it's the best ride for example, just the best for their needs. It's matching needs that gains a company market share. Brompton may not be as big as Dahon in model range or annual sales but it is big enough to be called a very successful niche manufacturer.
3) Most of the Brompton fanboys (Bromptonites) exist on the Brompton forums not on this one.
4) There is evidence of a couple of vested interests (excepting yourself) slagging off Brompton and remaining uncritical of the bikes they are promoting. Perhaps some of us are equally fed up of Brompton being constantly targeted in some recent threads? It works both ways.
I own a Brompton, Pacific Reach IF and a Dahon Jetstream EX. They are all great folding bikes and I love them all. It's clearly not the bike for you Chucky but it sells enough units in the UK and worldwide to ensure none of the employees are worrying about redundancy right now. I love my Brompton but like the Dahon and Pacific I believe they can all be refined upon and improved in some way. If you like analogies, how about the fact some people also hate a company simply because it is successful and the bike just doesn't happen to be their cup of tea? A bit like musical tastes really.