Originally Posted by
borjita
I've used them (friends) and I really really really love how smart the folding design is, best ever by far!! But I can't cope with the vintage design, it is very important for me. Some of us prefer modern aesthetics and are glad to sacrifice a bit of other features (weight, size...) to get a bit of that. I see the Brompton shifters (pre 2017) and I automatically feel in a bad mood. And even if the new shifters are a bit nicer, Brompton has 30+ other things that trigger my allergy to vintage. Not to talk about the Brooks seats... I just can't avoid it. I wish it did not happen and only enjoy the practicality and tight fold of the Brompton. I just can't! :-)
What? You don't like the Brooks saddles? How can you not like them? That's, that's... well, they are kind of overpriced. But comfortable.
I love my Brompton: the fold, the quirkiness, but yes, I have a 2013 model, and the shifters are... kind of cheap feeling, and the brake levers are... well, they're brake levers. And the bike came originally with these super cheap looking foam tube handles. I couldn't believe a bike of this quality and price could not be bothered to come with decent handle grips.