Before I came across Downtube, I almost did buy a Brompton. compact folder that it is, it would have set me back £660 and didn't ride as well as my DT 8 speed hub bike or have as good gears. A comparable Dahon was also £550+ for a hub geared bike. It was no contest really. I have to say my DT is actually a very good looking bike, people stop to admire it all the time. Never had that reaction with a bike before, not that I bought it for that.