Originally Posted by
somnatash
soso, while I like see no cables, I still think to have them outside is a more straightforward affair (easier repair, no holes/water in frame). One would have to see how Flamingo cables behave within/after the fold. From the pics you posted I suspect all those front cables will loop out in a catchy way, I cant see how they can end neatly near the bike.
A pic somebody?
"resent"? No, I am not into all this ranting about brompton copyright or clones, also I stay clueless how people engage in dissing brompton factory for not doing thisīn that. Copying (when legal) is a form of compliment, no? Did you know I own a Merc (lays slaughtered under my bed the poor thing)?
Perhaps my last post sounds as if I am over defensive to brommi critics? In another post you stated that brommi is a "second look bike" which virtues only become notable after time. Well, for me it was "love at first sight". I was sure to make mine even before riding, but you are right - the longer and better I know the bike the more I have to admire its inventor. That in parts came with trying to modify "everything" and see how difficult that was because every inch is already so well in harmony. (note that the urge to modify in my case rose more from that week female attitude to alter the beloved than from discontentment)
Not at all your some of your modifications have inspired some of my impending or future upgrades! The Somnatash Brompton may become a thing of urban legend eventually
I agree about people ranting off about Brompton as a company. They are one of those unique private manufacturing companies that so far haven't jumped on the corporate bandwagon and become faceless and totally profit obssessed in the process. Bromptons are expensive and conservative in their development for many good reasons that their most outspoken critics fail to know, or refuse to understand. No-one has to buy a Brompton and the most worn cliche that it uses 'old fashioned parts' and is 'archaic' completely miss the point about its intended purpose. Sure it can have improvements but Brompton don't deny that and are incremental and careful with their product development strategy. It's all about longevity and folding quality allied to a decent ride (not a perfect one). The Brompton is a compromise bike between fold and ride and a brilliant one at that. Only someone who is blinkered or a Brompton fanboy/fangirl would fail to appreciate the other folders and what they excel at. For example you desire the Pacific Carryme and I desire a Dahon superlight performance bike but we also love our Bromptons. Try telling that to some on the Brompton Yahoo user group. This is why i like this sub-forum so much and continue to visit here one year on.
Of course, one could say the same for many of the folding bike companies including Dahon and Bike Friday who still show some responsiveness to customers. The founder of Brompton Andrew Ritchie is a pioneer in his field but very humble about it all. I rang Brompton's marketing department the other day for some permissions to publish photos for an article I'm writing and they got back to me within 2 hours. I always find them so friendly and pleasant.
From a personal point of view, I have come to consider my Brompton of 3 months the best gadget I've ever owned and my friends call me Inspector Gadget because of the amount I've gone through in the past (mostly electronic in nature)!