EvilV,

Thanks for the reply.

I currently have an email into Grace Gallant and have asked them two questions:

#1 to see if the bike you actually have is still available (I doubt it is)

#2 To see where in Taiwan I can potentially check out the bikes in the above photos.

Apparently, there are several retail outlets in Taiwan that now stock Flamingo folding bikes but none of them are in the city I live.

We'll see what they have to tell me.

I actually met with one of the Flamingo reps. about eight months ago and he showed me several bikes including the FL-BP01-7. It was brand new and it took a while to adjust it. I took it for a ride and it was ok I suppose. At that time, I couldn't conceive of buying a 16 inch wheel bike. This, especially since right afterward, I rode one of his 20 inch wheel bikes and the ride was great.

I think the whole M shaped handlebars seem weird at first.

I actually have lots of pictures of those bikes and I'll try to post them here.

As I have now found a shop here in Taichung that sells Brompton, I'm trying to remember how the two bikes compared.

The first thing I remember is that the rack on the back of the Flamingo bike substantially made the folded package lots more bulky. The reason I want to buy a Brompton in the first place is because it really does provide the most compact option available. The Flamingo back rack is quite a bit more raised compared to the one that is an option for the Brompton. Also, on the Brompton, there is a wheel caster on the back fender that allows the bike to sit when folded without using the full back rack. On the Flamingo there is no wheel caster on the back fender so you really need the back rack to make the thing stand up when folded and you definitely need it so you can wheel it around.

Also, I remember trying to fold the Flamingo seemed kind of laborious. It could have been because the thing was new and still needed adjusting and such. However, when I folded the Brompton in the shop tonight, it only took me like 30 seconds to fold and unfold the thing and I am by no means an expert.

Provided I can get a look at some more Flamingos, I'll try to provide a much more in depth report for the forum including some more pictures and videos.

One thing about the Flamingo bikes I've seen seem to be the prospect of modification. It might be possible to upgrade breaks and grip-shifts as the need arises.

Obviously, the Brompton, because of the fact that nothing on it is standard, means modification options are limited.

I also, of course, really wonder about whether or not Flamingo is engaging in patent infringement. I suspect that they worry about that. Otherwise, I imagine they would already have dealers in the US and in the UK.

I'll keep everyone posted.


Cheers