Flamingo
 

14R started it off. I contacted them and got some info and pictures. They are negotiating with an agent in Washington state. No idea when they will start selling in the US.

Until then they will sell to individuals and ship to the US.

Two Brompton like models, one the BP02 a clone for sure. The BP01 has a hydroformed top tube. Both come with what looks like a pretty full kit.

What do you all think? And I had finally made up my mind on what my first folder was going to be too.

BTW I mentioned Merc in my conservation with Susan and I don't think they (Flamingo) are building them.
I remember seeing that speculated in a thread.

I attached 2 pictures, I hope they come up. If not PM me I have quite a few and more info if anyone is interested.

Interesting, but if the Merc that I have isn't made by Flamingo and isn't the model denoted by the Flamingo FL-BP02-3

http://www.flamingobike.com/products...p?pid=29&cid=3

I'll be VERY surprised indeed. I've looked very carefully at that photo and the spec and it IS my bike in every detail. There are a few quite unique features such as the alu chain guard disk on the chainwheel, the use of the SRF-3 internal hub by sunrace sturmey archer and the elastic straps on the rear luggage rack. All are present on my Merc and are not features of the original Brompton. It has the same front light exactly, and the same make of chinese dynamo. It looks identical to me.

Flamingo
 

Sorry about the pictures, file size is too big. They're some good clear shots of the bikes.

As I mentioned I would be happy to send them to you

price?

I'll take one Brompton clone, one Dynamic (shaft drive folder) clone, one Zerobike clone (or is that a real Zerobike?), and I'll test ride the FL-FD14 folder, the "Branche" FL-BP04 folder, and one of the tadpole recumbents.

In order:
http://www.flamingobike.com/Archive/...hoto%20004.jpg
http://www.flamingobike.com/Archive/...FD-IN01%20.jpg
http://www.flamingobike.com/Archive/...ull%20view.jpg
http://www.flamingobike.com/Archive/...0%20Gold-s.jpg
http://www.flamingobike.com/Archive/...s/FL-BP-04.jpg
http://www.flamingobike.com/Archive/...FL-TRI2026.jpg

I agree completely.

I had mentioned Merc as a comparison to Susan. Hoping She would confirm that Flamingo was the builder.
What She said was, "We believe the transmission system of our bike is different
from other brand of folding bike such as Merc". I imagine meaning the Nexus 7 on the BP01. I thought She would have said something like we also build the Merc. Maybe I'm just naive, ya think?:-)

I know you're quite happy with yours. I'm going to go for it. Not sure yet, but I think I will get the BP01.

I was quoted $500 for the clone BP02 and $550 for the BP01. Shipping was $150 to the US. I'm not sure but I think one can only get the SA 3 speed in the clone. Susan is a sweetheart and her English is excellent, but there were a couple of contradictions about that. I'm trying to clarify that and how to make a payment.

Yes but they make a variety of models. The BP2-03 is mine I'm certain. Also, you'd have to mention the importer company name to Grace - Sheeaune is the trading name of the importer of Merc. If I'm right, they must simply stick two little transfers on the bike and provide merc branded luggage and a carrying bag.

By the way, the BP01 seems to have some kind of funny extruded frame. Be careful. It looks very cheap to me.

I'd be thinking of the BP02-3, or the BP02-07 with the nexus 7 speed.

http://www.flamingobike.com/products...p?pid=56&cid=3

The BP01 models have a hydraulic pressed frame I think if you look at the specs. It also seems to have a differen't front hub to mine.



I note your price of $650 delivered to a US destination. That works out at £325. Sheeune are selling the Merc at £330 on ebay with a luggage set and carrying bag including taxes (vat at 17.8%). This must imply that the importer is able to secure a better price and a better shipping rate out of which they get the VAT and profit margin. To be clear though, they do try to sell the bike at £400 on their own website. I think they occasionally seek extra cash flow by moving some on ebay. This implies they aren't that solvent, I suppose. I bought a bunch of spares I don't yet need, just in case.

The picture I have of the BP01 the top tube is welded to the seat tube and head tube. Only the tube is formed. That is to say it's not like the Kent. Everything else is separate and welded like the BP02. Also in the pictures I have of both models they have V brakes, not calipers. I think the front hub on the BP01 is a dynamo type, the BP02 has a tire driven generator.
I was quoted $150 to ship to me in the States.

At these prices, you might as well get the real thing. I'm sure there are still some Brompton C3E's left in the U.S.

I believe the real big advantage of these Flamingo bikes is the possibility of having a compact, upgradable folder with the nexus 7 speed. If I didn't have my Brompton, that's what I would go after.

When I clicked on an inquiry button while looking at recumbents their screen froze on me and I needed to shut my machine off then restart. Then I am no computer whiz. Just be careful wandering around on their site OK?

I didn't notice there were two models of BP01's and BP02's. I guess if those prices are for the 7-speed, then, yeah, it seems to be an advantage.

Also, if you want to check out their 'bents in detail, they look like the kinds actionbents.com sell.

I just had confirmation from the Merc importer that the bikes are made by Grace Gallant (flamingobike). Mine is just as I said the one bp02-3. I can HIGHLY recommed the frame, parts, finish and durability. My only concerns as to durability were with the old plastic chain tensioner. This is now upgraded with an alloy one and Grace Gallant now put that metal tensioner on their bikes - it says so on their site. For me, the one with the Shimano 7 speed looks great, but I can't vouch for the BP01 frame. The one I have is very sound and I've put a lot of miles on it. The finish still looks great all over the bike.

Makeinu offered to host the pictures I have at this link.

http://leroybrown.glassmelter.com/images/flamingo/

That's great, EvilV. Did they (merc) mention if they were to sell a Nexus 7 version?

benttrike18, let us know what you decide to do. I'm really interested in the possibility of a brompton clone with more gearing.

An older thread mentioned that Nexus 8 will be used on Flamingos. So, what happened to the 8-speed version?

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=2007+brompton

Anita at Merc buys from a Taiwanese intermediary - not direct. The manufacture has moved after Neobike and its successor closed down, and she wasn't aware that the bikes were now from flamingo until she mentioned this discussion to her agent who confirmed it. Anita is interested in selling a multi geared version and is looking into it. I have no idea whether she will deal through the agent she now uses or directly. I can see scope for some cost reduction by them dealing direct. She might be hesitant in that these bikes are all branded as Flamingo and she's been building up her own brand. I'm sure G Gallant wouldn't hesitate to do an unbranded run for a container load though. I gather from her email that she still has stock of the version I have, so there won't be any immediate increase in the range being offered.

I'm so much enjoying my three speed with the front derailier mod that I'd be interested in a seven speed - not to mention the idea of having V brakes. My version has rather feeble caliper brakes which are OK as long as you have a good grip and use it. On the other hand this little bike is a beauty. I just got back from a twenty mile spin on it. I'm trying to lose a bit of weight by increasing my energy output and reducing inputs, so I'm riding twenty miles a day now. I'm soon going to replace the rear tyre and the chain which have done 1800 miles. They're still functional if a little tired. The front tyre has plenty of tread on it and I'd guess will run 4000 miles without any drama. As I always say when I mention tyres, I've had no punctures throughout the ownership time. I've never experienced that degree of reliability from any other bike tyres I've owned.

I will keep everyone updated. I think I may have overloaded Susan with questions and I may have (who me?) been confusing her.

I'm glad that 14R put that link up and I contacted them. Someone mentioned just buying a C model Brompton, if there was one. I was thinking the same thing. But remember to compare apples to apples. either Flamingo is very nicely optioned, you would be over $1K for an equal Brompton, Right? There may be some parts that aren't the best, but see how they go first. A lot of the parts coming from there are not that bad.

We've also managed to solve who is making Merc. EvilV was right:-)

Yes.

If you could walk into a shop and leave on the same day with a steel Brompton sporting V brakes, a seven speed nexus hub, lights, stand, rack, mudguards, kevlar tyres, alloy chain tensioner etc, etc, and only have to hand over £325 ($650) I don't think that any of us would be discussing the strangely named Flamingo Bike at all. The fact that in Britain you have to wait up to 16 - 20 weeks to get a half speced out bike (beautifully hand brazed though it may be) means that an impudent copyist like Grace Gallant enterprises can make a killing. The other thing is that GG are quick on their feet. They have problems with plastic chain tensioners and make them out of alluminium instead; the original brakes they copied are crap so they whisk them off and put on vbrakes 'tout suite'. That's the way a good company does things. Bromptpon just carry on and on in the same old way. Maybe that makes them classic, but maybe not.



PS. Two more bombs in London will mean a huge hike in demand for Bromptons as people will be less happy about going into subterranean railway systems - a demand they can't meet. If I was Anita, and if I had the money to hand, I'd be ordering another container load of pretty little re badged Flamingos right now. I might even just sell them as Flamingos. Why not. The graphics look fine to me.

The value is in the make of their product and if these (flamingos) are as good as your merc, EvilV, then by all means ship them!

On a side note, I do hope all is well in the UK and other parts of the world.
Riding a bike is always fun for me, I just hope more people take up the hobby out of that than fear...

Well thanks for your thoughts, but one day these maniacle individuals will succeed in killing some people. On the other hand, most Brits don't worry about that stuff. We all know we are nore likely to be swept away in a flood, be struck by lightening, or to win the National Lottery than we are to be blown up. We are also much more likely to be knocked off our folding bike and crushed by a truck.

Eeek!

Well said, exactly. I think the fact that they would go through the hassle of shipping a bike half way around the world to an individual says something too.

I thought at first $150 was too much to spend on just a shipping charge. Then I remembered that it cost me almost that much to have a used Rans Status packed and shipped from Colorado to New York State.
The seller didn't want to bother, so he had done at a bike shop. The packing was horrible I might add, basically just stuck in an old Sun recumbent box. Frame was wrapped with paper but no packing to keep it from moving around in the box. I think they charged me $40 for that and another $75 or so for UPS.
My mind tends not to remember things like that:-)

I bet you they're mired in pending litigation, otherwise they'd have their 7 and 8 speed models by now.


Just to set the record straight, Bromptons ARE classic. Reliability and looks never go out of style. :)

That's fair comment spambait. I've said before I'd have the Brompton if it were cheapish and available.

Yes - I think you're right that $150 isn't that much to send a box half way around the planet.

Actually, I keep looking at that gorgeous yellow flamingo BP-02 on Makeinu's website and bad thoughts about ordering one direct from Taiwan keep coming into my head. The seven speed..... Vbrakes ---- Ohhhhhh - the lust I'm feeling. I actually left an enquiry on their website. Just waiting for an email on Monday.

There's nothing wrong with the other one, I just want two.... Mad or what?

The yellow one has caught my eye too. That's a nice shade of yellow too. I had an old favorite road frame resprayed a few years back in what GM calls competition yellow or Corvette yellow.

Mad? I think not. Bikes are like jelly beans, can't have just one.

Let us know what you get for pricing, to see if we're all on the same page.