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mezzo vs brompton?

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mezzo vs brompton?

Old 08-15-09, 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Dahon.Steve
He'll end up like me trying to convince himself, he got the better bike but in the end, there will always be deep resentment everytime someone with a Brompton crosses his path.

Don't put yourself through that agony.
Other way around for me. Why do I get a Brompton, and Merc! Sold them both and bought 2 Mezzos.

I would love to here a forum user who has sold their Mezzo to buy a Brompton. I know its a numbers game, but I have never heard this said yet, all though I have ask this question before.
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Old 08-15-09, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by 14R
Now, without stealing the original purpose of this thread, besides a highly modified Brompton, what are my choices?
A modified Mezzo?

Putting short bull bars on mine with road STi brifters worked great. Folds a bit bigger ,but I have found a good compromise,than does not effect my commutes.
Then I went for dual drive to address getting some high gears.
Brakes, get a D10 with rear V brake, braze on some V mounts, or just go for telfon cables and Koolstops.
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Old 08-16-09, 02:06 AM
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Originally Posted by vincentnyc
it's not that i hate the brompton and im not getting pay to bash the brompton.

i'm just tired of hearing from ppl here that nothing compare to the brompton and now that we have a folding bike that can compete against the brompton and all the brompton lovers come to its defense and tried to bash the new folder. i think the brompton time has come and will be gone...time for new folder to dominate the market.
If you think it's bad here Vincent, try the Brompton Talk email list. I went there and mentioned my Merc and they went totally bonkers. I think people express pretty fair opinions here mostly, give or take we have had the occasional nut drift in. I remember one guy who responded to a polite request as to how the brakes on a bike might be improved by telling the OP to try stopping it with his face. He also wrote about being chased down the streets by women when he wore cycling shorts and pulling a gun on punks who laughed when they saw him on his folder.

I never rode a Mezzo, but its a damned UGLY contraption.
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Old 08-16-09, 02:54 AM
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[QUOTE=EvilV;9495254 I think people express pretty fair opinions here mostly,

I never rode a Mezzo, but its a damned UGLY contraption.[/QUOTE]

+1 on the comparative "reasonablness" of this forum.

Yes. EvilV I know what you mean about owning a Merc, apparently if you speak to some people it has loads of faults that the Brompton does not suffer from, ie the cables get tangled in folding ect. It does have issues,but some of the comments are complete rubbish.

What is all this about the look of the Mezzo? Go and test ride one.Than compare how you feel about its looks compaired to its ride. If the ulgiset bike rode the best I would choose the ulgist bike. I think the Mezzo is better looking than the brompton personally. I do not understand why this comment is used so strongly against the bike.

Bromptons, (Merc), are beautiful bikes? Really? I prefer the look of my modiifed Mezzo,to a standard one or a Brompton, but how important is it? I remember "Matt52"? stating that a ridden mezzo looks better than a brompton, but I do not see how this as important unless you are worried what people may say.

The main way I feel happier riding my (fast) 27 speed mezzo is that it is quick and brakes well. I can ride quick enough and stable enough to blend in with the traffic moving between 20-30 Mph, rather than impatient ques of cars developing behind me, rather like being on a road bike.I therefore feel much safer on it. Something I could not do on a standard mezzo or a Brompton, or Merc. But from my experience upgrading a Mezzo is the easiest and cheapest to reach the former stage.

Last edited by bhkyte; 08-16-09 at 03:20 AM.
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Old 08-16-09, 03:57 AM
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If the Mezzo was a car it would be French..... their cars are efficient at transporting people from A to B but their designs are incredibly boring and ugly. The nearest thing to anything stylish and good looking was the old Citroen DS (which was styled by Italian sculptor).

I can never see the Mezzo gaining the sort of affection that is found with Brompton... no one is ever going to stop a Mezzo owner to admire the bikes looks are they
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Old 08-16-09, 05:43 AM
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He he he he - we're getting into deep water here. I didn't realise the Mezzo had 27 speeds. I know this for sure, once people get a taste for a bike, it becomes like their girlfriend - the most beautiful creature on the planet, and woe betide anyone who looks upon their love and laughs or makes an uncomplimentary remark. People have died for less.

Let me be uncharacteristically consensual and say that all bikes are things of beauty to their owners and they do us all lots of good unless we drive them under a truck or a bus or a big horrible four wheel drive car.

Peace and love to all (man - this is some good sh*t I'm smoking.
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Old 08-16-09, 05:55 AM
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Originally Posted by PDR
If the Mezzo was a car it would be French..... their cars are efficient at transporting people from A to B but their designs are incredibly boring and ugly. The nearest thing to anything stylish and good looking was the old Citroen DS (which was styled by Italian sculptor).
A woman friend of mine had a Renault Savanah about ten years ago. It was the worst most unreliable car I have ever had any dealings with. It would stop in traffic for no good reason, the method of attaching the battery was truly grotesque and it would regularly fail to start because the connection was so flaky. It cost her a fortune and the RAC were sick to death of her calling them out when she was broken down somewhere with three little kids in the back. Then her mother bought a neat little Peugeot sports car thing and the moulding surrounding the gear stick came off when she changed gear one day. That was a brand new car. I wouldn 't touch a French car with a barge pole. Germans now - they know how to make a car. Check out that Audi diesel that wins the LeMans 24 hour sports car race every year now on Youtube. It is a revelation. All the other cars are screaming around making a noise that would deafen you and this thing just purrs by at about 3000 revs going Wooooorrrooooom and leaving them all in the dust.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuNtw5XbxJg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChGGWY_CwO0&NR=1

I'm a great diesel fan. I'd never go back to spark ignition having had one. I get fantastic mileage out of mine - 55+ MPG around the city. It is all about thermodynamics and the new ultra high pressure, computer controlled injection systems.

Last edited by EvilV; 08-16-09 at 06:10 AM.
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Old 08-16-09, 07:26 AM
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27-speed? I hope it is automatic.

Mezzo seems dull to me. Comparing it to Brompton is pointless unless you compare it for a specific function. Brompton is definitely an elegant bike.
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Old 08-16-09, 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by EvilV
He he he he - we're getting into deep water here. I didn't realise the Mezzo had 27 speeds.and woe betide anyone who looks upon their love and laughs or makes an uncomplimentary remark.
My main Mezzo has 27 speed dual drive,the backup bike is 24 speed,as mentioned its not standard. The standard D9 has 9 speeds

No EvilV I am not saying the Mezzo is a "Thing of beauty",I feel it looks better than a Brompton, plenty of people at a local bike show admired the bike today,but I do not care about this issue. Looks at not important,please lets move on to personality!
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Old 08-16-09, 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by PDR
I can never see the Mezzo gaining the sort of affection that is found with Brompton... no one is ever going to stop a Mezzo owner to admire the bikes looks are they
I was at the York bike show today at there was loads of interest in my Mezzo, I would say much more than the Bromptons that were there.

This and looks is a none issue, lets move on ..........................
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Old 08-17-09, 10:55 AM
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27 speed

I would like to see a photo of that 27 speed set up. It would be great if I could mount a double chain ring and front derailer to add top end to my four speed hub.
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Old 08-17-09, 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by boston blackie
I would like to see a photo of that 27 speed set up. It would be great if I could mount a double chain ring and front derailer to add top end to my four speed hub.
Instead of 27 speed, have u thought of upgrading to the 8 speed sturmey archer hub instead?
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Old 08-17-09, 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted by bhkyte
I was at the York bike show today at there was loads of interest in my Mezzo, I would say much more than the Bromptons that were there.
Most likely because Bromptons are a familiar and well established brand
Did any of the people who approached you make comments about the strange handlebar stem?
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Old 08-17-09, 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by vincentnyc
Instead of 27 speed, have u thought of upgrading to the 8 speed sturmey archer hub instead?
Yes, I've thought of it, but when questions start rising about wheels and spokes I freak out and run for cover.
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Old 08-17-09, 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by boston blackie
Yes, I've thought of it, but when questions start rising about wheels and spokes I freak out and run for cover.
It's not that bad once you start working on one. Any good bike shop can build you a wheel. If you are in nyc I can help you out. However, I am not sure if you will like the SA 8 since its a bit noisy in the higher gears.
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Old 08-17-09, 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted by boston blackie
I would like to see a photo of that 27 speed set up. It would be great if I could mount a double chain ring and front derailer to add top end to my four speed hub.
Check the thread I started on "upgrading a Mezzo/ORI"

https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/510351-mezzo-ori-folding-bike-upgrades.html

This is an old picture, it has a few more upgrades on it now,but my camera has broken.

.You really need to upgrade the hub to address under gearing.As you can not fit a dual chain ring on easily due to the chain guide that is fitted. Although at one time there was talk of a D20. A bit pointless really as under gearing the main weakness.You can go up to a 56 tooth front gog from the standard 54. Beat go for a sturmley or a nexus 8 speed if you do not fancy the Dual drive route. I would like to try this set up sometime also.

What the best price I can get on one of these hubs ?

This is what putt me off before, and i went for dual drive, but maybe I did not do enough digging.
I got a new 3X9 for £75, and a 3X7 on space genie bike for £200. I love the 3X9 on the faster bike.
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Old 08-17-09, 04:33 PM
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[QUOTE=PDR;9504040
Did any of the people who approached you make comments about the strange handlebar stem?[/QUOTE]

No, but some people commented very favourably about the bullbars and the targia road STI fitted.
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Old 08-17-09, 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted by vincentnyc
Instead of 27 speed, have u thought of upgrading to the 8 speed sturmey archer hub instead?
Yes,may try this later. I have my eye on one on ebay at the moment. I think it will be for another project ?
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Old 08-18-09, 03:56 PM
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Originally Posted by bhkyte
A modified Mezzo?

Folds a bit bigger ,but I have found a good compromise,than does not effect my commutes.
If it doesn't fit on my lap inside a cab or even a helicopter, if it doesn't fit inside luggage to be checked in without any tools, it is just not a good fit for me...

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Old 08-20-09, 02:35 PM
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[QUOTE=14R;9512521]
Originally Posted by bhkyte
A modified Mezzo?

Folds a bit bigger ,but I have found a good compromise,than does not effect my commutes.QUOTE]

If it doesn't fit on my lap inside a cab or even a helicopter, if it doesn't fit inside luggage to be checked in without any tools, it is just not a good fit for me...
My bike is 3 inches wider at the widest point than my standard handlebar mezzo. Not a big deal.I am looking to make it the same by using less spokes in the front wheel at some time.

I personally nether felt happy with a Brompton on my lap. I think the slight differences in folding size in some dimensions makes little difference, it may not make a difference to you either. It is not reasonable to dismiss the Mezzo on folded size unless you find it does not suit your use.I seriously doubt that. I have never found a situation where my Brompton trumped the Mezzo due to its folded size. It is a comparable folding package that can be used in the same situations, but it feels much bigger to ride, and fits larger riders with out seatpost that add to the folded size.ie extending, telescopic.
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Old 08-24-09, 06:50 PM
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Mezzo has over twice the volume when folded

A to B magazine found the brompton to be 85 liters in volume (August 2006 issue) when folded compared to 188 liters for a 2008 Mezzo (July 2008).

Given that a big part of having a folding bike in the first place is fitting in small places, it seems that the two bikes aren't really comparable. (And I speak as a Birdy owner :-)

That doesn't mean a Mezzo isn't a good bike, just that it really isn't in the same category as a Brompton.
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Old 08-25-09, 01:26 AM
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Originally Posted by cycleup
A to B magazine found the brompton to be 85 liters in volume (August 2006 issue) when folded compared to 188 liters for a 2008 Mezzo (July 2008).

Given that a big part of having a folding bike in the first place is fitting in small places, it seems that the two bikes aren't really comparable. (And I speak as a Birdy owner :-)

That doesn't mean a Mezzo isn't a good bike, just that it really isn't in the same category as a Brompton.
I think this demonstrates what some posters have been saying for some while, that when it comes to folding there is nothing in the same category as a Brompton.
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Old 08-25-09, 08:21 AM
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Mezzo importers complained that their review of the mezzo had many more references to the Brompton than the bikes being reviewed !

Many non Brompton owners have stopped taking any notice of A to B a long, long, time ago....................

Lets talk about real issues that matter, theoretical litreage of folding space, blimey!
I have owned both bikes and stated that the two bike functionality in folding are very similar and practically interchangeable for commuting users.

The differences in the folding size and convenience is not great between the bikes, other wise I would not have swapped. There are several bikes that fold smaller than a Brompton, they are not necessary superior. Surely we are talking about the overall package/bike systems rather than just one aspect, aren't we?

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Old 08-25-09, 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by bhkyte
Surely we are talking about the overall package/bike systems rather than just one aspect, aren't we?
Well no, I wasnt. I've had both bikes, and whilst i struggled to believe the volume figures quoted above, to my mind the Brompton fold is far easier sequence to get to grips with than the Mezzo, (what with unlatching & swinging the front wheel and making sure that a mid gear is selected, etc.) and when folded is a far more ergonomic package to handle.

They are both great bikes to ride, as indeed are most bikes made by reputable makers these days, something that doesn't always come over in comments on this forum, folks will get partisan. In my present situation i buy junkers in the market to use before they get stolen, after 50m i hate them, but after a week i love them & would defend them against any & all critisism - bikes are like that, they get under your skin.
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Old 08-25-09, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Diode100
Well no, I wasnt. I've had both bikes,
Which Mezzo did you have. The 2005? onward Mezzo bike are better for folding than the old bike. The newer QR releases the front wheel as opposed to 2 stage process before. It now features a mountage "click" QR front fork wheel system, and a better seatpost clamp that is easier to fasten and increases the stiffness. The upgrade fork system and QR is retrofitable at £100,and tthe seatpost clamp £15.

I feel that all folding bikes need some adjusting to. I find the lowering and raising the Brompton seatpost and rear frame clip arrangment a pain, but yes the mezzo fold can go wrong until you are used to it. I much prefer it to the Brompton now. The Brompton is better to push on the rack wheels, but again I have got used to the mezzos 2 rather than 4 rack wheels. I rarely used this feature anyway on any folder. With the mezzo I find I tend to unfold it more than I did with the Brompton or Merc clone. I miss the ability of the front QR luggage of the Brompton, but prefer the size, shape, aerodynamics and balance of the mezzo QR rear rack bag system to the front QR system generally. I have the ability of the front QR system on my curve if I need it for shopping.

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