After riding a couple Dahons and a Bike Friday Pocket 8, I must say I was impressed.

Visited Electric Bikes in El Segundo, CA and met Andrea and Craig, brother and sister owners. Great folks and easy to deal with. Store was busy when I arrived (but that's a good thing) and found I'd have to use the tall seat post to get the bike to fit.

Immediately at ease on the bike and didn't find it squirrely at all. The shifter and brakes worked well and I tried a couple of local inclines near their store.

The only thing stopping me is that damned price! I need my Brooks saddle and Ergon grips so I'm around $1500-1550 and that's a lot of money compared to a non-folder.

Will do some serious contemplating but it is, sure enough, a fine folder.

I've given up one the whole money thing when it comes to folding bikes because it seems that everyone has like 3+ of various makes. It's like Swiss Army knives, everyone has like at least two different kinds, if you're into that sort of thing.

Besides, you won't get it stolen since I gather no one locks these small bikes up in super public places...if you even lock these bikes up in the first place.

Try a Dahon Mu Sl if you can find one. Same price, 20" wheels= bulkier fold, but weight of just 8.3 kg leaves a big smile.

I know Dahon has its fans and the Speed P8 I tried was decent but honestly, between the family drama and where they're made as well as QC issues they've had, I'd rather own a Brompton. The fold is unbeatable and I didn't find the weight an issue whatsoever but then I'm not interested in humping one around folded, it just needs to take as little space as possible when stored.

The Dahons I tried (Curve SL, Speed Uno, and Speed P8) just felt cheap and I didn't really enjoy the ride. The Brompton on the other hand felt like quality save for the shifters and has a great ride. Again though, it's the price that slows me from making a quick decision. It's a LOT of money for a bike that won't get used much and would be purchased just so I can always have something in the vehicle. For no money, I can just deal with the minor hassle of putting my fullsize bike on the rack or buy a trunk mount rack for my wife's car.

It's just that the Brompton is so damn cool...

Did you have a chance to try the S version? It has a different feel, lower seating and stiffer. Some prefer it over the M. You can find here more info on the handle bars and other options https://www.nycewheels.com/brompton-f...ial-build.html

+1 for Brooks and Ergon. I use Flyer and GR2 respectively.

As for price, possibly you can hunt one on Craigs List.

Yes, I looked at the S but the bars are too low and I couldn't get a comfortable riding position. I prefer to be more upright at my stage of life.

Ergon Grip shift length works fine on the M bar, I found. Standard length too long.

Handling stability improves with a load in my Touring Front bag.

I am glad that you were able to visit Electric Bike LA in El Segundo. Before a Brompton dealer opened up near my residence, I used to go there to service my Brompton. I sold both of my Dahons and kept my Brompton-later adding a Raleigh Twenty. I am very happy with my bikes and would not give either of them up for anything.

My expensive Brompton (at the time I bought it in 2005-$700 dollars) was worth every penny I put into it. The 2 Dahons together cost more than the Brompton and I sold them because I could not fix them or they always needed some work on them. The Brompton & the ancient Raleigh Twenty? Nothing at all save basic maintenance, a little upgrading, and no headaches like the Dahons always gave me each time I took one out for a ride.

We have a new Brompton dealer in town now and checked out the two models in stock. I like the fold and with the small cars we drive it would work. I have the Brooks saddle and Ergon grips now I have to figure out how to pay for it.

$4+ a gallon not burned in the car will help, I suspect.

I think if I lived in or near a town I could use the Brompton as an only bike but my use would be primarily to have in the car all the time for spontaneous rides.

BTW, I wanted to add that I ran into an old guy on an old Brompton today while riding in Newport Beach, CA. He told me how wonderful the bike was (it looked pretty beat) but he's taken it all over Europe transporting it in a suitcase and still rides it today for grins and giggles. A good endorsement (but he needs new grips!).

just save up for it you probably spend $1500 on petrol alone for you car in a year and another $1500 in insurance yearly how bout maintenace?. so a a brompton really don't cost that much if you think about it. and its a bike that lasts you for a long time and can be used by almost anyone in your family wife, kids, little guys big guys all fit on the same bike try that on a regular bike. think about the money you saved not buying a bike rack for your car that alone could cost $$, throw it in a luggage and take it with you anywhere you travel or leave in the trunk of your car no one will know you even have a bike in there.

I used to have 2 dahons sold it too many problems in its frame joints because its made out of aluminum and the folding handlebar post a source of loosenes/noise/problems. got a bike friday it was ok didn't really fold so sold it. now I have several bromptons, the reliable raleigh twenty, and a moulton F 4 speed. resale value of bromptons is extremely high[in the USA] you won't find a used one in ebay[USA] or in craigslist i've been looking to get one for a friend over a year now. told him to just buy new as prices go up $100 every year[USA] [because of the falling $] so if you wait it will just keep going up.

enjoy life now don't postpone it the economy will crash and the dollar worthless but at least you can still ride the bike for FREE !!

Found a couple of 2010 models on sale and the 6 speed comes with a Brooks. https://www.towervelo.com/Brompton.html

Here is one that is 25% off https://www.myebike.com/bikes/Brompto...onspecial.html

Yeah, you could end up riding even more with the Brompton. I know that I'd just say "f*ck it" with the bike rack, so I've never bothered with 'em like gym memberships ...not to mention you gotta leave the bike exposed on the street strapped to your vehicle, as you say.

Yeah, OP sounds like on the normal size+. The Curve SL probably didn't fit right, and unless youre a lightweight like me, the aluminum bendy parts will probably wear out a lot faster. Then you've got the latest episode of Family Feud @ Dahon/Tern.

I've noticed that the prices of everything going up here in the US, even Dahons.

Better buy some extra ammo for the occasional race riot...ahem flash mobs, I mean, as the economy may double dip.

+1

the prediction was 2011 for it to crash! im armed and dangerous !

If you are looking for a Brompton in the USA I talked to Chris at TowerVelo and he will ship. https://www.towervelo.com/Brompton.html

CM Wasson in PaloAlto Cal, is the longest running Brompton US dealer, AFAIK.
Ships internationally, if needed.

I got parts from him and Clever Cycles in PDX. little brown truck goes everywhere..