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Brompton style Flamingo vs. Legit Brompton

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Brompton style Flamingo vs. Legit Brompton

Old 05-18-12, 01:01 PM
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Ah, yes, the Jifo. The Jifo is really cool, of course, and something a foldie fan can covet. But it is single speed and $900, with no other gearing options. That sounds worse than a Brompton. *ouch! ducks* I think Dahon should bring back something similar to the Curve SL. Certainly not as pretty and impressive as the Jifo fold, but practical, works, and at a better price point, I think.
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Old 05-18-12, 04:51 PM
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Cool JIFO video! I wonder about the pedals clipping in and out...at first glance, it doesn't seem like a secure fit on the seat pillar area for that left hand pedal in the demo. I would worry that the pedal would fall out while rolling/carrying the bike around. But cool fold nonetheless!
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Old 06-05-12, 07:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Jiten
... Dahon does not seem to make the Curve D3 anymore, at least not for the US market ...
FWIW, the Dahon Curve D3 IS still available in the US. See: https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/current/curved3.htm

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA
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Old 06-05-12, 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by HGR3inOK
FWIW, the Dahon Curve D3 IS still available in the US. See: https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/current/curved3.htm

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA
Hurrah! Thank you for letting us know.
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Old 09-13-12, 01:44 PM
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I have owned both Brompton and Neobike and the difference in quality was marginal. Neo/Flamingo actually produce good bikes in spite of the bad press they get.....they may fly close to the wind in business matters but the bikes are good. If the Flamingo price is good I would go for that and spend the saved cash on upgrades.....
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Old 09-13-12, 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Jiten
Ah, yes, the Jifo. The Jifo is really cool, of course, and something a foldie fan can covet. But it is single speed and $900, with no other gearing options. That sounds worse than a Brompton. *ouch! ducks* I think Dahon should bring back something similar to the Curve SL. Certainly not as pretty and impressive as the Jifo fold, but practical, works, and at a better price point, I think.
As if the Brompton was a really bad folder. Aw shucks lol!
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Old 09-14-12, 06:48 AM
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Neobike actually cheated Brompton when they had a licensing agreement. Not a very nice or trustworthy company. Flamingo could do with developing their own bikes rather than cloning Bromptons and abusing the tooling and trust they were once given.

To quote another forum member EvilV on a older but related thread:

Brompton made agreements with a far eastern firm called Neobike who they later fell out with over quality and contractual matters when neobikes began to leak into Europe which was never supposed to happen. Neobike sold the drawings and tooling to others. Grace- Gallant now make them in the form sold as Merc here, but as Flamingobike elsewhere. I notice that Flamingobike have now dropped the Brompton lookalike frame and have a strange pressed alluminium girder in more or less Brompton shape, but it could never be confused for a Brompton now, unlike the Merc, which could if people didn't look closely and see what it was made of.
Source: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...d-brompton-MOD
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Old 09-14-12, 06:50 AM
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The Jifo is a lovely frame & has a lot of potential to be modded. Surely gearing could be added on a budget?
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Old 09-14-12, 11:42 AM
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I'm not in the market for a new folder right now but my interest was slightly piqued by all this talk about the Flamingo.

When I visited the Taipei Cycle Show earlier this year, the Flamingos were on display under the name of "Providence". I checked it out but didn't inspect it too closely as I didn't think it would be a contender on my list.

Just out of curiosity, I did a quick search online for the Flamingo. They are selling for 24,120nt(~$820) online. It is interesting to note this is less than half the price of similar spec'd Bromptons sold in Taiwan. It is also slightly cheaper than my Tern Verge Duo lol.
https://tw.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/auct...6&actsrch=srp3

Perhaps it's worth considering for my next folder...
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Old 09-14-12, 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Taipei Tony
I'm not in the market for a new folder right now but my interest was slightly piqued by all this talk about the Flamingo.

When I visited the Taipei Cycle Show earlier this year, the Flamingos were on display under the name of "Providence". I checked it out but didn't inspect it too closely as I didn't think it would be a contender on my list.

Just out of curiosity, I did a quick search online for the Flamingo. They are selling for 24,120nt(~$820) online. It is interesting to note this is less than half the price of similar spec'd Bromptons sold in Taiwan. It is also slightly cheaper than my Tern Verge Duo lol.
https://tw.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/auct...6&actsrch=srp3

Perhaps it's worth considering for my next folder...
It probably is if you need s small compact folder. That doesn't stop the company being an untrustworthy business partner who give good Taiwanese companies a bad name. Why not take a look at a reputable company like Pacific or Ori bike?
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Old 09-14-12, 01:58 PM
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Consider the Origami Fox as a alternative to the Flamingo. They are similar in size and folding style.
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Old 09-14-12, 05:39 PM
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I have a BF Tikit and love it but for a quick ride out I grab my Brompton, it just easer and I can keep it with me in more places.
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Old 09-15-12, 02:15 PM
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Neobike actually cheated Brompton when they had a licensing agreement. Not a very nice or trustworthy company
yeah i've read an article about this. Neobike is a liar and a cheat

now who would support a company like that ?

flamingo is a cheat don't know if their liars LOL

just get the real thing and stop supporting this cheats[maybe even liars or both]
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Old 09-15-12, 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by EM42
yeah i've read an article about this. Neobike is a liar and a cheat

now who would support a company like that ?

flamingo is a cheat don't know if their liars LOL

just get the real thing and stop supporting this cheats[maybe even liars or both]
People can get whatever they want. People can criticise Brompton or even dislike the bikes but they don't cheat anybody or lie. You either pay their suggested retail price or walk away. At least you get good after-sales support and frame warranty. What will anyone get with a company that clones someone's product & has no originality? The Chinese & Taiwanese don't need to copy anyone except to benchmark the best aspects of bikes and then add their own innovations. No greater example than Pacific Bikes of Taiwan who have built long-term trust with partners abroad and make some stunning bikes themselves as well. Same with Ori Bike/Mezzo. I'm afraid the various companies that came out of Neobike such as Flamingo aren't in the same league for making bikes or showing any integrity.
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Old 03-12-14, 08:56 PM
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For me the deal breaker is not purchase price or small differences in performance or features. It is also not the ethical questions involving copyright. It is after-sales CUSTOMER SERVICE and availability of parts and service in India, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, etc. I will also be taking my golfing bike to West Africa briefly. If Brompton vs. Flamingo London is anything like Apple vs. Samsung it is worth paying 50% more.

I would like to hear from those who have harrowing experiences getting their Brompton or Brompton wannabees repaired or replaced in Mongolia and Tunisia. Off-brand is OK if you are in Taipei (and New York City?) but how about frequent travellers to the developing world?

Or am I going to be SOL with *any* folding bicycle in Ghana and Ukraine? Enquiring minds want to know.
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Old 03-12-14, 11:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Hermespan
For me the deal breaker is not purchase price or small differences in performance or features. It is also not the ethical questions involving copyright. It is after-sales CUSTOMER SERVICE and availability of parts and service in India, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, etc. I will also be taking my golfing bike to West Africa briefly. If Brompton vs. Flamingo London is anything like Apple vs. Samsung it is worth paying 50% more.

I would like to hear from those who have harrowing experiences getting their Brompton or Brompton wannabees repaired or replaced in Mongolia and Tunisia. Off-brand is OK if you are in Taipei (and New York City?) but how about frequent travellers to the developing world?

Or am I going to be SOL with *any* folding bicycle in Ghana and Ukraine? Enquiring minds want to know.
I'm now quite interested in getting a V8 as a secondary bike... it seems like a decent folder at a decent price. Mostly, I'm worried about the FCB equivalent. Apparently the V8 does have an equivalent, but the local distributor doesn't have stock atm.
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