Once you start riding a Brompton, you can never go back without one! -- The Independent
Good design is always in the interaction with people, constantly optimize the experience. Since BROMPTON's birth 45 years ago, every change has been the result of in-depth observation of the cycling experience.
We've put together a "hidden instruction manual" today, with many details you've never seen or taken for granted. After reading this "instruction manual", you may have other experiences.
Andrew Ritchie drew the first BROMPTON sketch in 1975, and the brompton we see today is very different.
Hundreds of redesign and evolution over the past 45 years, upgrading at least 10 versions of BROMPTON, all follow one principle: keep it gracefully folded.
The smaller wheel diameter is the beginning of the upgrade evolution: from the 18-inch wheels of the first prototype to the 16-inch wheels of the third prototype, the simpler and lighter handlebar design follows.
In the process of simplification, there are also new inventions.In the 1980s, brompton added bags on the tube to park and more importantly, the vehicle was lighter.
brompton always look forward, weight reduction, chain tension design, and so on, many details of the upgrades are never explicitly listed in the "instruction manual".However, this change brings the most critical lightweight experience to everyone in the daily cycling.
Only people who have ridden different versions can personally realize that BROMPTON has never stopped thinking.
The choice of handlebars has always been a "level" to buy a BROMPTON.In order to meet the cycling needs of different groups of people, has three kinds of handlebars to choose from.
The lower S type handlebar makes the bent cycling posture close to the competitive posture and suitable for riders pursuing speed; the M type handlebar and H type handlebar are designed for daily cycling, but provide a variety of choices for people of different heights.
Different bars correspond to different handlebars, in which H is 60 mm —— higher than M handlebars, which is specially exists for tall people.It allows the rider to keep his back upright and be more leisurely.
The most interesting thing is that H type handlebar is unexpectedly popular with Asian girls.Because this is the only small cloth handle that can achieve "princess ride" ah ~
The BROMPTON offers 3 transmissions, whether commuting, camping, up and down steep slopes.
From the BROMPTON handlebars, you can see the different transmission, from left to right at 2,3 and 6, respectively.
In many vehicle designs, "speed and lightness are not both".Because the transmission connection gear is fixed to the handlebars, it itself has a certain weight.Small cloth has achieved "both" in different models.
The fastest 6 speed can cope with the Alpine curves and are still suitable for folding, while the 2 speed are lighter to help girls easily lift the whole car with one hand.
The general fender of a bicycle is installed on the tires to prevent mud from splashing during the cycling process.The brompton's fender looks very different. The —— also has a small wheel.
Or sometimes it's simply a rear shelf with wheels, with fender and load.
The BROMPTON was originally designed to enable load push and pull in the last step of folding, leaving only parts of the handlebars and head tubes.
Not only can the BROMPTON fold, but it always "stores" itself neatly.To make each part of the brompton as close in parallel as possible, the pedals are designed to rotate the body.
Among them, there is a 2.4mm groove, which played a big role.
In the early years, the BROMPTON found that if receiving feet do not pay attention, there will be the possibility of scraping to the body.To avoid this problem, in the past, brompton riders put stickers on the beams.
No product was stationary, and BROMPTON quickly responded to the needs of brompton enthusiasts.Now the new version has a 3-word dent, with a depth of only 2.4mm.
The groove provides the limit function for the pedal, keeping the body and the foot fixed when folded, and the scraping situation will never happen again.
On the front and side, the BROMPTON folding body keeps neatly.
To equip the BROMPTON with the top parts, the 1987 brompton had already used the Primo tires, then available exclusively for race cars.The idea also continues to the current BROMPTON.
Now every brompton still uses the racing tires, from the German professional tire brand Schwalbe.
Cycling in the city, it is very suitable for approaching motor vehicles, sharp objects, and high-quality tires can maintain a good buffer balance, while with excellent quality anti-puncture function.
The CHPT3, released last year, we even used 35mm (width) Schwalbe One tires to provide lower rotational resistance and anti-cutting high-tech fiber to maintain a consistent high level of flat tire protection.
BROMPTON with the use, slowly has the "exclusive to you" mark.All this is the soul of the "hidden instructions".For example, the luster of leather goods, varnish traces.
BROMPTON offers B17 brown mats, this classic BROOKS pad is two hundred years old.
As the ride works, the mat will gradually fit the hip shape, and the leather goods will become increasingly shiny.
Many people love the varnish brompton for the same reason.
The varnish process allows the brompton to expose every structure of the metal frame, not only perfectly showing the BROMPTON's unique welding process, but also evolving into different traces over time.
The steel frame oxidizes over use and these traces of oxidation emerge through the varnish as a "record" of brompton accompanying you.
1975 year,
The BROMPTON folding bike was born in London, UK.
Today, every BROMPTON is still exclusively customized,
And handmade at a London factory.
It has an exquisite design, a delicate shape, which can achieve fast folding.
BROMPTON is born for the city and for the speed,
Look forward to exploring the cities that you have never seen.