How the Brompton Bicycle is engineered?

[@felixcat9318]

I find the Brompton to be elegantly simple and simply elegant! The sheer genius of Andrew Ritchie's design was so ground breaking that it took time for it it be recognised and respected for its unequalled qualities. To see the Brompton folded is a visual delight of engineering excellence, with the tiny, precise package being able to fit virtually anywhere and to easily travel on any form of transport. It's great that Andrew Ritchie is getting the respect which he so clearly merits for creating a truly superb bicycle and then creating the means to commercially manufacture and distribute it worldwide.

[@johnbailey4618]

Now that's a man who believes in his work bags of passion and knowledge

[@effyleven]

Wrong title. Video talks a lot about how the Brompton is made, but very little about how it is engineered, which is not exactly the same thing.

[@deepindercheema3772]

I have one of the early folding Bromptons. It was one of the 'proof of production' subscription issue of 30 at £300 with an indeterminate delivery date. It belonged to Mike Wilsdon who owned the transport museum next to Grosvenor Reeve design where the inventor developed his method. I bought it because I realised that it was a significant milestone in the invention of the bicycle, probably the 3rd idea since the Penny Farthing which gave the name Bicycle to the language. I had to buy a modern Brompton because the 1978/1980 has not been on the road since the 1980s.

[@user-yk1cw8im4h]

what a waste not to ride it

[@lsamoa]

Good on you for preserving this wonderful piece of history and for treating it with the care and respect it deserves

[@zchuss1]

I have an original t6...I have recto fitted parts and it's still in perfect working order... it fits perfectly into my lorry foot well and it's used everyday. it's just an amazingly fun bike to ride and although I cannot afford to buy a new one today I would recommend this bike to everyone... it's quality,reliable and fast.... if you do not own one...buy one you will not regret it.

[@lcf34]

amen to that - bought one, would not give it back for any reason. It's an amazing tool and there's real community around it.

[@teaforthree1]

I sold mine, regretted it for years so I’ve bought another. Not just a bike, a way of life

[@stevewilson6390]

Its a classic enjoy it .

[@terencetsy]

I've got both Tern and Brompton for a period of 5 years. Sold the Brompton, never been happier.

[@dave20thmay]

@@terencetsy there's always one.

[@b_altmann]

Now when he mentioned Dyson - definitely don’t move production away from the UK. One of the great things about Brompton is that it’s made in London

[@albajasadur2694]

IMechE has created an excellent short film for Brompton Bicycle, showcasing the engineering and innovation behind the company's folding bikes. The film demonstrates IMechE's commitment to promoting and recognizing excellence in mechanical engineering and highlights the attention to detail and craftsmanship that goes into every Brompton bike. It is a great tribute to Brompton and the engineering community.

[@mikekearsley2407]

Fantastic video and product, thanks!! I live in the Seattle area and have had my Brompton bicycle for 5 years. I have taken my Brompton on 20 airplane trips so far. The farthest trip was from Seattle to Yerevan Armenia. I have had a career working as a tool designer on Boeing aircraft. I really like this video because you are showing how important the manufacturing / tooling is to the quality of your product. Keep up your great work on this truly incredible product. Question: how can I get a collared Brompton shirt like the ones in your video? Big fan of your bicycle and the quality of your product!!

[@Juke172]

I'm thinking of buying one of these. Not just as transport, but also for my health. It's on the expensive end, but I think it pays its price many times back versus other transportation costs and possible hospital journeys, because of lack of exercise. I have a bike, but I'm always having trouble leaving it somewhere, so I'm not using it all the time as I really should. This one would come with me wherever I go, no need parking and locking and worrying someone gonna take it.

[@Radnally]

Bromoton Traveler KZbin channel is really a testament to the machines versatility

[@mgsee]

Bought my Brompton 3 weeks ago and loving it. Don't know why but I find it more fun riding my Brompton compared to my regular big wheel bike, so much so that it's my Brompton that I jump on in the morning to ride to work, with my regular bike only used when I intend to do a large supermarket shop.

[@jonathanbmBen-Menachem]

Brompton is designed for cities, but it works very well in rural settings as well. I really hope one day Brompton will have a 7 hub internal gear and a belt instead of a chain.

[@MisterTechnologic]

Belts have too much energy loss. Andrew Richie explained why Brompton won’t use belts in a recent interview.

[@NoZenith]

​@@MisterTechnologicI haven't seen that! I know it would be kind of difficult with the fold having to have some kind of a spring-loaded thing like the derailleur to keep the tension but I'm not one to want to go off-roading and mountain biking, I want it for the pure ease and simplicity, extreme low maintenance and longevity. I'm going to have to try and dig up that interview!

[@douglasmckinley-sr1507]

@@MisterTechnologicThe problem is not efficiency, but the way the design would have to be re-engineered. A chain is more efficient when perfectly maintained, but have been studies that show a belt is more efficient than a chain (as maintained be the average person). At 53 minutes in he explains some of the challenges a belt drive entails. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ_cipiemtOenrc&si=yKm2Pj1ktKaDOXCY

[@chromeboy5150]

Brompton is the most geenious bicycle, period.

[@circleph]

I bought my first Brompton in the 90s, it was made in Taiwan by Neo Bike. Then bought my second Brompton in 2017. The Neo Bike made Brompton holds up well after more than 20 years, and still going strong. Time will tell how the UK made one compares... I am optimistic 😬

[@koshobai]

Aren't all Brompton bikes made in the UK?

[@frankhooper7871]

@@koshobai Neo Bike of Taiwan made Bromptons under license between 1992 and 2002.

[@jenniewilliams1668]

I would LOVE to see you make 1 billion - your product is wonderful and - yes - improves people's lives. Brompton is part of a true revolution, lets hope it gains strength. 7 YEARS AFTER THIS VIDEO WAS MADE: CURRENTLY: "What is the revenue of Brompton? The firm sold its millionth bike in December 2022 and, for the year ending 31 March 2022, its revenues were up 40% year on year to a record £106.9m. Despite this, its pre-tax profit for the same period fell by 24% to £7.3m, largely because of wage inflation and the rising cost of materials.Feb 13, 2023"

[@TheTinyRedDot]

just realised i already had 2 Dyson hairdryers and just added 2 bromptons to my household, British engineering FTW !

[@nilsneumann3399]

Love our Bromptons

[@cyberjoe77]

I believe it was Henry Ford who devised the assembly line for fast efficient builds. Makes sense for Brompton to use as well. Like many if not mostly manufacturers do.

[@ljiljanaprelevic7022]

A Refreshing Woo-Hoo!!

[@Beatles5]

This is the old factory. The new one opened november 2016.

[@conthought8256]

COVID 19-i will make you brompton busier than ever

[@davidhunternyc1]

You guys were real clever by keeping the titanium Brompton under wraps until now !!! Chh.

[@adotopp1865]

I bought a 2014 M3L on the cycle to work scheme after being a cycling commuter for over 20 years . I previously had a Raleigh touring bike and a Peugeot mid price road bike. I was disappointed with the quality of the Brompton parts , The nuts soon rusted , The wheel nuts were not stainless steel, which surprised me . The brake levers and whole braking system were incredibly cheap components and needed constant attention to keep them working . I had reason to replace some spokes on the wheel and was surprised at the single wall design . The plastic chain guard ring split and broke . The mudguards soon started to erode. The chain ring very quickly wore developing Hooked teeth . The handlebar grips were made of foam rubber not designed to last. After a year the rear triangle of the frame wore it hinge out and developed a nasty wobble. The pedals started to rust up on the metal hinges and needed constant attention. The concept of the bike is good The quality of components on my M3L was poor.

[@ninadpandit]

It has a 7 year warranty. If you rush you could still get it fixed for free.

[@adotopp1865]

@@ninadpandit I did mention about the nuts all rusting up when it was recalled for the rear hinge bushings to be replaced, this was speaking to Brompton direct , (I wanted some free replacements). I was told I could buy some Stainless Steel nuts from the website which were ridiculous expensive. I thought why the hell don't they just supply the new bike with the stainless steel nuts. the original steel ones rust up in a year!

[@jonathanmellish4439]

The parts aren’t as good now as they are on my 2000 m3. I would like a new one but I have heard of a few failures on bottom brackets and cranks.

[@wiratawiragati2065]

No finite element???

[@tiltil9442]

Ah - brevity mishap!

[@martinneumann7783]

2016: to buy a Brompton M6R in Racing Green was a very good decision… I don’t regret it and I won’t sell it. 🇬🇧♥️🇬🇧

[@richardfigueroa1233]

I love Brampton ...

[@user-yk1cw8im4h]

you love it so much that you spelt it wrong

[@veloreb]

JMHO but I think that Brompton should look into building a model with 20-inch wheels.

[@phillollard6965]

A great bike without doubt, but expansion ,often leads to poorer quality, keep it English ,in parts and assembling, and think quality quality quality.

[@rollingthunder4]

Nice video altho it does look like you have to have been to Oxbridge to work there🤔 I have 2 btw both converted to Electric with a 1kw Bafang but can be returned to normal drive in 15 minutes👍🏻

[@lsamoa]

Didn't Will B-A study engineering in Newcastle?

[@Tekhelet75]

Why is it taking a year to even manufacture Bromptons for sale? People are unable to even purchase one right now, you need to book open slots next year. What is going on with Brompton?

[@MadeInGreatBritain]

Henry or hoover, can’t be both

[@karlgw]

great video, but the last comment alluding to Dyson left a slightly sour taste - by all means scale up to a multi-billion pound business, but I hope you don't follow Dyson out of the UK to Singapore or wherever

[@lsamoa]

Yeah that comment didn't age well. But in July 2016 when this video came out, noone knew yet that Dyson was going to move. Seems that Brompton is committed to staying in the UK though, although they might license out some of their manufacturing abroad like they did in the past with Neo Bike. But their main manufacturing will most probably stay in the UK and pay taxes in the UK.

[@handsonbrompton7875]

👍👍👍👍

[@lcg3816]

Bought my 1st one, a bit upset fir the price point u need to add your own kickstand, protection stickers, no bottle rack screws points and replace easy wheels… At same price, Tyrell Ive is much care free

[@horsenuts1831]

Bromptons might be expensive to buy, but when you come to sell, you'll get most of your money back. I just bought an early one to restore. The second-hand price is still more than the original price (not inflation-adjusted), and only slightly lower when inflation adjusted. When I used to travel to London, because I didn't need the tube or buses, the bike paid for itself in no time at all.

[@lcg3816]

@@horsenuts1831 I agreed, it’s like rolex, hard to get one and good for resales. I treated it as leisure bic, and comes up complaints like that 🤣

[@lcg3816]

@@rogersinclair2772 because it’s too much work than just a kick, when u need a zip of water

[@willstirling2812]

Nicely made film IMechE. The ambition to change city transport globally (not if, but when) comes across as much as the engineering story, which is very sound. Will B-A - great orator and should do more speaking on engineering. Take a look at our little film of the Brompton process kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipO1kJtqe5d0ers

[@manfredmann9708]

A bit too much "Musk" in there. It is not about the bike it is about the infrastructure. This folding bike looks very nice though.

[@johnwinnerdz1]

Damn I wanted to make better scooter and bike electric but lately I see alot people inventors have done this it seems done. And now people or I vendors are on the verge of new and better batteries almost done.

[@narenpartha1234]

Don't give up, things can always be improved :)

[@causewayeffects7425]

get one while you can

[@tuanazleyibrahim2038]

Tq for Brompton 😊

[@santoshchoubey7193]

I too expensive for n also not available here in India

[@philippecasteleyn9327]

2024, still no robots ?

[@Vincent-pl3ck]

ceo, your singapore brompton branch like not willingly to serve customers? i walk in no one assist me. well engineered, ,well said, but who are selling to end user?? what a shame.

[@user-yk1cw8im4h]

no one cares about 3rd world countries

[@harolldjenskin1210]

selling only brands... price you can get a motorbike, not just bicycles.... selling brands is more cruel like apple

[@PDZ1122]

I paid less for most of my cars than one of these bicycles. Good engineering also means producing something that is value for money. This is ten times as much as a bicycle that pretty much does the same thing.

[@wildefyri]

You can buy an brand new A line for 900, or get a second hand one for cheaper. Tell me where are you buying cars now that cost less than these, not to mention all the other associated costs of driving like fuel, tax and nsurance.

[@kjm-ch7jc]

I can see the frames being made, what percentage of the bike contain parts from China?

[@GeneralMcNuggs]

Now if only Tesla can make a folding E-bike to rival the Brompton.

[@mileschurch67]

Dyson products,are in my opinion,not very good.

[@baconsledge]

Much too expensive for what it is. It's like a Coach purse. Made to order is fine if you have that kind of money.

[@virtualparis5240]

ill tell you how.. made in china assembled in the uk and sold for the price of a car not in a dream will they get the money from me

[@RobertCranmer-up2fm]

I've been riding this bike for about a month kzbin.infoUgkxwC0IIeIomGQVeBWg-kKJaToZkLEFIA2W and a half now and I think it's fantastic. It helps me get to work on time every day since I'm able to fit it inside of public transportation rush hour. The price is great too, people are always shocked when they ask me how much I paid for the fold up and I tell them "200". It's easy to fold and installation when it ships is insanely easy. All you have to install when the bike arrives is one foot pedal, everything else is done for you. I do recommend you carry some sort of wrench to tighten any loose screws on the handle bar and seat whenever they get a little bit loose. Other than that I think it's a fantastic bike. Easily fits in the home, can fit inside a car trunk and can even fit in subway rush hour.