Most Sophisticated Steel Bike
Many bikes seem quiet ordinary. The Brompton triathlon bike does not. In general it shares the same qualities as those found in an old fashioned Swiss watch, hand made by a watchmaker such as offerings from Patek Philippe and Girard-Perregaux. To understand and appreciate a Brompton you need to remember that these bikes are built like no other in the industry. While bikes companies import their bikes from ports that you can’t pronounce their name, the Brompton is hand built in England.
Remember - in order for us to review this bike we need to buy it first! But unlike other reviewers who can than sell the bike for 100% margins we end up stuck with it!
We have found that while companies such as Guru are using aluminium for their entry level bikes, the Brompton is built from steel. Forget old-fashioned rusty steel bikes like the winter trainer you have thrown in your garage. This bike is made from low-carbon and Cr/Mo alloy-steel tubes with toughened cast-iron hinges, brazed joints, phosphate and polyester powder coat finish. We have asked Andrew J Redcliff, a graduate of the University of London, Imperial College why this frame is so special and what sets it apart from the competition:
“… Mate, this frame is bloody lovely”
To understand a Brompton you need to understand why this bike is so unique and different: While other companies use 650 wheels for better acceleration and aerodynamic, the Brompton uses 16" wheels. The Brompton is the only bike in the industry who have full commitment to tiny wheels. The fit is perfect. While you may say that I am obsessed with the details remember that bike is what I do. While companies like cervelo are building bikes that allow atheletes to ride in powerful, comfortable and aerodynamic postions, most are not built as Bjorn Andersson or David Millar - this is the real world. With the Brompton age groupers can ride very comfortably in a more upright position.
We have researched university libraries, on-line resources and visited many research labs. We have empirical evidence that shows that Bromptons are excellent. But Triathletes don’t care about the physical properties of bikes, they want then to look cool, so we will avoid confusing you with facts and figures that you cannot understand or care about. Remember we have used a Brompton throughout the winter, mainly on the computrainter - so it must be the best triathlon bike ever made.
The Brompton Company factory and offices are in West London. All the frame parts for their bikes are made in the UK, and of course they assemble all the bikes and the special accessories there too. At present the Company has 45 employees and continues to recruit as they expand. If you want to know who was welding your bike just ring the office and if the welder is not watching football, went to the pub for a pint or not being grumpy they may put you on hold while you are transferred to the sales department.
Brompton is particularly suitable for Ironman distance. You can carry water bottles, food and repair kit having easy access to whatever you need:
Unlike other bikes you can fit a carbon fibre seat post to increase comfort and reduce road buzz:
The quality of the welds is superb (I mean it looks nice):
For more information about Brompton visit their site:
