I note the EBC are now handling this popular make of folding bike. Can the panel comment?
On the Brompton dealer list only three EBC locations are shown.... Aberdeen, Leeds and Sheffield.
Evans is of course - but not coming to Edinburgh yet?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
Brompton wars?
(10 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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Google still shows Evans' page as saying it would open on 07/11/2011, but the page itself now says "early 2012" which is more congruent with the continuing lack of shopfitting-like activity in the target building since the adjustment to the rear access route.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I always used to think that the reason EBC didn't sell Brommies was because they 'couldn't', in the sense that Brompton had already allocated a dealer in Edinburgh (i.e., Biketrax), and in an attempt to have a foot in the folding bike market they stocked Birdy, which while very nice came and went in the catalogues, mostly in the early 2000s if I remember right), and then played a little with Ridgeback (aka, Dahon) and an occasional actual Dahon before going for their own bike (which was also Dahon-built) plus the GoCycle which also didn't seem to sell as much as I expected, at least in and around Edinburgh judging by my having seen all of one of them on the roads; Ged raved about the machine when they introduced it.
Meanwhile Biketrax does a storming trade of Bromptons and (perhaps) Moultons and similar interesting machines and seemed to have Edinburgh sewn up. I certainly have been grateful for the excellent advice and tech knowledge from Robin and Simon at Biketrax. But then, go to York or London and you have multiple dealers -- so perhaps EBC's mindset was traditionally to target something different and a bit 'hi-tech' (while remaining overtly mountain- and road-bikeish).
It's a question of required activity when it comes to folders, and generally there's a compromise between mile eating and weight and performance, and foldingness. I've done so much train travel and conferencegoing this year that the compactness of a Brompton has been the overriding factor, even though mine is a bit of a slog on hills and is too heavy to carry for a long time.
But I wonder if the Brompton is becoming as much a fashion accessory for the 2010s as a commuting tool, and suddenly everyone wants to play? You still get a steel frame and only six gears* with plastic levers, although you can have a titanium fork and rear frame if you're rich, and they come in lots of pretty colours.
* Other gears are available, like Kinetics shoehorning in Sturmey and Alfine and the superbly warranty-voiding Rohloff hubs.
Posted 13 years ago # -
LB, I suspect Brompton have yet to update their website.
Posted 13 years ago # -
hmm. interesting. 2012 now eh
Posted 13 years ago # -
https://picasaweb.google.com/100959462478884243397/Brompton02?authkey=Gv1sRgCPjBoP2Jpsz7mgE
The Brompton is mine, not part of the exhibit. This is in the basement of the NMS.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Was there a crowd behind you? .... (as in the car ads whenever people stop and are amazed by 'a car'.)
Think the Brompton is now able to be bought by people from every walk of life so placing it in a bigger shop is next step. Biketrax wil still be the place for those with more questions I suspect. EBC allows people to window shop and has its fans so in a growing market it shouldn't be a problem. Except can Brompton make enough bikes?
Apple have this same policy now with JLP selling them alongside the other former Scotsys shop.
Posted 13 years ago # -
One person thought it was an exhibit. I had to explain that I needed it to get home.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I notice that EBC are now also selling Focus, previously only distributed in UK by Wiggle I think.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Yes, Focus must have changed their approach - Wheelbase (nr Kendal) is stocking them now as well. Ridiculously large downtubes on the ones they had there.
Posted 13 years ago #
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