Hermespan

Overseas service and parts is problematic.

At first I got email assistance from the factory in Taiwan, but it amounted to 'come visit us and we'll make it right' then they stopped replying to my questions as to how to efficiently get parts in Canada.

First, the hook that holds the fold bent (and bending it back just weakened it). Then the part that clips the fold together broke.

My local shop that sells and services Bromptons wasn't able/willing to solve either problem (though they would sell me a different gear-thing as I need to be able to get more suitable gears for hills).

All in all I find the Flamingo impractical and poor value. Even the Brompton is suitable only if you are a rich bicycle fanatic (the 8 kilo titanium folder).

Hey, I just want to get from A to B. I destroyed my meniscus from such a poor fit. Now I have an albatross. I doubt I can sell it for even 1/3 what I paid what with it being semi-functional, even with all the add-ons and bags and blah-blah.

Biggest disappointment though is that 13 kilos is not truly portable when you are used to being a backpacker in the third world. Public transportation and buying/renting make more sense.

fietsbob

didn't you complain your way through a tour on that already?

mconlonx

Sounds like your expectations exceeded the bike's specifications...

bhkyte

The fork clip costs about 3 pounds and takes less than 5 minutes to fit. The Brompton clip slots straight in. Any non Brompton bike shop worth while will fit it for you.

blakcloud

So what you are telling us is not to buy a cheap knock knock off of a well designed and built bike. Wow, I never knew!

That's not right, I did know, from the 200+ threads about the woes of your bike buying experience and every problem you had with this bike. You got what you paid for and now you think you are doing everyone a favor.

bhkyte

There is nothing wrong with merc or flanginos. Plenty of happy owners on these forums. Cheap knock off I think says more about the expectation of some folding bike purchasers.
I bought a Brompton years ago expecting it to be loads better than my diblasi R4. It was ten times as much to buy but wasn't a lot better experience. Folding bikes take effort and are not things one slides in to coat pockets. They can be awkward in many situations. But one gets better at using them or realises when a folding bike is a benifiet or a Burden.

marxmini

sell the bike and get one that will make you happy

Hermespan

Local bike shop solved the male-female part replacement, but was unable to fix the steel hook issue.

My next bike will be either a titanium Brompton or a Mezzo/Ori

kurtp13

The hook looks like something that could be cobbled in a garage. It's a piece of bent sheet steel. I can't believe that can't be replaced very easily.

These bits seem like consumables similar to a car's brake pads. But according to what I have read Brompton has support for older components than other makes. So that would be an advantage in purchasing a Brompton.

bhkyte

From my experience the only Brompton item that didn't fit a Merc properly was the older version of the quick release rear frame clip. Which needed some alteration.i.e mounted upside down.
I don't think Flamingo will be that different.

I am not sure the OP would get spares for Mezzo in the manner he wants. There is much more room for customising a mezzo over a Brompton. If you don't want the advantage of using more standard parts then I would stick with brompton. Ie you can fit any hub. I prefer the ride of the Mezzo.