Brompton + Barbour lifestyle collection
#1
Palmer
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Brompton + Barbour lifestyle collection
#2
I'd love a Brompton. I really would. I've been riding a folding bike everywhere, nearly every day, for years now. But it's not in the budget.
And this Brompton/Barbour collection, or whatever it is, tells me why.
Bromptons are expensive bikes. Some of that price premium over, say, a Dahon may be justified by quality (and place of manufacture). But it seems like it's at least partially due to the bike brand being promoted as a fashion accessory (certainly looks that way where I live, anyway), much like, for example, a Hermes Birkin bag, the price of which is wildly inflated over its actual utility.
And this Brompton/Barbour collection, or whatever it is, tells me why.
Bromptons are expensive bikes. Some of that price premium over, say, a Dahon may be justified by quality (and place of manufacture). But it seems like it's at least partially due to the bike brand being promoted as a fashion accessory (certainly looks that way where I live, anyway), much like, for example, a Hermes Birkin bag, the price of which is wildly inflated over its actual utility.
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#3
Senior Member
It's made in England and you're going to pay for that. The Barbour Edition is just a paint color and a bag, it's not notably more expensive than standard Broms. Yes you can buy a Dahon much cheaper and be happy with it, just know the fold is huge and clunky compared to a Brompton and they tend to sound like a can of nails rattling. Which again, for cheaper maybe that's fine.
#4
#5
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On Bromptons, rattles and the like are features that you, as the privileged member of an elite group, get to enjoy courtesy of the manufacturer. On cheap Asiatic bikes like a Dahon, they are inexcusable flaws that poor plebs bring upon themselves. You know, kinda like Litepro. On an inexpensive bike, they are components of questionable quality that cast serious doubts about the judgement of the buyer. On a bike made in Oregon, on the other hand, they are the savvy choice of a discerning consumer. 😉
Last edited by Ron Damon; 10-02-22 at 03:39 AM.
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#6
In general, I can’t understand people saying that you have to pay the price for bike built in England. I bought my Brompton because of it’s features. I would never consider paying extra for anything because it’s made in England by overpaid workforce.
I paid more for my Birdy with frame (afaik) and most components made in Asia and probably only assembled in Germany and absolutely love it.
I paid more for my Birdy with frame (afaik) and most components made in Asia and probably only assembled in Germany and absolutely love it.
#7
Senior Member
In general, I can’t understand people saying that you have to pay the price for bike built in England. I bought my Brompton because of it’s features. I would never consider paying extra for anything because it’s made in England by overpaid workforce.
I paid more for my Birdy with frame (afaik) and most components made in Asia and probably only assembled in Germany and absolutely love it.
I paid more for my Birdy with frame (afaik) and most components made in Asia and probably only assembled in Germany and absolutely love it.
#8
It's made in England and you're going to pay for that.
had different meaning then I probably missed something.
#9
Senior Member
#10
It's made in England and you're going to pay for that. The Barbour Edition is just a paint color and a bag, it's not notably more expensive than standard Broms. Yes you can buy a Dahon much cheaper and be happy with it, just know the fold is huge and clunky compared to a Brompton and they tend to sound like a can of nails rattling. Which again, for cheaper maybe that's fine.
#11
Dahon, for example, is an American company that chooses to make its bikes in China because labor costs (and regulatory barriers and worker protection legislation are nearly non-existent) are very low. Should that be the ceiling for labor costs? Does that make workers in Europe, or the United States, or Great Britain, "overpaid"?
That's fine. Speaking for myself, I would consider paying extra for something rather than benefit by exploiting impoverished workers.
#12
Senior Member
You missed something. I don't think Bromptons are over-priced for what you get and from where it's made, but I certainly understand why someone would choose something cheaper. For my money as concerns Dahons - after having owned many of them - I don't think they function well as folders and the riding experience feels rattly to me.
#13
Senior Member
#14
Member
On Bromptons, rattles and the like are features that you, as the privileged member of an elite group, get to enjoy courtesy of the manufacturer. On cheap Asiatic bikes like a Dahon, they are inexcusable flaws that poor plebs bring upon themselves. You know, kinda like Litepro. On an inexpensive bike, they are components of questionable quality that cast serious doubts about the judgement of the buyer. On a bike made in Oregon, on the other hand, they are the savvy choice of a discerning consumer. 😉
#15
Senior Member
My Brompton (M6R) doesn't rattle at all. I also don't consider myself a "privileged member of an elite group". I consider myself a savvy purchaser who did my research (I test rode Bromptons, Dahons and Terns) and was willing to pay a little more for the quality, fold, ease of packing when traveling and resale value that I found in a Brompton.
#16
iti biking
As I’m not a farmer or a wannabe farmer, Barbour as a brand doesn’t interest me. If I want a waxed canvas bike bag that are made in England, I buy Carradice gear (second-hand admittedly on eBay) which is pretty much indestructible and easy to repair.