What to pay for a used Brompton?
11-14-19, 04:24 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 126
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
What to pay for a used Brompton?
Hi,
i'm wondering if $800 for this brompton here is a decent/fair price?If so I would probably buy it while I"m here. I live in canada but am visiting calif bay area and this looks like a good deal. Bromptons seems to be very expensive in canada. Are there known issues with certain brompton models. I imagine I should ascertain the year of this bike.
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
$800 for a five speed used below.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik...012062749.html
But $1600 new at REI
https://www.rei.com/product/133354/b...EaAu7qEALw_wcB
JP
i'm wondering if $800 for this brompton here is a decent/fair price?If so I would probably buy it while I"m here. I live in canada but am visiting calif bay area and this looks like a good deal. Bromptons seems to be very expensive in canada. Are there known issues with certain brompton models. I imagine I should ascertain the year of this bike.
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
$800 for a five speed used below.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik...012062749.html
But $1600 new at REI
https://www.rei.com/product/133354/b...EaAu7qEALw_wcB
JP
Last edited by jpjuggler; 11-14-19 at 04:26 PM. Reason: adding link to new brompton at REI
11-14-19, 04:50 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,705
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 840 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times
in
251 Posts
Search around the Web seems to indicate that 5-speed Bromptons were produced until 2002 or so. If you are to take the bike to the end of the world and your life will need to depend on it, get a new one. Otherwise, definitely sniff around it. For Canada you would need a rear fender and lights presumably. If it indeed looks well maintained, try to negotiate the price down because of the fender and clip and take it.
Likes For 2_i:
Likes For ladi:
11-14-19, 09:47 PM
#4
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,599
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1657 Post(s)
Liked 1,803 Times
in
1,050 Posts
Compare to a brand new B75. That's all I'm asking. Just compare. 
https://us.brompton.com/bikes/b75-bike
https://us.brompton.com/bikes/b75-bike
Likes For tcs:
11-14-19, 11:35 PM
#5
Senior Member
That's a $400 bike at best. And I wouldn't pay it.
Likes For Joe Remi:
11-15-19, 06:20 AM
#6
Hello
Prices are down
IMO prices for used Bromptons are down. For the last 10 years that bike in my market would have disappeared in a day or two.
I recently acquired two Bromptons one was $500 and the second was $600. Both stayed up on CL for over a week.
I imagine the drop in prices is primarily due to the introduction of the new more reasonably priced model.
Each market is different and prices naturally vary. I am in a small market with very few used Bromptons, so prices here would be higher than a location where there is more choice.
I recently acquired two Bromptons one was $500 and the second was $600. Both stayed up on CL for over a week.
I imagine the drop in prices is primarily due to the introduction of the new more reasonably priced model.
Each market is different and prices naturally vary. I am in a small market with very few used Bromptons, so prices here would be higher than a location where there is more choice.
Likes For zebede:
11-15-19, 06:48 AM
#7
Stardust
i payd for a similar bike 560 some years ago. as prior rear frame lock(2007) it cost me another 40 to retrofit the rear frame locking mecanism
Likes For BromptonINrio:
11-15-19, 07:36 AM
#8
Senior Member
The 5-speed hub is a bit finicky about adjustment, and on an older model, might have quite a few miles. If the hub is on its way out, that would be the biggest expense to service or replace.
When Brompton switched to 3-speed hubs, they went with a simpler design, which would probably prove more reliable. So you'd be buying an older, more complex hub compared to newer models. Whether this would be worth the savings is unclear.
When Brompton switched to 3-speed hubs, they went with a simpler design, which would probably prove more reliable. So you'd be buying an older, more complex hub compared to newer models. Whether this would be worth the savings is unclear.
Likes For bargainguy:
11-17-19, 08:58 PM
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 126
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Compare to a brand new B75. That's all I'm asking. Just compare.
https://us.brompton.com/bikes/b75-bike
https://us.brompton.com/bikes/b75-bike
11-17-19, 09:21 PM
#10
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,599
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1657 Post(s)
Liked 1,803 Times
in
1,050 Posts
Likes For mlau:
11-21-19, 04:38 AM
#12
Senior Member
Yep I to would pass on it. Hard to tell what kind of shape it’s in just by photos. Also if it’s been repainted it probably has had a hard life. I’d buy a new one that way you now what you have.
Likes For tim24k:
11-26-19, 09:57 PM
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 126
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Hi, Thanks everybody for the input, and TCS for noting the B75 is a three speed. I didn't know that.
Can i get people's opinion on this one....
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik...025554941.html
Owner said he would come down to $900.
Thanks,
Can i get people's opinion on this one....
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik...025554941.html
Owner said he would come down to $900.
Thanks,
11-26-19, 11:22 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 3,460
Bikes: Trident Spike 2 recumbent trike w/ e-assist
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1321 Post(s)
Liked 374 Times
in
288 Posts
CL pictures are all well and good but you cannot tell the mechnical condition from them. If you have an experience Brompton friend who can accompany you to check out the used bikes, I'd say go look at it. But, again, you're weighing $1000 for a new warrantied 3 speed compared to a used 6 speed. You don't want to have to put in hundreds to get it working properly. You might even consider paying a shop mechanic to go check it out if you decide you like it. Unless, of course, you can wrench on your own and you known the things to check. If it doesn't require much at all in repairs, remember it is probably pre 2017 and all the latest upgrades. Might not matter to you, and I don't think the newest stuff is on the B75 either. Worth a look.
11-27-19, 12:10 AM
#15
Senior Member
Yes, $900 is a fair price for that one.
Likes For Joe Remi:
11-27-19, 10:38 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 3,460
Bikes: Trident Spike 2 recumbent trike w/ e-assist
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1321 Post(s)
Liked 374 Times
in
288 Posts
There's this one as well. https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik...025380014.html And CL also has an older 5 speed model. Seems like maybe folks are getting rid of them with wet weather coming, and maybe trying to get a few extra bucks for the holidays. You should be able to negotiate with so many on CL right now in this area. Good luck!
Likes For linberl:
12-06-19, 04:46 AM
#17
half way commuter
I paid 400 GBP, from a seller in UK, another 120 GBP shipping cost and about 270 equivalent USD for custom clearance. it was not in tiptop conditions, and luckily I got few friends here who repaired the bike for me almost for free. now it is rideable. I already install dual chainring and plan to replace 5 speed sprinter hub with 3 speed external gear 12-14-17 T. but judging this experience, I would buy another used bike, but only if I can inspect the bike personally.
