Another Brompton question....

David Wood said:

Anyone tell me the best model to get?

Yes, clearly. But then again...

Quoted message said:

I would think L6 without the extra
weight or is the rack / dynamo worth it on the T6?

Broms have just got much more a la carte. Personally, I think that if
you're going to have a dynamo it's best to Do It Properly and get a SON
XS, and that is happily a standard option now on any Brom (possibly
excepting the C, if that still exists).

The rack I don't personally have a use for, though if you think you will
then by all means get it. But bear in mind the Brompton pannier system
is widely considered by the Bromptoneers in these parts to be a
generally easier way of getting /most/ loads around on a Brom. I really
think it's a lovely bit of design and really enhances an already great
machine, so whether or not you get a rack, I'd suggest the front pannier.

And now you have to decide on the handlebars. Used to be one sort only,
now you can get those, straight (S model) bars (a little lighter and
sportier) or P bars, which offer a choice of positions but weigh more.
None affect the fold, but if you get the S then you should get a new
version of the pannier, which is a little smaller.

Confused? Have a look at Darth Ben's Big Guide To Bromptons, newly
revised for the new models (including _Titanium_ bits!) at
http://kinetics.org.uk/html/brompton.shtml

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

David Wood said:

Anyone tell me the best model to get? I would think L6 without the extra
weight or is the rack / dynamo worth it on the T6?

I was considering a used one on Ebay but prices are on the high side so
tempted to get a new one----have there been improvements on the 2005 model?

My advice would be to start with the L3 and have an arrangement when you
buy it for the shop to add the 6 speed option if you need it at parts
cost (which is the same as the price difference between the L3 & L6)
Most people find the 3 speed fine after using it for a bit. The T is
heavier and the rack is only useful if you don't mind either not folding
or taking the stuff off the rack when you need to fold. Get the L model
and spend the money on the front luggage (I prefer the shopping basket
which you just throw stuff in but you may prefer one of the other
options. You can keep the front luggage on when its quick or fully
folded and roll it along folded with the luggage on (with the rack you
have to carry the rack contents to roll it folded)

--
Tony

"I did make a mistake once - I thought I'd made a mistake but I hadn't"
Anon

Tony Raven said:

My advice would be to start with the L3 and have an arrangement when you
buy it for the shop to add the 6 speed option if you need it at parts
cost (which is the same as the price difference between the L3 & L6)
Most people find the 3 speed fine after using it for a bit.

Fair advice. I bought a 3 'cause at the time the 6 didn't exist,
but I did have the braze-ons for the retrofit kit. And I want and
visited Kinetics with the £65 ready to spend and... didn;t spend it
in the end. The 6 is a more versatile machine, there's no denying
it, but OTOH it costs more, there's comething extra to go wrong and
I don't use my Brom for jobs where a huge range of gears is a
Really Big Win.

What I would advise is that you get some kind of gearing reduction.
Dundee has Real Hills (TM) so I have the -18%, but unless you're
in Cambridge or the like (and maybe not even then) I still think
the -12% gives a better set of gears for general purpose use than
the "standard" gearing.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/