www.brompton.com
I have owned three Brompton Bicycles.
I do not remember when I fell in love with Bromptons.
We were never formally introduced.
But I do remember why: Brompton Bicycles produces stunning marketing campaigns with beautiful Black models. Today, I would pay money to have a copy of the marketing brochure with the Black female with a royal blue bicycle standing outside of a store.
Years ago, Brooks.com had a simply beautiful Black man dressed in a plaid tweed blazer riding a Brompton with a Brooks saddle. He was incredibly elegant.
Over the years, Brompton has partnered with several leather good manufacturers. Keeping up with the partnerships can be exhausting. Like keeping up with the Kardashians.
Nevertheless, I had to have a Brompton.
And I promptly bought a Brooks saddle.
Brompton does not talk about the “D” word in advertisement but is one of the only companies never to use stereotypes (rap music, profanity, athletes, rap artists) in advertising campaigns. Brompton is too classy for such debasement.
I appreciated the efforts. I love Andrew Ritchie. God bless that man.
My first Brompton was a Black Cherry Special Edition. She was so beautiful. And I do not have a photo. Why did I sell my baby? Greed? No. I sold the bike on Ebay and lost money. I have not been on Ebay since. Bitter berry. I apparently did not charge enough for shipping so Ebay charged me $200. Heck of a deal for the buyer in California.
I waited a year and purchased a 6 speed mint green from the now out of business, NYCE Wheels. I had to have a NYCE Wheels Brompton.
I fell in love with Peter Youskaskas now moved on (coincidentally) to Brompton.
The founder of NYCE Wheels, Bert Cebular passed away in a paragliding accident of some sort. When I purchased the 6 speed Peter was gone. I was disappointed. My bucket list included meeting Peter for a quick jaunt in Central Park on our Bromptons.
The 6 speed arrived with screaming wheels (front brake?) and the customer representative was not as nice as I knew Peter would have been.
Here is a video of me discussing the issue.
She was pretty though wasn’t she? Because she squealed out the box we never meshed and she was sold.
Currently, I own a Brompton 3 speed from a dealer in Miami, Florida. They were nice enough but Bromptons are not the bread and butter in an area heavily influenced by road racers and mountain bikers. South Florida.
Recently, I wanted to trade the white in for an electric Brompton but the dealer advised they would only give $500 towards the purchase.
And that is when I realized, the Brompton value has decreased.
Brompton has changed. One thing I loved about the brand, the simplicity.
The simplicity is farewell.
The website had beautiful photos. Still does. But now there is a lot to choose from. Too much actually.
Like. Slow down.
Andrew Ritchie, the inventor of the Brompton has long since moved on and a new CEO is in town. It is evident his focus is on making Brompton profitable while diminishing the “collectible” cherished quirky nuances that make the Brompton so loved.
The elitism is gone. Now Brompton is hawking a $1000 folding bicycle. Why? Well, I know why but I don’t like the direction.
I used to spend hours watching videos about Bromptons.
Now, not so much.
Since he who shall not be named CEO took over the helm of Brompton the primary goal: global expansion. Taking over the world. The brand is no longer niche and the campaigns are not classy.
The website for the end user is now busier, with many choices and the models are inelegant. The models are dressed to send a message: Bromptons are for EVERYONE now.
The socioeconomic status has changed.
I suspect the original socioeconomic demongraphic did not purchase frequently and “held on” to their Bromptons indefinitely. So, the marketing changed to include the upper middle class, splurging and capture the Dahon market.
Now the Brompton models are dressed in casual clothing with tennis shoes. The prestige is long gone replaced with, “We are for everyone. We are affordable. Pick me!”
Sad.
