This isn’t a stealth wanted ad…

I am looking at sold prices on eBay for used Bromptons and am assuming there’s a waiting list for new, as nearly new ones seem to be going for not much less. Or is it because bidders get carried away, or don’t know any different.

There’s a few on Gumtree but again not much less than new.

I have seen a few pop up on here, does the price just depend on how fast the seller wants a deal? The last Brompton I bought was almost brand new and below 500, but that was 6 years ago.

Apart from gummy, eBay and here where do good used Bromptons get advertised? And what do they go for, I would get a titanium at the right money.

Why not go for a Moulton New Series Double Pylon for……£16,250.00 – decimal point is in the right place!

Are they cheaper in January?….middle of winter, people need the money after Christmas etc etc

My only other thought is to use a snipe service to increase the chance of a decent price.

Cheap Bromptons are almost always wrecked – because the frames tend to last for ever, people can sometimes run them into the ground and reach a point where the frame is okay but every component is worn out.

If I see a very cheap Brompton, I tend to assume it’s stolen or there’s something wrong with it. They just don’t depreciate the way MTBs do.

OK thanks, very useful. I will keep looking.

Just call a shop to find out the lead time. You have checked new prices yes?

It’s a while since I looked but remember nearly new going for almost retail. I’ve seen plenty wrecked cheap ones too.

Not sure I have an answer! Keep looking…

They get wrecked because they are made with cheap parts !

Well, yes, but I’m assuming one of my Rohloff Disc Bromptons is a bit out of the OP’s budget 😉

Edric 64 – Member
They get wrecked because they are made with cheap parts !

Bollocks. All the wearing parts are fine. People just don’t look after them.

The cranks are made by Stronglight, the hubs are good, the rims are hard wearing, the new brake levers are less flexy than the old ones, the dual pivot brakes are good. I ride my Brompton pretty much every working day between 10-30 miles. It’s 5 years old, I’ve just replaced the wheels this year – I’ve seen some people on here complaining that they need to replace their commute bike wheels every year….
…I don’t buy the “cheap parts” thing.

The gear shifters were a bit cheap and plasticky, but they actually worked okay – and the new 2017 shifters are much better.

Ah. Hadn’t realised that there were new shifters. Dammit.

This just popped up on eBay and seems good for the price (I’m not an expert though).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VGC-brompton-folding-bike-M3L-with-rear-rack-/162259299708?hash=item25c7686d7c:g:C4gAAOSwHMJYE1PZ

That’s at least 5 years old, probably more, and it has the old brakes which aren’t “awesome stoppers” – also the front dynamo light appears to have lost its cover.

OP I would:

Research and decide the model and age I want.
Do an ebay search on Newly Listed models of that type near you at least once a day (and check Gumtree).
When one comes up that suits, check the seller is legit, get the frame number and check that. Offer the seller cash on collection out of ebay.
Go and collect.

That’s at least 5 years old, probably more, and it has the old brakes which aren’t “awesome stoppers” – also the front dynamo light appears to have lost its cover.

Well it still sold within an hour of being listed 🙂

Thanks v good advice, I will keep looking may need to up my budget a bit.

Do the decent thing and get yourself a Dahon. A superior product in every way apart from branding.

Lol Luke. You tool!

Re waiting list – No. I was in a branch of Cycle Surgery in That London’s Famous City of Westminster the other day and they had upwards of 20 Bromptons built up and on the shop floor. Given the other branches they have, there would be 100+ available from stock within a couple of days, at most.

My LBS usually has five to ten built up and on the shop floor in the wilds of Wiltshire.

So, if one of those fits your chosen spec, there’s almost no waiting list.

Granted, if you want something bespoke, colours, etc, then yes, you have to wait for it be built.

couple of years back I bought a 2 speed one for my wife, to see if she would use it to get to the bus in the morning (about 1.5 mile) and about 1 mile at other end

she loved it, paid £500 (wish ) second hand

then got a email list of clearance bikes from edinburgh bike coop, listed a 2 speed last years model ex display (slight mark on chain stay) brompton in bright pink – £610

so bought that, and sold the first one for what id paid

Well it still sold within an hour of being listed

It might have done, it doesn’t mean it was a prudent buy.

That one was in nice condition for the age, but it’s more like 15 years old probably – old short-wheelbase frame, old rubbish brakes.

Me colleague just bought one 3 months ago costing him £1.4K plus – six speeds, rear rack, upgrade tires, Brooks saddle with custom blue colour. The ride is good based on my experience of test riding his bike, but now his Brooks saddle front side has twisted to one side not sure why.

Saw the 2016 or 2017 version with new “plasticky” gear shifters, which look fine but not sure about the durability.

I bought one on C2W, the net price is the same as the 2nd hand price

There are lots made up, but not always in the exact spec and colour you want. If you’re not too fussy then there’s no wait time

Buy a new Brompton for c850. Run it for three years then sell for 600?