Clever Cycles

Brompton folding bikes have evolved very slowly, steadily and deliberately over three decades into the most refined bikes of their kind. They don’t pursue novelty for its own sake, and most improvements are retrofittable to previous models. While Brompton uses a high number of proprietary parts, these parts or compatible successors tend to be available as service replacements for at least a decade. The last major revisions to Brompton frames occurred in 2004. That’s why it’s kind of a big deal that there’s now a new one: the H-type.

H-types resemble the most popular M-type, but the grips are 2.5″ higher. Yes that’s all, but if you’re tall, or just prefer a more upright ride than Bromptons have previously offered, it’s huge. The higher stem clamp also means a greater range of fore-aft adjustment than before. The changed fit possibilities have a bigger effect on handling than you might guess, with a cascade of newly appropriate saddle choices to boot. The folded package is no larger or less tidy than before, naturally. Do you have a Brompton already that you wish were more upright? We can convert it to an H type.

We expect to receive 9 H-types this week, nicely equipped. Stop in and give one a go!

We are pleased to announce some changes to our online custom Brompton configuration tool, too. In addition to representing the new H-type, we have now added several non-factory options in saddles, pedals, grips, and lighting, reflecting the most popular substitutions and upgrades we perform at Clever Cycles.

Lightest Brompton ever!

In exchange for testing the latest revision of the tool, we’ll take $100 off any custom Brompton ordered before January 31, 2012 that originates using the new tool.

This is a limited time offer, applying only to new orders originating with a request for quotation generated by the tool. In exchange for the discount, we would appreciate any feedback about your experience using the tool. Just place your comments in the appropriate field when you submit your configuration. Each configuration submission enters you to win the 1/8in scale mini Brompton ($300 value) model pictured right (limit one entry per customer). We’ll contact the winner via email once the testing period is over on February 1. Start your configuration and enter now!

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Yesterday we received our first shipment of the new Tern folding bikes. We’ll stock at least 6 of the 22 models in the 2012 lineup, with prices spanning from under $500 to over $2K. We’re just getting to know these bikes in detail now, but are already confident that they’ll appeal to a broad set of people for whom we haven’t always had just the right bike.

We’re excited to introduce these bikes to Portland, just as we did Brompton folding bikes in 2007. Over the last few years Bromptons have become common sights in town, and a cornerstone of our business, but it’s also true that we have referred many customers elsewhere for folding bikes that aren’t Bromptons, whether for reasons of price, function, feel or style. Brompton remains unrivaled in the compact robustness of its fold (and arguably in a few more ways), but what if you want bigger wheels, or 3 bikes for the price of one Brompton, or you find hydroformed aluminum sexier than brazed steel? What if you want speeds that go to 11? (It’s one faster, isn’t it?) It’s OK: now we have something for you too.

Tern is a new brand, but its bikes may look familiar if you know Dahon, which has been the largest maker of folding bikes worldwide. Tern is run by Josh Hon, son of David Hon, the founding head of Dahon. Unfortunately the intra-family story here is not happy, with the two companies engaged in legal warfare over who rightly controls what. Meanwhile, shipping is nine-tenths of the law, and Tern is shipping bikes we like for their emphasis on urban utility, ride quality, long-term toughness and serviceability. Tern’s offerings look to us like a tight cut of the best Dahon has offered, improved with special attention to the hinges and other critical parts, backed by an organization with refreshing awareness of the hazards of too many base models, made of too many special parts, too often changing, with too-thin a service infrastructure. Plus: cooler paint and graphics.

Check our new Tern product page for key details of the models we’ve ordered. Better yet, ride on over, give them a spin, and tell us what you think: we’re learning!

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