>>1849939-the front carrier block is only rated up to 10kg, not a dealbreaker but a little bit shit, i'd rather it weigh more and let me carry 15-20kg max, especially since the rear triangle frame part doesnt protrude far back enough to carry even some tiny panniers if you fit a rack (havent tried this with third party rear triangles with integrated racks, like the one Kinetics makes, which might just be big enough that it works).
-the elastomer suspension (circled in purple) is shit. i replaced it with a metal spring suspension block from aliexpress and that is better, but still shit. they shouldve had the pivot point for the rear triangle a bit farther back, and then this suspension block couldve been longer. this wouldve had the secondary beenfit of allowing for a bigger chain ring, because this bike was made for dentists and bankers in london to be able to take on the tube, its not geared for going fast on. i want to swap out the chainring for a bigger one, but then you lose out on another quirk, which is the chainring sitting flush with the frame when folded rather than having a spiky bit jutt out the back.
-the wheels are too small as well. id rather they were 20 inches, maybe 18 at a minimum, but 16 is too much. the steering is just uncomfortably twitchy as a result, which i dont really care aboutcause i dont care about riding with no hands, but its also just bumpy to ride. im gonna get a thudbuster or something suspension seatpost and hopefully thatll also help but really theres no reason why brompton themselves cant just make less shitty bikes. all that said though, ive never really tried any other folders like the birdy, dahon or tern offerings, but i gotta say im happy with my brompton even for all its faults. dont think id switch if i had the option.
