Ordered from REI and will obviously contact them. I was planning on taking this bike with me in a few days on a trip, though, and likely won’t be able to get a replacement bolt before then. I’m honestly questioning the whole thing now. Again, I thought these were supposed to be quality, hand built machines that go thru rigorous quality control testing. I can’t even test ride my new (expensive) bike. From excited anticipation to straight bummed. Sucks..
by Toke-No-Mo
12 Comments
It’s most likely been bent during shipping. Re quality, you want the bolt to be softer than the frame so a knock breaks the bolt not the frame. Bummer on a new bike, I get you, but always a possibility when getting things shipped to you. Hope you get it sorted soon.
Upon closer examination, the other connection bolt on bottom of handlebar is bent as well. Not quite as bad as the one on the top tube, but bad enough to prevent it from seating down tightly. This is ridiculous
That must have been some serious “bump” that bent this bolt. I can’t really imagine how this could have happened, but maybe it’s a good thing to bring your bike back altogether to get it checked.
This is definitively NOT representative of overall quality of Bromptons.
General packaging methods and materials from Brompton or dealers is not very good. When we dispatch, we take the clamps off and put them in the saddle box and add a lot more packaging to protect the bike from bumps.
Both connector bolts are bent.
this is the problem from REI. they aren’t supposed to leave the hinge and the bolts on the bike after assembling and checking the bike! it wasn’t meant to be like this from Brompton or from their knowledgeable dealers.
one bent bolt isn’t a justified cause to undermine Brompton quality. i get it that u are upset, but c’mon, u are better than this.
Sucks but have you contacted Brompton or the AD you ordered this from? See if they can rectify it? Or did you just wanna spend your Sunday telling all the other Brompton fans that you think Brompton quality sucks?
Bad shipping. I bet they can make it right for you. I love Bromptons. Been riding Bromptons for years. I have broken them irreparably, but I ride them really hard as commuter bikes.
Oh noooo,what a bummer! You were so stoked😔 Hope that they will take care of that as soon as possible
Bolt quality is not the issue OP that’s been banged hard at some stage.
Its probably the rei guys or the trucker. I seriously doubt it’s brompton. And if it is shit happens. If it was brompton it probably was just a rare situation that could’ve landed on anyone.
This happened to my wife’s bike. It came with a broken bolt. Took weeks to get Brompton to send a new one. Overall the brompton has been more trouble for me than expected.