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Brompton launch the affordable B75, with a £30 a month finance option available

Named after the year they launched, the B75 has a simple spec and is more affordable than other models at just £745. It can also be bought on a £30 a month finance deal

Brompton have launched their most affordable model yet, the B75. At £745 it's considerably lower in price than other bikes in their range, and in a first for Brompton it can also be purchased directly for £30 a month on a two year finance deal - cheaper than the average gym membership. 

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Its name pays tribute to their launch year (1975), and it has simple three-speed gearing with a more basic M-type handlebar compared to their M6L, S2L and S6L models. It weighs in at approximately 11.6kg, and there are the same rack and mudguard mounts that you get on other Bromptons. Tyres are the reliable Schwalbe Marathon Racers, and there are front and rear reflectors as standard. Unlike higher specced Bromptons you can't fold the pedals in on the B75, but the frame folding mechanism works the same. 

brompton b75 lifestyle 3

To emphasise the affordability of commuting by Brompton rather than public transport, the brand make the comparison with the £158 per month London travelcard that covers Zones 1 to 3. The £30 a month deal also makes it less than six pints of craft beer (in that there London, anyway), an average gym membership or three takeaway pizzas. Brompton, therefore, tout the B75 as "a perfect introduction to city cycling", aiming it squarely at those who are new to cycle commuting. 

The B75 comes in just the one Water Blue colourway, and is available to order right away. Head over to Brompton's website for more info and buying options. 

Jack has been writing about cycling and multisport for over a decade, arriving at road.cc via 220 Triathlon Magazine in 2017. He worked across all areas of the website including tech, news and video, and also contributed to eBikeTips before being named Editor of road.cc in 2021 (much to his surprise). Jack has been hooked on cycling since his student days, and currently has a Trek 1.2 for winter riding, a beloved Bickerton folding bike for getting around town and an extra beloved custom Ridley Helium SLX for fantasising about going fast in his stable. Jack has never won a bike race, but does have a master's degree in print journalism and two Guinness World Records for pogo sticking (it's a long story). 

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5 comments

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slow_going | 5 years ago
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Bit suprised by the lack of mudguards; clearly a cost saving thing but could be a cut too far. Saying that, as I have guards on my M6L I have no idea how much of a problem not having them is in a city, given how much lower the top of the wheels are on a Brompton.

Was also wondering about the lack of a luggage block on a commuter, but I guess you won't need that until/unless you decided to buy Brompton luggage, at which point adding the cost of the block is only a bit more given the relatively high price of the luggage.

I imagine Brompton see this as a gateway into ownership, with some people adding things later. Folding pedal would be an easy change, for example.

Looking at the website, you can vary the montly cost by increasing the depost from £0 to £558. So for say a £275 deposit the montly cost is only £19.56.

Interesting that the M-Bars appear to be the type that was in use for years but recently got changed. I guess that means spare bars and stems will be around for a bit longer.

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ukjonah | 5 years ago
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I'm a brompton M3 rider/commuter and enthusiast.  How on earth can you sell a commuter bike without mudguards?  I mean, into the office with a brown stripe up your suit?  I must be missing something.  Plus - I've broken one bike in half and worn another really well (68kg) and never had a problem with the folding pedal which is great for carrying/packing/not bashing people.  Would need convincing on this model!

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kevvjj replied to ukjonah | 5 years ago
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ukjonah wrote:

I'm a brompton M3 rider/commuter and enthusiast.  How on earth can you sell a commuter bike without mudguards?  I mean, into the office with a brown stripe up your suit?  I must be missing something.  Plus - I've broken one bike in half and worn another really well (68kg) and never had a problem with the folding pedal which is great for carrying/packing/not bashing people.  Would need convincing on this model!

 

Agreed. I can live without folding pedals but this cannot seriously be called a commuter bike without the inclusion of mudguards. 

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matthewn5 replied to ukjonah | 5 years ago
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ukjonah wrote:

I'm a brompton M3 rider/commuter and enthusiast.  How on earth can you sell a commuter bike without mudguards?  I mean, into the office with a brown stripe up your suit?  I must be missing something.  Plus - I've broken one bike in half and worn another really well (68kg) and never had a problem with the folding pedal which is great for carrying/packing/not bashing people.  Would need convincing on this model!

And there was I thinking 'finally, an affordable Brompton, I could almost think of going with that'.

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paulrattew | 5 years ago
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The folding left pedal on the bromton is a terrible bit of engineering. I've managed to break two from normal riding, so I've replaced it with a MKS removable pedal. Much more robust solution. 

I think for most short commutes the 3 gear version is just about perfect

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