Brompton Cycle Route
Systems and Control
Lesson 1
Learning objectives:
• To investigate what is special about Brompton (USP).
• To understand the situation and brief and choose a
product type to develop.
• To be able to write a specification for your product.
Project overview
To design, make and evaluate a product suitable for use with a Brompton bicycle.
WE ARE HERE
1
Introduction
2
Designing
3
Planning &
Making
4
5
Making
Making
Lesson 1: Introduction
Today we will be investigating…
• Brompton’s USP & philosophy
• Target market
• Functionality: How does it work?
• What your product will be and its specification.
6
Evaluation
Brompton bicycles are unique…
What do you think makes a Brompton bike unique?
...both in their design and the way they are made... and where they are made - you
will find few global bike brands still manufactured in their city of origin.
Philosophy
The Brompton was conceived as…
“a product that increases people’s independence and freedom, and this concept
is still at the heart of everything we do; so we make bikes that our customers can
rely on wherever and whenever they use them.
We believe that this approach should inform the way we act, not just what we
make, and that it should extend, through our distributors and dealers, to the end
user. Everyone involved should feel comfortable with the purchase they make and
satisfied that they had freedom of choice.”
Target market
“We know from Brompton owners the world over that the work we do here has wonderful
consequences in the lives of people everywhere; from the city commuter to the roundthe-world cyclist, from those in a hurry to those with time on their hands.” Brompton
How does it work?
Fold & un-fold video clip
The fold
A key feature of the Brompton is
the compactness and practicality of
its fold. With a little practice, this is
achieved without any difficulty
in 10 - 20 seconds.
The dimensions of the folded bike
are: 585mm high x 545mm long x
270mm wide (22.2" x 21.5" x 10.6").
All about Brompton…
What is a Brompton and how does it work?
What are Brompton’s USPs?
Who is Brompton’s target market?
What are you going to do?
Review situation and design brief – what are you going to do?
Situation
Brompton is a small bicycle manufacturer based in Brentford, West
London. They are very well known for making high quality folding
bicycles. With the cost of petrol increasing, more cars on the road,
and people wanting to lead more sustainable (environmentally
friendly) lives, more and more people are choosing to cycle rather
than use a car. Brompton bicycles can be easily carried on buses or
trains and in the back of a car, which makes them an attractive
option for lots of people.
To try and convince even more people to buy a Brompton bicycle,
the company wants to design
an accessory that can be used
with their bicycle, that is unique,
original and one that no other
bicycle manufacturer can offer.
What are you going to do?
Review situation and design brief – what are you going to do?
Design brief
To design and make a bicycle accessory that fits with Brompton’s
philosophy of ‘freedom and independence’.
You will have six lessons to design and make this product
(approximately three lessons of making). You can use a range of
available materials including plastics, card, etc. The product needs
to be interesting and unique. The accessory should enhance the
experience of riding a Brompton: it could make it easier, safer,
more comfortable or more enjoyable.
What will your product be?
Brief: To design, make and evaluate a product suitable for use with a Brompton
bicycle.
Produce a mind map of what your accessory product could be…
unique
compactness
independence
practicality
everyone
fold/unfold
ease of use
freedom
Specification
A specification is a list of things that your product has to do. Write at
least one point for each of the headings below. What criteria must your
product meet in each of these areas?
Size - How big will it be?
Material - What will it be made of?
Cost/price - How much will your target market buy it for?
Function - What does your product have to be able to do?
Aesthetics - What colours will it be? What style will it be?
Ergonomics - Does it have to fit the user’s hand? Be comfortable?
Mood board
Could any of these be your design inspiration?
Product research
When researching products we think about…
Aesthetics, ergonomics, function, materials, cost, health & safety, sustainability.
H&S important
What if it rains? 
Colour? Unisex!
Comfortable?
Soft? Sharp?
What age
group?
Fix to rear wheel?
Brompton Cycle Route
Systems and Control
Learning objectives:
• To investigate what is special about Brompton (USP).
• To understand the situation and brief and choose a
product type to develop.
• To be able to write a specification for your product.
Homework:
To complete your own mood board and product research.