1. 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.

2. Project overview
To design, make and evaluate a product suitable for use with a Brompton bicycle.
WE ARE HERE 1 2 3 4 5 6
Introduction
Designing
Planning &
Making
Making
Making
Evaluation
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.

3. 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.

4. 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.”

5. 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 round-the-world cyclist, from those in a hurry to those with time on their hands.” Brompton

6. How does it work? 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 seconds.
The dimensions of the folded bike are: 585mm high x 545mm long x 270mm wide (22.2" x 21.5" x 10.6").
Fold & un-fold video clip

7. All about Brompton… What is a Brompton and how does it work?
What are Brompton’s USPs?
Who is Brompton’s target market?

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. everyone unique practicality freedom 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
independence
compactness
practicality
everyone
fold/unfold
freedom
ease of use

11. 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?

12. Mood board
Could any of these be your design inspiration?

13. Product research When researching products we think about…
Aesthetics, ergonomics, function, materials, cost, health & safety, sustainability.
H&S important
What if it rains? 
Comfortable?
Soft? Sharp?
Colour? Unisex!
What age group?
Fix to rear wheel?

14. 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.