Ralph is my 2011 Brompton S11E that arrived as an early Christmas gift after being spotted on eBay as a “buy now/offer” & local pickup. Very exciting to get the sale and make the pickup.

What did I get? A little used but well-travelled, grimy & grubby bike with 2 broken spokes in the rear wheel, no rolling wheels on the frame, fitted with a telescopic seatpost, MKS removable pedals & accompanied by a knocked-around hard case. But I’m still delighted – & the price was far below the current retail.

So far I’ve done little riding on Ralph; just enough to check out the 11 speed Alfine gears & great trigger shifter. The rear wheel is being rebuilt with 2-cross lacing (originally had 3-cross lacing?), Brompfication hinge plates & easy wheels are ordered, Presta-equipped tubes are ready to fit & I’ve got a new Kojak to replace the rear tyre (I suspect it was ridden under-inflated too often?)

Before Christmas I should have the tough decision to make; whether to take Ralph or Robinson (my P6R) out on a ride?