Brompton factory - BBC 1 - 16 Aug 16, 20:00

[robgul]

Part of The Factory series - might be interesting but looks like a lot of "padding content" from the promo text.   They also go to a "leather saddle factory in Birmingham" ... who could that be ?

Rob

[Aidan]

Thanks for the heads up , will give that a watch.  Am looking forward to being surprised at which saddle maker it is 

[Tim Hall]

BBC 2 I think, not BBC 1.

I shall get my computer to watch that, sounds good.

[CAMRAMan]

Brooks isn't in Birmingham...

[orienteer]

Thought it was quite good, though based on the old Brentford site rather than the new Greenford one. Wonder if they are still sending the frames all the way to Cardiff just for painting?

Interesting to see Doug Pinkerton as the historian, he built our Moulton tandem conversion, and Mike Burrows. They showed some historic film of Moultons, but didn't mention them by name.

[Kim]

Brooks isn't in Birmingham...

That's what they say about Sutton Coldfield...   

[Si]

Interesting programme spoiled by kids-TV style presenting.

[Veloman]

Interesting programme spoiled by kids-TV style presenting.

Bit harsh?

I think it was more light entertainment than Horizon or Newsnight/Channel 4 News style of programme and as it was before the 9pm watershed then I suppose the makers could be forgiven. I found it quite interesting, particularly the items on history of folding bicycles, the development of bicycles and how it changed from a male to male/female pastime, and the HGV visibility segment.  I also found the way in which the Brompton was made etc to be interesting.  I suppose subject matter experts could find fault, but for the uninitiated on such matters, which I assume are the majority watching TV, I'm sure the programme was considered as a good insight to the Brompton and other aspects of cycling on TV.

[Si]

Harsh?  Possibly, but it did come over to me in places as overly bubbly, fake amazement type presenting.  But the actual subject matter was fine....possibly the velodrome bit was a little contrived...did she really have no idea that removing the basket, child seat, etc and putting air in the tyres would make her go faster?  But at least they did a bit on safety without mentioning the 'H' word, which was nice.

You'd have thunk, though, that they'd have given Greg Wallace a free bike, that he'd helped to build, to take home after all the publicity he's given them.

[Tim Hall]

Is Greg Wallace's helmet on back to front in the opening sequence, or is it just a funny shape?

[TheLurker]

Interesting programme spoiled by kids-TV style presenting.

Sad to say I agree.  There was a really interesting _half_ hour programme buried in there somewhere.  I gave up in despair after half an hour.

[quixoticgeek]

I watched it through. I found it interesting, tho you do have to accept it's not exactly aimed at the highest level.

The thing that really struck me was the HGV visibility segment. I knew that HGV's have crap visibility. I just hadn't realised how crap. No wonder we keep getting splatted by them so frequently. Definitely need improvements in their design.

J

[Si]

Yep, none of these cyclists can be seen by driver.......

[Jurek]

Interesting.
Albeit a bit shouty/kids programming....

I thought the 'how little an artic driver can see' was very good - having spent time both in the saddle, and driving an artic.