Here's the best buy I see from BBS today.  The Giant Expressway 1, which is now selling over 2K (new price) for the 8 speed unit. I am using the same but when I got it , it was selling for 1.7K. Latest from Sin Boon Seng (the importers for Giant) is RM1980 dealer price. 

http://bicyclebuysell.com/item/408304/gian...pressway-1-2012

Those with heavily paid bike techs..........you should also know their clientele. Easily 20K for a bike, sap sap sui. That's why foldies are not their favorite kind of sales.    There's even a bike shop in Subang who does 'bike spa'. Washing and cleaning and some minor adjustments if needed for the bike for RM120 . Degreasing and lube included, for the lazy to wash kind of riders.

Hahaha .......hahahaaa.........      first you ask for info on the most reasonable LBS. Then you went straight up to the top of the most (poshest according to them lah) most lansi one in the whole  Malaysia. The lady boss is rich, that I can say and the man-in-charge is brainless about bikes except which is the most expensive and which is the best in the world. They used to be just a partner with the very people who sells Oribikes in Damansara Perdana. Then due to some money disagreements, this lady sues them and they splits up. That time Van's Urban was in the shopping complex in Section 20. They actually holds no official dealership then and later they are in SS1. The former now also went kaput and now taken over by Attaque.

Usually this kind of shops has no tech and even if they have, they can't hold them long. Frankly, no matter how you complain or hold a grudge against them, it never affects them. You are small fish lah. They are only after the sharks and big big water fish.

Another one to avoid is USJ cycles. They win because of their IT knowledge but come to bicycle knowledge............nadda. 

Most LBS don't really want to do servicing or worse still modding for bikes not sold by them. Those who will do have no knowledge and some even 'jialat' , tells you it is not possible and it is not meant to be made like that. Even the top 'GURU' of folding bikes, Samosaurus is always commenting badly on my activity. That's why he unfriended and blocked me in this FB  .......because I 'taruh' him on the Tern Link P8  in this forum many many moons ago. The only real fella who will do modding other than my humble self is Fei Lee of GW Cycle. Others are just trying to only. Then Fei Lee is expensive also. It is easy to tell which shop does and which shop do not..........I mean with workshop. Try asking for modding parts , like FD adapters, RD adapters, chain rings, 33.9mm x 600mm lighter seat post, square tapered 53T cranksets etc. Most don't stock! They actually don't want to do. Those who stock is only Kimbell Jaya and GW Cycle. So, now you know 

Can't blame LBS solely, there are no money in modding bikes…
Its a livelihood after all.
"Customers expect free service" said the towkays of the few bicycle shops I frequented. "The only source of revenue from modding is bicycle parts but yet the customers always bring their own parts… "
Worst is for meager 50ringgit, they have to life time guarantee some more… if kena ignorant and Nick picking customer time… die oooohhhh. eg, chain rubbing when cross-chain.

Having said that, I don't agree with Van's behavior. Where got do business like that wan!

BTW, I paid for 50~80buck labour fee for modding，I get life time after sales services such as brake and gear tuning… and a smiling customer service
There are many bicycle shops and wholesaler in Klang, mostly 2nd or 3rd generations businesses, it's very competitive…

Good deal?

Seriously, if they not behave like tht. I did plan to buy parts from them which worth a bike they selling there, basically in this era you can put fly high price tag for your business and people still keep coming, but with that kind of service and attitude... i can't say they will die hard, it might not. But definitely is one time deal kind. Next round if my wife wanta 12k foldie (example...) I won't go there, i rather have a trip to England and bring Alex back.

https://www.facebook.com/Asticycleworks/vid...62023240552405/

The new 3Sixty 16 inch folding bike. Take a look    Selling at RM2700 , OK larr for commuting. Folds like a B, Looks like a B and maybe rides like a B but lighter because it is chromoly, so maybe even rides better than a B. Same 3 speed Sturmey Archer hub gear.

https://www.facebook.com/Asticycleworks/vid...62023240552405/

The new 3Sixty 16 inch folding bike. Take a look    Selling at RM2700 , OK larr for commuting. Folds like a B, Looks like a B and maybe rides like a B but lighter because it is chromoly, so maybe even rides better than a B. Same 3 speed Sturmey Archer hub gear.

B don't ride that much better than most common 16"… Especially when 3sp only…

The one thing that makes people buy Bromptons is their classic looks , plus their British heritage ala Dunhill, there are supposed to be classy. I said supposed as opposed to their actual intended convenience. They are expensive because of their popularity, then their still hand braze frame. The patent has expired in the last few years (the fold design) and this has opened doors to other manufacturers to used the compact fold design. How many can fold designs be? Newer manufacturers (copycats if you want to call them) starts using better material (as opposed to steel by Bromptons) . You can't deny lighter bikes make riding use less effort and if you are using it commuting, this is an advantage. Also carrying it around also makes lighter bike an advantage.

I have ridden a Brompton before and I can tell you the riding comfort is nothing to shout about actually. The 16 inch FnHon that I built last time is easier to ride, lighter to ride, cost half the price with 20 speed and it also folds the same size  (both can be fitted into the IKEA Dimpa bag. So, what makes people rush for Bromptons?

The same passion that makes people go for an AMG Mercedes or  a 7 series Beemer. I am talking about frequently used items Ya! Not things that are used for monthly parades. It's the passion. So, you just have to be happy for them when they get theirs and maybe wait for a while to regroup if we have longer or tougher rides.

very toolan ride with some B owner, dunno they buy the bike for fashion show or riding. sikit sikit tak boleh. bring overseas riding die die must lug the bike into shopping mall la. restaurant la, i just leave my tern outside and lock it..
too expensive of a bike it has become a nuisance.