The Brompton debate.
Discussion
Accelebrate said:
I like the idea of that. I'm assuming it fits on the very bottom of the seat post...So my plan - after much debate, is to order an H6L. While this is the most upright of all the options, the plan is to fit MTB style riser bars to it so it ends up with a bar height somewhere in between the M and S.
This seems like a better way of doing it than starting with an S and trying to raise the bars as I'll have less issues with cable length - figuring it's easier to shorten the cables than it will be to lengthen them.
My missus still thinks I'll look like a spod on one, but so far, my hire bike has proven to work where I need it to, be almost as fast as a full size one and makes getting on and off a packed train a lot easier.
The only issue I have is the colour of the hire one - one of my colleagues said it looked like Dora the explorer's bike - and the gear levers.
I'll be looking to change the levers as soon as possible and will be investigating options to see if I can get them sorted in time for the arrival of the bike so I can do a bar and gear lever swap at the same time.
As for the colour issue, this is what I'm thinking now.
This seems like a better way of doing it than starting with an S and trying to raise the bars as I'll have less issues with cable length - figuring it's easier to shorten the cables than it will be to lengthen them.
My missus still thinks I'll look like a spod on one, but so far, my hire bike has proven to work where I need it to, be almost as fast as a full size one and makes getting on and off a packed train a lot easier.
The only issue I have is the colour of the hire one - one of my colleagues said it looked like Dora the explorer's bike - and the gear levers.
I'll be looking to change the levers as soon as possible and will be investigating options to see if I can get them sorted in time for the arrival of the bike so I can do a bar and gear lever swap at the same time.
As for the colour issue, this is what I'm thinking now.
bakerstreet said:
Jimboka said:
I'm pretty sure that the Brompton bars are a non-standard diameter . That combined with the fold makes it a bit tricky..
Correct. I've forgotten the exact dimension, but its certainly not the standard 31.8mm There are people out there who have put older MTB bars with a slight rise on an S, but apparently hunting down these bars can be tricky.
I've now been to the Bromton shop and I was pleased to hear that its 4 to 5 weeks for a custom build (also confirmed above)
Having sat on an S and an M, I shall probably go with an M3L in black and white (No cost option) with solid suspension block marathon tyres, easy wheels and an S-Bag. Some of the colours are great, but I'm all ready payiong out an extra £113 for pedals and a pump over the voucher and the paint would push that to £173 and I don't want to go too mad.
Can't wait for voucher to turn up. I didn't bother with a test ride from the store. Chap in the shop was really friendly and helpful
ETA - it's 25.4.
There are a few bars out there, and I've read numerous threads on other forums to say that it's easily doable.
For example:
That's part of the reason I wanted the H type as the stem has the fold a little higher - this would not only allow for me to get wider bars, it would allow the fitting of decent length bar ends.
Edited by Kell on Thursday 18th June 09:53
Well I got my voucher sorted and placed the order on Sunday.
They're quoting 5-6 weeks for delivery, which is a pain as I'm racking up costs on the hire bike, and it's not in the best shape.
But I've measured up some old riser bars I had from an old bike and they're the correct diameter. I may need to hacksaw the ends off, but I'll wait until I have the bike to decide how much.
I have noticed the difference in the ability to filter through traffic with the narrower M bars compared to my Dahon. So I may see how much real estate I need first for lights, grips and bar ends and then try and make them as narrow as possible.
They're quoting 5-6 weeks for delivery, which is a pain as I'm racking up costs on the hire bike, and it's not in the best shape.
But I've measured up some old riser bars I had from an old bike and they're the correct diameter. I may need to hacksaw the ends off, but I'll wait until I have the bike to decide how much.
I have noticed the difference in the ability to filter through traffic with the narrower M bars compared to my Dahon. So I may see how much real estate I need first for lights, grips and bar ends and then try and make them as narrow as possible.
The picture I posted on the previous page.
Lime Green all over. H6.
As I say, I'm going to swap the bars for risers to make the final bar height somewhere between an S and an M.
I've only seen one other Lime Green and it looked great.
Just wish I didn't have to wait so long.
Luckily, the voucher's coming through Cyclescheme, so I can avoid Evans and use my local bike shop instead. (Saddle Safari in Marlow.)
Lime Green all over. H6.
As I say, I'm going to swap the bars for risers to make the final bar height somewhere between an S and an M.
I've only seen one other Lime Green and it looked great.
Just wish I didn't have to wait so long.
Luckily, the voucher's coming through Cyclescheme, so I can avoid Evans and use my local bike shop instead. (Saddle Safari in Marlow.)
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