The Brompton debate.
Discussion
I have a feeling, now that I've seen the M folded, that bar ends wouldn't work.
I also think that riser bars on an M stem would end up being lower than the standard S bars.
My current way of thinking is to get the H bars and fit risers to it. Because of the added height of the hinge on that bar, the bar ends wouldn't drag on the floor.
I also think that riser bars on an M stem would end up being lower than the standard S bars.
My current way of thinking is to get the H bars and fit risers to it. Because of the added height of the hinge on that bar, the bar ends wouldn't drag on the floor.
Got a full orange H6R a couple of months back (C2W - self administered) - went with the 12% gear reduction and it can climb sizeable hills when you need. But as per the analysis of different bikes on the same route - it is generally slower than a road bike (but faster than an old recumbent trike I have). Having said that I did one ride home from the MOT station at 16mph - and that was for about 17 miles.
Rear rack in reality seems awkward as I often kicked what's on it with my heels whilst pedalling. S Bag on the front works well - even carrying a 10Kg bag of fish tank gravel one day.
Shimano dynamo is great - but as with all these things add to the weight of the bike. Fine for me folding it into the car (took it on holiday to Scotland) but I wouldn't like to lug it around too much at a station. Folded to take into a restaurant - the staff loved it (this is rural Yorkshire).
The gears with the reduction - the sequence is flicking both levers together to get the ratios to flow naturally as you alternate with the rear derailleur. Something you won't get with a 3 speed but works OK when you get used to it.
It fits in a £4 Ikea laundry bag to keep it stowed away tidy.
Rear rack in reality seems awkward as I often kicked what's on it with my heels whilst pedalling. S Bag on the front works well - even carrying a 10Kg bag of fish tank gravel one day.
Shimano dynamo is great - but as with all these things add to the weight of the bike. Fine for me folding it into the car (took it on holiday to Scotland) but I wouldn't like to lug it around too much at a station. Folded to take into a restaurant - the staff loved it (this is rural Yorkshire).
The gears with the reduction - the sequence is flicking both levers together to get the ratios to flow naturally as you alternate with the rear derailleur. Something you won't get with a 3 speed but works OK when you get used to it.
It fits in a £4 Ikea laundry bag to keep it stowed away tidy.
bakerstreet said:
Accelebrate said:
H type stem with S type bars? 
Got to be careful that the fold still works though. I saw someone on a Bromtopn with wide MTB bars fitted and they looked like they had a 1 inch rise.
I really want the S as I think it looks much better than the M bar variants, but reading some of the posts on here, I am now worried about feeling like you are on top of the bars. The only Brompton I've ridden had M bars fitted.
Brompton Junction is fairly near where I work. I might pop in one day and have a look. Not sure about a test ride, as I won't be buying the bike from the Brompton shop, so don't want to waste their time.
ecs said:
bakerstreet said:
Accelebrate said:
H type stem with S type bars?
Got to be careful that the fold still works though. I saw someone on a Bromtopn with wide MTB bars fitted and they looked like they had a 1 inch rise.
I really want the S as I think it looks much better than the M bar variants, but reading some of the posts on here, I am now worried about feeling like you are on top of the bars. The only Brompton I've ridden had M bars fitted.
Brompton Junction is fairly near where I work. I might pop in one day and have a look. Not sure about a test ride, as I won't be buying the bike from the Brompton shop, so don't want to waste their time.
I took out an M6, an S2 and an S3 all in the space of about 1/2 hour.
Just had to leave ID.
bakerstreet said:
Accelebrate said:
H type stem with S type bars?
Got to be careful that the fold still works though. I saw someone on a Bromtopn with wide MTB bars fitted and they looked like they had a 1 inch rise.
I really want the S as I think it looks much better than the M bar variants, but reading some of the posts on here, I am now worried about feeling like you are on top of the bars. The only Brompton I've ridden had M bars fitted.
Brompton Junction is fairly near where I work. I might pop in one day and have a look. Not sure about a test ride, as I won't be buying the bike from the Brompton shop, so don't want to waste their time.
As I mentioned above, I'm now thinking of an H6L, but then putting riser bars on it to drop it down a bit.
Part one of testing phase complete:
It does fit in the boot of a convertible Mini. Only just mind. I had to remove te parcel shelf and unhook the clips to lift up the hood, but it does go in.
Part two complete. On my ride in this morning I was actually a little quicker than on my last commute on the Dahon. But then I didn't feel like I could go much quicker, yet I know I can go quicker in the old bike. But surprisingly close.
Part three hope to complete tonight. My Torx keys have arrived so I want to shove the seat back a bit. At present the bars are a good 6-8 inches back from my usual bike.
It does fit in the boot of a convertible Mini. Only just mind. I had to remove te parcel shelf and unhook the clips to lift up the hood, but it does go in.
Part two complete. On my ride in this morning I was actually a little quicker than on my last commute on the Dahon. But then I didn't feel like I could go much quicker, yet I know I can go quicker in the old bike. But surprisingly close.
Part three hope to complete tonight. My Torx keys have arrived so I want to shove the seat back a bit. At present the bars are a good 6-8 inches back from my usual bike.
Edited by Kell on Monday 15th June 11:41
Love my S2, had it a while now and even though I've moved out to a small village it still gets used a lot, best thing for me is being able to take it into shops with the bag on the front and I can tow it round like a trolley using the handlebars. Been great on the train too, usually when out and about it gets loads of positive comments and sometimes in the village they think I'm Marty Mcfly if they've never seen it before lol.
Best upgrade for me was getting the firm rear shocker and flipping the catch upside down at the rear.
You can change the rubber block to a firm one from the standard. If you're over 13st then it's a no brainer at 14st I was using >50% travel just sat on the thing!
Only a tenner to change.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/brompton/firm-...
Only a tenner to change.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/brompton/firm-...
Edited by MajorProblem on Monday 15th June 15:13
Jimboka said:
Brompton tip. Use some old inner tube, or elastic band, to set your seat height, where the seat tube pokes through the bottom of frame. Then always the right height without faffing about..
Or just be 6'8'' tall, and just put it to the top every time. (I have the telescopic post, and never move the top section.)
Even with an inside leg of about 31 I find there is only one position for the standard seat post and that's fully extended. In fact I could argue that with that leg size I'm borderline needing an extended seat post. This never really came out when I tested the bike before purchase as all the demo bikes had the extended post. Again this option is going to add more weight.
ClassicMercs said:
Even with an inside leg of about 31 I find there is only one position for the standard seat post and that's fully extended. In fact I could argue that with that leg size I'm borderline needing an extended seat post. This never really came out when I tested the bike before purchase as all the demo bikes had the extended post. Again this option is going to add more weight.
That's interesting. I also have a 31in inside leg and I was never expecting to need the extended seat post. Agree with you on adding weight. I will never have to carry mine far, but keeping the weight down would be nice. Brompton do a lightweight front wheel for £110. Can't remember how much weight it saves. Can't be much as its fairly cheap and they are only 16in wheels.
Just sent HR department an e-mail about my voucher. Hoping to get it in a couple of weeks. Don't want them to take too long as the custio order could take 12 weeks and summer will have finished by then
louiebaby said:
Jimboka said:
Brompton tip. Use some old inner tube, or elastic band, to set your seat height, where the seat tube pokes through the bottom of frame. Then always the right height without faffing about..
Or just be 6'8'' tall, and just put it to the top every time. (I have the telescopic post, and never move the top section.)This means once the top section is set, I can drop the bottom section all the way down and pull it all the way up and it will be at the right height.
It adds weight, yes, but I think getting it right that easily every time might be worth it.
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