Let's see your Brompton

[Slushbox]

^^^^

" I have been looking at the S6L 2019 Black edition from Evans with their £100 trade in offer, but they only have green left. Is the black edition worth seeking out over the base model? "

Green! You're lucky to get green! Hairy blokes were fighting among themselves for green when I bought mine. Ended up with Tempest Blue. It's better than green, because I didn't have to wait for green.

You're deciding on how much extra money to spend on black paint. A bit like buying cars, will you recoup the extra at resale time? The lacquered frames please some people but I think the stock powder coat might be more chip resistant. (?) The silver bits are anodised, don't know about black seatposts - do they scratch/wear?

Brompton have launched the B75 for 'only' £750. On the upside it's £250 cheaper then the others, downsides: 3 -speed, no mudguards, not-folding pedals, Brompton Standard Range Hub, extended seat-post, blue only.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd get one of those and save £250. Mudguards are about £60 a set.

https://www.evanscycles.com/brompton-b75-2019-fold...

Edited by Slushbox on Wednesday 10th April 16:52

[Slushbox]

I done a 'mod' to the 2018 M6L Bumpton, changed over the standard 50T chain-ring for a 44T 'Granny' chain-ring. (£25)

Bike has the newer type spider-crank, so it took about 15 minutes. You're 'supposed' to remove 2 links from the chain, but so far it seems fine without doing that.

44T gives the -12% gear range specced by Brompton, makes hills a bit easier for lardy bloaters like myself. This brings the granny gear down to 29", not far off the standard on my last Dahon.

Bike has the newer BWR wide range hub plus 2 speed 'disraliegh.'

HowTo:

https://youtu.be/-P15hMqzpCI

[Converse2020]

Does any one have any advice on superlight versus standard? -

Evans have a shop model on discount and with the current trade in discount it would be £1375.

Is the light weight version worth it over say a new standard S6L from Evans at £995 (bang on cycle scheme £1000) ?

[Bumblebee7]

Converse2020 said:

Does any one have any advice on superlight versus standard? -

Evans have a shop model on discount and with the current trade in discount it would be £1375.

Is the light weight version worth it over say a new standard S6L from Evans at £995 (bang on cycle scheme £1000) ?

The super light has titanium forks and rear triangle. It's welded, not brazed so not made to the same accuracy as the steel version, or so I've been told. The steel version also comes with a small pump that's built in. For the marginal weight saving I wouldn't personally recommend it. As for the S6L, I'm not sure I'd recommend that either. Look at the gear ratios themselves but the top and bottom end isn't far off from the S3L but with more gears in between. It adds complexity and weight so unless you really need those gears I would probably stick with the 3 speed.

[Converse2020]

thanks - that might have just saved me £400 !

[BaronVonVaderham]

Converse2020 said:

Does any one have any advice on superlight versus standard? -

Evans have a shop model on discount and with the current trade in discount it would be £1375.

Is the light weight version worth it over say a new standard S6L from Evans at £995 (bang on cycle scheme £1000) ?

Definitely worth going for the Super Leggera model to save weight, think of it as a brompton CSL

The standard one is very heavy for a tiny bike, the pump is utterly useless and the post above about the triangles and forks not being as well aligned as the pig iron version is nonsense - they will all be brazed in jigs v similar to the ones used for welding, and will have been made to the same tolerances.

The extra 3 gears of the 6 speed are pointless as they do not extend the gearing range, just adds ratios in between.

IMO the pick of the bunch is the S3L SL with the front luggage block and a bag that fits it.

[BaronVonVaderham]

The SL also has lighter wheels (db spokes), titanium mud guard stays and lighter grips.

[And then she]

BaronVonVaderham said:

The extra 3 gears of the 6 speed are pointless as they do not extend the gearing range, just adds ratios in between.

That's not true at all - the standard 3-speed ratios are 48" - 85"; the 6 speed 33" to 100".

On my daily commute I use all of gears 2-6 to keep a good cadence - on a 3-speed I'd be grinding up the long hill and spinning out down it.

[BaronVonVaderham]

And then she said:

That's not true at all - the standard 3-speed ratios are 48" - 85"; the 6 speed 33" to 100".

On my daily commute I use all of gears 2-6 to keep a good cadence - on a 3-speed I'd be grinding up the long hill and spinning out down it.

Fair enough I stand corrected!

However for a non hilly commute the 3 spd is sufficient for most.

Personally I find the std 3 speed gearing too low and am often spinning out in the flat. Next time I replace the drivetrain I’ll switch to the larger chain ring.

[jinkster]

Ordered the Racing Green. S6L through Evans on Cycle to work and trade in so waiting patiently until 5th May now! In the meantime I’ve been looking at the brown leather Brooks accessories!

[anonymous-user]

The titanium is an expensive saving on 700g approx, some of which is the omission of a pump. Presumably cancelled out by the pump or co2 in your bag!
An advantage is that it won’t rust, as the steel ones used to.
No good to me as I prefer the brazed loveliness of my raw lacquer !

[Converse2020]

I’m narrowing down my purchase choice - but would appreciate some further advice on the raw lacquer model.

I am deciding between a standard spec S6L in maybe racing green or tempest blue, or spend a bit more and get the same but in raw lacquer.

My preference is the raw lacquer but what’s it like to live with ? Any feedback to share ?

Thanks

[Bumblebee7]

Converse2020 said:

I’m narrowing down my purchase choice - but would appreciate some further advice on the raw lacquer model.

I am deciding between a standard spec S6L in maybe racing green or tempest blue, or spend a bit more and get the same but in raw lacquer.

My preference is the raw lacquer but what’s it like to live with ? Any feedback to share ?

Thanks

I have raw lacquer and I love the colour but I've had quite a few issues with rust. My whole rear triangle had to be replaced under warranty. I believe they've recently changed the formula used for the raw lacquer but can't comment on if it's an improvement. Much as I love the look, in retrospect I wouldn't get it again and when I Googled it I'm not the only one. Bear in mind all the other colours are powder coated and not just lacquered so regardless of any improvements to the lacquer process the powder coating will always be more durable.

[And then she]

I've had mine in Tempest Blue for about 18 months now, used at least 4 days per week (with 3 folds each day), and there's no paint damage anywhere.

[Converse2020]

Thanks both. I had read from Brompton site that the raw lacquer was still a powder coat , but just clear, so they claim it is as durable as the paint finishes. Maybe there is a chance that it's harder to spot any imperfections to the raw lacquer from any rubbing etc when compared to the coloured paint finishes?

[Slushbox]

Brompton phosphate coat all the frames before powder coating, the lacquer is a powder coat too, so should be as resilient. (?)

Rear triangle rust was a thing a few years ago, I don't know if the phosphate coating is applied to the inside of the tubes, but some rear triangles used to rust from the inside out when used for all-year commuting.

The overall spec and 'paint' improved a lot from 2016-2017. My 2018 M6L is much better than the previous 2015 bike.

https://brompton.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/203...

[Bumblebee7]

Converse2020 said:

Thanks both. I had read from Brompton site that the raw lacquer was still a powder coat , but just clear, so they claim it is as durable as the paint finishes. Maybe there is a chance that it's harder to spot any imperfections to the raw lacquer from any rubbing etc when compared to the coloured paint finishes?

That must be the change that they carried out, I know mine definitely wasn't powder coated and the Brompton mechanics advised it is the only colour (at the time) that wasn't. So assuming the finish is now as durable as the others, then go for whatever takes your fancy.

[louiebaby]

Jimboka said:

The titanium is an expensive saving on 700g approx, some of which is the omission of a pump. Presumably cancelled out by the pump or co2 in your bag!
An advantage is that it won’t rust, as the steel ones used to.
No good to me as I prefer the brazed loveliness of my raw lacquer !

I mean you could go for raw with titanium. And a Brooks saddle.

I did, and I love it.

I really want a titanium telescopic seat post for it.

[anonymous-user]

louiebaby said:

Jimboka said:

The titanium is an expensive saving on 700g approx, some of which is the omission of a pump. Presumably cancelled out by the pump or co2 in your bag!
An advantage is that it won’t rust, as the steel ones used to.
No good to me as I prefer the brazed loveliness of my raw lacquer !

I mean you could go for raw with titanium. And a Brooks saddle.

I did, and I love it.

I really want a titanium telescopic seat post for it.

I have the Brooks saddle in mine! Was looking at ‘used’ original Brompton seat posts, but still prohibitively expensive for me.. About to pull the trigger on gold coloured titanium post from China at the moment (sacrilege, but i’m sure the originals were from Russia, or did I dream that ?)

[Converse2020]

Thanks for all the help. I have finally ordered a regular S6L in raw lacquer.
Hope to collect in a week or so.