Brompton owners

Aye try it with a p type stem for ultimate long and low. Built a few using that before hard to find

Great I will look forward to hear about it.

Thank you everyone for your help and recommendations.

Can anyone recommend a good mirror that is suitable for a Brompton...I have Ergon GP3 grips and bar ends. Anyone used the mirrors that attach to your wrist?

Hi, I'm a complete noob at Bromptons looking to get one. Would prefer lighter, like the look of the black edition superlight but can only find one at tredz (never used before)

Anything a person new to folding bikes should consider that is just common knowledge?

Would be using it on and off trains if that changes anything?

Ok I'm guessing here but an m6r would be m handlebar, 6 gears Vs s2l being s handlebar and 2 gear. What does the l signify?

E no mudguards
L mudguards
R rack and mudguards

Adding the suffix X indicates if the bike is a Superlight model

https://brompton.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/203295251-How-do-I-know-which-model-my-Brompton-is-

Aha thanks. My searching on that site was not good enough it would appear.

It's a shame ordering direct from Brompton doesn't appear to be an easy thing. Probably need to contact them to do so. It mostly pushes you to shops, which I'm not against but as I'm outside London Evans in Maidstone likely the only option and I imagine they would only do whatever they have in stock. I'll have to go ask them

Have a look at the Kinetics website for custom Bromptons... Admittedly not cheap but you get what you pay for.

https://www.kinetics-online.co.uk/folding-bikes/brompton/rohloff-brompton-order-form/

Brompton have limited stock, now is the time to buy, 6 months only shipping to your door via a few shops only. Before it’s collection only!

You really need to ride a few to understand the bike and the options, don’t be lead by others without building your own understanding first!

Thanks for that. It's a good option. Really like the disc brakes upgrade. Got carried away though and I'm not sure I can justify 3.5k for my first one....

Yes I agree trying is best. unfortunately I don't know anyone with one to try and as I'm currently working from home can't get into any of the central London shops to test.

Just to clarify do you mean it'll be 6 months to receive the bike after ordering? I'm asking because it helps manage my expectations. I'm a terribly impatient kind of a person.

No, for the next six months you can order with delivery.

It’s normally collect from shop only!

Ohhhhh. Yes that makes much better sense.

True but you only live once. 🐱

I rode an H an M and a S and much preferred the S geometry.

If you’re any advice then SJS Cycles is definitely the go to Brompton place in my mind. Really knowledgable and able to do custom/semi custom if you ask nicely to get exactly what you want.

Shipping is even better as they are Somerset based, I had to go and collect my decidedly non-standard offering late last year. Wouldn’t hesitate to go back.

Personal choice!

Personally I think there are two things that will drive your decision;

1. What gearing do you need, i.e. mainly flat roads or relatively hilly roads?
   
2. What riding position do you want? The S has a position more comparable to most road bikes, the others are more upright.
   
   

My commute is partly through central London and the rest in Cambridge, so I went for a two speed. The consensus on this thread seems to be either get the 2 speed or the 6 speed, as the 3 speed is as heavy as the 6 but with limited gears.

For me, mudguard were always required as who wants to get to work with a wet arse?

Hmmm My commute in London will be Stratford or Victoria to at Katherine's dock unless I'm being really lazy then it will be from London bridge station to work. At the home end it's only 2k hur in the way home that's all uphill. Because I'm fairly unfit I make it look hard work on a normal bike so I am worried about gearing but the act of cycling each day should help me get fitter right? Right?

Im leaning slightly more to the m handlebar for comfort because I'm 40 this year and everything hurts these days but I much prefer the look of the S.

And yes. Absolutely mudguards.

Thanks for the tip. I have used them before for pedals.

I'll have a look

One option - you can join the Brompton hire scheme and rent a bike when you need it. I did that whilst I decided if I liked the new job in Cambridge enough to commit to buying my own one. I think they are M types, and whilst the riding position was okay, the S type is much more to my liking. You get £50 off a purchase too I think.

https://www.bromptonbikehire.com/

3 speed rocks, 2 speed sucks.

In terms of reliability, ease of use and repair (I have resolved issues over the phone with many novices) I would always recommend a 3 speed.

I personally think the 2 speed system is flawed, I cba to go into details, but compared to a SS/3 the 2/6 is inferior.

@C4r1s did the right thing and whacked an alfine in there which I hope he is pretty content with?

Rohloff is the dream, but honestly, 3 speed is sweet.

Can always use an SRF3, like I do on the SJSC3 - the better version of the B75 ;), if you want slightly closer ratios.

I'm an old fart and I've got an M6R, it's great... Buy the model you want now, don't cheap out then upgrade later cuz it'll cost you a small fortune... 🤑

Im leaning slightly more to the m handlebar for comfort because I'm 40 this year and everything hurts these days but I much prefer the look of the S.

It is definitely worth trying the different handlebar types before buying, though understandably difficult under the present circumstances.

Single speed and 3-speed hubs provide the ultimate in reliability from Brompton's supplied models. The Brompton two-speed derailleur does seem flawed and it performed badly, missing shifts on my 6-speed set up, very soon after every service.

So...

I’m building three Bromptons currently but only 2 will stay,

The spare will be open to interpretation, so if you want something give me a message