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3 handlebars;
S -Sport
M- medium
H - high3 gear options;
2 speed derailed
3 speed ihg - most reliable and easy to use
6 speed 2x3 - widest range, 2 shifters thoChoose colour
Mudguards + pump yes or no (yes)
Rear rack - good if you NEED to roll the bike along, otherwise waste of £120
Front bag blocks are included on every bike
Seatpost length; standard, extended, telescopic - the measurements for each are online.
Tyres; low stock, OE is a marathon racer which is fine for most. Marathon / marathon plus for heavy duty commuter or continental for good grip / durable a balance, Schwalbe one for ultimate lightweight and comfy
Any bike you buy can have the stem / bars changed / drivechain etc it’s just not the cheapest.
Aftermarket options include 18/20” wheels tyres up to 2.7”, disc brakes, carbon / Ti stuff, Alfine / Rohloff gears etc
sbbohr-
6 speed 2x3 - widest range, 2 shifters tho
The number of cases where somebody bought a 6 speed for their less-experienced-with-bikes partner/relative because they might struggle with just 3 gears, only to find that the complexity of dealing with 2 shifters was too much for them and they spend all their time in 2nd gear anyway... well, that must be pretty high.
I imagine.
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THIS!
More than anything else, get some demo bikes and try them out.
Here's my experience:
All my bikes (3 of them, yes 3 Bromptons) are M bars as that's what suits me.
Have a single speed, 3 speed and 6.
Single speed is a M1E with no mudguards, M3L is 3 speed with mudguards and M6R-X Titanium with mudguards and rack.
There's also the gear ratios if you choose 3 or 6 speed, my 3 speed is regular while the 6 is wide range.
They are different bikes for different needs.
Love the single speed for lightweight and nippyness , 3 speed is pretty much the loaner for visitors who pop around or any trips to pick up stuff (now passed on to my mum who love it!), Titanium one for office and suit days (Yup! Got to impress!)
Conclusion: horses for courses so try as many as you can.
There's a few 'options' which I should feel should be standard (Of which I do have across all of mine):
Schwalbe Marathon tyres ! Not Racers, not Plus! Best balance between puncture resistance and comfort. Little bird tells me that ALL future Bromptons will have Marathons as standard.
Ezy wheels + an aftermarket fender wheel, the former all around if you have a rack. In both instances, it makes the bike pretty much like a tiny luggage when you do your shopping or have to roll around.
Grip wise, I'm happy with Bromptons lock on non-foam, foamy ones just don't feel right, get Ergon if you're planning for long commutes.
Hit up @sbbohr for more info, not affiliated and well legit.
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3 gear options;
2 speed derailed
3 speed ihg - most reliable and easy to use
6 speed 2x3 - widest range, 2 shifters thoSo is the singlespeed version no longer available? That would be a pity as it made for a neat, efficient and lightweight titanium version, for less hilly areas.
itsbruce
coventry_eagle
Nick_S
Having had a loan of a super-fun, but tired 3sp Brompton last summer, I am still itching for one. I'm uncertain of the exact model I was riding but there were a few things I didn't get on with - mainly the handlebar setup - IIRC was an H setup.
Could someone direct me to a noob friendly guide to all of the standard options for a Brompton - have had a long trawl through the thread but was wondering if such a thing existed. Apologies if the answer is just: Brompton website. Cheers all.