hi all, well as per the previous thread, the new merc is coming along. Maranen, EvilV and LittlePixel have been great mentors.

However, I was wondering whether there were any other mods to the M-type-type handlebar besides theirs? I don't really like the m-type bars themselves, and before I get an S-type stem - not cheap - I was wondering if any other mods could be recommended.

Use the same stem but with a normal hybrid 'riser' bar maybe? You'll probably still have to make a Littlepixel™ stem QR clip as the bars won't fold flush with the wheel like the 'M' bars do but you'll get a slightly lower bar with more comfort because of the more anotomical curves of the bar. (M-type bars are function over form - they're designed with folding neatly taking precedent over decent comfort)

This fix would also likely work with moustache bars or cruiser 'north road' type bars. An 'S' Type stem is a bit taller and curves forward slightly so combining a good bar choice with one may be the best fix in the long run.

Hi gringo_gus,

What exactly you don't like about the M-bar? Shape? Too narrow/little space? I don't know about the mods from Maranen or EvilV. The m-stem is very low, so a flat bar will probably be too low. For modifications the s-stem is the best because you get reasonable hight with that stem. But here some ideas for m-stem if you like:
What you could do is, fit a riser-bar with less (the m-bar has 13cm rise) but still quite a lot rise and so have the bar a little lower. (eg. NS-District high rise bar has 8,5cm rise). That will give you a lower and wider bar.
http://wos-shop.de/product_info.php/info/p8_NS-District-low-high.html/XTCsid/8d0e61dbf93622edba4c8330c58f1e04
Combine the Aberhallo-clamp with a moderate riser.(Like littlepixels mod. but you would need a higher(=riser)bar and you don't need to have a quick release if you have the clamp upwards instead of forwards).

Like some front suspension? You can get the "POST MODERNE Suspension seat pillar" used as Handlebar suspension (needs cutting the stem and if done by Steve Parry probably not cheap). Or without cutting needed but a little heavier a suspension-stem-extension made in Switzerland. I only know a german dealer who sells those - will give you about ~6cm rise.
http://www.faltrad-direktor.de/faltrad%20-%20typen/index.html

What I was wondering: what about cutting the stem and fitting a modified Thudbuster S-Typ (short version) with the softest elastomer available from Cane Creek as a front parallelogram suspension. Folding should be no problem. Anybody idea if this could work?

Ups LittlePixel was faster ;-)

Here is an old thread that might give some useful information. http://stein.dommel.be/brompton/chapters/Handlebars.html#rotating Check the title “Alternative handlebars”. Under the title “Rotating the handlebars” is info about using the quick release. I have read somewhere that the use of handlebar quick release might arise a safety issue, but at least this guy has used it for years: http://74.125.39.104/search?q=cache:RvWcp5ZdI5UJ:www.foldabikes.com/CurrentEvents/Story/Alex.html+alex+mumzhiu+brompton+quick+release&hl=fi&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=fi
You can find a lot of information applicable to Merc in Brompton threads.