Folding Bikes - Traveling with a Brompton S-Type

Hello,

I'm considering getting a Brompton S-Type for regular commuting and errands about town. One of the things that worries me, however, is the seeming lack of luggage options. Brompton's web site suggests that only the S-Bag is compatible with the S-Type.

While the S-Bag looks like it'd be fine for my normal everyday use, I'd really like to be able to use something like the basket for grocery shopping or the touring bag for travelling (with Brompton, natch). Are these bags really incompatible with the S-type handlebars?

I suppose one option would be to get a Carradice saddlebag for traveling, but it would be really nice to have one bag for the whole trip rather than an S on front and a Carradice in back.

It's possible to use the slightly less tall frame from the S-bag in the touring bag

Great question - I'm currently awaiting delivery of a S6R myself and look forward to hearing others thoughts on this.

It's possible to use the slightly less tall frame from the S-bag in the touring bag

So I'd buy both and just move the frame around depending on which bag I wanted to use?

You could probably also cut off the handle on the frame. I don't know for sure. I have an S-type stem on the way that I plan to use with my C-bag frame.

I have read that the C-bag can be used so long as you don’t pack it too full height wise.
I think you would be surprised just how much you can actually get into the S-Type bag. :thumb:
I’d certainly not let the luggage options put you off buying the S-type Brompton as this is by far the nicest to ride of the Brompton models. It is sporty, quick handling and comfortable to ride..... the M & P types are far too sit up & beg and sluggish for me....... the S-type just looks so much better too
:D

You could add a rack and use the brompton rack sack.

So I'd buy both and just move the frame around depending on which bag I wanted to use?

yes - but a bit expensive

Interesting blog entry here : using a S bag as a saddle bag - perhaps you can adapt it to S at the front and touring at the back:
http://sevenleagueboots.wordpress.com/2009/03/07/s-bag-saddlebag/

I’d certainly not let the luggage options put you off buying the S-type Brompton as this is by far the nicest to ride of the Brompton models.

As the saying goes "One man's meat is another man's poison". As a slightly older man and one who has had back problems, I couldn't possibly cope with the low riding position of the S-Type bars. I guess the P Type cater for both perspectives. As for me I love riding my M3L with its sit up and beg position :p

I have the C bag and have read stuff about it not fitting on S Type models.

Regards

Jerry

As the saying goes "One man's meat is another man's poison". As a slightly older man and one who has had back problems, I couldn't possibly cope with the low riding position of the S-Type bars. I guess the P Type cater for both perspectives. As for me I love riding my M3L with its sit up and beg position :p

That's the truth. My foolish youthfulness has me liking the lower position of the S-type bars, though. The commuter I ride now has its swept back bars (no rise, though) an inch or so below the saddle.

I just can't do the sit up and beg thing on a bike. I don't feel like I'm able to generate power in that position. Too much time on diamond frame race bikes, methinks. I guess in the end, that's probably the deciding factor. If I'm not going to be at least somewhat satisfied with the riding position, the Brompton may not be the best folder for me given the other tradeoffs.

You could also do what I do with my brommie for shopping, which is have a brompton bag in front, and a klickfix bag on the seatpost.

It depends on your height, of course ..
with the front frame clip the bars turn over the bag,
Bag too tall, brakes hit the bag with their lever tips.. not good .

S bar bag frame and get someone else to sew a deeper bag that is not tall, perhaps?

Or strap a Carradice saddle bag onto the Bag frame for the S bag,
they are sold separately.

maybe strap a 2nd one on the back of your saddle..

I'm 5'9". I have an M bar , & touring bag.

not a sit up and beg position at all.
I shift the saddle back on its rails, and flip the seat clip
behind the post.. to put the seat back further yet.

stick a saddle adapter pin on , point it backwards
and the saddle set back can be made even more..

It takes weight off my hands..

Simple. Make your own bags. Very little expense incurred, and the best fit around for those hard-to-fit S style frames.

I got the S bag on the front and a carradice saddle bag on the back. It works nicely for me, the saddle bag can stay on and doesn't affect the fold. However if I was commuting and had to store the bike in a really tight spot on a train I think the carradice would get in the way, and it is too fiddly to take off and put on easily. I would try some of the other options suggested here.

Let us know what you decide. The S-type is a lovely bike, I have been through quite a few folders and it is the best so far.

Let us know what you decide. The S-type is a lovely bike, I have been through quite a few folders and it is the best so far.

A local shop had an S3R in almost precisely the colors I was looking for so I went ahead and jumped on it. Price seemed reasonable too. The S-Bag is surprisingly small, but it does look stuffable. I'm going to try and get ahold of a folding basket to put on the front as well, for grocery trips.

So far, it's been great. Lots of comments and I've had no trouble bringing it up and down the elevators. As with any bike, I'm already thinking about how I'm going to personalize it. Right now, I've got some cork grips I'm shellacking. Next year, I'll probably replace the brake levers with some Shimano BL-R770s (have them on another bike and love them) and get a Sturmey Archer thumb shifter for the rear hub. Big question is whether or not to add a Brooks saddle to an already heavy package.

i have an S2L-X with C Bag.

The S bag is just too small for my 'client visits' with stuff etc.

it's fine. The issue is that the handle rubs against the brake cables doing what you'd expect to them. - tape the cables up and you're good to go.

How did I know this would work? A Brompton employee has this exact same setup...