Originally Posted by
Winfried
Stopped at a Brompton dealership: The 2017 derailleur + brake combo is compatible with my P handlebar so won't need to change this, but the operation would still cost €80 in parts.
Yup. There is absolutely no issue when using the new shifters with S or P bars. There is kind of an issue when using them with the old M bars but this
There is, however, no way of fitting these upgrades onto the previous shape bars. So if you want them, it’s a new bike (or, at least, new stem and bars, as well as the shifter/levers/grips etc, once they become available as individual components).
2017 Brompton review - 2 months on - Velo Cycles Melbourne
is still total bs - I really love these kind of statements from people that have obviously no clue what they are talking about and confuse other people out of plain ignorance...
Too bad that this even seems to be a Brompton dealer - obviously one that cannot be recommended at all as he does neither seem to know about the existence of the S and P models nor has had a competent look at the old and new H- and M-models.
For one you do not need to install the new Brompton Grips when switching to the new shifter(s) (and indeed this combination would not fit on the M-bars). Second you CAN use the new shifter with the old M-bars the issue is that it is a tight fit and you might end up with less space for the grips than before. So only recommended for those with smaller hands (or at least average ones).
You CAN use the new bars on the old stems - you'll end up with a slightly lower height overall (if you do not compensate this via a riser like the aber-hallo) but have no issues fitting the new levers AND the new grips (if you want them) or Ergon grips, even if you have bigger hands.
I.e. I mounted the new 2017-bars to an pre-2017 H-stem to get a height between M and H (more or less similar than P but better looking
) - works totally flawlessly and the height is exactly what I intended.
Indeed the new parts are not cheap and costs sum up. I use the 2017-shifter for the derailleur on one of my bromptons to get rid of the original bell and gain a cleaner look - using the spurcycle-bell anyway. Left the right hand lever with the 2013 one - looks the same and made the upgrade less expensive. Bought the parts during a visit in the uk, therefor in the end it was ok pricewise.