Hi All,
Thanks, some great suggestions here and componentry advice. Just what I needed. I am still a little unsure of the way to go on a 3 speed shifter. I have seen the 3speed SA thumb shifters and SA grip shifters - anyone got any advice/experience in addition to wandt? I am looking to go with the smallest, cleanest solution and am happy with either action having owned bikes with both mechanisms.

I will go away, do some homework and come back with what I find before putting my hand in my pocket. Thanks, J.

SA has a bar end shifter for the new three speed fixed gear,I dont know if they work with the regular three speeds. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/s...cher-hubs.html

Sturmey Archer has the same shifter for classic 3 speeds as both handlebar and bar-end mount. Although quite stylish it compromises the fold... The standard 3 speed shifter on the Brompton is quite functional though and it fits with the rest of the bike. A bar end on a p-type handlebar was something i have been pondering but until the parts arrive i won't be able to test it. Good luck with the mods and keep us posted!

-Carcinogent

hi,everyone

Really good to see Brompton moding disscussion.

I have just bought a P6R, and to tell the truth, I bought a lot of brompton stock spare, which costs me almost half the price of Brompton, that is because it's quite difficult to source brompton compatible spares since no Brompton dealer here.

Like cityjim, I found the derailleur and brake really both old fashioned and inefficient, and want them replaced. But after google, I have found little information. Could experienced Brompton 'mod'er elaborate on the gear shifting and brake system?

Cheers!

YuY

Hey realyuy - check out Sturmey Archers own website.
I have not made my mind up but they have thumb and grip shifters. With the two shifters you have it will be a bit more complex but they do have three gear thumb and grip shifters. Was hoping someone on here could review them... ?

Anyone? New Sturmey Archer three speed shifters? Any thoughts? Have you got one?

Hey R14
Question - I have been looking at lots of bars and have fancied getting a carbon bar if there is one in a sale but they are all 650 or even 700mm wide. With the M Bar being 530mm am being an idiot? I don't think I want to try cutting a carbon bar down, so should I focus on a good aluminium bar that I can reduce?

I am quite satisfied with the standard AW3 trigger shifter,It sits on top of the bar , so fold is unimpeded.
newer one looks rust free, double lever is a convenience.
M bar works for me .. new ones better. Mk2 was bigger than 22.2..

Cityjim can hacksaw down the high priced CF bar if they wish,
[careful of those fibers, your lungs receive them like asbestos ]
a thick wall aluminum one would be a lot more durable.

I'll post some current pics tonight.

I personally believe it will be difficult to find what you are looking for on carbon. I strongly suggest a different material, Titanium, Aluminium, CroMoly, stainless steel or even Scandium.

Carbon bars were developed for mountain bike racing bikes, with lots of traveling room on suspensions. On small wheels without suspension, the "karate chop" effect could take place, your carbon bar could shatter, and the next thing to go is your mandible/anterior teeth against the stem.

Here is one pic

Attachment 195071

Sorry about the quality. I can try to get some during the day tomorrow with more light

What type of shifter did you opt for for the S-RF5? Any 3/4 pics where you can see how the handlebar looks on the bike?

I went with an SA thumbie. It works WAY better than the gripshifter. No mushiness at all.

Here are some other pics.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=195113http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=195114http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=195115

Nice. That's basically the setup I want, I think. Except I want 305 wheels with Big Apples (!). . . which actually isn't entirely impossible. I might be foolish enough to try to fit one on the front, which would involve using a longer drop caliper brake. It might just fit the fork, it'd be tight.

Sweet! FrankenBrompton

Won't fit a wider tire in the chainstays , standard tire barely does.

Look forard to seeing your custom made frame and fork to accomplish this

need a wider fork crown too. so other than heavily modifying both ends
with some brazing and cutting,to make tire clearance.. then putting on V brake bosses is easy.

Or you could just buy a daHon that is already built around wider 305 tires.

It looked to me that fork clearance was just about doable, keeping in mind that the widest part of the tyre is further from crown with 305 rims. I tried shoving in the front wheel from my Curve SL to see how it'd look. . . reminded me of a tractor, had a definite farming aesthetic. But of course I discovered Dahons have a different axle diameter so I couldn't really get the wheel in.

Brompton's rear extremity has chain stays that stay parallel for quite a ways ,
before they flare outward for the hub width.

After several hours of more studying, budgeting, analysis of my riding style, traveling pattern and deep meditation, I ended up ordering my brand spanking new bike 45 seconds ago. Brompton S6-E, BWR, 16-12 in the back, 53 front with upgraded "this and that".

My sincere recommendation to all of you: For those in the market for a Brompton, www.bfold.com. David and Peter consistently exceed my expectation on genuine care, service, integrity and above all, respect.

as to your #26 above

I Expect: probably able to retrofit a Chris king Gripnut 1.125" headset onto that,
when It comes in.

Congratulations on reaching the final decision. You certainly have given it great thought.

R14, thanks for the commentary on carbon bars. Allthough I'm no 'looker' I'll be that much more of an ugly pug if I lose my teeth! Plus... I don't have ti Brompton so the minimal weight saving is fairly pointless, as little as 100g with some alu bars.

I am still looking for a bar I like. I have settled that it needs to be White, High Rise, 25.4 (obviously). I have some shortlisted, just need to put my hand in my pocket.

I was browsing MTB riser bars recently and there seems to be a trend towards higher-rise bars giving more options for mods, but they're heavy.

Personally I like flat bars for the cleaner look. I started out liking riser bars. :P

Flat bars also allow more freedom with mounting extra items like speedos and lights, as well as for trimming the length to suit your preference.

CAn't believe no-one's mentioned the Aberhallo stem attachment yet. This wee beauty when paired with the Littlepixel™ QR bolt makes for a far better sporty and adjustable riding position. Plus it allows hot-swapping of different bar types. Ok so it's one little extra thing to do when folding but it makes the bike look a lot less 'Granny' (M type) or 'Dynamite trigger handle' (S-type) with those couple of extra inches of forward reach.

Part:
http://www.bicyclerepair.co.uk/shop/...ts/ahb2307.gif

Fitted:
http://www.jobike.it/Public/data/job...o_brompton.jpg

Tutorial: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=400500
(This is not with Aberhallo -but a Syntace peanut is basically the same idea)
http://www.jobike.it/Public/data/job...15_swivel.jpeg

Any idea what the syntace thingy weighs? The aberhallo stem is over 200 grams, so not ideal for weigh weenies.

IT weighs less but not much less and you lose the front loading, don't get a little stubby piece of handlebar with etched angle guides on the end, nor is the reach as long. I think the few extra grams are worth it compared to the stock bar setup.

Just fill your bottle with aprox. 200ml less of water and things are evened up. :)

Anyone able to help?

Cheers

Is a Mezzo seat post 31.8mm?

I'd imagine the SKS mudguards for 305 wheels could easily be adapted by making some holes to fit the nut/bolt parts through. Though with M types there's the indentation for the coaster wheel.

Hey wandt - thanks for the pics. So you like the thumb shifter? I can't find any review of the SA grip shifters so am going to follow in your footsteps and go for the same (sorry for being boring, but I really like your setup and am looking for something pretty similar).