Brompton Mods - for a newbie
#51
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: London
Bikes: Brompton M3L, Focus Cayo 2005, Giant Alu Boulder
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 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.
#53
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,393
Likes: 10
From: Albany, WA
Personally I like flat bars for the cleaner look. I started out liking riser bars. 
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.

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.
#54
Raleigh20 PugFixie, Merc
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 4
From: London UK
Bikes: 1982 Raleigh Twenty Hotrod Fixie; 1984 Peugeot Premier Fixie, 2007 Merc Lightweight folder
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:

Fitted:

Tutorial: https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/400500-best-looking-brompton-i-ve-seen-so-far.html
(This is not with Aberhallo -but a Syntace peanut is basically the same idea)
Part:

Fitted:

Tutorial: https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/400500-best-looking-brompton-i-ve-seen-so-far.html
(This is not with Aberhallo -but a Syntace peanut is basically the same idea)
__________________
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
#56
Raleigh20 PugFixie, Merc
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 4
From: London UK
Bikes: 1982 Raleigh Twenty Hotrod Fixie; 1984 Peugeot Premier Fixie, 2007 Merc Lightweight folder
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.
__________________
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
#57
Bromptonaut
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 2
From: Jersey City, NJ
Bikes: 1994 Diamond Back Racing Prevail ti; Miyata 914, Miyata 1000, 2017 Van Nicholas Chinook
Just fill your bottle with aprox. 200ml less of water and things are evened up.
__________________
Feel free to follow me on Instagram
Feel free to follow me on Instagram
#58
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Where the cows go bong!
Bikes: Not a folder.... yet
#59
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 1
Bikes: Brompton, Dahon Vitesse D5
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.
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.
#60
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: London
Bikes: Brompton M3L, Focus Cayo 2005, Giant Alu Boulder
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).
#61
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: GTA, Canada
I am relatively new when it comes to Bromptons, just got mine 2 weeks ago. I have a pair of SPD clipless pedals lying around. How hard is it to retrofit this to my Brommie? I though it would be a simple swap but then I checked the folding pedal and it looks like the bolt is non-standard. In my opinion, clipless pedals would be a nice mod to the Brommie because it can be difficult sometimes to keep your foot to the pedal because of the widely spaced gearing (I have the 6 speed version).
#62
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: London
Bikes: Brompton M3L, Focus Cayo 2005, Giant Alu Boulder
Hey ningnangnong - Not sure what black post you can use as it needs to withstand sliding and clamping, doubt anything painted will last. Probably better to track down a titanium post which I understand is darker grey than the steel shiny pilar that comes as standard?
Black mud-guards- no idea but have you looked at other folders? Reckon you will have to mod something to fit. You could buy car spray paint and coat your current guards but doubt it would last any time at all.
Shifter - there are lots of discussions on this. Depends what you are looking for, one shifter to do all on an S6L seems difficult but there are options to change to grip shifts, thumb shifts, trigger shifts. Have a look at Sturmey Archer's website.
Black mud-guards- no idea but have you looked at other folders? Reckon you will have to mod something to fit. You could buy car spray paint and coat your current guards but doubt it would last any time at all.
Shifter - there are lots of discussions on this. Depends what you are looking for, one shifter to do all on an S6L seems difficult but there are options to change to grip shifts, thumb shifts, trigger shifts. Have a look at Sturmey Archer's website.
#63
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 1
Bikes: Brompton, Dahon Vitesse D5
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).
#64
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Wondering if S bar front mast + Aberhallo + a MTB riser bar gets the grips
up to the same height, as stock M bar set as shipped ..
would offer some options for Bar sweep angles that way..
ANY tape measure fans out there?
S bar to ground[?"] , I think the aberhallo is a 2" rise , mtb riser bars are what,
another inch ?
up to the same height, as stock M bar set as shipped ..
would offer some options for Bar sweep angles that way..
ANY tape measure fans out there?
S bar to ground[?"] , I think the aberhallo is a 2" rise , mtb riser bars are what,
another inch ?
Last edited by fietsbob; 04-01-11 at 12:46 PM.
#66
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Puget Sound
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).
If you interested in trying a gripshifter, I have an extra. If you are interested, send me a pm.
#67
Bromptonaut
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 2
From: Jersey City, NJ
Bikes: 1994 Diamond Back Racing Prevail ti; Miyata 914, Miyata 1000, 2017 Van Nicholas Chinook

WIP.
__________________
Feel free to follow me on Instagram
Feel free to follow me on Instagram
#68
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 1
Bikes: Brompton, Dahon Vitesse D5
Incidently, on the aberhallo theme I stumbled upon this:

From this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-advice-sought

From this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-advice-sought
#69
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
some interesting Mods and repair pieces via this NL company www.eerdermetaal.nl
#70
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: London
Bikes: Brompton M3L, Focus Cayo 2005, Giant Alu Boulder
Hi All,
Ok so I have my riser bar - I have opted for a White Deity Villain 2 after a lot of deliberation. Trying not to go against the advice here but also trying to keep to what I have in my head as what will look good, think I am going to plumb for some white xposure mid levers (cheap n cheerful and only 160g). All the flat bar road levers are bulky and ugly unless you start paying £s. Happy for someone to counter with somthing that looks good and a pair come in under £30. I was looking at Cane Creek cross tops and flat tops but they don't do a 22mm clamp so no joy. I toyed wity Dia Compe Dirty Harrys for ages until I realised how much they weighed and I also looked at gold fingers but again the clamp is huge (tiny trigger, huge clamp - not for me).
So unless anyone has a better suggestion or if you can tell me I have got it wrong and the xposure's won't operate my stock Brompton brake calipers (I think they will?) then I will order them in the next 24 hours.
As for shifter - still thinking about WandT's SA thumb shifter but can't get the SA grip shift out of my mind. Choice choices :-)
Ok so I have my riser bar - I have opted for a White Deity Villain 2 after a lot of deliberation. Trying not to go against the advice here but also trying to keep to what I have in my head as what will look good, think I am going to plumb for some white xposure mid levers (cheap n cheerful and only 160g). All the flat bar road levers are bulky and ugly unless you start paying £s. Happy for someone to counter with somthing that looks good and a pair come in under £30. I was looking at Cane Creek cross tops and flat tops but they don't do a 22mm clamp so no joy. I toyed wity Dia Compe Dirty Harrys for ages until I realised how much they weighed and I also looked at gold fingers but again the clamp is huge (tiny trigger, huge clamp - not for me).
So unless anyone has a better suggestion or if you can tell me I have got it wrong and the xposure's won't operate my stock Brompton brake calipers (I think they will?) then I will order them in the next 24 hours.
As for shifter - still thinking about WandT's SA thumb shifter but can't get the SA grip shift out of my mind. Choice choices :-)
#71
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: London
Bikes: Brompton M3L, Focus Cayo 2005, Giant Alu Boulder
Both from SJS Cycles:
3 Speed Sturmey Archer SLS30-T Thumbshifter - HSJ962
Sturmey Archer Twistgrip-3 with Inner Wire 2250 mm & HSL759 - TSS31 HP
#74
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 800
Likes: 1
From: Alberta,Canada.
Bad back and old age wont let me ride S-Type stock without riser. But i found after test riding a M-type that theres some flex in the M-type bars. The S-type has none even with the AberHalo so this is the reason i bought S-type and went to the trouble of modding everything..
Measuring from center of seat post tube set all the way up, to center of handle bars set ahead slightly i have it at about 27 3/4 inches,so lotsa room and could go more if needed but also would lower height some if i did.
At 6 foot tall and long legs im super comfy with this setup. Hope this helps.
PS i got my Aber Halo from Thor just in case you wanted to know where to get one in US.
Last edited by ddez; 04-18-11 at 09:58 AM. Reason: Edited a bit
#75
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 1
Bikes: Brompton, Dahon Vitesse D5
Are you sure about the lack of flex? When I'm hill-climbing on an M-type there's lots of flex and it looks to me as though it's coming from the base of the stem. Of course the lower the bars the less flex as it's amplified with distance from origin. I figured that if one used a combination of riser and aberhallo to extend the bars to the same height as the M-type the flex would be more or less the same.




