I picked up a Brompton M6L this summer. I think I must have read every forum and Brompton blog post in existence. I thought I would share/confirm experiences with the bike and some accessories. Maybe it will help others make similar decisions.

I wanted something that could fit easily in the trunk for recreational rides in the park and on the greenway. The ability to take it on the subway is a plus but I have no intention to use it for commuting. Full sized bikes don't mix well with a third floor walkup and narrow stairs so I mainly focused on folders. At first, I looked at Dahons but the product line is confusing. There are so many models that seem to disappear after a couple years and I didn't want to be left with uncertain support. Terns seemed like a step up but I wasn't sure about the fold and the perceived quality control issues. I settled on the Brompton for the best combination of compromises that I was willing to live with.

As often mentioned, the fold is ingenious and there are numerous ways to customize it. The price is a concern but something for each person to judge for themselves. Generally, I'm pleased with my choice. The only other folding bike I would have considered would be a Birdy but they are a bit too niche for my comfort level.

I used to dislike the dual shifters and their relatively low tech nature but I've gotten used to it. The ride could be better on rough surfaces but it could partially be due to the stock saddle and firm suspension. I don't know if it's considered heel strike but the rear roller wheels get annoying. I have to make a conscious effort to angle my toes in so that the wheels don't get stuck in the sides of my sneakers. The steering is twitchy and responsive.

I also added a few accessories...

Sigma BC 16.12
It fits the bill of small and simple. The interface took some adjustment and I had to experiment with determining the proper wheel setting but it works. Maybe I should have gotten a unit with cadence but probably not a big deal. I can confirm that my light does interfere but this might be a problem with most wireless computers.

Bromfoot2
I didn't think it was worth the money or needed until I got it. Quick install and well designed. Thanks Mr. Guida.

Light and Motion Urban 550
I got it for a decent price. Occasionally, the strap needs to be adjusted but it's good enough for the city. The USB port is in a bad spot and the side lights are partially blocked by the cables.

Light and Motion Vis 180
I wish it had a blinking mode (not just pulse) but it's bright and matches well with the Urban.

Off yer bike
It does make the Brompton easier to carry but I removed it for now to see if I prefer the slight weight reduction. I noticed that it makes the bike more unstable when folded and it caused the logo sticker on the frame to bunch up.

monkii cage and clip
I was thrilled in the beginning but the adapter clamp doesn't quite seem like it was designed for the Brompton. More disturbingly, the clip can bump against the cables and my water bottle twice went flying.

BIKEgang water bottle hook
Exquisitely machined and the best solution I've found to carry a water bottle. There were no instructions so I watched videos online. I use it with the monkii cage and clip.

Ergon GP1 grip shift
I can see why they are recommended. It was a pain to get the adhesive off the stock grips. I opted for the grip shift model since I didn't want to be bothered with trimming the regular ones down to size. I suppose I could add some bar tape but it's fine for now. There seems to be a gap since it can't be fully tightened around the handlebars.

Zefal spin mirror
It was either this or the highly rated Mirrycle. I opted for the Zefal since it's in keeping with the folding motif. It works okay though the image is small and the optical quality isn't the highest. Surprisingly difficult to find online.

Specialized micro wedgie
I can't figure out where to put it since the tail light is on the seat post.

Ikea Dimpa bag
Cheap and fits the Brompton like a glove.

Brompton toolkit
I got this more out of convenience and haven't used it yet. Most of the time I forget it's in the tube.

Considering
Action camera
A small, front luggage option - maybe the mini Ortlieb or a DIY solution
Brooks saddle - not sure if it makes that much of a difference or if I'll miss the hand grooves under the stock seat

Nice write-up - I'm using the Urban 550 and I love it. It does get a little hot after a while.

- There are plenty of sub-$100 video cameras and it would depend on whether you'll want a viewfinder. That seemed like a no-brainer until I read the review (and bought) the Mobius Camera. It's tiny, simple to use, works well, but the biggest downside might be adjusting it so your videos aren't 80% sky or ground.

- I use the C-bag most of the time and I'd argue it's by far the most useful all-rounder among all the Brompton bags. I love the basket too but I do think it's overpriced for what you get. I have the T-bag as well but it's definitely less flexible for everyday use. If I had to get another bag, I will go with the Mini-O as it's waterproof and not-too-small. Price-wise however, is a different matter.

- Most people find the original saddle intolerable but I'm not one of them - to me they're fine. Yet somehow I ended up getting a Brooks B17, B72 and B67 for my 2 Bromptons. They're great saddles and looks fantastic. IMO I haven't gotten them fully worn in but I love the width of the B67 and B72 (my butt is average size). The B17 is kinda meh.

Personally carrying it by the seat never felt right to me. The weight was concentrated too much to the front and it felt more tiring to do so. I usually have the folded bike facing backwards and lift it by the top tube. That just feels more right to me.

If you decide to use Go-Pro, this will fit you perfectly, since you got quite a lot of gadgets on the "dashboard" already.

Unlike the above post I have no connection to the seller.
This seatpost includes the LED taillights. within it.
?31.8mm / 550mm - Bromptons-LightSkin seat post with LED rear light - polished silver or matte black · EpicBike · Online Store Powered by Storenvy

Saw NYCewheels stocked them, at one time. IDK what the stock level is now. there is an upper section version too if you got the telescoping seat post.

M bars run out of space? Maybe One of these? https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brompton-...d6107/?geoc=us

Thinner wheels reduce heel strike.
these are thinner than the Brompton EZ wheels .. https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brompfica...35508/?geoc=us

Welcome aboard! I'm in the NYC area as well; join Brompton NYC if you have Facebook.

Heel strike. Almost any other roller will have a thinnner profile and that maybe enough
clearance for you. I use clipless pedals so my feet are always straight and hardly touch
the stock rollers.

Camera. I use a ContourGPS. I like the shape; very easy to mount any where on the bike:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jea4...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh5V...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

Brooks. I don't really miss the grooves from the original seat. BFold on 13th st. has loaner/test models you can try out;
Brooks C17 Cambium. With or without a cut out. I've done over 100 mile rides on mine:

100 Miles(160 Km.) on a Brompton by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

Thank you for all the thoughtful replies.

I looked at the Mobius but keeping it properly adjusted might be a problem and I see myself forgetting to remove it. It's still a consideration though. If there were more reviews and I didn't already have a tail light I would be looking at the Fly6 too.

I want something small and sadly there don't seem to be many options. The mini-O is a good chunk of change which is why I'm thinking about chopping up the S frame and attaching it to a small Case Logic Reflexion messenger bag. It's tough finding the balance between not too big and manpurse.

More choices I guess. I see all the postings for the B17 but maybe it's the knee jerk saddle solution? I haven't looked into the other two models yet.

I'll try this next time. My seat has developed a small plastic creak when I use it for lifting.

Yes, I'm running out of space on the handlebars.

When the new GoPros were announced, I'd thought I'd get the low end model. Since then, I've had second thoughts; I don't want to select it due to their marketing prowess and ubiquity. I'm hoping to see some more reviews of the Sony HDR-AZ1 since it has image stabilization but I also want to know if the battery life will be adequate.

I saw the seatpost and the integration is clever but I couldn't find any reviews and it didn't seem to offer much side visibility or be that bright. I need tools to change the batteries?

No Facebook for me!

I've heard that the EZwheels tend to tip the bike to the side and might not solve the heel strike issue.

I tried the Cambium at Bfold and while it was comfortable, I think the light color clashes with raw lacquer.

There is a black canvas topped C17 too ( they didn't have any more in Stock?) the rest is the color the material Is.

the light color is close to the color of the Brazing material you Know... there is a send in a Swatch from pair of old 'levis' material ... Boutique option too
got any steel grey Pants ?

B17? C17? B17? C17?
I like the idea of no break in period, low maintenance and not as heavy.
However, leather is more classic and might be more durable than the cotton canvas.
Tough one.

the rubber is the structure, the canvas is placed in the mold 1st, so is the surface of the rubber only but permanantly bonded into the rubber.
so like tire ply , when part of a tire , the part acts like a whole.

I bought this one thru long standing Brompton dealer C M Wasson in Cal
Brompton Saddle Vitesse - QSADVIT - £16.00 US dollar retail a few years back was $30

What is your experience regarding the Zefal mirror with regard to the fold and then packing it around?

I much prefer a bike mounted mirror, but haven't yet found one that would work with the fold and then hauling the folded bike around, so I've been using a glasses-mounted mirror, which I don't particularly care for.

So far I'm satisfied with the Zefal; it doesn't affect the fold at all. I had some concerns because there aren't a lot of reviews about it and most of the examples I saw had it on the right side. It doesn't sit flush into the Ergon end but it also doesn't scrape the ground. You can flip it so it is above or below the handlebar. Optically, it's not the greatest and it doesn't have the largest field of vision but it's enough to sneak a glance to see if someone is behind.

The Take a Look is almost universally praised but I don't always wear sunglasses and my helmet has no visor. I also don't want to look like the Borg.

If you want bike mounted, there's also the Mirrycle, Blackburn and tiny Zefal Spy. The Bike Eye looked intriguing but I don't think there's any place to put it on a Brompton and they didn't reply to my request for information.

since the left end of the handlebar end is right near the ground when the Brommy is folded , that makes sense.

Note , its not a Surgical Implant, and you dont have to respond to the hive central mind , If it were true , Vanity would be the least of your concerns..

or people ride on the other side of the road

In the drive right (Steering-wheel on the Left) countries, thats 'Salmoning'.. Unless a 1 way 2 lane, street.

The weather is warmer so I've been able to take a few rides along Shore Road in Brooklyn. The choppy sections between the bridge and the shopping center are bone jarring.

I'm about to give up on the monkii cage. My water bottle went flying after hitting a bad bump and I cracked my third cap. The removable plastic clip just doesn't seem to stay on. Any suggestions for a better cage that won't interfere too much with a front carrier bag when folding the bike?

I cut down an s frame carrier and attached it to a Lowepro utility bag. It's just enough to carry essentials without feeling like a sail in the front. Zip ties keep the bag securely attached with no rattling. The ready made luggage bags seem too large and rather pricey for what you get. I would definitely recommend buying the frame and modifying it to fit your bag of choice.

Picked up the saddle height insert. Installation was very easy but I'm still looking for the optimal height. As you cut it, it raises the height of maximum extension.

Waiting for the prices to drop on the Sony action cameras but I don't really need one.

I'm starting to dislike the stock saddle but maybe I need more time to adjust this season.

I can cruise around 15-17mph on flats but against the wind today I was struggling to maintain 8-10 in the lowest gear. I'd still like a Birdy for the suspension and a little more speed but the Brompton is realistically enough for my intended use. It's a shame they are so pricey and hardly marketed.

Edit: Sorry for the duplicate answers. I only read the last post.
It was only when I read through the whole exchange of messages
did I realize I already answered the same questions earlier. Ok, so
I'm updating the videos and photo then.

I'm using a Two Fish Quick Cage. Strapped on the stem facing the rider;
no interference with any bag attached to the carrier and doesn't affect
the fold:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgAo...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

Bfold by east 13th st. in Manhattan have Brooks Cambium loaners/demo's
you can borrow and try; C17 and C15. I did that and ended up liking the
C17; used it in last year's New York City Century:
BROOKS C17 LOANER FROM BFOLD by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

For action cams; I've been very happy with the Contour I got in 2011:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgIz...IoDLA&index=11

I'm happy to report that the Arundel Sport cage works well. It holds bottles securely and allows the bike to fold with the front carrier frame attached. No interference with cables.



Also,
added red pull string through the front carrier release to ease bag removal.
added GoPro compatible mount on top of water bottle hook (no camera yet)

Regarding the C17, do you notice any fraying or wear of the fabric on top?

Only had my Cambium for a while; less than a year. Maybe 1,000 miles.
But so far it's holding up pretty well. Haven't been riding too much in the
rain though.

Woodlands, South County Trail- NY by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

I like that the newer Black topped Cambium uses Carbon-black in the rubber under it.

The black cambium sounds good since I read that the slate fades quickly.

First, I need to solve the water bottle situation. Ejection #4 today, this time with the Arundel Sport.

Get a set of add-on bottle cage straps:
Elite VIP WC9115 Universal Cage Mount 22-50mm
Adding Water Bottle Cages to Bicycles without Braze

Get a Cateye plastic cage:
Amazon.com : CatEye Bottle Cage : Bike Water Bottle Cages : Sports & Outdoors

Place on top tube directly in front of seatpost. Problem solved for ever.

Hi residue hc, would you be able to let me know what fitting you used to attach the arundel bottle cage please. I have a B M6L and have been looking for some way of successfully attaching a water bottle. Cheers from Aust. Ziggystar

I'm afraid you'll have to wait for user bike.gang.uk to reply as I can no longer find the link on the website.

Hi! You can also check out bikefun cage mount. You can see it my Brompton upgrades thread

If you swap the cage with a steel one; you can adjust the tension by pushing or pulling on the section that
grabs the bottle. Not sure if this technique will work on an alu or ti cage.