My First Brompton.
 

Hello all!,

I have a 2016 M2L coming soon and wanted to do a place holder thread for showing it and asking questions. It came off of CL here in NC. The original owner bought it in Brooklyn at RedBeard bicycles which is still in business but on Sabatical for a few months.

Its too far for me to walk and get or ride to pick it up. A car trip that far would make me extreme motion sick so I am having it shipped by my good buddy who lives in the same city.

Anyway, here is one of the pics that he sent me after pick up.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cae1e58db.jpeg
All original with very little use.

Okay, here is my first question; What is the handle post clamp diameter? Thinking after I ride the M bars around a bit, going to try an S bar.

Congrats and enjoy it.
I sure enjoy mine...

Thanks! I should be set with this Brompton, my 2014 Dahon Boardwalk and the Mercier Nano mini velo.

I have a VERY similar fleet!

S bars are just old flat style mtn bike bars.25.4 mm. You will need to shorten your cabling but not right away. It will fold but there's extra. Going from S to M bars will require longer cables.

Congratulations on buying the very best folding bike brand.

Please be aware that simply changing the (standard) "M" type" handlebars to the "S-type" handlebars will not give you a bike with the S-type bar height as the actual handlebar stems are different lengths for the two bike types. You can buy aftermarket handlebars for example from Joseph Kuosac that will drop or raise the height of an M-type or S-type to suit what you want to achieve, without the need to change the stem.
Obviously, you need to consider cable length (and the market as British bikes for the UK market have the right brake lever working the front wheel, whereas in a lot of other countries it's the opposite way around).

I have owned Bromptons since 2009 and they are fantastic. My younger Sister tried mine and fell in love with them. She now owns about 38 Bromptons and is admin of about a dozen FB Brompton groups.... plenty of info out there as well as here.

The S and M models have different handlebar but also a different stem and different cables !

The S stem is higher than the M and it has a greater reach (the distance between the saddle and handlebar is bigger on a S than on a M).

The cables of the S are shorter than on the M.

Changing only the handlebar of a M won't provide a S type.

Note that the current M is different from your 2016 M : handlebar of yours is higher and stem is lower, so the difference between your M stem and a S stem is bigger than between the current M stem and a S Stem (S stem didn't change recently).


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https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1062946c98.jpg

Thanks! This is all good details to read about. I knew about the different stem heights. I just wanted to maybe try a S bar shape after getting use to the M bar. Thanks for the bar clamp info as well
@PDR I’ve seen your Sisters fleet through Utube, impressive!

Next question: when all the components are black, does that make it a black edition. The PO wasn’t too sure on that.

Yes, your bike looks like a black edition, but more pictures would help to confirm that.

The first black editions had less black components. Brompton made year after year the black edition more and more black by making more components black.

Did you check the manufacturing date (the first digit of the serial number are the manufacturing date) ?

Seems to be made 2015 but a 2016 model with the laser etched plaque being the first year they started that. I also need to check the serial and see if the BB has been changed cause of the recall.

One thing I knew I needed for the Brompton even before it got here was a front attachment block. Finally found one for sale at Charlotte Cycles in Charlotte NC! They are the closest Brompton dealer to me also.

Quick shipping had it land on my doorstep before I even expected it.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f433fb2f8.jpeg
Wish I had a good pint to celebrate!

does your Sis have a YouTube channel? If so I think I watch (and enjoy) her videos

I have received the sales paperwork from the original owner. A must have so I can register it for safety measure. It also confirms the black edition label and another model change. It is not the R designation but the L. Realized it when I got some pics from my friend who is shipping it to me. Also the colour is Lagoon blue.

Thanks for the welcome!

Your Sister has good vids up on UTube and enjoy watching them. You also have a cool Jeep! Miss mine.

My buddy has packed the bike up and ready to ship. Service will be through Shipbike. His packing description involved removing the hinge clamps, one pedal and the seatpost clamp. He has memory foam in between the fold so the two half’s don’t rub, memory foam outside then wrapped in a thin foam blanket. Box has been double cardboard reinforced with all the flaps glued down. Bike is insured of course. He says not to curse him if it takes awhile to get it out of its shell!


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Do you mind sharing the YouTube site? I am always on the prowl to watch a channel starring Bromptons!

Akubrabromptongirl

There are tons of Brompton subject vids on U tube!

Totally put out!

My Brompton is going to be delivered today and I have got a nasty head cold! I still have not fully recovered from Covid so I was an easy target.

And it is getting ready to rain...

Hopfully soon I can show some “in possession” pics.

Easier than a stem swap is the HaloAlber riser and Joseph Kuosac bars.
Consider springing for the 3 speed rear hub, it's a bolt on upgrade to a 6spd
Shure is purdy

Very nice bike.

Tx!

Brompton in the stable!! Sis was kind enough to bring over the box so I could have something to do while I recouped.

It it was so well packed! Kudos to my buddy For a job well done! Assembly was left pedal, seatpost and saddle and clamps.

What do you know, Sun even came out...

Sick as a dog and still going for a short ride.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...23fbc353f.jpeg
Such a deeper colour then in the photo.

Got these tires for when the spring comes. Tan sidewalls will go great with the black frame parts. Plus I read that they’re not too shabby of a tire.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...37f211f55.jpeg

Today was the first real set of rides on the Brompton. Came home for lunch and headed out for a long roll around. It felt stable and quick in maneuvering around. Great fit to me also. A stop produced a long conversation about it with someone.

Then back to deliveries.

Back home later I grabbed the B and headed for the coffee shop. Quick-ish fold and I was inside ordering a meal and hot coffee! So hungry. Got into another show and tell with a student. These sure do draw attention. Finished up and went for a nice night ride before heading back to the loft.

Bike has done very well and I am pleased to have it!