krashtest

I'm looking to get the Brompton low rise handlebar black edition (along with the integrated bell/shifter). I have an M3L with what I assume is the HBS-stem.

I'm a little confused on what's required to have this done. I was under the impression that I have to replace the stem for the extended version with the low rise handlebar. Someone else that wasn't necessary (?!) I would just like some clarity before heading into the shop.

Cheers,

berlinonaut

What is an HBS-stem?
What to you call a "Brompton low rise handlebar"?


If you have a M-Brompton made before 2017 and you want to use the handlebars that are supplied for the M from 2017 on you can simply use them on your existing stem but will end up with the grips being a couple of cms lower than before. If you want to achieve the same height as before you would have to change the stem to the newer version, too.
If you have a Brompton made from 2017 on you can just switch the handlebars to post-2017 black edition and nothing will change as they are identical heightwise.

krashtest

Thanks for your reply. See the attachment on the stem details.

This link has the low rise handlebar.

It's very similar to the standard model, but with a bit of more aggressive look and it's lower.

krashtest

This is what I thought as well, curious on why someone informed me that I had to change the stem as well. Ideally, I would like to have the height as I find my hands/wrists hurt after a long ride. Though I'm hoping that ergo grips might alleviate that.

12boy

Hand discomfort is why so many use Ergon type grips and bar ends. Other factors include how far fore or aft the saddle is and saddle height. I like bar ends because the hand position doesn`t put as much weight on the nerve running up the middle of the palm and because it gives me a more aerodynamic position with headwinds.

berlinonaut

It IS the standard model. In 2017 Brompton changed the bars and the stems of the H an M models, making the bars lower and the stems higher. Overall height is therfore still the same. What you call a lower bar is just the actual standard. If you mount a lower bar to a low M-stem this works but you will - surprisingly - end up lower than before.

berlinonaut

Possibly because that person did not know what she was talking about.

berlinonaut

Do you sometimes read the threads that you are posting to before you post?

reppans

That 'someone' is saying the same thing these guys are saying.... if you want to maintain the same height with new 2017+ low rise bars, then the stem needs to change to - basic eyeball math actually.

EDIT: or get one of those Aber Hallo Stems to make up the space.

krashtest

Gotcha. My Brompton is a 2013. I’ll ride lower and see how I feel with ergo grips before swapping the stem.

bee-man

I didn't want to start a new thread so I felt my question would fit here: I am currently shopping a 2019 Brompton and prefer the S bar model; however, my LBS mainly stocks M bar models (I assume they are more popular). I do not want to commit to a special order so I am exploring different options driven by comfort, convenience, and resale. Judging by the pictures above, an M stem + low rise bar would yield a height close to the S model and in my opinion look much better than the S or M bars. Has anyone swapped the handlebar on their M model to a low rise bar without changing the cables? I can't see how a little extra slack will impact the fold, but that is why I'm asking the question.

2_i 

Google "joseph kuosac handlebar for bromptons" for additional options. You can find them for reasonable prices on Ebay.

blakcloud

The extra cable length will be fine, it won't affect the fold. It just may not look as pleasing. You could always trim them, not a difficult job.

BromptonINrio

M handlebar post is mutch lower than S post.

you will end in a mutch higher sport position than original S.

berlinonaut

The extra cable length may or may not be an issue when folding or unfolding. Depends from which bars you want to use alternatively. A too long rear brake cable may throuw the chain off the chainwheel while unfolding. A too long front brake cable may hang with the grip of the folding hinge on the stem and thus occassionally make folding or undfolding unpleasant. If the height difference between the bars is not that high you won't have an issue. Factoryvise the height difference between M and S is 10cm and this problably will create an issue.

fietsbob

And recent years the bar mast height /M/H handle bar shapes have changed.. & P is being discontinued, I read.

bee-man

Thank you for everyone's input. I went to the LBS this past weekend and they just received a black S6L. I couldn't resist. Now I understand why the cable length is so critical - the tolerances are tight!

Though I am excited, the remorse is heavy because this is such a luxury item for what I want to achieve with my multi-modal commute. It will be interesting to see how this works out in a few months. Hopefully, this purchase wasn't a big fantasy in my demented mind.

BromptonINrio

its quite expensive anywhere in world.
think about the costs per day riding and how it will pay itself....

just for laugh.... in my case....thr brompton only pay for itself after 6 years of true hardcore usage....
i

fietsbob

owned 2 used 3 speeds, 1 $600 I fixed some stuff sold it for $600, put another $300 out for the M3L I have now..

icedmocha 

That seems like an unusually long amortization period. Do you have a short commute or use public transport?

bikebikebike

This can be fixed by enjoying it more.