The 2019 Brompton M6L
Discussion
I had a three speed Brompton in the past, and thought that as a bicycle it was quite rubbish, but it made for excellent luggage. The snail-type handlebar gear shifters annoyed, the silly high pressure tyres, the jack-hammer ride, the three gears, out of which one wasn't really a gear at all but direct drive, and the rusty frame bits, rusty on the inside direct from the shop. As a portable conveyance though, it was great.
Now, the owner of a 2019-spec 'six-speed.' There have been a lot of changes, a new crankset with a removable 130mm chain ring, new integrated shifters on the brake levers, lock-on grips. The frame/wheel base is 20mm longer, and it comes with Schwalbe Marathon Racer tyres, which can run at 70/80 psi for a bit more comfort.
The three-speed hub gear, plus a two sprocket derailleur is a remarkable kludge, but it keeps the fold small, I'm told. It all seems to work quite well but puts a lot of weight on the rear wheel. Standard suspension is OK, with not too much 'bobbing.' Saddle seems improved. Frame pump included.
It's actually less horrible to ride than my old one, but needed the same amount of fettling from new; over-tight cup n' cone wheel bearings, axle nuts done up to the point where you can't get them off with a dog-bone spanner and a loose nut on the rear brake caliper. Eek!
I practised a rear-wheel puncture fix, if you only have a dog-bone spanner, you have to completely remove the two-speed gubbins to get at the axle nut, with an open-ended spanner, you can just let the chain tensioner dangle, and get at the axle nut.
Only the price gripes, but I sold my last one after two years for what I paid for it, so there's less horror at the near £1100 price. (Less £100 trade-in.)
Now fettled, and living in the back of my B segment economy hatchback. I'm just wincing at the thought of next month's credit card bill.
Now, the owner of a 2019-spec 'six-speed.' There have been a lot of changes, a new crankset with a removable 130mm chain ring, new integrated shifters on the brake levers, lock-on grips. The frame/wheel base is 20mm longer, and it comes with Schwalbe Marathon Racer tyres, which can run at 70/80 psi for a bit more comfort.
The three-speed hub gear, plus a two sprocket derailleur is a remarkable kludge, but it keeps the fold small, I'm told. It all seems to work quite well but puts a lot of weight on the rear wheel. Standard suspension is OK, with not too much 'bobbing.' Saddle seems improved. Frame pump included.
It's actually less horrible to ride than my old one, but needed the same amount of fettling from new; over-tight cup n' cone wheel bearings, axle nuts done up to the point where you can't get them off with a dog-bone spanner and a loose nut on the rear brake caliper. Eek!
I practised a rear-wheel puncture fix, if you only have a dog-bone spanner, you have to completely remove the two-speed gubbins to get at the axle nut, with an open-ended spanner, you can just let the chain tensioner dangle, and get at the axle nut.
Only the price gripes, but I sold my last one after two years for what I paid for it, so there's less horror at the near £1100 price. (Less £100 trade-in.)
Now fettled, and living in the back of my B segment economy hatchback. I'm just wincing at the thought of next month's credit card bill.
I fancy a Brompton. Looked on Evans and it seems they do cyclescheme (as well as their own version) which I hadn’t realised.
With the £100 trade in that could be sufficient for the man maths.
Not sure I want much weight so what’s the options on gears - I thought 3 speed but on Evans I could only see 2 speed and no 3 speed
And what about bar types. What are the pros and cons ?
Thanks
With the £100 trade in that could be sufficient for the man maths.
Not sure I want much weight so what’s the options on gears - I thought 3 speed but on Evans I could only see 2 speed and no 3 speed
And what about bar types. What are the pros and cons ?
Thanks
Interesting. I'm about to push the button on a Brompton.
2018 aren't reduced yet and probably won't be much.
If they are by 200 I'll go for a 2018.
As for frame rust, tried treating it? Steel frames need treating internally IMO before you ride them as they are bear steel inside. Just like a car if it's bare steel it'll rust no matter where it is on a car.
2018 aren't reduced yet and probably won't be much.
If they are by 200 I'll go for a 2018.
As for frame rust, tried treating it? Steel frames need treating internally IMO before you ride them as they are bear steel inside. Just like a car if it's bare steel it'll rust no matter where it is on a car.
Converse2020 said:
I fancy a Brompton. Looked on Evans and it seems they do cyclescheme (as well as their own version) which I hadn’t realised.
With the £100 trade in that could be sufficient for the man maths.
Not sure I want much weight so what’s the options on gears - I thought 3 speed but on Evans I could only see 2 speed and no 3 speed
And what about bar types. What are the pros and cons ?
Thanks
Evans have the M3L for £1015, £80 cheaper than the M6L. To buy online you pick the bike/colour you want, the store you want, then pay. A guy from Evans Guildford phoned me a few minutes later to say my colour choice was out of stock, so I got the Tempest Blue. It's alright. Haven't used Cyclescheme, but many have.With the £100 trade in that could be sufficient for the man maths.
Not sure I want much weight so what’s the options on gears - I thought 3 speed but on Evans I could only see 2 speed and no 3 speed
And what about bar types. What are the pros and cons ?
Thanks
I wheeled in my P/X clunker, they deducted £100 off the bill, and I'm now a grand poorer.
Two speed a bit lighter than three speed, six speed gets extra sprocket at the back, the rear derailleur, cable and shifter. It's probably not enough extra weight to notice, given that Brompton don't do 'light'. New type gear shifters are almost pleasant. Chain has a split link.
Gears: The three speed M3L can also have -12% option, - a 44T chain wheel. They're £25 as an option if you want to retro-fit. See exciting gear chart below. There's also a +8 and a -18% option, possibly as a factory order.
As to handlebars, it seems from the bike fora that no-one agrees on a 'best' - the low S or medium height M are both popular. I gather - but don't know for sure, that the S type comes with a longer handlebar post. (?) S type puts the bars about level with the saddle, so slightly more weight on the wrists. See above pic in this thread.
If you want to go from S type to M type later, some say you'll need longer brake and gear cables. (?)
With the M bars, it's tricky to rotate them forwards for a bit more cockpit room as the brake levers then impede the fold. So what you get is mostly what you'll ride.
I seem to have coped with the M bars on my last bike, so that's what's on the new one.
As a post-script, the wheel-bearings on my bike didn't have a lot of grease in them. Seems to be common these days, so I added a splurge more. If you're commuting in the rain, a 'splurge' more might be preferable. You'll need a cone spanner.
Brompton 3 speed wide range hub uses new-fangled 'grease' instead of 20W oil in the old ones and is 'lubed for life', they say.
Haven't found any more bugs on the new bike. They come with a plastic stopper on the front wheel axle to prevent the axle nut from chewing the paint on the chain stay where it hooks over. It really needs something else, so I taped a piece of old inner tube over the stay to retain the paint.
Rides nicely on Marathon Racers, only other upgrades are lights, and fanny pack under the saddle for a spare tube, levers and a dog-bone spanner, and the vital clear vinyl patches to stop the cables gnawing the paint. Amazon)
As to rust inside the frame, the new bike seems ok, but has received a few squirts of WD40 down the frame tubes as a prophylactic. :-)
Edited by Slushbox on Wednesday 10th October 09:53
Jimboka said:
Picked mine up towards the end of September, not sure if it’s 2018 or 2019, can you tell?
All of the bits you mentioned are the same, except not checked wheelbase.
Added black seatpost & guards myself
Evans put the frame number and model year on the receipt if you have one.
Edited by Slushbox on Wednesday 10th October 07:49
Sa Calobra said:
Which 2, 3 speeds getting the internal gears?
I know 6 speed does, but ones gets an external gear derallieur
I think the 2 speed just has the combined tensioner/derailleur, the three speed just has the internal gear hub plus the tensioner, and the six speed gets both. I know 6 speed does, but ones gets an external gear derallieur
Pic is the two speed:
BaronVonVaderham said:
Great OP, OP!
You’ve nailed the description - they really are as s
t as they are useful.
Have spent the last 3 years commuting dailiy on an S3L Superlight and it’s a hateful little thing to ride but I love it
:-)You’ve nailed the description - they really are as s
t as they are useful. Have spent the last 3 years commuting dailiy on an S3L Superlight and it’s a hateful little thing to ride but I love it
Bromptons are a series of terrible compromises. But they so useful in cities. I don't know if any readers have tried cycling on training rollers, riding a Brompton has that similar 'constant-brush-with-death' feeling. :-)
I had 20" folders before, better ride, faster, worse as luggage. You pays yer money....
Slushbox said:
:-)
Bromptons are a series of terrible compromises. But they so useful in cities. I don't know if any readers have tried cycling on training rollers, riding a Brompton has that similar 'constant-brush-with-death' feeling. :-)
I had 20" folders before, better ride, faster, worse as luggage. You pays yer money....
Its not just the fold. The build quality of the competition is no where near the Brompton. Bromptons are powder coated for a start and the finish is very tough. Mine has been down the road and it has a few scratches. Do that with a Tern I recon the paint would be flaking off in great chunks. Bromptons are a series of terrible compromises. But they so useful in cities. I don't know if any readers have tried cycling on training rollers, riding a Brompton has that similar 'constant-brush-with-death' feeling. :-)
I had 20" folders before, better ride, faster, worse as luggage. You pays yer money....
Also, to those people who think they will be reduced in the sale? That won't happen
bakerstreet said:
Also, to those people who think they will be reduced in the sale? That won't happen
There's £50 off the 2018 S6L World Championship at the moment. Plus £100 p/x discount:https://www.evanscycles.com/brompton-world-champio...
They ride ok, once you get over the flex in the handle bar stem when pushing along. And the twitchyness!
I use my old one for occasional, but regular, commute to London office. Also used it for a few Palace to Palace 50 mike plus charity rides (as can get it on the train to get to the start!)
I’ve heard that if you put a Brompton & traditional bike side by side, the contact points all match. Saddle/Bars/Wheeks to road. Will need to check if that’s true..
Another slight drawback of S type is that the front luggage is restricted. They say the bigger bags don’t fit, as snag the cables. Although some do use.
Don’t forget to get a Brompton Bag for about £4 at Ikea ( Dimpa Bag is perfect fit & better than more pricey options)
I paid full price for mine as factory order , +8% gears. Used cyclescheme too. But my bike shop gave around 25% off of accessories I bought when picking it up, such as bag/block etc
I use my old one for occasional, but regular, commute to London office. Also used it for a few Palace to Palace 50 mike plus charity rides (as can get it on the train to get to the start!)
I’ve heard that if you put a Brompton & traditional bike side by side, the contact points all match. Saddle/Bars/Wheeks to road. Will need to check if that’s true..
Another slight drawback of S type is that the front luggage is restricted. They say the bigger bags don’t fit, as snag the cables. Although some do use.
Don’t forget to get a Brompton Bag for about £4 at Ikea ( Dimpa Bag is perfect fit & better than more pricey options)
I paid full price for mine as factory order , +8% gears. Used cyclescheme too. But my bike shop gave around 25% off of accessories I bought when picking it up, such as bag/block etc
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 11th October 06:46
Jimboka said:
They ride ok, once you get over the flex in the handle bar stem when pushing along. And the twitchyness!
Don’t forget to get a Brompton Bag for about £4 at Ikea ( Dimpa Bag is perfect fit & better than more pricey options)
'They' say the days of the bendy-bars on the M type are over. They're a bit less bendy now. :-)Don’t forget to get a Brompton Bag for about £4 at Ikea ( Dimpa Bag is perfect fit & better than more pricey options)
Every time I go to Ikea for a £4 Dimpa bag to keep my collapsible in, some scrote has cleared out the stock and is selling them on Ebay for £12 as a 'Brompton Bag.'
---
Hot News! 85 year-old does Lands End to John O'Groats not on a Bumpton:
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/16885938.da...
Hotter News! 87 year-old man beats 85 year-old man's record a month later with old Bumpton on LEJOG
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/87-year-old-com...
Edited by Slushbox on Thursday 11th October 08:22
Slushbox said:
There's £50 off the 2018 S6L World Championship at the moment. Plus £100 p/x discount:
https://www.evanscycles.com/brompton-world-champio...
Ordered. https://www.evanscycles.com/brompton-world-champio...
Be careful with Evans if it says in stock. They tend to be demo bikes.
The Ikea bag looks like it'd tear very easily snagging on bike bits.
Jimboka said:
The Dimpa bag is robust. Loads about it via google. Longer seatpost fits.
Under a fiver on Amazon prime also, which avoids buying a load of other stuff you don’t need on a lap of Ikea!
Excellent. Just snagged one on Amazon for £4.66. Saves being trapped in Ikea for four hours, trying to find my way out and emerging smelling of meatballs. :-)Under a fiver on Amazon prime also, which avoids buying a load of other stuff you don’t need on a lap of Ikea!
It looks OK for storage. There was thing on EuroStar a while ago about a 'bag' being needed to transport a Bumpton on their trains.
Upgrade! Clamp-on water bottle carrier. Fits on the seat post or H/bar stem. £5. :-)
Edited by Slushbox on Friday 12th October 09:41
Sa Calobra said:
Ordered.
Be careful with Evans if it says in stock. They tend to be demo bikes.
The Ikea bag looks like it'd tear very easily snagging on bike bits.
That World Championship model was in the shop when I picked up my bike. Sure looks nice . Also, with a bit more research I could have gone for a 2018 model, as the differences don't appear great. Be careful with Evans if it says in stock. They tend to be demo bikes.
The Ikea bag looks like it'd tear very easily snagging on bike bits.
The demo bikes looked OK when I was there. There were some strange 'cyclists' with Man-Buns hanging around them, talking about 'gain-ratios.'
What Evans didn't have was the cardboard box for the Brompton. Useful for home storage. 'They don't come with boxes' said Evans-dude when I enquired.
I finished the 'fettling' of the new M6L, as it's been hissing down since the day I bought it. Brompton's aversion to grease extends to the pedal threads, which were grease-free. (Rectified.) Clearly, this is done to save weight. :-)
Now just waiting for low-rent Chinese folding pedals to replace the 'rat-trap', although said rat-trap pedal is so wonderfully over-engineered, it's tempting to put it back on the bike an an object d'art.
About the only other possible upgrade is the 44T chainring for hills. I'll ride the blighter first, before springing another £25 on it though. Standard 50T gives a low 33", 29" with the 44T.
'They don't come with boxes' said Evans-dude when I enquired'
Was it ordered in?
Or stock? If stock it's display models. That annoys me Abit as I was going to be offered the display model in Evans. I pointed out the obvious marks etc etc and the assistant conceeded that display models are actually demos. That's fine, I'd be happy with one but it should be ex demo pricing...
Mutter, grumble mutter.
Was it ordered in?
Or stock? If stock it's display models. That annoys me Abit as I was going to be offered the display model in Evans. I pointed out the obvious marks etc etc and the assistant conceeded that display models are actually demos. That's fine, I'd be happy with one but it should be ex demo pricing...
Mutter, grumble mutter.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff