Twin Stem Adapters

I don't like the standard Brompton handlebar. They are to short and to flexible. They are so short that I had to cut of a considerable amount of the right grip to fit the brake lever and the shifter. Not an ideal situation. The S Type is to low for me. One of the users in the German Bromptonauten forum posted an image of his modification. An M Type stem with a stem adapter raising a standard flat handlebar.

So I replaced the M Type stem on my Brompton with an H Type. It is 6cm higher, but the hinge is higher, too. I tested three stem adapters.

	TranzX double clamp adapter	SATORI Aberhallo Adjustable Stem	GUB G-80 folding bike stem
Images
Distance	50 mm	50 mm	55 mm
Weight	188g	198g	141g
Colors	black	black	red, silver, blue, black, gold
Remove Grip and break lever for assembly	No	No	Yes

H Type stem, GUB G-80 adapter and flat handle bar

The major disadvantage of the TranzX adapter are the clamps above the handle bar. The GUB adapter is similiar but the clamps are at the bottom and smaller. The Aberhallo adapter has a different design - it is the most flexible. TranxZ and Aberhallo use plastic barends, but the GUB has threaded aluminium barends, providing a small storage space.

For now I am using the GUB G-80. The 5mm more make a difference (no conflict with the mudguard stay) and I like the look of the bands at the handle bar.

The handle bar is 1 meter from the ground and 8 cm lower then the saddle.

Brompton Modifications

I don't like the plastic silver look of the Brompton fenders. So I got some carbon fibre effect foil and a hairdryer. The result are some nice black fenders.

You can see my new rear suspension on the image, too. Here is a real steel spring inside. So it is nothing for weight weenies. :-)

Brompton Mini O-Bag

It is an Ortlieb Ultimate Classic with two differences. First of course the Klickfix mounting adapter is replaced by a Brompton version.

The other difference is that it has a handle on to top and no push buttons for map cases. This makes sense because on a Brompton the bag is to low.

Update: Yes, the camera insert fits.

My New Brompton

Yeah I got one. It is a modified Brompton from Junik-HPV. It has a Shimano Alfine 11, which makes it really nice to ride.


It is quite different from my Strida. The riding position is not as upright as on the Strida, but still comfortable and I finally have room for my knees. The folding is more complex and the resulting package is smaller but wider. The Strida is easier to transport while folded.

The folding of the Brompton is done in five steps plus one optional step for the pedal. The folding of the Strida needs only a single step with four optional steps for the both handle bars and pedals.

Brompton folding steps:

1.  Move the right pedal in position
2. Fold the rear
3. Unscrew and fold the front
4. Push the saddle into the frame
5. Unscrew and fold the stem
6. Optional: fold the left pedal

Strida folding steps:

1. Fold the bottom tube up and the wheels against each other
2. Optional: Left handle bar
3. Optional: Right handle bar
4. Optional: Left pedal
5. Optional: Right pedal

The luggage options on a Brompton are a lot better then on the Strida. The front block is extremly useful and allows to transport a lot of stuff. It is connected to the frame, not the stem, so it does not affect the steering. You can add something comparable to the Strida using a Klick Fix Caddy. But on the Strida this makes the steering more difficult depending on the load.

Unlike the Strida the Brompton has a dynamo hub. So now I have light without thinking about batteries. I am thinking about an adapter so I can use it to charge devices during tours.