>> If I have deciphered the Brompton website accurately that means:-
>>
>> M6L is medium height handlebars, 6 speed and mudguards.
>> P6R is funny shape bars with a choice of positions, 6 speed and a rack.
>>
>> No?
That's right.
Mistake in my response. My current, 2009, Brompton is an M6R. My first was an M5L in 1999, though at time there was no choice of bars so officially it was an L5. Twenty years on it's still going and on permanent loan to my daughter.
Don't even think about foregoing mudguards. Ride without on a wet road and you'll be soaked and filthy in under a minute. The best retro fit I've ever made was adding the little rubber spray flap on rear mudguard of the old L5. Without you'd get a 'skunk stripe' of wet muck up your back dashing for the station after a rain shower.
I've never ridden an H. Tried an S at a bike show but it was uncomfortable and, after years on an M, the handling felt weird. If doing more than a quick commute the P allows a choice of positions/holds and avoids stiffness/cramps I get on longer rides. They do though add weight and make folded package a tad wider which was important when I was putting it on the train, often between seat backs, every day.
The rack is OK for odd occasion you want to carry stuff but most people use one of the extensive range of front panniers. It's other advantage is it has 'easy wheels' to make it easier to manoeuvre the folded bike into a train's luggage space or under a desk. Downside is weight.
Gearing needs proper thought and a test ride. Anything with fewer than three gears is a niche product for sprinty commuters who never see a gradient and worry about every gram of weight. The three speed is the modern version of the Sturmey Archer 'AW' that goes back to the thirties. Everbody must have used one at some time. Easy to use with a thumb trigger on the bars, low maintenance and if it does go wrong easy to find parts though you need good mechanical skills to actually dismantle for repairs.
The six speed was an in house design by Brompton. It uses an ultra-wide ratio 3 speed hub allied to an ingenious two speed derailleur to give two 'interleaved' ranges covering 33 to 100 inches. If you've not come across inches as a unit of gearing Google but on that range I can cover from a 10% climb to loping along on level at 18-20mph. Works brilliantly for me, I'm using 1-5 just going from one junction to next in urban traffic. Downside is that the change sequence is less than intuitive (though easily learned) and the derailleur needs regular maintenance, mostly because it traps road muck.
If you're serious about buying then I'd suggest a trip to a Brompton Junction shop and an some time spent on test rides. We did that for Mrs B's, spending a lot of time on bar types even though we were fairly sure P was what she needed. Probably took longer than choosing a car but the staff are brilliant and let you take your time. You leave a credit card deposit and can take demo models off for a spin.
Definitely the best commuter folder on the market and every one is British made.
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Sun 29 Sep 19 at 09:13
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