Brompton pre-2017 / B75 grips - 5 (+ a couple of bonus ones!)

A selection of grips for your Brompton B75 or older style (pre-2017) M-type / H-type handlebars
Over a year ago we started making a video showing which grips will fit which model of Brompton
It was a bigger task than we ever imagined
And some of the grips we started with have since been modified or discontinued
So we thought we would simplify it (hopefully) so - here goes
The video is in different sections - with time stamps in the description so you can skip to the most interesting part for you (hope it’s not just the outtakes!)
0:00 | Intro
This video will hopefully help with that question- will this grip fit my B75? - we have 5 + a bonus grip options
And we try the GP5
0:35 | B75 standard grips
Current / standard B75 grips - and how to remove (clue - washing up liquid)
The B75 comes with push on rubber grips
1:43 | Brompton standard pre-2017
(these may have been discontinued in 2021)
The first option would be to replace them with the standard pre-2017 grips - but these are one of the options that was (maybe) discontinued during the making of our comprehensive video
They are made of a foam like material - and should be glued on using a copydex type adhesive - making them difficult to replace
The only way we could remove the old ones was with a knife
Top trumps - Brompton branded - lightest @ 14 g
2:21 | Brooks slender short (100mm)
If you like leather - and maybe would like a matching saddle - then we already made a video on the Brooks slender grips -
These are available in the same colours as the Popular Brooks saddles - black / brown and honey (a lighter brown)
though these have also changed specification slightly since we fitted them to our old Brompton - the wording on the leather disappeared
We would say these are more for looks than comfort
Here are the new look ones ….
Weight: 111g
Top trumps - prettiest
3:46 | Madison youth
If you are looking for the cheapest option - then these from Madison will do the job with no thrills
They are actually ‘youth grips’ - hence the handy shorter length (but also a,slightly smaller diameter)
Top trumps - cheapest
Weight: 71g
4:24 | Frog short 90mm grips
If you want cheap but lock on rather than slide on - these Frog (kids) grips will do the job
Top trumps - shortest
Weight: 58g
5:00 | Ergon GP1 short / grip shift
‘Maximum comfort and best possible pressure distribution in a grip designed for touring or mountain biking. Turn the grip to get the correct support platform position.
* 202g per pair’
The most popular option are the GP1 - either Cork or Rubber
These are almost the standard ‘after market’ fit handlebar grips
Some people buy the full length version - these [show them] - and cut to length
(Do you really want to take a knife / saw to your new grips … we know it’s almost hallowe’en but …..)
The shorter version come in two finishes - rubber and bio-cork and rubber
And in 2 diameters - s and l
Top trumps - most fitting options
6:53 | Ergon GS1 short / grip shift
We didn’t want to look Ergon biased - but the nicest looking are the GS1
And they have the option of being short or really short due to the removable end
Cross country / Marathon MTB - designed for comfort over a long period of time
Only one size and one finish
Top trumps - adjustable length
Weight: 134g
7:57 | Ergon GP5 - will they fit?
9:54 | End / Subscribe
10:19 Outtakes

[@knappertsbusch]

"Sorry, tree" 😂 this dry witted humor cracks me up every time.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you! And thank you for watching!

[@BELLAPHONTOO]

The English sense of humour is exceedingly intoxicating and soul-enhancing!

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you 😊

[@bytesabre]

A good way to get those grips off is to jam the pipe from a can of wd40 down there and spray it. Comes right off effortlessly, then just use degreaser to remove the wd40

[@reglockyer9234]

i find a squirt of hairspray on the bars helps those tight grips slip on, but you need to be quick as it will go sticky, which is good once they are correctly in place.

[@brilliantbikes]

Sounds like a great trick. Thank you

[@gap9992]

Agree Reg - I have been stealing my wife's hairspray to fit grips for decades

[@steveg4170]

Returning my HR6 for its free first service the dealer fitted large GP1s for me, their last Ergons in stock mid-Covid crisis. I'm so grateful you demonstrated GP5s as they were my first choice and your video has removed a year-long niggling doubt I might have had them instead :) Thank you!

[@brilliantbikes]

So glad it answered that question! Thank you for watching!

[@sennengomes]

You’re videos are always great to watch, they are very informative. Also, the bloopers, “it’ll be alright on the night” ending are just, gems. A big 👍🏽

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much and thank you for watching 😊

[@rorydoyle3212]

This grip ! This grip! This grip! Love it

[@budisantotanoto7003]

Been loving the Ergon GP1 grips since my first contact with them on a demo Brompton years ago. Thank you for the reviews & tips!

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@devjon123]

I fitted Joseph Kuosac mid rise bars to my pre 2017 Brommie. They are wider than the original bars and can be cut to size to suit the standard 130mm grips using an inexpensive Plumber's pipe slice from places such as Screwfix. The JK Bars have handy width markings printed on the bars to help with cutting down. I trimmed mine asymmetrically so the grip just misses the ground when folded, but left the other side a bit wider for better comfort when riding.

[@handsonbrompton7875]

You are BRILLIANT ... love your videos!

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you 😊!

[@amandaleigh3852]

Top Trumps BRILLIANCE - Freddie K, Stag Beetles and a B75-extruding tree, with the added bonus of superb filming, fabulous presentation and excellent useful content 🙌 Well Done 🤩 BRILLIANT as ever! 😁

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you so much. Hope you are well!

[@flpirate4565]

Love your videos and your cute outakes my Lovely. 😊

[@brilliantbikes]

Thank you for making me smile 😊 again and for watching

[@SurbyBiker]

Great video and very helpful.

[@brilliantbikes]

So glad it was helpful and thank you for watching!

[@kap10bob]

Great video as always ❤

[@brilliantbikes]

Many thanks!

[@stewitwooit9744]

If you carefully insert the GT85 tube into the old handle bar grip, give it a squirt and a twist you can easily remove the grip. The solvent in the GT 85 will dissolve any residual glue that was used to hold the grips in place. Also a squirt of hairspray into the new grip and onto the handlebar will make it easy to slide on., once the solvent evaporates the grip will be glued in place.

[@tomc8854]

Another fun video❗️Tempted to get the Black Brooks to match my saddle but the ergons the previous owner installed are just too comfortable. Back in the day before lock on grips we would use hair spray which made it easier to slide them on and kept them in place 😁 A Handlebar through the leg might smart a little but would make such an interesting piercing. I know it is possible, I saw a video of it once yuck ❗️

[@brilliantbikes]

We also really like the Ergon grips, they are the go to grip for us on the MTBs as well. Thank you for watching

[@AA-dk7pn]

I got sweats to put Ergonomic gp 1. After watching this I got happy

[@urpanch]

B75 integrated shifters conversion video!

[@brilliantbikes]

It’s on the list 😊. We want to keep this one an original, but are planning on building one from scratch (a B75), so will cover it then. It may take us some time to get there. Thank you for the suggestion and watching.

[@davidburgess5419]

A vote for the Ergon GA3 from me. It has the Ergon wings, available in two sixes x loads of colours, and it features inboard clamps which I prefer.

[@suzstancova4220]

Nice video! I just bought Ergonomic Rubber Grips from Brooks and I am going to fit it to my 2020 Brompton. Could you maybe make also a video about it? Love your sense of humor !!!

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks for the suggestion. It’s on the list 😊. Thank you for watching

[@amonster8mymother]

That's amazing I had no idea bromptons grew 9n trees!!!

[@pdoyle2]

I have the brooks ergo grips on my e brompton decided to fit mini mods round leather grips to my B75 with titanium end plugs they are a lot cheaper than the Brooks grips. Original grips can be removed by simply peeling them off backwards.

[@handsonbrompton7875]

Thank you! Very interesting… BRILLIANT! Would the bike fold correctly with the GP5 if the Brompton had a Rack?

[@linusloo]

Nice video. Would you be able to make a future video on upgrading the B75 brake levers and gear shifter to the latest versions from Brompton?

[@brilliantbikes]

Many thanks for the suggestion. We plan on building up a B75 (ish) in a number of videos, this will certainly be one of them. Thank you for watching

[@tomvanhummel160]

I use ergon cork gp3 grips and they fit perfectly, I have enough ground clearance to roll the bike. I have a black brompton H6R.

[@cktang68]

Did you have to change the roller wheels to provide enough clearance? Thanks.

[@tomvanhummel160]

@@cktang68 I already did have the easy rollers so I dont know if other wheels do effect the ground clearance

[@brilliantbikes]

That’s great to know they don’t interfere with the fold. Thank you for watching

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

I have got a set of leather grips like the Brooks - but with a Brompton symbol on them and a full leather piece all the way. They come from the outside.

[@brilliantbikes]

Sounds lovely. Thank you for the comment and for watching

[@KuyaJayTV12]

Where did you get them, I am interested.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

@@KuyaJayTV12 Chinese A.E. Near all parts and spares for a Br. is to be bought from shops there, also made from titanium and carbon. It's like being a Child in a Toy shop! My present and now much Former 2019 SuperlightM6LXBrompton weighs 8,75 kilo, with mudguards and I expect with changing the clamps on my mudguards (I'm a Rainy Dane!), from the original "Heavy Metal", will make it come below 8,5 kilo - also some, extra of my original brake parts changed to Titanium. Mine is a Black Version, so of course my very solid titanium seat post is also black. A Brompton shaped post of course, with the security ring in the bottom (may be bought in several length versions, also in between the ordinary sizes)! And leather, Brompton printed grips with security rings may be bought in different length versions if needed (It is a Brompton, not a racing bike!). Finn. Denmark

[@effyleven]

Thank you for the video. You work hard on our behalf, and we do appreciate it. Question in regard of Standard (recent) Bromptons:- Does the GP5 model strike the ground with those too? I have a 2019 "H" type handlebar, and quite fancy a grip with alternate positions.

[@tomvanhummel160]

Ergon grip gp2 and gp3 fit nicely on the H handlebar

[@effyleven]

@@tomvanhummel160 Thank you, Tom. Those models offer only one extra riding position.. but if that's the best I can have, so be it. Thanks again. :-)

[@brilliantbikes]

Yes it will strike the floor, it’s a shame as they look fab for touring

[@MarkBeaumont-vs2go]

@@brilliantbikes they look really nice and rides so comfortable, I think you can use bigger easy wheels or higher rack to get avoid touching the ground

[@tandago7281]

Hahaha. I just ordered some grips and never wondered if they'd fit. And they did. Ignorance is bliss, I guess. Haha

[@brilliantbikes]

😂 sometimes we are just lucky! Thank you for watching!

[@kittencollective]

What about the SQ Lab Ergo grips, short?

[@ClivesChronicles]

Are you able to share the make of your torque wrench?

[@themadscotsman2159]

I would recommend a spudger or some softer implement like a wooden lollipop stick to help remove stuck on grips as a screwdriver will probably scratch the bars. A tiny drop of washing up liquid delicately smeared inside rubber or foam grips helps them to slide on just lovely and dries like glue. I love that tool you use Hannah, can you tell us what it is? I have a B75 with original grips to which I've stitched a leather sleeve around them to pimp them up, a cheap alternative to the Brooks ones, however after watching your insightfully great video this evening I'm tempted to splash out on some ergonomic ones. You look so sad when you talk about not inserting the ergonomic grips fully around the six minute mark, was that intentional?

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks for the valuable comment and for watching You are absolutely right - a lollipop stock would have been perfect (We were badly prepared - so used the screwdriver to scratch the outside and a cork screw to scratch the inside of the bars!) We are not sure which tool you refer to - do you mean the Allen key holder? kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5mVkpusp8qIhac Yes - it's sad when people over tighten or don't push the grips on ;-(

[@themadscotsman2159]

@@brilliantbikes Yes that was the tool I was referring too, thanks

[@flyhigh6069]

Where can I buy the original ones pre 2017? Any tips?

[@torokun]

100mm Brompton grips’ metal ends give you cold touch on your hands right? It doesn’t feel bad? Will 130mm version work with S bars?

[@brilliantbikes]

Many thanks for watching! Yes the 130 work with the s bars

[@richardturner81]

So to clarify (sorry, new Brompton owner) will the Ergon GP1 fit a 2022 A Line? Or will they need cutting down? Im not sure as heard that the A Line doesn’t have the same handlebars as the C and P Line models.

[@brilliantbikes]

Thanks for the great question Yes - the B75 / A Line has the older (high rise) bars They have a tighter bent on the bars so need shorter grips Best are the 100mm (short / gripshift) GP1s as these don’t need cutting

[@richardturner81]

@@brilliantbikes thanks so much, really appreciate the help 🍪

[@tinaharrison9354]

Please tell me what is the most comfortable womens saddle for the Brompton

[@brilliantbikes]

I really like the Ergon Women’s saddles and have them on all my bikes, for example: brilliantbikes.co.uk/saddles/4884-ergon-women-road-bike-saddle-sr-m-l-black.html Hope this helps - but it is such a personal thing! Thank you for watching!

[@p.istaker8862]

WD40 to remove. Hairspray to stick on. Have done this with numerous motorcycle/bicycle grips.

[@raykiii]

Language barrier, what is ferry liquid?

[@stephennicho]

Fairy Liquid is a washing-up detergent.

[@elisagg7973]

Just checked and doesn’t seem you have to worry about your soundtrack copyright :) It’s called Brain Trust by Wayne Jones and made available for free by LIMO Recording Studio: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6LaloqCe7Cfis0

[@brilliantbikes]

thanks for checking yes we downloaded from the free KZbin audio library we chose “brain trust” after Hannah had her brain surgery