Brompton S-Type Modification / Brompification / Conversion with Joseph Kuosac Mid Riser Bar

Brompton S-Type to M-type (almost) modification using Joseph Kuosac mid riser bar. How-to guide on replacing the straight bars with mid-risers. The Joseph Kuosac mid-riser bar converts the s-type bike into the same height as a standard m-type Brompton.
Random zooming by my kids. Filthy bike and dodgy audio by me (due a clean).
I got the new bar from SJS Cycles here:
www.sjscycles....
Cables from SJS or Brompton.
Note that you CAN'T fit an M-Type bar to an S-type stem on a pre 2020 bike because the s-type stem is longer than the m-type and the bar will hit the ground stopping the bike from folding.
You also cannot adjust an m-type bar to fit as I have done in this video because you'll end up having to take too much off.
Personally I'd recommend buying the m-type cabling from Brompton, but as I mentioned it in the video, the cable lengths are:
Rear brake cable housing: 1285mm
3-speed gear cable housing: 1265mm
Front brake cable housings: 365mm (top), 490mm (bottom)
Proceed at your own risk, etc.

[@Luuk_M]

Really helpful video! Two remarks: the 7 cm cut-off is actually two times 3.5 cm, or the reduction of the *total* width of the handle bar. Joseph Kuosac indicates this very helpful in the way the making on their handle bar are printed. Plus it can help to widen the opening at the end of the stem, in order to remove and mount the handle bars without scratching. I did this by removing the screw, put a small plate in the gap (I used a Millimax spacer) and insert the screw at the other side, so you can push the opening just a bit wider.

[@dewexdewex]

Excellent video. Many thanks. If you put the folded bike on a table and let the bar overhang the edge with the grip in place, you will see the exact offset you need to cut off. A plumber's pipe wheel cutter will cut your ends off neatly.

[@harl.b]

It was an honour to record this with you

[@temiongcecilio]

Nice mid-rise handle bar . If Batman had a bike, it could probably have a mid-rise handle bar -- joke . Nice shoes man . Thanks for sharing . i may watch this 2mrw as well .

[@Gesamtwerk]

Great video! I have a 2-speed. But other than that I did the conversion from s to m step by step the way you did. I cut the bar at the 540 margin which also worked. Thank you so much for your specific instructions! Greetings from Austria

[@chazzbell]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful.

[@macpdm]

Really good and instructive video. I just fitted some JK bars to my S3L but I went for the flat bars. Very pleased with them but now must fit longer cables to get back the handlebar fold. Ride has improved immeasurably though

[@daniellambert5197]

Excellent guide ! for brake pads On Brompton i recommend KOOL STOP DURA 2 DUAL COMPOUND , which are very efficient while raining, but protect wheel rim.

[@chazzbell]

Good to know, thanks.

[@Samthemancharles]

So what about for non raining? It seems disc brakes would be better so the rims don't wear out. I plan to take a long tour so that is what I'm wondering. I like quality parts to lessen on the road issues on the bike.

[@Happyk166]

So useful guide, thanks for your sharing

[@Peiboletti]

Thanks a lot for your Video. I ve just noticed that the Handle that I have ordered is 5 cm lower (height) than the M type Standard. Currently I have a S-type setup. Do you think I can use M type Standard cables as they are or shall I cut the M cable to my custom length?

[@tristantopambudi3186]

Mine is 1998 bought it 2001 left it as it is just clean and maintain apart from cambium seat and grips last me to now or maybe another 20 yrs , lovely jobly

[@Anakena3]

Great tutorial! Did the same from an old M to the new lower shape M. but would have love to modify it for an S, but then would have had to buy the whole stem. (more expensive) and they don't sell this part outside of resellers. enjoy your ride!

[@direxxion]

Hi great video Just to confirm how much to cut off Is it 7 Cm for each side? Thank u

[@slippyg]

So glad I got the M version. My OCD doesn't like this conversion at all. I feel the bar is too close to the ground. You could've taken a touch more off. Still too close for my liking.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

Oh, well luckily I just intend to change my original handlebar to carbon, with the same shape ;-)! And I have changed most all bolt, nuts, discs and security parts to titanium on my now former Top, 2019 SuperlightM6LXBrompton (with mudguards) to come down to 9 kilo, and still falling, with a little extra work on my mudguards, making them become lighter. I expect to be able to reach at least an original T-line (also with mudguards!) for a much lower price and with more gears! Finn. Denmark

[@ricardoaviles6394]

Excelente

[@slippyg]

If folded wheeling is an issue, you could swap out the eazywheels for some inline skate wheels 78mm. Will give you better clearance.

[@nicpicer]

great video . do you know the heights of each of the stems? ie I can see on the sight there are heights for all the handle bar heights, you say the s bar version has the longest stem, is that correct? the M and H have smaller stems but a higher bar height due to shape? thanks

[@josephtoby8826]

Thanks for this video, it’s most helpful. Can you tell me what amount of useable handlebar you have left after cutting please? I have an M-Type but would like a slighty lower bar position, which would be too low with flat bars, so this looks ideal.

[@chazzbell]

Joseph Toby By useable do you mean the grip width? It's about 125mm of flat area. I cut both sides at 530mm cut points, but with the lower M stem you would get wider bars as they would be further from the ground when folded compared to the S stem. My advice would be to follow the guide but cut in 10mm increments until you find the correct length.

[@josephtoby8826]

Hyperspeed Bikes Thanks. That’s a good point about the shorter M stem. The problem I’m having is that my M type bars don’t have enough grip width for some new (very tasty!) Ergon grips and the brake lever. Probably need about 160mm total. Anyway, think I’ll just give it a go. As you say, I’ll have a bit more room to play with because of the shorter stem.

[@greentube461]

great video mate - thanks for sharing !

[@freedomformen2548]

Great video sire 👍👍👍👍👍

[@dogzill4]

Great! and thank you for this guide. I will do exactly the same but do you think it's possible to put 130mm grips with the new 2017 Brompton brake/gear leaver system on a JK handlebar (cut at 530mm like you)?

[@chazzbell]

Hi - this is a problem I ran into. I'd bought the Brooks Cambium grips to replace the foam ones that come with the bike but even though the Brompton grips say they are 130mm the internal stop is at 120mm with the grip end taking up the extra 10mm. There isn't enough straight bar left to move the levers forward an additional 10mm to fit a full-width 130mm grip.

[@JonathanSmith68]

Excellent guide for this conversion. Do you happen to know how much rise this bar provides?

[@chazzbell]

It's around 120mm from the bottom of the bar to the tip of the bar ends when it comes out the box. After adjusting the bar length it ends up about 110mm. It brings it up to M-type standard height which is why you need M-type cabling.

[@torquetalk715]

Hyperspeed Bikes has

[@evelynvega1730]

Not everyone has the tools to do what you just did. Why go through all that trouble? I would like to know how to take off that little wheel on the back frame so I could replace it with a bigger one.

[@goldyfourtyfourty]

So you are riding highr handlebar rite now is it?

[@kyiron.positivity]

good video & information thanks

[@stananders474]

Why say "mils and centimetres"? The UK left the EU. Why use their metric system? Also, we used imperial measurements since Roman times. When in Rome do as ... Other than that fault your video is excellent 10/10, thank you. I'm gonna do the same.

[@chazzbell]

It's pretty hard to undo 10mm bolts and 5mm hex nuts using imperial tools without knackering them, Stan. I'm glad we both agree that leaving the EU has set us back decades though.

[@capeman10]

at 6:16, No cutting of cable end removal: All you have to do is pull fast and hard on the cable end they come right off. use plier or needle nose and that's it folks.

[@john3892]

Looks like your rear tyre is mounted with the rotation arrow pointing backwards?

[@CosgroveNotts]

It doesn't make the slightest bit of difference lol

[@dominicseow2257]

how does the cockpit space compared to M or H? Lots of diff?

[@daphytan6638]

hello mate, what is the size of your m silver handlebar mate?

[@seanrorie2081]

great to see this done maybe the black bars would have been a better look?

[@chazzbell]

My plan is to get the frame and stem recoated at some point in the future. I really like the New York Transit yellow and blue model, so I might get a variation of that.

[@seanrorie2081]

Thank you for the video if I tire of the S bar I will give it a go,good luck with B great bikes

[@simonjmont2119]

Nice😍

[@plusbonus9017]

Brownie!! Damn predictive txt.

[@ayman.s]

Thanks for this! I've been wondering. Does it help the ride being more upright? Hows the change in handling?

[@chazzbell]

It helps my back being more upright, and the handling is unchanged.

[@whazzat8015]

I have cut my bars several times , and they are still too short.

[@rogerhudson9732]

Can you cant the bar forward at all for a longer reach and better stance/fit ?

[@colinbox9074]

Your rear tyre is fitted the wrong way round. See the direction of rotation mark at 6.22 in the video.

[@chazzbell]

Ah yes! Well spotted. This must have been from a wet roadside repair in the springtime. I'll fix it today. Thanks!

[@whazzat8015]

AND check bars rotate fully?

[@plusbonus9017]

If I buy a Brownie after watching this will you make £600 commission? If not why do they cost approximately £2000?

[@whazzat8015]

There are other bikes, if it bothers you

[@predpalina]

Why not just buy the m-type bar package in the first place?

[@AstralVerse90]

does it ends up giving you the similar rise up riding position to the brompton m type?

[@Gesamtwerk]

Yes, pretty much

[@cheewaiyow7469]

So funny

[@delphimiranda]

Cant hear you!

[@frankhooper7871]

Wouldn't it have been easier to just buy a Brompton with a M-type or H-type handlebar in the first place?

[@Anakena3]

Easier for sure, more expensive also and without the joy of modifying it yourself and being happy with he result (but you have to know who to do these things) also I sold the old spare part and ended up with a far cheaper result

[@rogerhudson9732]

The rise style is just ergonomically wrong. If you sit at table and lay your hands on the table surface, hands shoulder width apart with the elbows bent in a riding pose, relax, you will see the fingers naturally want an angle sloping back and down from thumb to little finger. Those bars twist the wrist and forearm which will stress after a while. French 'moustache' bars have the right angles, but are too low.

[@CosgroveNotts]

Scary you have to spend all this money especially when you have splashed out so much in the first place. I feel your disappointment. Have you cured the twitchy steering that everyone never mentions

[@임경헌-e6k]

^^

[@drs-Rigo-Reus]

Brakes are wrong way around, right is rear, left is front.

[@andyleighton3616]

Not in the UK. Right is always front.