{"product_id":"classic-brompton-folding-bike-folder-3-speed-black-upgraded-m3r","title":"Classic Brompton Folding Bike Folder 3-Speed, Black, Upgraded (=M3R)","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eCollect only from Weston super Mare, we are just off J21 of the M5.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eThis is a 2001 Brompton, the first of the 'improved' models designed to have optional 6 speed, but this is the 3 speed with the SACHS\/SRAM Spectro Hub gears. This is because at the time Sturmey Archer had suddenly folded and were in the process or relocating to Taiwan, so as a result Brompton sourced the EU made SRAM for a couple of years. This meant a solution had to be found fast for the fact no-one else made a suitable 5 speed hub - so the 2 speed derailleur + 3 speed hub was one solution. This bike is only a 3 speed as noted but has the 'boss' on the frame from the factory to allow upgrading if so desired (in fact once upon a time there was an official kit to do just this, sadly discontinued once myriad handlebar options made it difficult to keep up with all the permutations).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eIt does however not have any of the modern naming conventions, a bit like the original Land Rover it was just 'a Brompton' back then and model names like C-Line etc... came later. The handle bar is most like a current 'M' model and it has the 3 speed gears and factory rear rack, so 'M3R' is appropriate to guide modern buyers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eI bought this in 2001 from Avon Valley Cycles (who invented Bike2Work) and have only very recently (February) started using this to commute approx. 4 miles a day but there is a bit of a hill and I have upgraded to a 6 speed model. Until this, apart from a year in London where I did about 10 miles a day, it was very occasionally used for leisure and kept aboard my narrowboat (long sold!) where it was (due to having a fantastic mooring with both nearby shops AND a parking space!) rarely needed. It was last serviced in late January of this year. Previous to that I have had it serviced every 4-5 years due to the very low use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eWhat's been added:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eHas a 2019 seat post and genuine 2019 Brompton Saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eHas had the post-2007  'clip' added so that once unfolded, the main crossbar doesn't flap open, until a latch is held down for folding. Amazingly this was not previously included, yet even more amazingly this could simply be retrofitted to my bike without any modification or drilling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eHas a new set of 2019 pedals to allow one of them to be a folding type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eNew brake pads in 2026 (as part of the service)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eNew brake cables in 2026 (as part of the service)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eNew gear cables in 2026 (as part of the service)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eNewer style clip to hold the handlebar folded shut (an improvement on the 2001 clip, again just fits the older bike without issues).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eFront block for bag carrying (again, fits a 2001 model without drilling but not originally included, was an optional extra).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003e2 x Continental Contact Urban Reflex Tyre (rated very highly for puncture resistance) and recent tubes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eWhat's original:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eOriginal Frame, handlebars, colour (obviously!)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eOriginal Dutch made rims\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eOriginal French cranks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eSPECTRO 3 speed selector (nicer than the plastic Brompton one they brought in later!).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eClassic Brake levers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eGrips in original and excellent condition, low wear.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Brompton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57353312371065,"sku":null,"price":549.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0962\/9640\/3321\/files\/s-l1600_7fefb366-b1d4-4907-9aba-1fb1cf3caae0.jpg?v=1780158558","url":"https:\/\/www.foldingbikes4u.co.uk\/products\/classic-brompton-folding-bike-folder-3-speed-black-upgraded-m3r","provider":"Folding Bikes 4U","version":"1.0","type":"link"}