Brompton handlebar type identification

A question we are often asked - "which handlebar type do I have on my Brompton?"

Why might you want to know? Because cables are based on the handlebar type - sized (or lengthed!) correctly to keep the fold working optimally

There were traditional four Brompton handlebar types - which made compatibility easy - we could just put a tick on each product / handlebar type combination!

This was the original (and some would say classic) Brompton handlebar style

2017 / Integrated shifter change

To add to the confusion, in 2017 Brompton changed the style of the handlebars slightly so that the shape (while looking pretty similar unless you had an old and new set next to each other) changed slightly

This was to give a bit more space on the top of the bars for a new integrated brake / gear shifter which also allowed the handlebars to accept a "standard" 130mm handlebar grip

Because the bar was made slightly lower - the stem length was increased by a corresponding amount making the overall ride height the same

The code for these bars (on both M type and H type Brompton bikes) was QHB-M[2] - the 2 designating that it is version 2

Note: The B75 / A Line range of bikes still use the older style high rise M type bars

The S type or straight / sporty bar was introduced in 2005 and is easy to identify due to the straight handlebars

The S type bars give a much more sporty feeling ride - some say comparable to riding with drop handlebars on a road bike

Looking for brake cables for a Brompton low / S type bar - see the complete low rise bar brake cable selection here - note that the T line uses a different front brake cable to the A Line, C Line and P Line

The P type has multi-positional handlebars - ideally suited to long distance touring as they allow you to alter to more riding positions, but was discontinued in approx 2020

The H type was introduced in January 2012 to give a higher (hence the name) riding position - primarily to suit countries where upright riding position is popular such as The Netherlands and Scandinavia

The H type (or high) style Brompton actually uses the same handlebars as the M type (so is easily confused), but has approx 2 cm or 1 inche of extra stem underneath the hinge on the handlebar stem

2017 / Integrated shifter change (again)

As with the M type bars, to add to the confusion, in 2017 Brompton changed the style of the handlebars slightly so that the shape (while looking pretty similar unless you had an old and new set next to each other) changed slightly

This was to give a bit more space on the top of the bars for a new integrated brake / gear shifter which also allowed the handlebars to accept a "standard" 130mm handlebar grip

Because the bar was made slightly lower - the stem length was increased by a corresponding amount making the overall ride height the same

The code for these bars (on both H type and M type Brompton bikes) was QHB-M[2] - the 2 designating that it is version 2.
Note that the handlebar code is QHB-M on the older (high rise H type) and QHB-M[2] on the newer (low rise H type) as he H type and M type use exactly the same handlebars - only the stem is different