I simply had enjoyable driving a Brompton. Precise, smile-inducing, adrenalin-fuelled enjoyable, on a fold up bicycle. I’ve ridden many Bromptons and discover them to be ingeniously moveable feats of commuter engineering, however by no means particularly enjoyable. However right here I’m, careering alongside muddy forest paths, flying up hills and bouncing over tree roots … on a Brompton.
My grin comes courtesy of the brand new Brompton Electrical G Line, probably the most radical redesign within the model’s 50 yr historical past. It’s nonetheless unmistakably a Brompton; it nonetheless folds to a 3rd of its dimension, will be carried (simply), and pushed round prepare stations and subways with ease. However as a substitute of the standard asphalt-friendly, weight-saving 16-inch tires, the G Line has 20-inch comfortable Schwalbe G-One tan wall tires. For all intents and functions, it’s a giant wheel folding all-terrain gravel bike.
The handlebars are broad, like an everyday hybrid bike, and there are disc brakes (the primary time on a Brompton) and a Shimano 4- or 8-speed gear system. It’s accessible in electrical and non-electric fashions, in Forest Inexperienced, Journey Orange and Traildust White, each with and with out rack and mudguards. There’s additionally a alternative of small, medium and enormous sizes. With the usual Brompton you possibly can select the fashion and top of handlebars, and alter the seat top accordingly, however with the G Line, the ergonomics are tweaked to supply higher steadiness relying in your top. Simply. Like. A. Common. Bike.
Clean Operator
I’ve been driving the Electrical G Line for 2 weeks, and it simply doesn’t deal with like a Brompton. The wibble-wobble steering has gone, as has the bone-shaking journey over something however clean tarmac. London streets are usually not forgiving, however the G Line soaks up each bump with ease.
That is solely enhanced additional by the 250-watt rear-mounted hub motor (15.5-mph restrict), which pushes onerous when wanted and removes any effort on the flat. In response to Brompton, the brand new motor was put by way of its paces on a 24/7 sturdiness rig, with greater than 20 motors going by way of a mixed mileage of over 1,000,000 kilometers (62,137 miles).
I didn’t fairly handle these numbers, however in real-world circumstances, the motor kicks in easily and helps glide you together with minimal effort. There are three ranges of energy help, every impacting on the bike’s vary, however for me, the mid-power possibility presents all the assistance I want, and makes for a enjoyable journey—each on and off street.
The redesigned battery pack clips neatly into the entrance bracket, and presents 345 kWh of energy and a spread of 20–40 miles (30–60 kilometers). It ejects simply, and takes round 4 hours to completely cost. There’s additionally an app, and whereas it wasn’t prepared for my pre-launch check, it can embody over-the-air updates, energy mode controls, distance monitoring and battery life info.
On the Electrical G Line, a nine-watt entrance gentle and one-watt rear gentle do an excellent job illuminating the street or path forward. There are mounting factors on the elongated entrance set and forks for water bottle cages and packs, whereas the rear rack has ample area for extra baggage. There’s additionally a spread of bags choices, together with beneficiant satchels with battery storage in-built. It will likely be fascinating to see if this bike can carry sufficient for a motorbike packing or touring weekend.
Heavy Lifting
Till now, Brompton constructed bikes for cities. It has offered over 1,000,000 since 1975, and the mix of teeny wheels and peerless folding mechanism makes them unbeatable for final-mile commuting. In addition they fold up sufficiently small to be taken with you wherever you go. And they should, as a result of a Brompton chained up in London gained’t keep chained up for lengthy.
However the G Line isn’t designed for commuters; it’s constructed for trails, and whereas the journey off street is assured, nicely balanced, snug and silly quantities of enjoyable, the bike is heavier in consequence. A small-frame eight-speed non-electric G Line Brompton weighs from 30.6 kilos (13.9 kilograms), which is six-and-a-half kilos (three kilos) heavier than a typical mannequin (24.2 kilos / 11 kilograms). The usual electrical mannequin weighs from 36.6 kilos (16.6 kilograms), and the design I’ve been testing clocks in at 42.9 kilos (19.5 kilograms), together with the battery.
{Photograph}: Chris Haslam
{Photograph}: Chris Haslam
Meaning carrying it for any size of time has the potential to be hernia-inducing, and makes the Electrical G Line a piece to hold up and down stairs. The best way the folded body is engineered means the burden is at the very least evenly distributed, however there is no doubt that it is heavy. Sensing this, Brompton has redesigned the rolling wheels to incorporate bearings, making it considerably smoother to push (or pull) than a typical Brompton. If you’re going to be taking your Electrical G Line on public transport, be ready to combine up carrying and wheeling to save lots of your arms.
That stated, for a folding electrical bike, the Brompton’s weight is consistent with the competitors. The £2,899 Volt Lite weighs rather less (39.6 kilos / 18 kilograms with battery), as does the £1,299 ADO Air 20, though ADO does have a sensationally gentle Carbon mannequin that weighs simply 27.5 kilos (12.5 kilograms). None of those bikes fold as elegantly because the Brompton although, nor provide the identical massive bike journey expertise.
A Blast to Journey
Whereas nonetheless champions of the folding bike sector then, Brompton is enjoying meet up with the electrical market. And whereas I’m not faulting the efficiency, the battery pack design feels one thing of an afterthought. I stay up for a purpose-built electrical Brompton (in Titanium) when it occurs although.
On first impression I assumed the G Line was unacceptably larger than a conventional Brompton. The tires are bigger and wider, and the body is chunkier, however when positioned side-by-side (see photographs beneath) there’s not likely an enormous quantity in it—which is outstanding. I used to be fearful about having to retailer the bike at residence and take the G Line into an workplace or pub (see earlier remark about London) and whereas it’s heavier to carry, I don’t suppose anybody will actually discover a lot of a distinction in small doses.
{Photograph}: Chris Haslam
{Photograph}: Chris Haslam
It’s unquestionably probably the most succesful Brompton ever constructed, and an absolute blast to journey, particularly off-road. I’m eager to journey the lightest non-electric model too, and see if the eight-speed gearing and smaller wheels do sufficient for a critical gravel journey. I think it would, however whether or not it’s sufficient to tempt critical path riders is one other factor solely.
Which brings us on to who exactly is the Brompton G Line for? It’s definitely a premium proposition, with pricing from £2,395 (my check model prices £3,495), however it’s a Brompton, so many individuals gained’t flinch at these costs. For comparability, the most cost effective normal Brompton prices from £950, the lightest Titanium possibility prices from £4,250 and the flagship electrical model, the P Line, prices from £3,695. So it is in good firm.
I think the all-terrain enjoyable will tempt many current fold-up riders off their tiny 16-inch wheels. There is likely to be a compromise on weight, dimension and transportability, however the journey and dealing with is past comparability.
For the primary time a fold-up bike has been as gratifying to journey as a full-sized design, whereas nonetheless having the ability to fold down and match within the trunk, or underneath the steps. It’s an outstanding improve and may carry the model to the eye of a complete new viewers.
