With its Electric G Line, Brompton is taking a step that seems long overdue: for the first time, the London-based company is expanding its classic 16-inch format and launching a folding bike with 20-inch tyres. Added to this is a newly developed electric drive that integrates almost invisibly into the design. But despite all these innovations, the crucial question remains: is it still a true Brompton? Our test clarifies how the bike performs in practice.
Design
‘Form follows function’: there is hardly any other bicycle to which this phrase applies more than the iconic Brompton. The British company has always designed its models to prove themselves in everyday use – and many details are only discovered when you start riding them. The look, on the other hand, has been unmistakable since 1975: the curved main frame with its clever folding concept forms a design language that is now known worldwide.
This is also true of the Electric G Line. Although it is one size larger, the overall look remains consistent. The slightly more voluminous frame tubes harmonise with the 20-inch wheels and prevent the bike from looking unbalanced despite its new dimensions. At first glance, it is hardly noticeable that this is an e-bike. The compact hub motor disappears almost invisibly into the rear wheel, while the battery is hidden in a high-quality bag at the front.
Another real eye-catcher is the frame colour ‘Adventure Orange’. In sunlight, the bold colour sparkles even more intensely and, together with the wide tyres, gives the bike a robust outdoor look. The Electric G Line’s appearance alone suggests that it is not just limited to the smooth asphalt of the big city.
Equipment
Brompton does not skimp on features: electric drive, gears, lighting system, mudguards and a rack – our review unit has everything an everyday bike needs. The new tyre format is particularly eye-catching: the test bike was fitted with 50 mm wide 20-inch Continental Contact Urban tyres, but the new model now comes with Schwalbe’s Big Apple or G-One Allround tyres with a width of up to 54 mm, depending on the model variant. These can be used on a wide variety of terrain and offer enough volume to provide comfort even on uneven surfaces.
The mudguards are slightly shorter, but are equipped with mud flaps and therefore still provide surprisingly effective protection. The front mudguard is fitted with a Lezyne E115 headlight with 310 lumens, while a Busch & Muller rear light is attached to the rear rack. Both lights are powered by the main battery. With such extensive equipment, the only thing missing is a bike stand – but hey, the whole bike can be folded up and parked stably on four wheels!
Gears are shifted using a 4-speed derailleur gear system, which offers a manageable range of 160 per cent. Additional propulsion is provided by the compact hub motor in the rear wheel, whose assistance is controlled by a torque sensor. This means that the harder you pedal, the more power the motor delivers. The battery in the front bag offers a decent capacity of 345 Wh and weighs a good 3.3 kg together with the bag. Practical: the bag is not only easy to remove, but also offers additional storage space of around 1.5 litres. For example, the ultra-compact charger, which weighs less than 250 g and is therefore very light, can also be stored here. We weighed the bike itself (without the battery) ready to ride at a low 16.2 kg.
Of course, the Electric G Line also comes with the typical folding bike features familiar from Brompton: the double-folding frame, the fold-down stem and handlebar unit, a retractable seat post and the small Eazy Wheels on the rack, which allow the bike to be pushed when folded.
Operation
When we had the bike for our review, we found the controls a little too minimalist for our taste: there was no display at that time. Instead, the controls were located directly on the battery, which is housed in the front bag. A small window in the lid gives access to two buttons – one to switch the bike on and off, and one to switch between the three riding modes and activate the lights. Blue LEDs indicate the selected assistance level and the charge status in five segments. This worked reliably, but took some getting used to, as you always had to reach for the bag to change the settings.
However, with the latest model update to the e-Motiq system, Brompton has now added a display – a welcome improvement! This allows you to read the most important riding data such as speed, battery level and selected assistance level directly, and you can conveniently switch between riding modes via the display. In addition, the accompanying smartphone app provides access to advanced features such as route recording, riding statistics and system updates. Overall, this makes operation much more intuitive and convenient.
The battery itself can be quickly removed and easily carried thanks to its handle and release button – handling is as simple as it is impressive! However, the bag with the battery cannot be securely attached to the bike. If you want to prevent theft, it is therefore better to take the bag with you during longer stops.
No surprises with the other components: the derailleur gear system responds precisely, and the hydraulic Tektro disc brakes are powerful and easy to modulate in all weather conditions – a clear improvement on the smaller Brompton models, which are equipped with rim brakes.
When it comes to handling, the folding mechanism is naturally an essential feature of this type of bike. Although it takes a little practice the first time, once you get the hang of it, you can fold it up in under 20 seconds – which was the target time when the first Brompton folding bike was developed. With a packed size of 72 x 67 x 41 centimetres, the bike is pleasantly compact and easy to handle.
At this point, it becomes clear just how well thought-out Brompton’s folding system is. Need some examples? The retracted seat post keeps the rear frame securely locked in place and prevents it from accidentally opening. The front wheel and handlebars also remain securely in position. And because the drive is folded inwards with the chain, your clothes stay clean. The Eazy Wheels make transport particularly comfortable: they allow you to push the folded bike in front of you like a trolley on four wheels. In addition, the left pedal can be removed and stowed on the fork – many details that reflect Brompton’s 50 years of folding bike experience.
Riding impressions
If you get on the Electric G Line with the typical expectations of a small folding bike, you will be immediately surprised: because the bike does not feel small at all – but rather like a more compact, yet fully-fledged bicycle. The seating position is comfortable with a slightly sporty feel. The bike’s handling is super agile and direct thanks to its 20-inch wheels. At the same time, it feels very stable and remains torsion-resistant and safe even at higher speeds.
Of course, the motor in the rear wheel is also responsible for the bike’s agile handling. At its highest setting, it delivers an unexpected amount of power, so the middle setting is often sufficient for everyday use, while the lowest setting deliberately requires more effort from the rider. Thanks to the torque sensor, the assistance is pleasantly responsive and the motor switches off and on again smoothly at the 25 km/h mark. The large 50t chainring allows you to quickly reach higher speeds, with the motor helping you on inclines. We got on well with this setup in our test, and even steep sections were easy to tackle with the four gears.
Another positive feature is the quiet operation of the motor, which is barely audible even under full load. The only criticism during the test, apart from the somewhat cumbersome operation of the electric drive, was the delayed assistance from the motor when starting off on hills. However, Brompton has addressed both issues with the latest model update to the e-Motiq system: the new display on the handlebars simplifies operation and there is now a Start Assist mode that provides full support when starting off at the touch of a button. This is excellent, because apart from these two issues, the electric drive performed convincingly in the test and makes the Electric G Line a truly enjoyable ride!
Added to this is the comfort of the wide tyres: they can be ridden with reduced air pressure, thereby compensating for many bumps and uneven surfaces. They roll smoothly over cobblestones in the city and even cope well with rougher gravel surfaces. This versatility makes the Electric G Line a bike that is just as exciting for everyday use as it is for adventure trips.
Conclusion
Brompton Electric G Line surprises in many ways. It doesn’t ride like a small folding bike, but rather like a compact, full-fledged bicycle. The combination of riding pleasure, stability and everyday practicality is impressive, while the motor provides harmonious yet powerful assistance. Our only criticisms have been rendered obsolete by the latest e-Motiq update with the display on the handlebars and a Start Assist mode. The system also impresses with clever details, such as the integration of the battery in its stylish and practical bag.
On top of that, it offers the added value of a sophisticated folding mechanism and easy handling. In just a few simple steps, the bike folds down to an astonishingly small size and can then be easily pushed and parked. This means it can be easily stored on the train, in the car or even in your home.
All in all, Brompton offers a compelling overall package starting at 4,249 euros that appeals not only to typical folding bike commuters. The versatile features of the Electric G Line could even convince those who have not yet seen a reason to buy a folding bike.
Alongside the Adventure Orange colour option for the test bike, the bike is also available in Forest Green, Traildust White and the brand new Space Black colour, each in three sizes: S, M and L. Further information about the models can be found directly on the Brompton website.
