Fifty years ago, a London inventor had an idea that would change our cities: a bicycle that could be folded up compactly, revolutionising urban life. Today, Brompton stands for more than just mobility — it is a way of life, a statement and a piece of British design history.
How it all started
The story of Brompton begins in 1975 in a small London flat. Andrew Ritchie, a young engineer with an eye for practicality, was dissatisfied with commuting in the city. Too crowded, too slow, too inflexible — he was convinced that there had to be a better way to get around in urban areas.
„There must be a better way of moving around“
Andrew Ritchie
He began developing a bicycle that would not only be compact, but also fully usable for everyday purposes. The challenge: it had to be foldable in less than 20 seconds, stable to ride and easy to take anywhere — on buses and trains, to the office, to cafés. After many prototypes, setbacks and improvements, the time had come in 1979: the first patent was filed. The vision was no longer a sketch, but a real bicycle!
From a one-off to a bestseller — and always ‘Made in London’
The first Brompton factory in the London borough of Brentford began mass production of the bikes in 1980, initially producing 60 bicycles per month by hand. The selection was limited: all Brompton bikes at that time were black, made entirely of steel and equipped with a rear rack. Customers could choose between a 3-speed or 5-speed hub gear system.
Today, things look very different: the factory is now located in the Greenford district and has an output of approximately 100,000 bikes (in 2024), with an upward trend! So it’s hardly surprising that the range of models on offer has also grown significantly: Brompton now offers five model series (A Line, C Line, P Line, T Line and G Line), three of which are also available as e-bikes!
The current Brompton line-up
Brompton A Line
The entry-level bike at an affordable price: with 16-inch tyres and a steel frame. With 3 gears and a weight starting at 11.5 kg.
Brompton C Line
Compact and portable: the original folding bike with 16-inch tyres and steel frame. Also available as an Electric C-Line. With 2, 6 or 12 gears and weighing from 11.35 kg.
Brompton P Line
The performance-oriented Brompton: With 16-inch tyres and steel/titanium frame. Also available as Electric P Line. With 4 or 12 gears and weighing from 9.99 kg.
Brompton T Line
The lightest Brompton ever, available in a new ceramic finish: with 16-inch tyres and a titanium frame. With 1, 4 or 12 gears and weighing from 7.45 kg.
Brompton G Line
The new and largest Brompton for riding on any terrain: with 20-inch tyres and a steel frame. Also available as an Electric G Line. With 4 or 8 gears and weighing from 13.9 kg.
Lightweight, versatile and electric
As we can see, Brompton has never stood still! The range has been continuously expanded — from classic steel frames to ultra-light titanium versions and the electric Brompton Electric model, which was introduced in 2017.
With the current G Line model, which was unveiled in 2024, the company is opening a new chapter: larger wheels, new geometry, greater comfort and, for the first time, an electric version with a powerful rear wheel motor.
These new models show that Brompton is not stuck in nostalgia, but is constantly thinking ahead. The needs of city dwellers are changing — and Brompton is staying flexible too.
From everyday item to cult object
What makes Brompton so special is not just its technology or design. It is the attitude that the bike embodies. Anyone who rides a Brompton makes a conscious decision to live a life with less ballast — but with more freedom. And that is precisely what has created a loyal, passionate community over the years. Brompton fans around the world meet up for races, rides or simply for a coffee. The bike has long been more than just a means of transport: it is an expression of an urban lifestyle.
Here’s to the next 50 years!
Today, Brompton is synonymous with smart urban mobility like no other brand. It has become a cult classic — not through marketing, but through the people who use and love it every day. Fifty years, over a million bikes, countless stories. Handcrafted quality, an iconic folding design and constant evolutionary progress — now expanded with the G Line as a ‘folding bike for every terrain’. With that in mind: Happy Birthday, Brompton — here’s to the next 50 years of urban freedom!
