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 12 months historical past. It’s nonetheless unmistakably a Brompton; it nonetheless folds to a 3rd of its dimension, may 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 soft Schwalbe G-One tan wall tires. For all intents and functions, it’s a giant wheel folding all-terrain gravel bike.
The handlebars are huge, 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 out there 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 selection of small, medium and huge sizes. With the usual Brompton you possibly can select the type and top of handlebars, and regulate the seat top accordingly, however with the G Line, the ergonomics are tweaked to supply higher stability relying in your top. Simply. Like. A. Common. Bike.
Easy 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 experience over something however easy tarmac. London streets will not be 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 via its paces on a 24/7 sturdiness rig, with greater than 20 motors going via a mixed mileage of over 1,000,000 kilometers (621,371 miles).
I didn’t fairly handle these numbers, however in real-world situations, 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 choice gives all the assistance I want, and makes for a enjoyable experience—each on and off highway.
The redesigned battery pack clips neatly into the entrance bracket, and gives 345 kWh of energy and a variety 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 take a look at, it’s going to embrace over-the-air updates, energy mode controls, distance monitoring and battery life data.
On the Electrical G Line, a nine-watt entrance mild and one-watt rear mild do a great job illuminating the highway 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 variety of bags choices, together with beneficiant satchels with battery storage inbuilt. Will probably 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 bought over 1,000,000 since 1975, and the mixture 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 received’t keep chained up for lengthy.
However the G Line isn’t designed for commuters; it’s constructed for trails, and whereas the experience off highway is assured, properly balanced, comfy 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
Which means carrying it for any size of time has the potential to be hernia-inducing, and makes the Electrical G Line a bit to hold up and down stairs. The best way the folded body is engineered means the load is a minimum of 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 avoid wasting your arms.
That mentioned, 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 mild 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 huge bike experience expertise.
A Blast to Trip
Whereas nonetheless champions of the folding bike sector then, Brompton is taking part in 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 look ahead to a purpose-built electrical Brompton (in Titanium) when it occurs although.
On first impression I believed the G Line was unacceptably greater than a standard Brompton. The tires are bigger and wider, and the body is chunkier, however when positioned side-by-side (see images beneath) there’s not likely an enormous quantity in it—which is exceptional. I used to be nervous about having to retailer the bike at house and take the G Line into an workplace or pub (see earlier remark about London) and whereas it’s heavier to raise, 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 experience, particularly off-road. I’m eager to experience the lightest non-electric model too, and see if the eight-speed gearing and smaller wheels do sufficient for a severe gravel experience. I think it’d, however whether or not it’s sufficient to tempt severe path riders is one other factor totally.
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 take a look at model prices £3,495), however it’s a Brompton, so many individuals received’t flinch at these costs. For comparability, the most affordable customary Brompton prices from £950, the lightest Titanium choice 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 present fold-up riders off their tiny 16-inch wheels. There may be a compromise on weight, dimension and transportability, however the experience and dealing with is past comparability.
For the primary time a fold-up bike has been as pleasurable to experience as a full-sized design, whereas nonetheless with the ability to fold down and match within the trunk, or beneath the steps. It’s an outstanding improve and may convey the model to the eye of a complete new viewers.
