Brompton, known for its ultra lightweight folding city bikes, has taken versatility to a new level with the launch of its G Line. This new line offers both a standard foldable city bike and an Electric G Line model, featuring larger wheels without sacrificing the foldability and portability the brand is famous for.
The G Line introduces Brompton’s first 20-inch wheel bike, offering a smoother ride while maintaining the compact, foldable design built for urban use. Noteworthy features include custom tires, hydraulic disc brakes, and an 8-gear Shimano hub system. The non-electric version can be folded in under 20 seconds and is lightweight for easy portability.
High-Performance and Foldable
Despite its compact size, the electric version of the G Line packs a punch with a 250-watt rear-hub motor and three levels of pedal-assist. The 345-kWh battery delivers a range of 20 to 40 miles, sufficient for most daily commutes. While this range and motor power may seem modest compared to other e-bikes, the G Line remains impressively lightweight, with the standard model weighing around 30 lbs and the Electric G Line at 43 lbs – considerably lighter than many other e-bikes, which often exceed 50 lbs.
Design and Versatility
Brompton’s goal for the G Line was to create a bike that could handle city and outdoor terrains, a departure from the typical perception of folding bikes. The company underwent extensive prototyping to achieve this balance of functionality and aesthetics. “We set out to create the most versatile bike in the world first. We knew that we wanted to make a bike that had big wheels, providing the capability in and outside the city that people don’t generally associate with Brompton or with folding bikes in general. This was initially our fundamental focus,” says Alex Scrivener, Product Director at Brompton. “From there to the finished articles, we’ve been through a lot of prototypes, but what we’ve landed on with G Line is something both beautiful and functional, whilst delivering true excellence on that first goal of creating the most versatile bike in the world.”
“Brompton’s unique selling point is its compact fold; replicating this and staying true to Brompton’s DNA, which has been relatively unchanged for the last 50 years was a big challenge,” continues Scrivener. “That’s why every inch of this bike has been relooked at and redesigned to make it work just like the smaller wheeled Brompton bikes before it.”
Brompton says that aesthetics have always been a core part of its DNA – ever since its inception back in 1975. Despite the engineering challenges, the bike retains Brompton’s commitment to high-quality materials and timeless aesthetics. The introduction of aluminum in the frame, a first for Brompton, was chosen for its strength and sustainability.
“Different metals have different properties, working with steel has its unique challenges. It’s our first time working with aluminum on the frame – which can be perceived as a less premium option versus carbon – but for us it’s more robust and more sustainable, which is critical to any Brompton,” says Scrivener. “Luckily, we have an amazing prototyping and reliability team that can make high-quality bike jigs quickly to stress test the material we are using.”
The Brompton G Line, including the Electric G Line, will be available in the U.S. starting in Spring 2025. It’ll come in Forest Green, Adventure Orange, and Traildust White, and it starts at £2,395 for the non-electric version, and £3,495 for the Electric G Line. U.S. pricing has yet to be revealed.
