1, 2, 3, 4, 5 – World record holders fold a Brompton bike in just under 5 seconds. But can you do the same with the new Brompton G-Line? The British cult brand brings its next revolution: a gravel folding bike. We tested their chunky-rubbered bike, which folds down to the size of four shoeboxes.
Brompton might not have invented folding bikes, but are definitely amongst the best-known folding bike manufacturers. Whether you’re on a bus, train or even at the airport, the British cult bike can be seen all over major cities and at busy hubs. With over one million bikes sold, the Brompton community grows bigger and bigger. It comes as no surprise that Brompton fans are using the bike for all kinds of applications: from the daily commute to crazy backcountry expeditions, Brompton disciples take their folding bike with them everywhere.
Now Brompton themselves are taking the concept to a whole new level, introducing their most off-road-capable bike to date, the G-Line. With prices starting at € 2,849, the G-Line tips the scales at around 14.5 kg and is either online, through Brompton’s Junction Store or selected dealers.
What makes the new Brompton G-Line folding bike so special?
With its beefy appearance and fat, 20″ wheels, the new Brompton G-Line is a real eye catcher. For comparison’s sake, conventional Brompton models roll on 16″ wheels and much narrower tires. Smaller Brompton models are perfect for city traffic: they’re manoeuvrable, lively and ultra-compact when folded… But what if you want to push yourself beyond the tarmac? That’s exactly what the G-Line is for!
While Brompton’s A-, C- or P-Line name extensions are rather cryptic, the G-Line name speaks clearly: G stands for gravel. The overall design has hardly changed, but the G-Line looks like a Brompton on steroids. The curved top tube is pretty eye-catching, but as usual with folding bikes, the folding mechanism determines a large part of the bike’s aesthetics. For example, the long cables hang from the bars like a cable car. And the folding mechanism? It’s unchanged since 1979. “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, and the Brompton might look a bit old-school, but works perfectly. With a little practice, you can fold up the bike in 20 seconds. Once folded, it fits easily behind a door, and rather than carrying it around you can push it like a trolley on two small rubber rear wheels. Top – because at 14.5 kg, the Mini-Gravel with steel frame is anything but lightweight.
The most prominent feature of the G-Line are the wide 20″/2.1″ Schwalbe tires, which were developed specifically for Brompton. The G-One all-round tires with tan wall not only match the bike’s aesthetics, but also generate plenty of traction on gravel tracks – and they’re wide enough not to slip in tram tracks. More grip also means better braking: it’s the first time that Brompton use disc brakes on a bike, which are great in wet conditions and easier to fine tune. In combination with the 140 mm rotors, the brakes ensure powerful, reliable deceleration and require minimal maintenance. The 65 cm handlebars ensure stability, and when it’s time to stow away the bike, it folds down to a size that allows you to squeeze into a bus, a packed train or a Smart car boot. When the going gets steep, an 8-speed Shimano ALFINE hub gear with 308 % gear range provides the right gear ratio. At the front is a 54-tooth chainring that would make even Jan Ullrich green with envy. Of course, you don’t have to push as many watts on the Brompton as a Tour de France pro, but the small rear wheel requires a wide gear ratio to ride fast on level terrain. Cool: the gear hub shifts smoothly even when stationary.
Over the past decades, the Brompton community has shown what’s really possible with these bikes – whether it’s a tour from North to South America or a mobile hairdresser visiting his customers in New York with a Brompton. With the G-Line, the British manufacturer has now jumped on the bikepacking wagon, providing the frame with mounting points on the right-hand side of the fork (only on one side due to the folding mechanism) and on the head tube, which allow you to secure bags and bottle cages. There’s also a forward-facing Carrier Block, which is compatible with Brompton’s in-house bags, including a practical storage bag for a 325 Wh battery pack. Yes, that’s right: the G-Line is also available as an e-bike, just like the C- and P-Line models. However, with the G-Line the battery sits at the front of the head tube and the 450 W hub motor rather than in the rear wheel, which makes it easier to negotiate even steeper climbs.
The Brompton Electric G-Line retails at € 3,999 and is only available with a 4-speed drivetrain. Including the pannier racks and mudguards, the G-Line costs € 2,969, and if you want to have the lights we had on our test bike, you can get the “full equipment” version for € 3,079.
Tuning-Tipp: Order the mudguards if you live in a rainy part of the world.
2024 Brompton G-Line folding bike on test
When folded, the Brompton G-Line can easily be stored under a bed or behind a door in a small city flat – because it’s as compact as a carry-on bag. When carrying the bike downstairs, you’ll immediately notice the easy handling. Despite weighing a hefty 14 kg, the Brompton is surprisingly easy to carry, especially considering that it’s made from a robust steel frame. The top tube nestles comfortably against the thigh without getting in the way. Thanks to the removable pedal on the non-drive side, nothing gets in the way and the bike can be carried close to the body. Overall, it’s not exactly lightweight, but the compact design makes it easy to lift.
Once you get down to street level, the G-Line unfolds in a matter of seconds. Once you have internalised the mechanism, folding and unfolding the bike becomes routine: like opening an umbrella, it’s ready to use in a matter of seconds in the hustle and bustle of the city. We recommend marking your saddle height, as this needs to be readjusted after each folding process. Thanks to the low top tube, which is almost reminiscent of a step-through bike, you can get on the bike comfortably without having to swing your leg over the saddle.
From the very first crank spin, you’ll notice the bike’s direct handling. The Brompton follows steering input directly and precisely, which is partly due to the small wheels and extremely practical in dense city traffic. Compared to conventional Brompton models with 16″ wheels, however, the G-Line is more composed and inspires more confidence, especially on uneven surfaces and over tracks and kerbs. The wide tires provide additional comfort with their good damping properties and also generate good traction on tarmac.
On level ground, the Brompton cruises comfortably, while the 8-speed drivetrain provides a good gear ratio on gentle climbs. Even very steep climbs are no problem, especially if you weight the front wheel actively to keep it tracking or if you have a bag on the fork – otherwise the G-Line tends to lift off the ground due to the slightly rear-heavy pedalling position. The Brompton is available in three sizes from S-L to allow you to adjust the bike precisely to your height, making it suitable for riders between 152 and 198 cm tall. The wide tyres shine on very easy terrain or on gravel with their off-road characteristics. On light gravel, the lugs dig into the ground and provide sufficient traction when cornering and braking. Even in the wet, you don’t have to worry with the Schwalbe G-One – in conjunction with the TRP brakes, you can always decelerate reliably. The brakes also require less maintenance than the rim brakes that are usually fitted, as they are located in the centre of the hub and are better protected from the weather.
In the dark, the Brompton has a small weak spot: the standard reflector sits relatively low and is partially covered by the tire. On the other hand, the optional Lezyne front light ensures good visibility, while the removable tail light on the saddle makes you visible with different flashing modes. You’ll have to pay an extra € 110 for this, and you’ll end up with a price of € 2,959, which is what we our test bike costs.
Who should take a closer look at Brompton G-Line?
The new G-Line is aimed above all at hardcore Brompton fans who grew up with the folding bike cult. True to the “The best bike is one you always have with you” motto, they’re never travelling without their Brompton anyway. For all those who have firmly integrated the bike into their everyday life, the G-Line offers the opportunity to expand the boundaries of the city – even off the beaten track.
It’s also a great option for those who have always toyed with the idea of buying a folding bike and are pushing themselves beyond the tarmac fr4om time to time. The G-Line bridges the gap between a thoroughbred urban folding bike and a full-blown gravel bike. It expands the Brompton’s range of users without any serious drawbacks, like a noticeably higher rolling resistance or significantly bigger dimensions. This makes the G-Line the right choice for anyone looking for a compact, foldable bike that not only impresses in the city, but also on gravel tracks.
Our conclusions about the new Brompton G-Line gravel folding bike
The G-Line is a useful addition to the Brompton’s portfolio, as it significantly expands the range of applications for folding bikes. With its composed character and excellent off-road capabilities, the G-Line opens up new paths for commuters and adventurers from a very reasonable € 2,849. Brompton’s mini-gravel is almost as compact as the original and still one of the smallest folding bikes on the market. The number of legendary Brompton ultracycling stories is sure to increase, because with this robust version, nothing stands in the way of new adventures.
Tops
- Good offroad capabilities
- Compact size
- Well-thought-out folding mechanism
Flops
- Heavy
For more info, visit brompton.com
Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Jan Richter
