It may not be obvious at first glance, but the Brompton G Line is the first major redesign of the iconic British folding bike in its almost 50-year history. It’s even bigger than the launch of its first e-bike in 2019, literally and figuratively.
The G line is available as standard bike with a Shimano Alfine 8-speed internally geared hub or as 4 speed electric bike with derailleurBoth models feature larger 20-inch wheels with grippy Schwalbe tires, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, wider handlebars, and frame geometry that more closely resembles full-size bikes.
All of this adds up to a bike that should be less twitchy and suited to more varied terrain, and that's easier to maintain over time, given the selection of non-proprietary parts and easy-to-find 20-inch tires and tubes. The only downside would be a slightly larger and heavier bike, which is still lighter and folds down into a smaller size than almost any other bike… except an original Brompton.
Brompton markets the G Line as an all-rounder, which is fascinating given its long-standing role in supporting multi-modal urban commuting. It claims the G Line is “the world’s most versatile bike… for the city and beyond.”
The new G line launches just as GoCycle, Brompton’s smaller rival in the commuter e-bike market, announced plans to compete with Brompton with its own line of 20-inch non-electric folding bikes.
The standard Brompton G starts at £2,399 (€2,849), while the G Electric starts at £3,499 (€3,999). It's available for pre-order in the UK and Europe and deliveries are already running several weeks late. Those prices, including tax, would equate to around $3,170 for the standard G Line bike or $4,500 for the G Electric, when Brompton puts them on sale in the US. Sometime in 2025.
