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Brompton Electric G Line: One minute review
Brompton is only one year away from celebrating 50 years of its inception. That is a whole lot of bike development experience, but Brompton’s entry into the electric bike market happened a lot more recently, in 2018. Despite that, they’re already making some of the best electric bikes around and certainly some of the best folding e-bikes on the market.
The Brompton formula has remained largely unchanged despite the release of electric versions of the C Line and P Line, but the all-new G Line is a radical departure. The frame shape and classic 3-point folding mechanism that the company is known for remain the same, but it boasts chunkier tyres and wider handlebars for rougher paths.
Having used it as my main commuter bike for over two months, I’m still torn as to how I feel about it. On the one hand, the engineering and quality to deliver a great riding experience are there, but I just don’t know what to make of the off-road enhancements. While it’ll handle gravel, cobbles, and single tracks better than other Bromptons, is anyone really going to be riding this on proper dirt tracks and difficult terrain?
I suppose only time will be able to answer that question, but from my point of view, it’s definitely the most comfortable and reliable Brompton e-bike I’ve ever used. The wider handlebars make for more predictable handling, while chunkier tyres make light work of potholes and uneven roads. I won’t be taking it off-roading, but I certainly wouldn’t trade it in for a C or P Line.
|
Component |
Brompton Electric G Line |
|---|---|
|
Size range: |
Small, medium, large |
|
Motor: |
250W |
|
Top speed |
15.5mph / 25kmh (UK) |
|
Power: |
345-wh. 4-hour full charge using included 2A charger |
|
Control: |
LCD Display |
|
E-bike classification: |
Class 3 |
|
Speeds: |
4-speed + 3-speed (electric assist) |
|
Brakes: |
Tektro Hydraulic Disc brakes with 140mm Front / 160mm Rear |
|
Frame material: |
Steel |
|
Weight: |
16.1 kg / 35.5lbs |
|
Range: |
20-45 miles / 30-60km |
Brompton Electric G Line: Price and availability
- $3,300 USD / £3,499 UK / $7,250 AUD
- Expensive for a folding bike
- Premium build quality for the price
The cost of the Brompton Electric G-Line puts it firmly between the price points of the C Line at the lower end and the P Line at the higher end. The price is hard to stomach, but for the money, you are guaranteed excellent-grade materials and superb build quality. Put simply, they are built to last and well worth the money.
Brompton Electric G Line: Design
- Chunky tires
- Wide handlebars
- Four-speed setup
Brompton’s iconic three-point fold continues to function well despite the larger wheels, increased tire size, and widened handlebars. As a result, it can be packed into the back of a car or popped on a train, albeit not as easily as the smaller Brompton models. You also get an adjustable seat height and a long handlebar stem, and there’s a 250W motor that drives the e-bike forward. In many ways, the G Line is like every other Brompton.
But also, in many ways, it’s very different. Most noticeable of all are the 20-inch wheels. They’re not too big to affect the smooth folding mechanism, but they are large enough to stand out. The chunky Schwalbe G-One All Round 54-406s not only look fantastic thanks to a tan wall finish but are also puncture-resistant. I haven’t had a puncture in over 600 miles and don’t expect to have one anytime soon.
Then there are the wide handlebars that have been custom-designed for the G Line. Alongside the tires, this might just be my favorite thing about the e-bike. Having ridden a number of Brompton bikes, I can honestly say that the G Line is by far the most stable, due in part to the widened handlebars.
The G-Line is also equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, a first for Brompton. In my opinion, the decision to go hydraulic is long overdue. I found the brakes to be reliable in all weathers and had no need to carry out any adjustments or maintenance on them. Whether Brompton will go down that route for future product releases, only time will tell.
Finally, the G-Line is a four-speed setup, which historically has been the go-to number for Brompton. Having taken the bike across a variety of terrains, including up some pretty serious hills, I would have preferred a few extra gears. Two at either end would be ideal, taking the total up to eight. As with Brompton’s other ranges, I imagine it will introduce a model with more gears at a later date.
Brompton Electric G Line: Performance
- Certainly not a replacement for a dedicated gravel bike
- Larger size and extra weight affect portability
- Greater stability on predictable surfaces
I’ve thought long and hard about how to assess the performance of this new Brompton e-bike. I’ve flip-flopped between treating it as any other folding e-bike and assessing it on its off-road merits, and I’m not sure I’ve really landed yet. This indecision is probably largely due to the fact that in attempting to create a gravel bike, of sorts, they’ve actually compromised some of its portable qualities.
Let me be clear. This is no replacement for a dedicated gravel bike. At a push, you might utilize it as a commuter bike from Monday to Friday and on some minimally demanding wooded routes on the weekend. But that’s as far as the G-Line will take you.
The off-road limitations center around the lack of stability, especially when riding out of the saddle. The wider handlebars and larger tires help out a little bit, but nowhere near enough to really push the bike to the limit. I also didn’t trust it enough to deliver under more extreme conditions, such as through thicker mud. As I’ve said, simple trails with limited obstacles are fine, but serious off-road enthusiasts will be left wanting.
Everything was much rosier on my daily commutes. In fact, it was actually the highest-performing Brompton e-bike that I’ve ever ridden. I loved the stable handling and confidence to go up and down kerbs. The additional weight provided a feeling of security, although it’s definitely less nippy than the C-Line or P-Line models.
But at the end of any commute comes the need to fold it up and transport it into either the office, onto a train, or into the back of the car. This is where I had a few problems. At over 16 kg, it’s significantly heavier than other Bromptons. I’m fairly fit and healthy, but I still had to be careful how I was lifting it. The folded size is also a lot less compact, so if you’re hoping to store it in tight spaces, then I’d recommend checking the dimensions.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with the G-Line, but only while I stayed away from gravel tracks. Buy it if you want a more stable Brompton ride and are prepared to handle the extra weight.
Brompton Electric G Line: Battery life
- 20-40 miles per full battery
- Four-hour recharge
- Battery makes weight front-loaded
The range of this e-bike is very similar to all the other Bromptons I’ve tested. This is no surprise given the similar battery capacity. If we’re going to drill down into the number, then in reality, the G Line actually fares slightly worse, probably due to the extra tire friction. As a result, I only ever managed to achieve a maximum of 40 miles per charge, with 20 miles being more common. I do love full pedal assist, after all.
This range might be too limiting for some, but if you know you’ll regularly be in reach of a charger, then it won’t cause too much of a problem. With a daily commute of 14 miles, I found myself having to recharge the battery most days. An empty-to-full recharge takes around four hours and is ideal for a daytime recharge between the two legs of a commute.
The battery sits at the front of the e-bike, which helps balance the steering a little, but is far from ideal when considering the overall balance. This is especially the case if you try lifting the bike.
On a previous Brompton e-bike, I did experience battery cutouts when going over big bumps, but I had no such problem with this G Line. I was glad of this, especially given that the bike is designed for off-roading. The battery is quick and easy to remove and install, although I’d still like a secure solution for locking the battery into place.
- Battery life score: 3.5/5
Brompton Electric G Line: Scorecard
|
Category |
Comment |
Score |
|
Value |
An expensive e-bike, especially given its lack of off-road performance. |
3.5/5 |
|
Design |
Chunky tires and wide handlebars help improve the bike’s versatility. |
4/5 |
|
Performance |
Not a replacement for a dedicated gravel bike. |
3.5/5 |
|
Battery Life |
A reasonable range, but you’ll want your charger handy most of the time. |
3.5/5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Also consider
|
Component |
Brompton Electric G Line |
ENGWE MapFour N1 Air |
Tenways CGO600 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Size range: |
Small, medium, large |
Not specified |
157cm x 96cm |
|
Motor: |
250W |
250W In-Rotor Motor |
250W (UK) / 350W (US) |
|
Top speed |
15.5mph / 25kmh (UK) |
15.5mph / 25kmh (UK) |
15.5mph / 25kmh (UK) and 20 mph (US) |
|
Power: |
345-wh. 4-hour full charge using included 2A charger |
360Wh 10Ah high-capacity battery |
36V 10Ah Lithium-ion Battery with LG Cells |
|
Control: |
LCD Display |
LCD Display |
Small OLED Display |
|
E-bike classification: |
Class 3 |
Class 3 |
Class 1 |
|
Speeds: |
4-speed + 3-speed (electric assist) |
Shimano 7 speed |
Single-speed |
|
Brakes: |
Tektro Hydraulic Disc brakes with 140mm Front / 160mm Rear |
Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
TEKTRO Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
|
Frame material: |
Steel |
Carbon |
Aluminum |
|
Weight: |
16.1 kg / 35.5lbs |
15.6kg / 34 lbs |
18kg including accessories |
|
Range: |
20-45 miles / 30-60km |
62 miles / 100 Km |
62 miles / 100 Km |
How I tested the Brompton Electric G Line
Having tested a number of ‘standard’ Brompton e-bikes, I was pumped to get my hands on the first of this new line of bikes. Having unpacked and unfolded it, I made the e-bike my main form of transport for well over a month. Living in the countryside provided ample opportunity to take it off-road, while my daily commute enabled me to test it in more predictable environments. As part of the review, I clocked up several hundred miles.
First reviewed: May 2025
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paulo.n.hatton@gmail.com (Paul Hatton)
