I’ve spent a good amount of time riding the Brompton G Line Electric, and there’s a lot to talk about. This model is very different from the classic Brompton folding bikes. Right away, the new size stands out. It comes with 20-inch wheels, not the small 16-inch ones Brompton is known for. I didn’t know how I’d feel about that at first, but after riding it, I get why they did it.
The bigger wheels roll smoother over rough surfaces. I took it on some uneven paths and bumpy city streets. The ride felt steady. I didn’t have to worry much about cracks or small potholes. On my older Brompton, I always felt those little bumps. With the G Line, the ride is calmer. It feels more like riding a regular bike, not a small folding one.
The tires are also wider. Brompton chose Schwalbe G-One tires. I read that these tires are good for gravel, but I mostly stayed on pavement. Still, they held up well. There’s more grip, and I felt safe taking turns. Wet roads didn’t bother me much either, though I didn’t try it in heavy rain.
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The Frame and Folding Feel Different
The frame is bigger because of the larger wheels. Brompton changed the geometry, and it shows. The whole bike looks stretched out. When I sat on it, my riding position felt more natural. My knees didn’t hit the handlebars, and I didn’t feel cramped. I’m not very tall, but even someone taller would be okay on this bike.
Folding is still possible, but it’s not as small as the classic Brompton. That was something I had to adjust to. I used to carry my old Brompton easily onto trains and into small elevators. With the G Line, it folds, but the shape is bulkier. The 20-inch wheels make it stick out more. It’s also heavier, and that’s mostly because of the electric parts and bigger wheels.
Electric Assist – Quiet but Strong
The G Line Electric has a 250-watt rear hub motor. I used the pedal assist on different levels. Level one barely helps, which is fine if you want to do most of the work. But on level three, the bike really pulls you forward. It’s smooth, not jerky. I didn’t feel like the motor was pushing too hard. It just made pedaling easier.
Climbing hills is where this motor shines. I tried a few steep hills around my neighborhood. On my own, I’d be huffing and puffing. But with the G Line, I stayed in a low gear and used the assist. I got up without much trouble. It still made me work a bit, which I liked, but I didn’t feel wiped out at the top.
The battery is a 345 Wh removable pack. I could take it off and carry it inside to charge. It’s simple to remove, though the battery adds some weight when riding. I got about 30 miles per charge, but that depends on how much assist you use. On flat roads with low assist, you might squeeze out more. If you hit a lot of hills and stay on high assist, it drains faster.
Charging took around 4 hours. I just plugged it in at night, and by morning it was ready. The battery bag attaches to the front, which I found easy to handle. It clicks into place and doesn’t rattle. It looks clean, too. Some e-bikes have batteries sticking out in weird places, but Brompton kept it tidy.
Braking and Gears – Reliable and Smooth
One of my favorite things about this bike is the hydraulic disc brakes. This is the first Brompton with hydraulic discs, and they’re a big upgrade. My older Brompton has rim brakes, and they always felt weak, especially when it rained. On the G Line, stopping felt solid. I didn’t have to pull hard on the levers. A gentle squeeze slowed me down fast.
I tested the brakes going downhill. They didn’t fade or feel mushy. That gave me confidence, especially when riding through traffic. I knew I could stop if someone cut me off.
The 4-speed gearing worked fine for me. Shifting was simple, and the gears covered most of what I needed. On flat ground, I stayed in second or third gear. For hills, first gear was low enough to climb with the motor. I didn’t miss having more gears. Some people might wish for a 7-speed or 8-speed version, but I think four is enough for city riding.
Ride Comfort – Better Than I Expected
I was surprised by how comfortable the G Line Electric felt. I usually expect folding bikes to be a little rough, but this one felt solid. The bigger wheels helped a lot. They rolled over small bumps without sending every shock up my arms.
The seat was fine, though not super soft. I might swap it out later if I keep riding long distances. Handlebars were higher than I expected. That put me in a more upright position, which was good for seeing traffic but not the best for speed. Still, I liked not leaning too far forward.
One thing I noticed – this bike is quiet. The motor doesn’t whine or buzz loudly. Even at full assist, it stayed quiet. All I really heard was the sound of the tires on the road. That made the ride feel peaceful, especially early in the morning.
Weight and Carrying – Definitely Heavier
Here’s where the G Line might be a problem for some people – it’s heavy. My scale showed around 39 pounds (17.7 kg) with the battery. Without the battery, it’s a little less, but it’s still heavier than a regular Brompton. Carrying it up a flight of stairs wasn’t fun. I could manage it, but not for long.
Wheeling it around folded worked better. Brompton added a roller frame to help with this. I didn’t have to lift it as much. Still, if you’re planning to carry it a lot, you’ll feel the weight. It’s not something I’d want to lug around every day.
I took it on the subway once. It fit, but not as neatly as my old Brompton. People stared a little because of the size. If you need a super compact bike for crowded trains or buses, this might feel too big. But if you’re mostly riding and just folding it sometimes, it’s fine.
Looks and Build Quality – Feels Tough
The G Line looks sharp but not flashy. Mine came in a dark color, and everything felt solid. The welds were clean. The finish didn’t scratch easily, even after leaning it against walls and bike racks.
The folding hinges are tough. I didn’t feel like anything was going to break. The new frame design looks like it could take some abuse. I didn’t baby this bike, and it held up well.
One small thing – the kickstand is handy. Older Bromptons didn’t always have them, but this one does. It helped when I stopped for coffee or needed to park for a minute.
Price and Who Should Get It
I’ll be honest – the G Line Electric is expensive. It costs more than most folding bikes and even more than some full-sized e-bikes. I had to think hard about whether it was worth it.
If you really need a folding bike but also want something that rides like a regular e-bike, this is one of the few options out there. It’s good for someone who commutes but also wants to do longer weekend rides. You could use it in the city all week, then ride on country roads or bike paths on the weekend.
But if you just need a small bike to hop on the subway or carry upstairs every day, this might be too much. The weight and size are the trade-offs.
Final Thoughts – What I Liked and Didn’t Like
Overall, I liked riding the G Line Electric. It felt steady, smooth, and easy to handle. The motor was quiet but powerful enough to help with hills. The brakes were solid, and the bigger wheels made a huge difference in comfort.
Still, there were a few things that made me stop and think. The weight is a big one. I’m used to carrying my old Brompton like a suitcase, but this felt like lifting a heavy bag of groceries. The folded size is bigger, so it’s harder to tuck away in tight spaces.
Would I recommend it? That depends. If you’re okay with the weight and price, and you want a folding e-bike that rides almost like a full-sized bike, the G Line is great. But if you need something ultra-light and super compact, this might not be the right fit.
For me, it’s a bike I’d use for rides where I don’t need to carry it much. I’d take it on bike paths, out of town, or for longer city rides. But for daily commuting with lots of stairs or packed trains, I’d stick with a lighter model.
Either way, Brompton did something new here. They made a folding bike that feels like a real e-bike. And that’s not easy to do.