Since its inception in 1975, Brompton has been synonymous with city cycling. Founder Andrew Ritchie designed the first Brompton folding bike with a compact design perfect for urban commuting. Their vision has shifted as Brompton finally introduced the G Line, including two small-wheel gravel bikes and one featuring electric power assist. Known for their compact folding designs, Brompton has taken a bold leap by offering a bike with larger 20-inch wheels, disc brakes, and rugged gravel capabilities, the G Line brings a fresh perspective to what a folding bike can do.
Key Features of the G Line
The G Line is built around the fold that made Brompton famous, but it integrates several new elements to create a bike ready for adventure. Here’s what makes the G Line stand out:
- 20-Inch Wheels and 2.1-Inch Tires: The larger wheels are a significant departure from Brompton’s traditional 16-inch wheels. The increase in size improves stability, enhances rollover, and makes the bike feel more like a full-sized model. The 2.1-inch Schwalbe G-One tubeless-ready tires are designed for grip and comfort on rough gravel paths, trails, and city streets.
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes: A first for Brompton, the G Line comes equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, providing superior stopping power and control over various terrains and in diverse weather conditions.
- Shimano Alfine 8-Speed Hub: The mechanical G Line comes with an integrated eight-speed hub, ensuring smooth shifting across a range of gears. This makes it ideal for everything from steep climbs to long, flat stretches.
The G Line combines Brompton’s signature folding mechanism with a design that’s optimized for off-road and gravel riding. The longer wheelbase offers a more stable ride, while wider handlebars ensure greater control, especially on rugged trails. Despite these changes, Brompton’s innovative fold remains intact, allowing riders to fold the bike in just 20 seconds into a compact size of 69h x 73l x 40w cm.
Electric G Line: Powering Your Adventure
The Electric G Line provides cutting-edge electric assist with a 250-watt rear hub motor and a 345Wh battery housed in a removable front bag. With a range of 20 to 40 miles (30 to 60 km), this e-bike version is designed for those looking to tackle both smooth city streets and more challenging off-road adventures. At 43 lbs (19.5 kg), including the battery, the Electric G Line balances power with portability.
Brompton offers a wide array of accessories specifically tailored for the G Line. Riders can add luggage racks, fenders, and a variety of bags; The flexibility to customize the bike ensures it can be adapted for a range of uses.
Pricing and Availability
The G Line will be available from October 2024 in Europe and the UK, with a U.S. release expected in spring 2025. The mechanical G Line, with an eight-speed hub, is priced at $3,160, while the Electric G Line, featuring a 4-speed configuration, will retail for $4,615. Both models will come in three color options: Forest Green, Adventure Orange, and Traildust White.
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