New Brompton folding bike: The new G-Line as a 20-inch folding bike for all occasions

Brompton folding bikes have been around for a long, long time. Sometimes ridiculed, sometimes hyped - and currently more and more often on the suburban trains and undergrounds of Germany. This is because a folding bike extends the radius of action immensely. Now Brompton is presenting what it claims is "the brand's biggest innovation in 50 years": The Brompton G Line with - yes, yes - 20-inch tyres!

Brompton is upgrading from 16-inch to 20-inch tyres in 2024 to make the G Line folding bikes even wider, more comfortable and more suitable for off-road riding.

Brompton owners love their folding bikes. However, the classic Brompton was developed for urban transport. With more and more people moving outdoors, it was time to adapt the Brompton so that it also works on more demanding routes outside the city. - Brompton CEO Will Butler-Adams

Brompton: What's the story?

When Andrew Ritchie invented a foldable bicycle in 1975, he set new standards in transport. Since then, the Brompton has changed urban mobility worldwide. Now, 50 years after the first compact folding bike hit the streets, Brompton wants to make history again with the introduction of the G Line.

These new bikes offer the comfort and ride feel of a conventional bike without losing the functionality and versatility of their iconic folding mechanism. With a completely redesigned geometry, brand new 20-inch wheels and specially developed tubeless Schwalbe G-One tyres, the Brompton G Line is no longer just for cruising along inner-city bike highways.

And with hydraulic disc brakes, the G Line is also the first Brompton model to be so equipped. The new G Line also features an 8-speed Shimano drivetrain, which is protected inside the hub and safe from water, dirt and shocks. The Electric G Line comes with Brompton's tried and tested 4-speed gear system.

Each steel frame continues to be handmade and inspected in the London factory, with a 7-year warranty on the frame.

Brompton G Line folding bike - Specifications

The G Line bike from Brompton is said to be the company's most versatile model. Engineers and testers have put it through the wringer for over 250,000 kilometres and it meets all industry standards as well as Brompton's significantly higher requirements. The goal: the 20-inch folding bike can now also cope with gravel tracks and wet cobblestones, while proving to be robust and low-maintenance thanks to its disc brakes and hub gears.

What has remained? The folding bike can be folded up in just a short time - some say 20 seconds: With dimensions of just 690 mm (H) x 730 mm (L) x 402 mm (W) in size Small, the G Line can be stowed effortlessly in the boot of a car or in one-person tents - but above all on the train home or to a worthwhile excursion into the countryside.

There is also the option of steering the folding bike half-folded on the saddle or pulling it behind you on the handlebars - the G Line glides like a wheeled suitcase and can be elegantly and effortlessly navigated through railway stations or into the office.

The bike is also equipped with the Wide Platform QR pedal set. The non-slip pedals are suitable for every area of use and are designed to offer a great deal of stability. The ergonomic G Line grips ensure comfortable cushioning and ideal pressure distribution.

Brompton Electric G Line folding bike - Specifications

There will also be an e-bike version: the new Electric G Line. The new drive is integrated into the frame for the first time, updates are carried out via Bluetooth and maintenance is easy. Wherever you go, the 250 watt rear hub motor of the Electric G Line not only delivers power, but also stability and traction on any terrain. The three support modes enable e-bikers to glide smoothly through the city, master climbs and even cover long distances.

The new Electric G Line and E technology have been developed as a single unit. All details are perfectly harmonised to offer the best performance both in the city and beyond. It can be safely controlled on any surface and is also easy to transport and stow away. - Tom Kerr, G Line Design Lead

This model variant of the Brompton folding bike has also undergone intensive testing, both under real conditions and in the laboratory, and has covered a total distance of over 1 million kilometres - the equivalent of the distance to the moon and back.

Brompton's most powerful battery to date offers 345 Wh capacity. The specially developed motor of the Electric G Line is 20 % more efficient and offers even more battery capacity, while still blending seamlessly into the folding bike. One battery charge is sufficient for 30 to 60 kilometres. The battery itself can be removed with just one click and charged anywhere.

The Brompton Advance 4-speed system, which is only installed in the e-bike, has been matched to the rear wheel hub motor and the support levels so that steep climbs and long tours can be mastered.

Thanks to Bluetooth, the bike communicates with the smartphone, provides all updates and automatically informs the owner of any news. The modes can be controlled, the lighting adjusted and many other functions utilised via the dashboard of the Brompton app. The battery life can also be optimised and the tours recorded.

The new lighting set of the Brompton Electric G Line is powered by the main battery: The 9-watt lamp at the front illuminates even the darkest path, while the 1-watt rear light with integrated reflector ensures good visibility. The ergonomics of the new wide Brompton saddle are not only focussed on seating comfort. A carrying handle under the saddle nose makes it easier to lift or pull the bike. The mounting options for Brompton lights and luggage are also practical.

G Line - Models, colours and prices

• G Line 8-Speed - from 13.9 kg*
• G Line 8-Speed with pannier rack and mudguards - from 14.8 kg*
• Electric G Line 4-Speed with pannier rack and mudguards - from 16.1 kg without battery, 19.5 kg with battery*

*for size Small

All models are available in the colours Forest Green, Adventure Orange and Traildust White.

• G Line 8-Speed 2849 Euro
• G Line 8-Speed with pannier rack and mudguards 2969 euros
• G Line 8-Speed with light 2959 Euro
• G Line 8-Speed with light and pannier rack 3079 Euro
• Electric G Line 4 speed 3999 Euro

The Brompton G Line will be available from 7 October on brompton.comBrompton Junctions in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Vienna, as well as at selected and accredited Brompton dealers.

Brompton G Line folding bikes - 3 overlapping sizes

According to the manufacturer, the G Line was developed and tested in collaboration with one of the world's leading ergonomics experts in order to optimise the riding experience. Riders can choose between the sizes Small, Medium and Large depending on their height, whereby the frame size remains unchanged and only the height of the handlebar stem varies.

* the sizes refer to the height of the handlebar stem

Accessories for Brompton folding bikes

Specific accessories have also been developed for the new Brompton folding bikes: for example, pannier racks and mudguards, bags, water bottles and a toolkit.

Brompton bags can be attached to the front carrier block with a quick click. The unique fastening system transfers the weight to the frame and not to the handlebars. This keeps the bike stable even when it is fully loaded with everything it needs for an adventure. The G Line is of course compatible with the existing Brompton bag range.

• G Line - Luggage + Accessories
• Borough Waterproof Roll Top Bag (Large + Small) and Roll Top Rack Bag
• Brompton Metro Waterproof Pouch
• Brompton Electric Essentials Plus Bag
• Brompton Electric Bag Large
• Ergonomic Brompton handles
• Fidlock Twist water bottle and holder
• G Line pannier rack and mudguards
• G Line Flexi mudguards
• Brompton Toolkit 2.0
• G Line breakdown kit
• G Line Quadlock smartphone holder
• G Line Lezyne front light
• G Line Cateye tail light
• G Line Schwalbe G One tyres
• Continental Urban Contact tyres
• G Line tubeless kit

About Brompton Bicycle

Originally developed by Andrew Ritchie in London in the 1970s, Brompton Bicycle now offers four product lines: the classic steel C Line, available with and without drive assistance, the lightweight (Electric) P Line, the titanium T Line and the affordable A Line. All models are characterised by the iconic 3-way folding technology, which allows the bikes to be reduced to a third of their size in three steps. The steel model weighs 11 kilograms, the electric version weighs 16.6 kilograms and the T Line weighs just 7.45 kilograms on average. Brompton produces just under 100,000 folding bikes by hand in the UK every year.