Brompton owners

I’ve had Brompton bikes for a while on and off and now have the following:

• C line urban 2 speed in black
  
• C line explore 6 speed with dynamo (for office shared use)
  
• G Line electric 4 speed
  
  

It seems that I was mentioned for an opinion on the G Line. I have been riding this since 30th September and have done 500 km on it according to Strava. I was kindly loaned this for use by Brompton and I haven’t paid for it. I was not asked for anything in return. However, I have done a few pics and put them on my Instagram and also chatted to anyone who has shown an interest in it. I’ve also given lots of test rides to friends who all seem to be positive about it.

The other thing to note is that I am now a massive fan of electric bikes and they are keeping me moving, even in terrible weather. I get quite miserable in the winter months and sometimes default to using the train/tube to get to work - which then makes it worse and repeat etc. I have an electric bike, good jacket, waterproof trousers and some mudguards and hoping to not use the tube at all this year.

The “make it make sense” comment is fun in that when I tried a Brompton for the first time it took two weeks to get used to. Riding the G Line makes more sense when you jump on it for the first time as it rides like a normal bike. It feels so much more planted and comfortable to me and less fragile than the original (which I still love). The big volume tyres make a difference and I corner like I do on my MTB on them. A lot of fun commuting. The electric is great and also kicks in nicely. It’s much more progressive and less on/off than a Lime bike or cheaper hub motor. I go everywhere at full gas all the time and charge it a lot but only because of how much I use it. I use it to commute to work and to go all over London for work. Last Friday I did 35/40km on it around London. It stops me needing to use public transport really. I wish I had some canal path sections on my commute as it’s an absolute hoot off-road. I’m not selling my gravel bike for it but it does make riding everything possible. I will also take it to the South Downs for a camp out when the weather is warmer.

The mixed modal transport thing isn’t quite as easy for a few reasons - it’s bigger, a bit heavier, and the bars are wider. It’s generally much easier to fold it and leave the bars out and wheel it. If I were to own the bike I would probably take 10mm off either side of the bars too as I’m still getting use to them and shop doors. The other thing to consider is that the seat post doesn’t go all the way through to form a stopper on the floor. So when on the Thameslink to Brighton the other day I used a little Voile strap (from Seabass Cycles) to tie it to one of the blue pillars.

Overall I love it and can’t stop using it. It’s incredibly well engineered and feels seriously solid. As I say, I’m not a fan boy but do like it. There are a few compromises of course. I would buy one with my own money and use it as my main bike for London without hesitation. Let me know if you want to swing a leg over it.