The Brompton G Line —Should You Buy One?

The Brompton G Line has been out for a couple of months now. If you’re here, you’re likely a long-time Brompton Braveheart—or part of the new crowd of Brompton-curious intrigued by this bike’s promise of bigger wheels and off-the-beaten-path capability. Consider this your formal introduction.

A Brompton Confession, First

I’ll own up to it: for years, I believed Brompton bikes were strictly for those who alphabetise their spice racks, tote Tupperware everywhere, and say words like “practicality” with unwavering sincerity. You know the sort—grey trousers, fluorescent ankle clips, and a borderline encyclopaedic knowledge of the Highway Code. Efficient? Absolutely. Exciting? Not quite.

Then Brompton caught my attention. Collaborations with Barbour, Crew Nation, and—most startlingly—Freitag were popping up in my LinkedIn feed. Freitag are Swiss virtuosos who transform truck tarps into indestructible bags. Though, I didn’t own a Brompton back then, seeing a Freitag easily clip onto the front—that caught my attention. It wasn’t a thoughtless collaboration—it was clever, integrating both brands’ pedigrees seamlessly. And maybe, I thought, there was more to this foldable phenomenon than I’d assumed.

Before long, I found myself checking in a Brompton C Line 6-speed on a flight to Antigua. Yes, Antigua. Why not test a folding commuter bike on an island known for postcard-perfect beaches, steep hills, and tropical humidity? Initially, I braced for comedic instability—something akin to a giraffe wobbling on roller skates. To my surprise, the bike zipped along with cheerful defiance, proving more nimble than I’d ever have guessed. It was, for lack of a better term, downright cheeky.

Pedalling along Antigua’s coastline—turquoise waters on one side, friendly locals waving from the other—I began to appreciate Brompton’s unique charm. It draws stares, sparks conversation, and handles the unexpected with aplomb. Yes, you’ll sweat climbing the steeper hills on the 6-speed; had the Brompton P Line 12-gear existed at the time, I might still be there, exploring every winding incline. Alas, that’s a tale for another day.

Enter the Brompton G Line

Now we have the G Line: Brompton’s latest and arguably most adventurous edition. If you’ve watched the brand evolve, you’ll know a contingent of enthusiasts has long been modding their A and C Lines with all types of upgrades, some adding 20-inch wheels. Brompton’s designers decided to make such tinkering official—no more improvisation required.

As Design Lead Tom Kerr puts it: “[When we set out to design the G Line,] we studied what people need from a folding bike they’d want to ride further. Crucially, they live in cities but want to explore beyond them.”

He elaborates, “We’ve done a ton of work on geometry. It’s more stable, more capable, and more comfortable over longer terrains.”

To that end, the G Line arrives in three models, each available in three frame sizes so every rider enjoys a similar experience regardless of height:

Brompton G Line 8-speed with roller frame starting at 14.8 kg - £2499

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Brompton G Line 8-speed without roller frame starting at 13.9 kg - £2399

G Line Electric (4-speed) with roller frame starting at 16.1 kg - £3499

Into the Brompton Fold

When it comes to folding bikes with 20-inch wheels, options like the Tern Verge or Dahon Launch come to mind. Both offer high-quality builds and off-road potential, but neither can quite match the compact elegance of Brompton’s fold. This is where Brompton’s heritage shines: no other folding bike manages to pack itself away quite so gracefully, maintaining both form and function.

With the G Line, Brompton doesn’t lose sight of this hallmark. Despite the larger wheels and sturdier frame, the fold is still recognisable, intuitive, and practical. It’s a testament to their design philosophy that even with a heavier, more rugged build, the bike retains its signature portability.

Brompton Testing Grounds: From Antigua to Manchester

Since I’d already pushed a C Line to its limits in Antigua, I thought I’d give the G Line an equally rigorous outing—this time, Manchester. It’s a bit of a contrast: greyer skies, centuries-old cobblestones, muddy canal towpaths, and city traffic. A perfect test bed, if you ask me.

The route? From my family home over gravel tracks, canal towpaths, across a footbridge, onto a train, into the city, and then changing for a metro to Old Trafford for an interview with Sara Rose, Creative Director at Manchester United.

C Line v G Line: Spotting the Differences

Straight away, I sized up how much heavier the G Line is compared to the classic C Line, which can weigh as little as 11.35 kg. But that is a completely different proposition with a different use case in mind.

Still, that’s a few extra kilos of metal to lug around, so where’s it coming from?

Wider Handlebars
The wider handlebars atop a gooseneck shaped stem with built-in bottle bosses give the bike a polished, well-finished look. That wider setup, paired with the internal 8-speed Shimano Alfine hub offering a 307% gear ratio, and larger wheels, makes climbing hills noticeably easier, offering more leverage for smoother ascents. On longer rides, especially on uneven terrain, the ergonomic rubber handles and cycling position were a relief for my wrists and shoulders.

Wider Pedals
Another simple but key touch: broader pedals. They instantly made the Brompton feel more akin to a full-sized bike, offering more secure foot placement whether you’re leaning into a tough climb or descending at speed. The left pedal detaches quickly for a neater fold, similar to other Brompton models of late.

Hydraulic Disc Brakes
A first for Brompton, the brakes offered smooth, reliable stopping power with zero fade, even on wet cobbles and muddy canal paths.

Collaborative Schwalbe Tyres
Brompton teamed with Schwalbe to craft 20-inch, puncture-resistant tyres that can handle far more varied terrain than any Brompton tyre to date. Cobbles, gravel, mud—they shrugged off each surface. The extra tyre volume doesn’t just smooth out the ride—it empowers you to tackle routes once considered folly for a folding bike.

G Line: The Land Rover of Folding Bikes

Yes, you’ll notice the added heft when hauling the folded G Line up stairs or across a footbridge. But that weight gives it the strength to handle tougher conditions and go further than a standard C Line. With bigger wheels on the roller frame (available on other Bromptons too), you can easily wheel it off the train and unfold it smoothly.

That said, my wishlist for Tom Kerr includes one simple addition: a swivelling wheel to make tight turns in folded mode less of a jive.

And here’s a thought—could we see a titanium version of the G Line someday? Brompton has already mastered titanium builds with the T Line, so applying that expertise here could shave off the extra kilos and attract even more riders with another thousand in their pocket.

Brompton’s G Line Recall

After Manchester, my plan was to take the G Line home to Lisbon for the ultimate test: unforgiving hills, tram tracks, missing cobblestones, bus-tyre-dented tarmac, and red-light-running cars. Lisbon’s streets are an obstacle course.

But in December, Brompton issued a recall on all G Line bikes due to a hinge spindle issue. Brompton has confirmed that they will not issue a stop-ride notice. Instead, customers will be encouraged to visit their local dealer for an inspection, where any affected G Line bikes will receive a replacement hinge spindle at no cost.

Naturally, it’s disappointing not to put the G Line through its paces in Portugal’s capital and surrounding gravel tracks. Still, this isn’t a setback—it’s a testament to Brompton’s meticulous quality control.

As they approach their 50th anniversary, it’s clear they’re serious about ensuring every detail meets the standards their riders expect.

Final Observations: Bulky, Yes, but Brilliant

If there’s one sticking point, it’s that carrying approx. 14 kg of folded metal up and down stairs isn’t exactly a dream. But I was happy to forgive that inconvenience once I experienced how assuredly the G Line handles varied terrain. This bike manages to be both commuter-friendly and adventurous—an unlikely combination for something that folds small enough to ride public transport.

The Verdict

The G Line is that rare creation many thought impossible: a folding bike that thrives on sloppy canal paths as readily as it does on city streets. Yes, it’s heavier and bulkier than its siblings, but it’s also far more capable. Think of it as the Land Rover in Brompton’s stable—born to get muddy, yet still impeccably polite in an office corridor.

It’s not perfect—no product ever is—but it’s fun, adaptable, and unafraid of a little dirt. The G Line strikes an impressive balance: equally at home on a weekday commute (after a few weightlifting sessions at the gym) or a spontaneous weekend trail.

And that, for me, is a game-changer for the brand, potentially attracting a new audience of Brompton Bravehearts.