No, it’s not April 1st, Brompton, probably probably the most city of motorcycle manufacturers, actually has launched a folding gravel bike. Two, truly – there’s an e-bike variant too – each underneath its new G Line banner.
I do know what you’re considering, these teeny, tiny wheels are going to get swallowed up by the shallowest of ruts, and it is going to be unattainable to roll over something bigger than a pebble of pea shingle. Effectively, spoiler alert, it’s truly somewhat good – learn on for my first experience impressions.
The G Line retains the trademark Brompton silhouette
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
Brompton says that is the primary main new addition to its platform in 50 years, which is believable. It’s not, nevertheless, Brompton’s first foray into gravel, an honour claimed by its Brompton x Bear Grylls Particular Version mannequin, which turned out to be little greater than its present C Line, with the applying of olive-green paint and hi-viz orange decals.
The brand new G Line is a wholly totally different proposition, constructed from the bottom up for off-road duties, it shares little with the unique Brompton apart from the bikes iconic silhouette, albeit super-sized, and its nifty folding mechanism. Correctly, these brand-defining traits have each been retained.
The G Line folds similar to a daily Brompton, however the pack dimension is bigger
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
Some of the apparent variations is the wheel dimension, which has grown from 16 inches to twenty inches. The pair is shod with fats Schwalbe G-One Allround rubber, in a customized tyre dimension – 20 x 2.1 (54-406) – developed particularly for the G Line. Because the title suggests, these puncture-resistant, tubeless-ready tyres have a high-quality, non-aggressive, studded tread sample for good traction and acceptable rolling resistance on mild gravel in addition to tarmac. If one element encapsulates the path by which Brompton is taking the G Line, that is it. Nonetheless, in case your focus continues to be extra city, Brompton additionally provides slick Continental Contact tyres instead.
The inclusion of disc brakes is the subsequent departure for Brompton, a model that also makes use of rim brakes throughout the remainder of its lineup. Impressively, for a folding bike, the TRP-made braking system is hydraulic. So, regardless of the petite 140mm rotors, stopping energy needs to be potent sufficient for many riders in most situations.
The Shimano Alfine 8-speed hub gearing tucks delicate elements out of hurt’s means.
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
Very sensibly, Brompton has specified Shimano’s Alfine eight-speed inside gear rear hub, which provides a 307% gear vary and retains all the fragile drivetrain elements tucked away out of hurt’s means. Alfine is low upkeep too, requiring not more than the occasional oil change. Up entrance is a 54t chainring, which seems huge, however is a consequence of the small wheels, which decrease the gearing considerably. The handlebar shifter comes courtesy of Microshift.
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Cage bosses on the fork and stem are a sensible contact.
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
In profile, the G Line’s metal body seems similar to a daily metal Brompton, even the primary tube share the identical 44.45mm diameter. The rear triangle across the dropouts has been stretched right into a D-shape although, to accommodate the disc brake calliper.
Just like the titanium T Line, the fork blades are straight, somewhat than curved, and have a few bottle cage bosses on the drive facet.
Brompton hasn’t launched the figures, but it surely says the G Line has an extended wheelbase and longer chainstays than its present fashions, little question a results of the larger wheels. These geo modifications ought to make the G Line a extra steady platform for off-roading, although curiously the headtube angle is now barely steeper.
How huge? 65cm bars look epic and supply incredible management.
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
Regardless of the G Line being out there in three sizes – small, medium and huge – all of them share the identical body dimension, it’s the chunky, organically curved stem that dictates which one will suit you. It’s provided in one among three lengths, to offer ample stack top, curving progressively additional away from taller riders to offer sufficient attain. The stem additionally boasts a few bosses for a ‘prime tube’ bag or a further bottle cage.
In response to Brompton’s dimension information, a dimension Small is really useful for riders 5’0” to five’6”, Medium 5’6” to six’0” and Massive 6’0” to six’6”.
The long-lasting folding pedal is gone, changed by huge platform fashions. The left pedal is fast launch.
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
The bars are tremendous huge by Brompton requirements, and close to straight like fashionable XC bars, for a superb stage of management over tough floor. On our loaner pattern, dimension Massive, they measure 65cm throughout. Ergonomic grips are fitted as commonplace, however we’ve got no phrase on whether or not there will likely be mid or excessive riser bar choices out there sooner or later.
That famously recognisably Brompton attribute, the folding left pedal, has gone, changed by a large platform, quick-release set with pronounced plastic studs for additional grip.
Electrical G Line
Particulars are scant for the electrical G Line, however we do know that the eight-speed Alfine hub is dropped in favour of a 250-watt rear hub motor that works along side Brompton’s Advance 4-speed system. The provided battery delivers 345Wh, which Brompton reckons provides it a spread of 20 to 40 miles.
There’s built-in lighting within the form of a 9-watt beam on the entrance and a 1-watt mild with built-in reflector on the again.
Dimension and Weight
The long-nose saddle doubles as a carrying deal with.
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
Becoming greater wheels and extra sturdy tubing makes the G Line much more versatile however there are dimension and weight penalties. Brompton says that the G Line 8-speed in dimension Small weighs 13.9kg, with a rack and mudguards/fenders including one other 900 grams. Our loaner bike in Massive, with rack and mudguards/fenders ideas the scales at 15.2kg. As a comparability, a mid-range, dimension Small C Line mannequin weighs in at 11.35kg.
The electrical G Line 4-Velocity with rack and mudguards weighs 19.5 kg with battery in a dimension Small.
The G Line is significantly greater than the C Line too, measuring 690mm (h) x 730mm (l) x 402mm (w) in a dimension Small, towards 650mm (h) x 585mm (l) x 270mm (w).
The lengthy saddle nostril doubles as a carry deal with, however belief me, you gained’t need to lug a G Line very far utilizing only one hand. The perfect approach is to roll it like a suitcase on its outsized curler wheels, guiding it utilizing the raised saddle or prolonged handlebars.
Who’s G Line for?
The G Line packed into the again of a BMW convertible. It is superb for forays into the countryside.
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
The G Line opens up an entire new market of rural people for Brompton, although I believe the model is absolutely focusing on urbanites who need to take a motorbike with them on forays into the countryside by automobile or public transport. It’s an city commuter device that’s appropriate for holidays and weekends away too.
After all, the reverse can be true, it is going to be extremely engaging to multi-modal commuters – rural dwellers travelling into town by prepare demanding a zippy technique to experience the house to station and station to workplace legs.
Brompton has a loyal following of motorcycle packers, a few of whom journey immense distances throughout continents on their little fold-up bikes. They’ll be overjoyed on the versatility the G Line provides, in a single fell swoop the Brompton is now not solely the selection of eccentrics. The elevated weight and packed dimension could deter some, but it surely ought to nonetheless be potential to fly with it as checked baggage on many airways. The utmost system weight that Brompton recommends is 130kg, together with baggage.
Lastly, some folks will simply purchase it as a result of they adore its chunky attractiveness, steady experience high quality and snug tyres.
Pricing
Three colors can be found: Forest Inexperienced, Journey Orange and Traildust White.
- G Line 8-Velocity: £2,395
- G Line 8-Velocity with Rack and Mudguards: £2,495
- G Line 8-Velocity with Lights: £2,480
- G Line 8-Velocity with Lights and Rack: £2,580
- Electrical G Line 4 velocity: £3,495
First rides
The G Line laps up quick gravel tracks
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
My pals, colleagues and household chuckled uncontrollably after I mentioned I used to be going to get a Brompton gravel bike. “The tiny entrance wheel will lavatory down within the first rut it finds, throwing you over the bars,” they laughed. “Good luck with the rim brakes when the wheels get moist and muddy,” they chortled. “The slim bars, no stem and tiny wheels make it the twitchiest bike on the street, not to mention off,” they tittered. “Good luck making an attempt to steer that down a gnarly descent.”
Effectively, they have been improper. Whereas I wouldn’t want the duty of piloting a daily Brompton down a ‘gnarly descent’ on my worst enemies, the G Line isn’t a daily Brompton. It’s a wholly totally different beast with regards to experience really feel and off-road functionality.
Nonetheless, in nearly each different respect it does behave similar to every other Brompton. Unfolding my dimension Massive loaner, in Journey Orange, took me about 5 minutes the primary time I attempted it, however I’m right down to about 20 seconds now I’ve gained the knack of guiding the entrance finish into place with a clean, stirring motion. Folding it again up once more takes about the identical. There’s actually not a lot to it, simply two latches to safe and the seat tube fast launch to fumble with.
It seems unmistakably like a Brompton too, just a bit chunkier, extra muscular, extra succesful.
It really works as an city device too, although it’s considerably bigger than a daily Brompton when folded.
(Picture credit score: Future/Ben Ryan)
As I already stay within the Cotswold countryside, I assumed I’d throw it a curved ball for my first experience by testing its city credentials. So, off I set down a really busy A40 for an 11-mile round-trip to Cheltenham to get my hair minimize. First, I needed to negotiate Dowdeswell Hill, a protracted steepish descent with a mini switchback on the backside, simply earlier than it joins the A40. It’s a preferred Strava phase for locals.
Unsurprisingly, my place on the G Line may be very upright, a consequence of the longer stem on the dimensions Massive, so initially, bowling down that hill, the bike felt very alien. Brompton says it ‘has the experience really feel of a full-size bike for multi terrain’ but it surely actually doesn’t. Each second, of each experience, it has been blindingly apparent that I’m perched excessive up on slightly bike with tiny wheels.
As soon as I used to be dialled in although, it felt a remarkably steady place to be. The wheels could also be tiny however they’re 4 inches bigger in diameter than these on a daily Brompton, and so they’re shod with deeper, wider tyres. This, together with the longer wheelbase, wider handlebars and first rate brakes, makes the G Line really feel reassuringly balanced and safe to experience. Positive, it’s misplaced a few of that Brompton agility and directness, however that buying trolley-like twitchiness is gone too. Which is an effective factor.
The large 54t chainring nonetheless would not cease it spinning out on the flat.
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
Out on the A40, I wasn’t getting side-swiped by the buffeting from fast-moving vehicles and vehicles, which was my greatest worry. I shortly realised too that this can be a sluggish bike to pedal alongside a primary street, it’s only a case of accepting it and plodding alongside. That is partially as a result of gearing, which is a lot low sufficient for ascents however quickly has you spinning out on the flats, regardless of the 54t chainring.
As soon as in Cheltenham, I used to be weaving by way of the backroads at a greater tempo than the visitors, and made it to my vacation spot within the centre of city faster than the journey normally takes me by automobile. With no parking to fret about, I used to be quickly seated within the salon, my tangerine-coloured confederate safely tucked up beside me.
The bridlepath that dissects this subject is well accessible for the G Line
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
City testing over, I’ve spent the remainder of my time with the Brompton exploring the lanes, gravel tracks and farmland of the north Cotswold hills. Its eight gears are greater than ample for the ascents right here, however the weight of the bike and the huge tyres makes progress sluggish. It’s extra like an MTB than a gravel bike on this respect.
On the plus facet, it laps up quick gravel tracks with aplomb. Regardless of my considerations and the convictions of my pals, the wheels roll fantastically over high-quality to chunky gravel surfaces and so they’re simply large enough to shrug off encounters with ruts and potholes. It’s been fairly moist right here over latest weeks, so the paths are simply beginning to get muddy. In these mildly slippy situations, the Schwalbe Allround tyres have not often damaged traction, which is to be applauded.
The G Line opens up entire new routes for the Brompton rider
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
Pointing the Brompton down barely trickier, looser descents with the odd stretch of embedded rock – I hesitate to make use of the phrase gnarly – is slightly unnerving at first however the little bike finds its means. Extra consideration have to be paid to line option to hold the wheels rolling, however I discovered this under-biking expertise enjoyable and rewarding. The huge bars actually assist right here, and, if you recognize a protracted ascent is approaching, it’s straightforward to drop the saddle out the way in which so you possibly can shift your weight over the again wheel.
New adventures await. It is a very succesful little bike.
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
I did discover three areas problematic. Climbing a steep grassy financial institution filled with hoof-sized indentations left by cattle is a problem for any bike but it surely proved unattainable for the Brompton, which got here to an abrupt cease, similar to a horse refusing a leap within the present ring. Once more, you’ve obtained to maintain the wheels rolling always.
Secondly, the pedals aren’t as much as the job. The plastic studs are high-quality within the dry, however as quickly as my soles obtained moist, I’d be slipping off the pedals left, proper and centre. If it have been my bike, they’d be the very first thing I’d improve.
Lastly, at 15.2kg my dimension Massive loaner is simply too heavy to hold in a single hand over any distance. On clean city surfaces, comparable to tarmac and concrete, it rolls properly however we don’t have a lot pavement within the countryside. Be warned, carrying it on and off trains, planes and cars would require energy.
Minor complaints apart, Brompton needs to be congratulated for constructing slightly bike that actually does bridge the urban-rural divide. It’s the one bike I do know that performs equally properly in each realms – let your outside adventures unfold.
