Well said, well said! They didn't ask us to test one either 😁 But I said the EXACT same thing about the Alfine. And, let's not forget the budget Tektro brakes. They aren't bad, don't get me wrong and the Alfine works good if the oil is changed regularly. But does that fit into the "Premium, best Bike, now on gravel" statement? There surely will be a eleven speed option soon. What hurts my teeth the most is the engineering point: if it is designed over 4 years, was there really nobody in the team who said: "NOPE!!!! THAT is again a stupid, far to complicated and inconvenient procedure to remove the damn rear wheel in case of a flat!!! Let's NOT do that and come up with a solution that doesn't require 3 tools to remove the freaking wheel!! And, by the way: is that derailleur made of plastic AGAIN????" But if there was, they didn't listen. With an eleven Speed Alfine, it could make a better, or let's say "more versatile " touring bike, as the 16inch. But how should I be able to get this thing into a plane without having to pay for oversized luggage? Wich is, for us, the major selling point of a Brompton. If we want to pay luggage fees, we'll take the Fatbikes in the plane and don't have to worry about any conditions to come. So for us: the 16inch Bromms will stay in the family! 😁
Er, many of us in Britain don’t fly. The G Line dimensions still fit within the luggage allowance of Eurostar trains, and of course e-bikes are welcome on trains.
I like the look of the bike. but don't like a bigger folding bike I want a 20 inch wheels and a better riding experience I can see why people want a foldable bike but I feel it could be made smaller without folding.
Couldn't disagree more with this take, if you live in a city with potholes, cobbles and generally bad roads, regular Bromptons can be a miserable experience to ride. If you are going along dirt paths, canal paths or gravelly paths, same thing, especially after it has been raining. Ultimately it will still fit on a train, be rolled around and can be compactly stored so I don't think it's a gimmick at all. Just like a regular Brompton there is a trade off but it will be worth it for the people who need it.
@@leviyeager9779 thanks for the input and very valid points to consider. All I can do is compare this with my current 20inch Brompton which has been used for all of the above. Maybe I’m just too much for a P line fan but just giving my initial thoughts.
Agree with all these points and I'm that customer. The G Line is £20 more than the P Line but you get the rack for that price. So, it actually comes in cheaper than the P Line.
@@TheBromptonGuy I agree with @leviyeager9779. I live where in a city the roads and pathways are damaged, there are potholes, ruts and the Brompton is very harsh. I have soft foam grips and even use padded gloves which helps, but my Brompton comes in last place for ride quality, even compared to my drop bar 11 speed bike. I think one thing that is underestimated about this G-Brompton is the bike's geometry. You can actually compare the geometry numbers to any full sized bike. It has the proper reach and wheelbase that rivals/exceeds full size bikes. Presumably, they improved the front end geometry as well as it has been mentioned you can ride this bike hands off much more easily, and it actually feels nice to ride while out of the saddle. I know a few people that test drove the regular Brompton and felt it was a bit too wobbly or twitchy. It has been said this G-line was designed from a blank slate instead of just tweaking the existing Brompton specs and it seems this pays off in a bike to feel more like a full sized bike....I can't wait to try it for myself. If it does meet my expectations of being more like a full sized bike, I will be looking to replace my Brompton. Not everybody needs the most ultra compact folder that is easy to lift. The regular B still exists and is still the best choice for those people. I figure this one will meet the needs of people that still has the best neatest fold and rolls well (rack) and is still very transportable.. Except for the price, I think there are a lot of people that may find the tradeoff in size worth the increase in ride and handling quality.
I took a G line out for a brief test ride a couple of days ago. Overall I was quite impressed, mainly as the larger size suited me much better than my "clown bike" as my wife calls my C line. I am 195cm tall and weigh 117kg. I would cut down the width of the G lines handlebars as they are too wide for squeezing between London traffic. If the trains fail my escape route home is 10 miles of canal tow path which I think the G line would handle much better than my current Brompton. Subjectively I didn't find the G line to be heavier. I very rarely use the roller wheels as I usually unfold the bike when walking through stations. I only have 3 gears at the moment as I ditched the terrible 2 speed derailer, so 8 speeds felt good although the range seemed quite compressed with little noticeable difference between individual gears.
Thanks for sharing and definitely with your size, weight and how you use the bike it seems like a great match. Never rode 650mm bars on a small bike but have the 600mm bars from Jk and they feel insanely wide.
This new G Line Brompton will be I believe attractive to people who want a quality, well built bike that can handle gravel trails, canal towpaths and tarmac equally well. It is lighter than your average Dutch bike or modern mountain bike and I don’t think the weight excessive for such a strong bike that will be used often and hard. It also retains its ace card, it is still more easy to get this bike on a train compared to a big old roadster or mountain bike. It is a workmanlike bike. I like it. Not as much as my 2015 M3L, but I do like it.
I think a Schwalbe Big Apple 305 Wheel solution would have been better, more compact and lighter for London urban cycling. That would have been a direct improvement on the core market. The G-line looks like a gimmick. For the cost I could create a custom solution using Kinetics or maybe a suitable titanium fork/triangle 16" set that could take 305 Wheels and disc brakes.
O man, you'd think they'd love the Brompton Guy, what's up with that, lol. But kudos to them for this BMX Brompton, 20-inch wheels are big fun. And keep trying to get them to overcome their shyness, every new model should be sent to you. 😀
I think you did a good job making your 20" version rather than what brompton has put out, the asian market produced 20" trifolds over a yr ago better spec'd and a 14" version which is very handy also. To myself I think brompton (AR) got it right with the fold and what it was intended for, this offering is poorly designed with mismatched components, but looks like a great boat anchor to be honest..
Idk, Living in Europe this probably seems silly. But in the US you often times don't bike places but rather drive to a place to then go bike. In that mode of thinking this bike makes more sense as it will live in the trunk of a car and be used for trail riding or be used as a last mile bike if you for example park your car further from where your job is. But really, its likely to be seen as a recreational bike that lives in the trunk.
just a negative rant by a guy who hasn't got his hands on the product, terrible analysis and conclusions all fabricated and desperate. Always complaining and never taking accountability, (the warranty video) I hope global rail networks have heeded the warning of un-braked G-lines rolling up and down the isles of the carriages. I put my shopping in the back of my car, when I got home it had moved from one side of the car to the other, please advise Tesco of their failure with my shopping, my driving, and my car choice. Seriously man, grow up!
Very strong but thank you for the feedback, I will make sure to alert the train networks as that’s a good idea. If Brompton approved a warranty claim then what am I accountable for? 🤔. Sounds like you at least took some good points away from the video 🙏
@@TheBromptonGuy ok maybe too strong, but in the warranty video you described how you dismantled the bike and then contacted Brompton who said just send the whole bike, i got the impression that you were complaining that they should have told you that first...rather than saying, oops I made a mistake, that would be accountability. This video should be about an exciting new product and how close they built it in comparison to yours, instead you seem to be always going after Brompton and the CEO, it comes across as negative and boring as it's a theme from you. Also maybe a little bitter that they didn't send you one? Your theme music doesn't work with the tone of your content, fix the content.
@@tomcurran65 Yeah I think that’s fair, I did dismantle it and that was mainly due to curiosity, and mainly to inspect and figure out what happened. I feel complaining is the wrong word and more a little frustrating as if they told me straight away we need the whole bike it would have speed things up rather than waiting for a decision to be made. Don’t really think that is a me accountable issue but welcome to your decision. I don’t attack the CEO but just highlight things he talks about that maybe people who don’t follow Brompton like I do miss that is all. After all he’s just released a new product so thought he might have already had something to say I like to feel the video is well balanced with positive and negative points about the bike but if you can only hear or take the negative points that’s fair enough. I was never expecting a review unit as I’m just a tiny TH-camr that has a passion for Brompton and thought that joke context was made clear from the intro so apologise if you actually thought I expected one. Thanks for the feedback and good luck in your future Brompton watching
@@dyu4634 options are always good indeed. As stated in the video I love the fact Brompton have managed to increase the weight limit so that it can open the bike up to more people or even allow currently Brompton users to tour more comfortable without needing to be under 100kg
Bigger Brompton is better. Now it has 20 inch wheels, which makes it definitely better to ride. Folding mechanism is also the same good old, which Brompton has had already a long time. There are certainly details to be critisized, like the small rack..etc, but they are just details which can be changed in the future. The size of Brompton G line when folded is still much smaller than what other 20 inch folding bikes have.
The Alfine 8 is a real pig to keep shifting accurately, it will frustrate new G-Line owners no end. It’s also a greased planetary gearbox which I’m personally not a great fan of. The vastly superior Alfine 11 speed uses helical gears and an oil bath, just like the (lifetime guaranteed) Rohloff. I’ve ridden both and the 11 speed is definitely a big step up in my opinion. The A11’s gear spread is 409%, which is considerably larger than the 307% that the A8 offers. If Brompton paired the Alfine 11 with Shimano’s Di2 shifting, it would be a seriously good folding bike and one I’d buy without any hesitation. Oh well, maybe next year. 🤷♂️
Rohloff hubs don't have a life time guarantee. I have three. The Alfine 11spd hub is marginally better for gearing than it's brother 8spd hub, but not by much. It has a wider range as you point out but the spacing between the gears is still huge in critical gears ie the mid range and top is insanely high. Also the shifting is still controlled by the gear shift cable adjustment and can slip unlike a Rohloff hub. I would get this G-line and swap the Alfine 8spd for a Rohloff hub. Belt would be nice too.
I have used the 8-Speed Alfine hub gear on a belt-drive electric bike for eight years, and never had to adjust gear selection more than once. That was about 7 years ago. The idea that they need to be constantly adjusted is not in the least true, in my experience. My only adverse comment is that the grease inside seems to thicken somewhat in cold weather, making down-shifting less positive, but this rectifies itself after about 20 minutes of riding.
I m sure you yourself will use the new G- line frame to offer a Rohloff version. Just a problem with how to offer a convincing electric model with Rohloff.
I think this will a successful model in every market where cycling lanes are as bad as in Berlin. What I personally dislike: - the awful cable routing -cheap Tektro brakes -lack of hub dynamo/lights -price (min. €2,800 in Germany) -it’s not as thoughtfully equipped as your “M-Line” built for this price.
I test rode one this weekend and think its a super cool product, looks great and is a total cruiser on tarmac. Lots of people in store checking it out too. Nowhere near a speedy or fun as the road versions though and I struggle to see if there're really that many people looking to go off road on a folding bike, but time will tell there.
That’ll be all the many non-city folks who use public transport to get around in pursuit of their outdoor adventures. Plus folks with RVs or cars who get outdoors a lot who also want a compact, gravel-capable bike. In short: these will sell like hot cakes!
I can see it being great for jumping on a train with tent on a Friday after work and being in the Peaks or Lakes for a weekend of trail riding. It looks well built and useful to me. And it folds! 🤗
@@pootlingalong8928exactly! a point I made on another channel, try doing that with a full size bike on our rail network! It opens up so many possibilities for a week long tour of the UK.
@@TheBromptonGuy Yeah was the urban tyres. Its just felt very numb to me on the road, which I'm sure some people will like...would be cool to try one off road.
@@TheBromptonGuy Almost on par with your creation... Hehe I would if I could afford it. Maybe some day. I'd love it if you could get your hands on one though and compare it with your 20"er.
Obviously a titanium version will come, as will additional gear hubs, all in good time. While I'd like it to fold up even smaller, it's pretty near perfect to put in the boot, on a train, and on a plane.
This is a tough product to predict if it will be a success. Most Brompton owners will pass on it since the 16inch fits their specific needs. If anyone is in the G line demographic it would be me living out in the countryside/exurbs. But I love my Brompton for light grocery shopping and trips to the city, then I have a commuter bike with gravel tires for exploring. I just don’t think the G line would be able to fully replace either of those bikes let alone both. But I could maybe see my parents buying one for their caravan. Even though I think a regular gravel bike would be the better option
An excellent review and you mirror my thoughts exactly. I’ve been considering a 20 inch wheel, shimano alpine 8 speed Kinetics conversion for a while now with an Ekit fitted. I think that would be better than forking out £3,500 for this big clunky E model, and for non electric £2,500 and then an ekit to fit. I’m not a Gravel rider, or off road fanatic, but I do like to do 25-30 miles on quiet roads and or a few canal tow paths and old railway lines. The Brompton fold is the best for buses and trains etc, but do us septuagenarians need the G line? I do need a bit of electrical help though !
Thanks for sharing and glad our thoughts are aligned. I think the electric g line is the better version that I could personally see for myself however £3500 would get me an amazing electric full size bike 🤔 As you’ve pointed out the kinetics options are also fabulous at the price
The tires they've specced on that bike are huge! Fatter than most gravel or bmx bikes. Fatter than the tires I use on my mountain bike. Is it for sweet jumps? I agree that I would have to try it because right now I don't get it.
It's the first time I ( hyothetically) would consider a Brompton. I live in a car free city but due to the medieval character there are some cobblestone areas ( 10%). A regular Brompton is pure suicide. That's why, in this class, a Birdy is mileages ahead imho. But, let's see what a G-line offers. Still, I don't put my stock in it. See, with a birdy R20 ( 20 inch) I don't need to hit the breaks when reaching the suicide zones. It's maybe less compact when folded ( although the G line won't be either) but I only need to carry it 1 floor up so..
Brompton needs to expand their line to performance titanium road focused and gravel trail focused bikes with traditional geometry and multi sizes. Generous warranty and semi outrageous prices to match.
The G line medium size reach is too far for my back and neck. Sorry Brompton G line, I wanted to get rid of my modified Giant Escape Disc 2 but with the stem riser I fitted, allows my back in a upright position.
Well it already has 4 external gears but without difficulty you couldn’t add much more. You could add an internal gear hub with some minor modifications but then would of course lose the electric motor doing that
@@rogerblake843 for sure agree! Thought I would just share my initial thoughts because I’m unsure how long it will take me to own it. Thanks for the feedback
When I'm next in Scotland I'll check in with ben and see if he has one in his show room I could review for a week. However unfortunately don't have the revenue to own my own one. Thanks for watching
@@phoneyaccount definitely not my idea for the first 20inch Brompton been done for years! Hoped the intro came over as a comedy sketch as I in way expect to get a free G Line. Thanks for watching and sorry the content wasn’t for you
The electric model is the winner in this new rollout as the problem with e-bikes is having to leave them outside all day at work. And I would get it, for sure. And ha, I even want, when it finally comes here to the States, the new version of the little Honda Dax, I owned the street-legal 50cc version in '75 as an American teen in West Germany and now it is back as a 125cc mini-moto with discs and modern electrics, very cool. 😀
@@robbchastain3036 I reckon the electric is by far the best Brompton to come for a long time.. however think most people are mainly only thinking about the standard version
Brompton had the opportunity with this bike with the rear hub too have a belt drive system , not sure but it might be that it’s the last bike manufacturer that hasn’t got a belt drive in their range , as said many times now the belt drive system has grown exponentially 30% year on year with mountain, touring, electric, are the people in Brompton oblivious to what’s really going on in the bike world , obviously I don’t expect a reply but if you do = can the rear triangle of this new G- line fit on my standard 6 gear normal Brompton because it it could I would have the triangle and hub and get a belt drive to fit on it , still remember the guy in Kenitics telling you Brompton will have problems down the road with titanium = he was correct especially with your issues, what they told you sounded like excuses, take care.
@@TheBromptonGuy Pretty obvious the G-Line was an idea that came from Kenitics apart from the innovation that is , Brompton would have you believe it was all their idea = yes of course it was ha ha , crazy to think Brompton are quite often behind the curve = they need to get out more , Do you know or not if the new triangle on the G - Line would fit the steel six speed I have ????????.
This is a bike in search of a purpose. You mention this being good for touring. I tour with my C line & i disagree. The major advantage of the Brompton is being able to fold it & take it on a plane. My c line when packed in it's case with necessary tools is 47 lbs. The G line will be over the 50lbs limit. Also finding a bag to transport it won't be easy. If you're not taking it on a plane then why a Brompton rather than a less expensive, lghter purpose built touring bike.
@@gordonthompson5430 thanks for the traveling insight my friend. You know I didn’t even think of that cause I rarely fly with a Brompton but that is a really good solid point and very useful for me to know. Maybe I need to start traveling more 🤔
You show the Brompton G size chart. Can you like Brompton not set how useless this is? Look the numbers. Meaningless. 676 mm from base of front wheel to top of bars.
I would prefer a review once you have riden the bike. The larger wheels change all the angles. As a larger guy I did like that you went over the weight limit increase. Please post a new review when you get a chance to throw the bike around.
@@boxers87 for sure! Just first thoughts of course atm but plan at some point giving the electric version a good run for its money. Thanks for watching
Perhaps mirroring what other folks have said, the G line seems quite appealing to me in North America where the bike infrastructure is quite poor and you are often forced to ride in places that are not quite as friendly to the brompton.
@@obscureownership thanks for the share. This is why I love the comments cause it helps to open my eyes up to markets and ideas I didn’t even consider. Suppose my other thought is.. will it be available in the US from launch? 🤔
Nice video and great points. Thank you so much for all the great content ! :They must have simply forgoten about you. It is a shame but it is a big company. I. hope that they get to see your video and get you involved as you are a real honest great advocate for the brand and for us fans. Kind regards from Munich :) David
What a great comment to read and honestly means a lot to me. Thanks for watching the content and look forward to whatever comes next. Maybe in 20years they might give me something to review 🤣
I have just found a Deal to replace my 6 speed S.A 2019 SuperlightM6LXBrompton gear with a 7 speed single chain gear version, for a ligther weight than my present 9 kilo! I would rather replace my gear "wheel" than buy a new bike. The original functions well enough for me and if wanting larger wheels I would definitely go for a US Montague, also with more gears! Also a G-line won't fit in the back my Peugeot 208, I suppose? Finn. Denmark
@@TheBromptonGuy The original B. is possible to be placed lying flat in my minor (Peugeot 208HDI) Luggage room, without being shown or visible in any way. I also have a "standing transport box", if needing extra space in the back (with a cover), but if so I can't use the original luggage-cover on top and my luggage will become visible, even though the windoes in the back of the car are heavily tinted! And going for long drives with ordinary luggage also in my car, I like it not to be too visible! Finn. Denmark
Another influencer using clickbait to get their views up. Thank you for your pointless video based on no actual test rides and using information already in the public domain.
I have an M6R that was flipping brilliant in the days when I was commuting into London on the train, but it gets very little use these days now that I'm retired, the roads around where I live in the country are just too rough and it's hopeless on gravel/muddy trails. The G Line looks ideal for me, it would give a much more manageable ride on rougher roads & trails and the slightly larger fold size and weight wouldn't be an issue as it would mostly be transported in a car or on off-peak rail services. I'll be very happy to consider buying one once I can have a test ride. The only challenge I have is that my wife will want one too, so that doubles the price!
lol happy with happy life 🤣. You’ve definitely hit the nail on the head for its practical use. Maybe consider selling the c line to raise some founds towards at least one G line 🤷🏻♂️
@@thorbjornhansson4520 it’s Scottish my friend! The world’s hardest accent to understand 🤣. Assume you’re maybe Norse? I never hear Bake but it’s a very regular comment and it always assumes me. Thanks for watching
I may be the odd man out on this one, but I don't like cables going to the rear of folding bikes. I understand if you're going to go touring or whatnot with a folding bike having more than 2 gears is the best way to go about it. And Disk Brakes would probably be the best option. However, for casual commuting with a folding bike 1-2 gears is plenty, and same with a coaster bike for the rear. That's why my Current setup is a 700x35C Montague Boston with a 2 Speed Sturmey-Archer Kickback hub. Right now I need to reduce the chainring size as the hub only increases your gearing 38% in its second gear, and my main issue now is having a lower gear. If after this I need more speeds, I'm getting a Schlumpf Mountain Drive 2 speed bottom bracket for 4 speeds total. Not having any cables going to the rear makes for a quick and easy fold, with no cables on the rear to get snagged on stuff while moving it about folded. Also, it looks clean as hell. Not to mention, I find a coaster brake to be a lot more intuitive for people who mostly have experience with motorcycles, as motorcycles usually have a foot actuated rear brake. For that reason, I set up the bike with a right side front brake lever instead of a left side one, and I quite like it. While the quick fold of the Brompton is nice, having to rely on a chain tensioner for an IGH seems dumb IMHO. I can fold my Montague just as quick with no chain tensioner... Also, Aluminum Forks... WHY? I've had aluminum fail on me suddenly enough times I'd never want to use it as a main suspension material, and I consider rigid front forks to be the main suspension. Hell, the aluminum frame on my Montague isn't preferable, CHROMOLY FTW!
@@TurnipGreen this is just my first thoughts on what I have read and watched reviews on. I do however follow and love bromptons so I will obviously be interested about anything new they release and this bike is no different
@@TheBromptonGuy the 1st is an M-Style handlebar with Ti-parts in black bought 14 years ago. This is my go to bike. The 2nd is an electric C-line 6 speed bought in 2021. In 22 purchased the Tern instead of a gravel bike. Knowing what I know today, the 2010 Brompton is all I need. I have it checked by a dutch mechanic once in a while and its in great shape.
Well said, well said!
They didn't ask us to test one either 😁
But I said the EXACT same thing about the Alfine.
And, let's not forget the budget Tektro brakes. They aren't bad, don't get me wrong and the Alfine works good if the oil is changed regularly. But does that fit into the "Premium, best Bike, now on gravel" statement?
There surely will be a eleven speed option soon.
What hurts my teeth the most is the engineering point: if it is designed over 4 years, was there really nobody in the team who said:
"NOPE!!!! THAT is again a stupid, far to complicated and inconvenient procedure to remove the damn rear wheel in case of a flat!!! Let's NOT do that and come up with a solution that doesn't require 3 tools to remove the freaking wheel!!
And, by the way: is that derailleur made of plastic AGAIN????"
But if there was, they didn't listen.
With an eleven Speed Alfine, it could make a better, or let's say "more versatile " touring bike, as the 16inch. But how should I be able to get this thing into a plane without having to pay for oversized luggage?
Wich is, for us, the major selling point of a Brompton.
If we want to pay luggage fees, we'll take the Fatbikes in the plane and don't have to worry about any conditions to come.
So for us: the 16inch Bromms will stay in the family! 😁
@@thebrommuters6220 great input! And as a regular tourer it’s invaluable to have that input and share! Thank you
To be fair they offer tubeless so no more flats period.
Er, many of us in Britain don’t fly. The G Line dimensions still fit within the luggage allowance of Eurostar trains, and of course e-bikes are welcome on trains.
I like the look of the bike. but don't like a bigger folding bike I want a 20 inch wheels and a better riding experience I can see why people want a foldable bike but I feel it could be made smaller without folding.
@@petergilbert72 very valid point! Means I can use this when I decide to cycle to Paris next 🤔
Couldn't disagree more with this take, if you live in a city with potholes, cobbles and generally bad roads, regular Bromptons can be a miserable experience to ride. If you are going along dirt paths, canal paths or gravelly paths, same thing, especially after it has been raining. Ultimately it will still fit on a train, be rolled around and can be compactly stored so I don't think it's a gimmick at all. Just like a regular Brompton there is a trade off but it will be worth it for the people who need it.
@@leviyeager9779 thanks for the input and very valid points to consider. All I can do is compare this with my current 20inch Brompton which has been used for all of the above. Maybe I’m just too much for a P line fan but just giving my initial thoughts.
Its folded dimensions are too big for some train companies to be classed as a folder such as all Eurostar services that go beyond Paris and Brussels.
Agree with all these points and I'm that customer.
The G Line is £20 more than the P Line but you get the rack for that price. So, it actually comes in cheaper than the P Line.
@@TheBromptonGuy I agree with @leviyeager9779. I live where in a city the roads and pathways are damaged, there are potholes, ruts and the Brompton is very harsh. I have
soft foam grips and even use padded gloves which helps, but my Brompton comes in last place for ride quality, even compared to my drop bar 11 speed bike. I think one thing that is underestimated about this G-Brompton is the bike's geometry. You can actually compare the geometry numbers to any full sized bike. It has the proper reach and wheelbase that rivals/exceeds full size bikes. Presumably, they improved the front end geometry as well as it has been mentioned you can ride this bike hands off much more easily, and it actually feels nice to ride while out of the saddle. I know a few people that test drove the regular Brompton and felt it was a bit too wobbly or twitchy. It has been said this G-line was designed from a blank slate instead of just tweaking the existing Brompton specs and it seems this pays off in a bike to feel more like a full sized bike....I can't wait to try it for myself. If it does meet my expectations of being more like a full sized bike, I will be looking to replace my Brompton.
Not everybody needs the most ultra compact folder that is easy to lift. The regular B still exists and is still the best choice for those people. I figure this one will meet the needs of people that still has the best neatest fold and rolls well (rack) and is still very transportable.. Except for the price, I think there are a lot of people that may find the tradeoff in size worth the increase in ride and handling quality.
I took a G line out for a brief test ride a couple of days ago. Overall I was quite impressed, mainly as the larger size suited me much better than my "clown bike" as my wife calls my C line. I am 195cm tall and weigh 117kg. I would cut down the width of the G lines handlebars as they are too wide for squeezing between London traffic. If the trains fail my escape route home is 10 miles of canal tow path which I think the G line would handle much better than my current Brompton. Subjectively I didn't find the G line to be heavier. I very rarely use the roller wheels as I usually unfold the bike when walking through stations. I only have 3 gears at the moment as I ditched the terrible 2 speed derailer, so 8 speeds felt good although the range seemed quite compressed with little noticeable difference between individual gears.
Thanks for sharing and definitely with your size, weight and how you use the bike it seems like a great match. Never rode 650mm bars on a small bike but have the 600mm bars from Jk and they feel insanely wide.
This new G Line Brompton will be I believe attractive to people who want a quality, well built bike that can handle gravel trails, canal towpaths and tarmac equally well. It is lighter than your average Dutch bike or modern mountain bike and I don’t think the weight excessive for such a strong bike that will be used often and hard. It also retains its ace card, it is still more easy to get this bike on a train compared to a big old roadster or mountain bike. It is a workmanlike bike. I like it. Not as much as my 2015 M3L, but I do like it.
Great insight and share, thank you very much can’t disagree with it
Of course Brompton should consider ’The Brompton Guy’ to review the G Line! Catch up Brompton 🫵🏻
@@cawoodsob thank you for the endorsement 🥰. Don’t expect to keep the bike just wanna having it for a good testing window 🙌
I think a Schwalbe Big Apple 305 Wheel solution would have been better, more compact and lighter for London urban cycling. That would have been a direct improvement on the core market. The G-line looks like a gimmick. For the cost I could create a custom solution using Kinetics or maybe a suitable titanium fork/triangle 16" set that could take 305 Wheels and disc brakes.
I can’t see London or other city riders needing a G-line!
@@martinfreedman I’m a massive fan of the Big Apple solution
@@dcaudwell would agree, however one would assume that wasn’t bromptons expectation for it I hope. 🤔
O man, you'd think they'd love the Brompton Guy, what's up with that, lol. But kudos to them for this BMX Brompton, 20-inch wheels are big fun. And keep trying to get them to overcome their shyness, every new model should be sent to you. 😀
@@robbchastain3036 I know I thought they had my back at every corner 🤔. It’s stuff like this that makes you reconsider friendships 🤣
I think you did a good job making your 20" version rather than what brompton has put out, the asian market produced 20" trifolds over a yr ago better spec'd and a 14" version
which is very handy also. To myself I think brompton (AR) got it right with the fold and what it was intended for, this offering is poorly designed with mismatched components, but looks like a great boat anchor to be honest..
@@BrownPeterAnthony lol boat anchor 🤣. Thank you very much for the compliments my friend.
What's that accent ???
Scottish.
Scottish indeed 🏴
@@TheBromptonGuy My commiserations Jock; not everyone can be fortunate enough to be born English.
@@trolleyob 🤣 it’s all I’ve ever wanted in life.
Can't believe they didn't offer a Rohloff and belt drive option. As you said, that would have been the ultimate setup.
@@banboosy agreed.. however obviously understand they want to keep the cost affordable and a Rohloff hub would add around another £2000
Also in full titanium frame with belt gates with hub and stainless steel parts is more better!
Maybe because a belt drive is not feasible on a folding bike? At least one that folds the way a Brompton does.
@@mgsee I think people say it cause Ben at kinetics has been making them for years now and appear to be holding up very well.
@@mgsee it is - see Kinetics Glasgow
Idk, Living in Europe this probably seems silly. But in the US you often times don't bike places but rather drive to a place to then go bike. In that mode of thinking this bike makes more sense as it will live in the trunk of a car and be used for trail riding or be used as a last mile bike if you for example park your car further from where your job is. But really, its likely to be seen as a recreational bike that lives in the trunk.
You make such a valid point, thank you for sharing. The avg car is also bigger in the US meaning less worry about boot space
yep, i'm thinking fat americans are the target market. and that's a reasonably big market.
I took two seats out of an Odyssey to put mtbs inside. Cheaper than a garage in Sydney
@@BikeTrail 🤣. Very valid tactic
just a negative rant by a guy who hasn't got his hands on the product, terrible analysis and conclusions all fabricated and desperate. Always complaining and never taking accountability, (the warranty video) I hope global rail networks have heeded the warning of un-braked G-lines rolling up and down the isles of the carriages. I put my shopping in the back of my car, when I got home it had moved from one side of the car to the other, please advise Tesco of their failure with my shopping, my driving, and my car choice. Seriously man, grow up!
Very strong but thank you for the feedback, I will make sure to alert the train networks as that’s a good idea. If Brompton approved a warranty claim then what am I accountable for? 🤔. Sounds like you at least took some good points away from the video 🙏
@@TheBromptonGuy ok maybe too strong, but in the warranty video you described how you dismantled the bike and then contacted Brompton who said just send the whole bike, i got the impression that you were complaining that they should have told you that first...rather than saying, oops I made a mistake, that would be accountability. This video should be about an exciting new product and how close they built it in comparison to yours, instead you seem to be always going after Brompton and the CEO, it comes across as negative and boring as it's a theme from you. Also maybe a little bitter that they didn't send you one? Your theme music doesn't work with the tone of your content, fix the content.
@@tomcurran65 Yeah I think that’s fair, I did dismantle it and that was mainly due to curiosity, and mainly to inspect and figure out what happened. I feel complaining is the wrong word and more a little frustrating as if they told me straight away we need the whole bike it would have speed things up rather than waiting for a decision to be made. Don’t really think that is a me accountable issue but welcome to your decision.
I don’t attack the CEO but just highlight things he talks about that maybe people who don’t follow Brompton like I do miss that is all. After all he’s just released a new product so thought he might have already had something to say
I like to feel the video is well balanced with positive and negative points about the bike but if you can only hear or take the negative points that’s fair enough.
I was never expecting a review unit as I’m just a tiny TH-camr that has a passion for Brompton and thought that joke context was made clear from the intro so apologise if you actually thought I expected one.
Thanks for the feedback and good luck in your future Brompton watching
I don't get what's the fuss. It's just a bigger Brompton. Options are always good.
@@dyu4634 options are always good indeed. As stated in the video I love the fact Brompton have managed to increase the weight limit so that it can open the bike up to more people or even allow currently Brompton users to tour more comfortable without needing to be under 100kg
I endured listening to this rant so you don’t have to. Find a review by someone who has actually ridden the bike. 😂
@@stp926 you’re very welcome 👌. Thanks for enduring
Don’t forget Eerder Metal as a 20 inch Brompton pioneer as well!
@@Drew-nv1op for sure! Some amazing work and very reliable.
Bigger Brompton is better. Now it has 20 inch wheels, which makes it definitely better to ride. Folding mechanism is also the same good old, which Brompton has had already a long time. There are certainly details to be critisized, like the small rack..etc, but they are just details which can be changed in the future. The size of Brompton G line when folded is still much smaller than what other 20 inch folding bikes have.
@@ex-aanestajanne very much looking forward for my pre order to arrive
The Alfine 8 is a real pig to keep shifting accurately, it will frustrate new G-Line owners no end. It’s also a greased planetary gearbox which I’m personally not a great fan of.
The vastly superior Alfine 11 speed uses helical gears and an oil bath, just like the (lifetime guaranteed) Rohloff. I’ve ridden both and the 11 speed is definitely a big step up in my opinion.
The A11’s gear spread is 409%, which is considerably larger than the 307% that the A8 offers. If Brompton paired the Alfine 11 with Shimano’s Di2 shifting, it would be a seriously good folding bike and one I’d buy without any hesitation.
Oh well, maybe next year. 🤷♂️
Rohloff hubs don't have a life time guarantee. I have three.
The Alfine 11spd hub is marginally better for gearing than it's brother 8spd hub, but not by much. It has a wider range as you point out but the spacing between the gears is still huge in critical gears ie the mid range and top is insanely high. Also the shifting is still controlled by the gear shift cable adjustment and can slip unlike a Rohloff hub.
I would get this G-line and swap the Alfine 8spd for a Rohloff hub. Belt would be nice too.
I have used the 8-Speed Alfine hub gear on a belt-drive electric bike for eight years, and never had to adjust gear selection more than once. That was about 7 years ago. The idea that they need to be constantly adjusted is not in the least true, in my experience.
My only adverse comment is that the grease inside seems to thicken somewhat in cold weather, making down-shifting less positive, but this rectifies itself after about 20 minutes of riding.
@@HenryWilkinson-c5n thanks for supplying great numbers and a deep dive into the differences between the hubs. Very informative
@@effyleven thanks for sharing your experience with the 8 speed hub as I’m sure this will help people when making a choice
I m sure you yourself will use the new G- line frame to offer a Rohloff version. Just a problem with how to offer a convincing electric model with Rohloff.
I think this will a successful model in every market where cycling lanes are as bad as in Berlin.
What I personally dislike:
- the awful cable routing
-cheap Tektro brakes
-lack of hub dynamo/lights
-price (min. €2,800 in Germany)
-it’s not as thoughtfully equipped as your “M-Line” built for this price.
Thanks for the comment and share your thoughts. I reckon with my G line pre order the brakes will be the first thing to get upgraded
I test rode one this weekend and think its a super cool product, looks great and is a total cruiser on tarmac. Lots of people in store checking it out too. Nowhere near a speedy or fun as the road versions though and I struggle to see if there're really that many people looking to go off road on a folding bike, but time will tell there.
That’ll be all the many non-city folks who use public transport to get around in pursuit of their outdoor adventures. Plus folks with RVs or cars who get outdoors a lot who also want a compact, gravel-capable bike.
In short: these will sell like hot cakes!
@@robhaddock2034 very much agree with this view point for sure. Did you ride it with the urban tyres fitted?
I can see it being great for jumping on a train with tent on a Friday after work and being in the Peaks or Lakes for a weekend of trail riding. It looks well built and useful to me. And it folds! 🤗
@@pootlingalong8928exactly! a point I made on another channel, try doing that with a full size bike on our rail network! It opens up so many possibilities for a week long tour of the UK.
@@TheBromptonGuy Yeah was the urban tyres. Its just felt very numb to me on the road, which I'm sure some people will like...would be cool to try one off road.
G-line Brompton is the only Brompton that ever caught my eye. The bigger wheels finally make it look elegant and as pretty as my Dahon Speed TR.
@@ilianto has it caught your eye enough to pre order one? Agree it does look very pretty unfolded
@@TheBromptonGuy Almost on par with your creation... Hehe
I would if I could afford it. Maybe some day. I'd love it if you could get your hands on one though and compare it with your 20"er.
@@ilianto I know so tempted to drop the money but would go for the electric so would be a little of an unfair performance comparison
Obviously a titanium version will come, as will additional gear hubs, all in good time. While I'd like it to fold up even smaller, it's pretty near perfect to put in the boot, on a train, and on a plane.
@@rda3000 thanks for that share my friend. I personally can’t see a titanium version of this bike but who knows what Brompton have up there sleeves
This is a tough product to predict if it will be a success. Most Brompton owners will pass on it since the 16inch fits their specific needs.
If anyone is in the G line demographic it would be me living out in the countryside/exurbs. But I love my Brompton for light grocery shopping and trips to the city, then I have a commuter bike with gravel tires for exploring.
I just don’t think the G line would be able to fully replace either of those bikes let alone both.
But I could maybe see my parents buying one for their caravan. Even though I think a regular gravel bike would be the better option
@@l4ndst4nder great input and insight so thank you for sharing. Completely agree with the g line to being able to fully replace either of the bikes
An excellent review and you mirror my thoughts exactly. I’ve been considering a 20 inch wheel, shimano alpine 8 speed Kinetics conversion for a while now with an Ekit fitted. I think that would be better than forking out £3,500 for this big clunky E model, and for non electric £2,500 and then an ekit to fit. I’m not a Gravel rider, or off road fanatic, but I do like to do 25-30 miles on quiet roads and or a few canal tow paths and old railway lines. The Brompton fold is the best for buses and trains etc, but do us septuagenarians need the G line? I do need a bit of electrical help though !
Thanks for sharing and glad our thoughts are aligned. I think the electric g line is the better version that I could personally see for myself however £3500 would get me an amazing electric full size bike 🤔
As you’ve pointed out the kinetics options are also fabulous at the price
The tires they've specced on that bike are huge! Fatter than most gravel or bmx bikes. Fatter than the tires I use on my mountain bike. Is it for sweet jumps? I agree that I would have to try it because right now I don't get it.
lol I’m sure their could be a record for longest jump an a Brompton
Haha its not about you, its about the G!
It's the first time I ( hyothetically) would consider a Brompton. I live in a car free city but due to the medieval character there are some cobblestone areas ( 10%). A regular Brompton is pure suicide. That's why, in this class, a Birdy is mileages ahead imho. But, let's see what a G-line offers. Still, I don't put my stock in it. See, with a birdy R20 ( 20 inch) I don't need to hit the breaks when reaching the suicide zones. It's maybe less compact when folded ( although the G line won't be either) but I only need to carry it 1 floor up so..
It’s fair to say I’ll be hunting down the cobblestones for testing on this bike
Brompton needs to expand their line to performance titanium road focused and gravel trail focused bikes with traditional geometry and multi sizes. Generous warranty and semi outrageous prices to match.
Do you not feel the T line already covers the road focus or do you feel it needs a geometry system redesign?
The G line medium size reach is too far for my back and neck.
Sorry Brompton G line, I wanted to get rid of my modified Giant Escape Disc 2 but with the stem riser I fitted, allows my back in a upright position.
@@worldtoday9244 I’ve pre ordered the large 🤔
I would buy a G-line Brompton if I couldn't store a regular size bike at home or at workplace away from (most) thieves.
Yeah the piece of mind from thieves it what got me hooked for sure
Could this be converted to external gears with a new wheel?
Well it already has 4 external gears but without difficulty you couldn’t add much more. You could add an internal gear hub with some minor modifications but then would of course lose the electric motor doing that
I think your video would have benefited a lot if you actually had the experience of testing the bike.
@@rogerblake843 for sure agree! Thought I would just share my initial thoughts because I’m unsure how long it will take me to own it. Thanks for the feedback
Can you review an 18" Kinetics brompton? I couldn't lug a 20" off and on transport but I wonder how well the 18" compromises
When I'm next in Scotland I'll check in with ben and see if he has one in his show room I could review for a week. However unfortunately don't have the revenue to own my own one. Thanks for watching
Cool, thanks! @@TheBromptonGuy
Why bother? Just buy a full sized bike.
@@trepicks would imagine people don’t have the space to store it but want to explore 🤷🏻♂️
I find The Brompton Guy more annoying than helpful. Sorry.
Yea his video starts like boohoohoo I didn't get a free bike to "review", brompton stole mai idea. i made first 20 incher
@@effyleven sorry you feel that way but still wish you all the best.
@@phoneyaccount definitely not my idea for the first 20inch Brompton been done for years! Hoped the intro came over as a comedy sketch as I in way expect to get a free G Line. Thanks for watching and sorry the content wasn’t for you
You can’t but admire his enthusiasm and knowledge though. At least he’s been there and done it.
He’s a big part of why I eventually bought my C line, so I think he’s not wrong to have hoped for a review unit.
The electric model is the winner in this new rollout as the problem with e-bikes is having to leave them outside all day at work. And I would get it, for sure. And ha, I even want, when it finally comes here to the States, the new version of the little Honda Dax, I owned the street-legal 50cc version in '75 as an American teen in West Germany and now it is back as a 125cc mini-moto with discs and modern electrics, very cool. 😀
@@robbchastain3036 I reckon the electric is by far the best Brompton to come for a long time.. however think most people are mainly only thinking about the standard version
Brompton had the opportunity with this bike with the rear hub too have a belt drive system , not sure but it might be that it’s the last bike manufacturer that hasn’t got a belt drive in their range , as said many times now the belt drive system has grown exponentially 30% year on year with mountain, touring, electric, are the people in Brompton oblivious to what’s really going on in the bike world , obviously I don’t expect a reply but if you do = can the rear triangle of this new G- line fit on my standard 6 gear normal Brompton because it it could I would have the triangle and hub and get a belt drive to fit on it , still remember the guy in Kenitics telling you Brompton will have problems down the road with titanium = he was correct especially with your issues, what they told you sounded like excuses, take care.
@@KavanOBrien mate I was devastated for you that it didn’t come with a belt drive option
@@TheBromptonGuy Pretty obvious the G-Line was an idea that came from Kenitics apart from the innovation that is , Brompton would have you believe it was all their idea = yes of course it was ha ha , crazy to think Brompton are quite often behind the curve = they need to get out more , Do you know or not if the new triangle on the G - Line would fit the steel six speed I have ????????.
I like the bolt on rear dropouts as it gives more possibilities
Is bike has a place... against bike fridays etc
This is a bike in search of a purpose. You mention this being good for touring. I tour with my C line & i disagree. The major advantage of the Brompton is being able to fold it & take it on a plane. My c line when packed in it's case with necessary tools is 47 lbs. The G line will be over the 50lbs limit. Also finding a bag to transport it won't be easy. If you're not taking it on a plane then why a Brompton rather than a less expensive, lghter purpose built touring bike.
@@gordonthompson5430 thanks for the traveling insight my friend. You know I didn’t even think of that cause I rarely fly with a Brompton but that is a really good solid point and very useful for me to know. Maybe I need to start traveling more 🤔
You show the Brompton G size chart. Can you like Brompton not set how useless this is? Look the numbers. Meaningless. 676 mm from base of front wheel to top of bars.
@@chrislord9247 🫣. I agree
I would prefer a review once you have riden the bike. The larger wheels change all the angles. As a larger guy I did like that you went over the weight limit increase. Please post a new review when you get a chance to throw the bike around.
@@boxers87 for sure! Just first thoughts of course atm but plan at some point giving the electric version a good run for its money. Thanks for watching
Perhaps mirroring what other folks have said, the G line seems quite appealing to me in North America where the bike infrastructure is quite poor and you are often forced to ride in places that are not quite as friendly to the brompton.
@@obscureownership thanks for the share. This is why I love the comments cause it helps to open my eyes up to markets and ideas I didn’t even consider. Suppose my other thought is.. will it be available in the US from launch? 🤔
Nice video and great points. Thank you so much for all the great content ! :They must have simply forgoten about you. It is a shame but it is a big company. I. hope that they get to see your video and get you involved as you are a real honest great advocate for the brand and for us fans. Kind regards from Munich :) David
What a great comment to read and honestly means a lot to me. Thanks for watching the content and look forward to whatever comes next. Maybe in 20years they might give me something to review 🤣
I have just found a Deal to replace my 6 speed S.A 2019 SuperlightM6LXBrompton gear with a 7 speed single chain gear version, for a ligther weight than my present 9 kilo! I would rather replace my gear "wheel" than buy a new bike. The original functions well enough for me and if wanting larger wheels I would definitely go for a US Montague, also with more gears!
Also a G-line won't fit in the back my Peugeot 208, I suppose? Finn. Denmark
@@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188 lol would certainly be a squeeze in a 208 🤣
@@TheBromptonGuy The original B. is possible to be placed lying flat in my minor (Peugeot 208HDI) Luggage room, without being shown or visible in any way. I also have a "standing transport box", if needing extra space in the back (with a cover), but if so I can't use the original luggage-cover on top and my luggage will become visible, even though the windoes in the back of the car are heavily tinted! And going for long drives with ordinary luggage also in my car, I like it not to be too visible! Finn. Denmark
To me, brompton primarily made the g line for the ebike market and not for the purist.
I think that’s a good way to see it. The electric version to me looks brilliant, can’t wait to actually test the thing
All of this and I still ride a Brompton from 1996 to school
What a machine 🙌
first. hello everyone
@@SingaporeUntold super speed! Hope you enjoyed the content.
Another influencer using clickbait to get their views up. Thank you for your pointless video based on no actual test rides and using information already in the public domain.
@@Oudtshoorn definitely wouldn’t describe myself as a influencer. Sorry you got no value from the video.
Has Failed to come 🤣
Not sure I follow you mean my delivery from Brompton 🤣
I have an M6R that was flipping brilliant in the days when I was commuting into London on the train, but it gets very little use these days now that I'm retired, the roads around where I live in the country are just too rough and it's hopeless on gravel/muddy trails.
The G Line looks ideal for me, it would give a much more manageable ride on rougher roads & trails and the slightly larger fold size and weight wouldn't be an issue as it would mostly be transported in a car or on off-peak rail services. I'll be very happy to consider buying one once I can have a test ride.
The only challenge I have is that my wife will want one too, so that doubles the price!
lol happy with happy life 🤣. You’ve definitely hit the nail on the head for its practical use. Maybe consider selling the c line to raise some founds towards at least one G line 🤷🏻♂️
Totally agree, not an everyday bike but a weekend expensive one due to the lack of portability!
Boo hoo hoo. Brompton didn't give me a free bike. boo hoo hoo
@@phoneyaccount please get the small violin out for me please and thank you 🙏
Free bike translates to "Great bike!" I'd believe him if he bought one and gave his real opinion like an average Joe
@@TurnipGreen we shall see how hard it is to even got one! On the pre order list like everyone else
What kind of accent is this? A bike becomes a bake and so on. Sounds weird to me
@@thorbjornhansson4520 it’s Scottish my friend! The world’s hardest accent to understand 🤣. Assume you’re maybe Norse? I never hear Bake but it’s a very regular comment and it always assumes me. Thanks for watching
@@TheBromptonGuy Thanks for your reply, now i know, how a scottish accent sounds. And thanks for the video on the G-line as well. 😊👍
I may be the odd man out on this one, but I don't like cables going to the rear of folding bikes.
I understand if you're going to go touring or whatnot with a folding bike having more than 2 gears is the best way to go about it. And Disk Brakes would probably be the best option.
However, for casual commuting with a folding bike 1-2 gears is plenty, and same with a coaster bike for the rear.
That's why my Current setup is a 700x35C Montague Boston with a 2 Speed Sturmey-Archer Kickback hub. Right now I need to reduce the chainring size as the hub only increases your gearing 38% in its second gear, and my main issue now is having a lower gear. If after this I need more speeds, I'm getting a Schlumpf Mountain Drive 2 speed bottom bracket for 4 speeds total.
Not having any cables going to the rear makes for a quick and easy fold, with no cables on the rear to get snagged on stuff while moving it about folded. Also, it looks clean as hell.
Not to mention, I find a coaster brake to be a lot more intuitive for people who mostly have experience with motorcycles, as motorcycles usually have a foot actuated rear brake. For that reason, I set up the bike with a right side front brake lever instead of a left side one, and I quite like it.
While the quick fold of the Brompton is nice, having to rely on a chain tensioner for an IGH seems dumb IMHO. I can fold my Montague just as quick with no chain tensioner...
Also, Aluminum Forks... WHY? I've had aluminum fail on me suddenly enough times I'd never want to use it as a main suspension material, and I consider rigid front forks to be the main suspension. Hell, the aluminum frame on my Montague isn't preferable, CHROMOLY FTW!
@@MrLM002 what a deep dive into various options. Was an interesting read, thank you for sharing
Rule #1 Never take advice from a person who a) Doesn't have one. b) Never rode one
@@TurnipGreen this is just my first thoughts on what I have read and watched reviews on. I do however follow and love bromptons so I will obviously be interested about anything new they release and this bike is no different
Refer to rule #1
@@TurnipGreen I love you to friend 🫶
Had to stop watching. Free instead if three and the constant silly shapes made with his mouth. Very odd.
@@chrislord9247 hmm not sure what to do with this 🤔
I own 2 Bromptons and I am very happy with them. I also have a Tern P10. I wish Brompton good luck. :)
What two bromptons did you opt for?
@@TheBromptonGuy the 1st is an M-Style handlebar with Ti-parts in black bought 14 years ago. This is my go to bike. The 2nd is an electric C-line 6 speed bought in 2021. In 22 purchased the Tern instead of a gravel bike. Knowing what I know today, the 2010 Brompton is all I need. I have it checked by a dutch mechanic once in a while and its in great shape.