Did the King of Folding Bikes Just Accidentally Build the Perfect City Ride?

Years ago, after riding Ritte’s Satyr and Evil’s Chamois Hagar all over New York City, I declared that due to its combo of agility, speed and toughness, the perfect type of city cycle is in fact the gravel bike. 

I was instantly reminded of that GP op-ed last week while test-riding Brompton’s groundbreaking, trail-ready G Line — now available stateside — around the West Village.

Brompton

Because while the London-based brand has been producing incredibly innovative and reliable folding bikes for 50 years, this rugged latest chapter might just be the best equipped to tackle one of the most challenging outdoor environments of all: the urban jungle.

No roads barred

I’ve always been a bit skeptical of folding bikes, with the first word coming to mind being “rickety.”

But when reps for the godfather of the category invited me to check out the G Line at the conveniently located Brompton Junction Flagship Store, I felt compelled to give it a shot. 

And boy am I glad I did. Actually pedaling around town on one of the new bikes — as well as the speedier, spindlier C line — gave me a whole new appreciation for both the category as a whole and the ground the brand is breaking with this latest model.

Check out the product page for the bike and you’ll see plenty of copy and imagery dedicated to what it is capable of off-road.

While I have no doubt it can excel in that environment, I was dazzled by what it could do on city streets.

Riding the C Line — not to mention my own city ride, Priority’s velodrome-focused Joker — I have to be pretty dialed into the terrain to stay upright.

The G Line, on the other hand, just cruises over cracks, potholes, cobblestones and street debris. The following exclusive features make that so.

Big wheels and beefy tires

At a 20-inch diameter, the G Lines wheelset is the biggest Brompton has ever offered and pairs perfectly with the Schwalbe G-One All Round tires custom made for this bike. 

Brompton

Together, they give riders the power and confidence to roll over or around just about anything they might encounter in the bike lanes. 

Dependable brakes

The G Line is the first-ever Brompton to incorporate disc brakes (specifically Tektro hydraulics with 140mm rotors).

Mountain bikers know that there’s no more dependable option for safely navigating steep and technical terrain. 

Brompton

On city streets, that same stopping power comes in handy any time a taxi runs a red, a pedestrian gets ambitious or you get caught in a drizzle (or downpour).

Smooth shifting

Taking a page from 1x mountain bikes, the G Line boasts a single front chain ring powering a Shimano Alfine 8-gear system safely tucked away in a rear wheel hub. 

All gears can be accessed with up-and-down triggers on the right handlebar, enabling easy shifting even when horns are honking and music’s blaring. 

Brompton

Note: During my test ride, I did find it hard to go full gas on flat streets, even in the hardest gear. If you really want to hammer, the C Line is a better bet.

That being said, the gear range of the G Line is as expeditious as most gravel bikes I’ve tested, and will likely enable you to climb anything, even in, say, San Francisco.

Capable contact points

The G Line features brand’s grippiest and most comfortable wide platform pedals, which conveniently fold up when not in use.

The left pedal can even be removed and stowed behind the fork or, let’s be honest, carried into the cafe or bar with you as an additional theft deterrent. 

Brompton

Adding yet more user-friendliness are wide handlebars with ergonomic grips, ideal for gaining leverage on uphills and gravelly roads and sustaining comfort on longer rides. 

Classic compact-ability

It may go without saying, but like all Brompton bikes, the G Line folds up into a tidy little package within seconds.

I tried it a few times at the Brompton store and found it tremendously satisfying, like playing with a Transformer. 

Brompton

The bike weighs just under 33 pounds, which is not inconsiderable but still light enough to tote onto a subway or up the stairs into an apartment.

You can also fold the bike halfway and steer it with the saddle or tow with the handlebar, minimizing the time you are actually lugging around. 

It’s worth noting that the G Line is compatible with a wide range of cleverly designed accessories, including various Brompton bags plus racks, mudguards, phone mounts and lights.

There’s also a very cool and convenient water bottle mount on the giraffe neck-like head tube. 

Oh, and for those caught up in the e-bike revolution, relax. An electric G Line is coming this fall.

Availability and pricing

The Brompton G Line is available in three colors (Adventure Orange, Forest Green and Traildust White) and three sizes (small, medium and large) for $3,300.

Brompton

Brompton G Line

• $3,300 at Brompton

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