Long term review of my Brompton G-Line

It feels like an eternity since I first encountered the Brompton G-Line in person during the launch event at Brompton Junction London back in September of the previous year. Upon leaving the event, despite not having taken one for a test ride — that opportunity arose a few days later — I had an inkling that it would be an ideal fit for me. Subsequently, I placed an order, and just prior to Christmas 2024, it was delivered. I have utilised it almost exclusively since its arrival and have covered several hundred miles. I deemed it an appropriate moment to proffer my long-term assessment of the bicycle, so here goes.

Launch event

Ride Quality 

I have never had anything adverse to say about my smaller-wheeled Brompton bicycles and have quite happily navigated the most treacherous roads in London and beyond without issue. I have accomplished rides exceeding 100 miles on my smaller-wheeled Brompton bikes and have been thoroughly satisfied. However, the G-Line elevates the experience.

The combination of the larger 20-inch wheels, wider handlebars, and the riding position all contribute to a comfortable experience. It seems that nothing can unsettle the G-Line. Potholes, cobbles, gravel, grass, canal towpaths, riverside tracks, country lanes (the list is extensive) are effortlessly tackled. The 'G' in G-Line could also stand for 'glide'; it truly glides along with grace. I did not acquire the G-Line for rugged gravel riding or for that absurdity of carrying tents and bin bags to sleep outdoors like a Sociology teacher in the early 1980s! I procured it for adventures in and around London, and while I recognise it is also excellent for occasional off-road riding, it is splendid for the activities I get up to.

Size and folded package

I do not reside far from the tube line, but I can also choose to cycle into central London if I so desire. Since acquiring my G-Line, I have utilised the tube more than I have for some time. I intended to ascertain what it was like at as many different times of the day as possible. I have not encountered any significant issues when navigating my G-Line on or off the tube or trains; however, it is a heavier bicycle and has a larger folded package. My regular Brompton bicycles are more appropriate for this, as they are lighter (my Brompton Electric is approximately the same weight as the G-Line). If I were to use public transport regularly as part of my commute, the standard-sized Brompton might be a more advantageous option.

Cycling over greater distances

The furthest I have cycled so far on my G-Line is just shy of 80 miles. I have not experienced any ill effects from this, and rides of 40 to 60 miles are handled with ease. As I mentioned, its riding position is very good, which contributes to the overall ride quality. However, I would like to offer one caveat: I swapped the off-road Schwalbe One tyres for Continental Urban tyres. For me, this instantly improved the ride on the road. They rolled better, allowing me to pedal with less effort and at a higher speed. Consequently, this made longer rides more enjoyable. I am not sure that I would want to take my G-Line on a 60-mile nocturnal adventure using the off-road tyres that come as standard with the bike.

Gearing

The G-Line comes equipped with a 54-tooth chainring and an Alfine 8-speed hub, ensuring that gear changes are executed swiftly through the up and down shifters. In my experience, I have found the G-Line to be very similar to my traditional Brompton bikes, which feature a 44-tooth chainring and 6 speeds. Notably, the G-Line demonstrates comparable—if not slightly superior—performance on inclines, likely attributable to its larger diameter tyres and more favourable riding position. On level terrain, while its performance is very good, I perceive that I can attain slightly higher speeds on my standard Brompton bikes. Nevertheless, it is important to clarify that my cycling is not competitive, and the G-Line's gearing functions effectively for my needs.

Brakes 

The G-Line comes with disc brakes and they certainly help you stop. I have not had any particular issues with the brakes on my normal Brompton bicycles but the addition of disc brakes is certainly a welcome addition. They require only the slightest of touches and have proved to be particularly useful when descending steep inclines on country lanes. Also very useful in areas of London with dog walkers, tourists and influencers! 

Cost

It is worth noting that the G-Line carries a significant price premium compared to the standard Brompton. For the same investment, one could opt for the lighter P-Line. Ultimately, the decision hinges on the frequency with which one must navigate stairs in underground stations. Personally, I regard the G-Line as a worthy investment; I have utilised it more than any of my other Brompton bikes. Despite contemplating a change, I constantly find myself returning to the G-Line.

That something you can't put your finger on

All of my Brompton make me happy (and sometimes elicit the same from passers-by), yet there is an undeniable charm about the G-Line. The ride experience is exceptional; it glides almost silently, offers comfort, and performs admirably on uneven surfaces or, dare I mention, off-road. I have acquaintances who champion the electric version, providing an option for those in need of additional assistance. While G-Line is heavier, boasts a larger folded size, and lacks the agility of my standard Brompton, I cannot envision my cycling life without the G-Line now that it has become part of my fleet.

Well, there you have it dear reader. I am sure that you will see my G-Line appear in many more adventures over the next few months and yes I am rather fond of it. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people!

Brompton B75 Review

Fellow Brompton enthusiast and rider Simon bought a Brompton B75 a few months ago and asked whether I would be interested in him writing a guest blog post. Simon previously did the same when he reviewed the Brompton Electric CLICK HERE, so naturally I said yes. Below are Simon's words and photos. Many thanks to Simon for doing this. It is a great review.  

For over 40 years, Brompton has made the same type of bicycle and kept the customers returning through a combination of incremental improvements and limited editions. Improvements to the brakes and gears are all welcome, but with these there has been a steady increase in weight and cost.

So what is the new B75?

It is the latest special edition made by Brompton and it has been made to a price to make the bicycle more accessible. It also comes with a finance package to spread the cost out further. To keep the cost down, it uses older parts, comes in one colour, and has no default options like mudguards. There is no front carrier block so you will have to buy one to allow you to fit Brompton's excellent luggage system.

In summary, it puts back the clock in terms of price and functionality

So what does it look like? 

Let's talk about the colour. I love it and it was one of the reasons why I bought the bike. I would say that you have to see it in the flesh as it is a subtle combination of blue and green. It is a really hard colour to photograph, even Brompton’s own publicity photographs and videos show different shades.

It is currently a contemporary colour and if you look around you will see lots of graphics and adverts in that shade. The colour alone could be a reason to buy. It was for me! 

So how about the bike? 

It works, it cycles! It is still a Brompton, folds the same, rides the same, and whilst it just does not feel quite so good, it still gets you from a to b. It can still act as your faithful companion, opening up new opportunities for travel. To me this is the key part of Brompton ownership, what new places can you go? Getting to your destination is easier and faster, all powered by yourself with no additional costs! 

The things that they have changed are a non folding pedal, no mudguards, and old style brakes, gear shifter and handlebars. The saddle has also been cost reduced but is still, well a bike saddle, and of equal comfort to the standard one.

Depending on how you use the bike, you might not miss those features, but do you really need them? 

The folding pedal is essential if you commute. When the pedal is folded it does not stick out, and makes the bike easier to carry, takes up less space on the train, and if you put the bike in your car boot, makes it lie flat. 

A folding left hand pedal and the matching right hand pair cost £45, or you can get something from MKS for slightly less. 

On the subject of commuting, there are no mudguards. Whilst fine for summer, commuting on a mudguard-less Brompton during winter is not fun. Even if it is dry, muck from the road gets kicked up covering you and your bike. It was interesting to note that in Brompton’s own publicity video they say “get an Uber when it rains”,  but in the long run buying some mudguards are cheaper, even at £65.

So the price of the bike is creeping up to £860 but now you have a bike that can be used all year round.

The final essential suggestion for upgrading are the brake levers. If you commute on the flat, the standard ones are fine, however by changing them to the more modern metal levers you dramatically improve the feel and efficiency. Stopping and responsiveness are just better. These cost £40. The pads and callipers are fine, it is just that squeezing metal rather than plastic gives a better response

So we are now at £900. Yes the price has crept up, but the bike is now usable year round, is smaller to fold, can be taken more places and is nicer to ride. Despite spending more on top of the basic price, it is still cheaper than buying a regular Brompton which costs £1025!

There is more you can do, for example change the handlebars for a lower sportier position or replace the back wheel and make it a six speed. Swapping the seat-post to titanium and getting a lighter saddle is a good way of saving some weight as well. But now we are talking about one of the key aspects of Brompton ownership. It is up to you to decide what you want to do. Every Brompton is different, customised by their owners to their particular needs. 

For example, my B75 has a lightweight BWR wheelset, Kojaks, folding pedals, front luggage block, low straight bars, carbon bar ends, white grips, Ti seat post, Fizik racing saddle. Still a B75, just….. ;) 

In summary 

The true genius of Andrew Ritchie's original design and Brompton Bicycles subsequent refinements and marketing are that one design can meet many needs - from commuting to touring. By creating a basic bare bike as a low cost entry point, not only has Brompton widened the accessibility of its product but also created a great starting point for customising the bike to your specific needs. It gets a definite buy from me either as a first Brompton to get you started or as a second bike to adapt to your needs. Did I say I love the colour!

Review of my new Flame Lacquer Brompton

If you have been following me on Instagram you will perhaps already know that I have purchased a brand spanking new Brompton. This one is in a fairly new colour - Flame Lacquer. Spoiler alert, I love it!

As you know I have a fondness for all things orange, maybe obsessed but the Flame Lacquer to me is still within the colour spectrum of orange. Okay it is a bit coppery-orange. Whatever colour you might call it, the Flame Lacquer is stunning.

The brazing can be seen and the colour almost changes in certain lights. Sometimes it looks darker, while in slightly different lighting it appears lighter.

My new bicycle had there following specifications:

• M Type handlebar 
• Gear - 6 speed
• Gear ratio reduced to -12% (44T chainring) 
• Mudguards
• Extended seat post
• Schwalbe Marathon tyres
• SP SV8 hub dynamo with Busch & Muller front light and Spanniga Solo LED rear light
• Front carrier block

The front SP SV8 hub dynamo is small and lightweight and the only option currently available from Brompton. This is not actually a bad thing. I like it. It rolls well and I have no plans to replace with with something more expensive from the likes of SON.

The front light by Busch & Muller doesn't have the power of my Edelux II that I have fitted to my other Orange Brompton however having used the light at night a couple of time and adjusting the height of the beam hitting the road to my tastes, I have to report that it is actually very good indeed. I particularly like the side illumination and the fact the this light has a built in reflector. The light has a on and off switch and stand light function. For night rides I always pair my dynamo powered light with a meaty front light so this light is staying and I have no plans to replace it.

It is a similar story with the Spanniga Solo LED rear light. This is bright with good visibility and has the added bonus of a good build in reflector. Again, no plans to change it as it works well for me.

The Brompton saddle the bike came with was never put on the bike and a Brooks B17 Titanium was. This saddle works rather well with the bike and the copper rivets complement the frame colour well.

The original Brompton grips (which are actually quite good compared with the older foam ones that were on their bikes a few years ago) were taken off and replaced with a pair of Brooks leather GP1 grips with copper ends. Again they complement the overall colour scheme of the bike itself.

The only other thing I changed were the inner tubes which now serve as spared on trips and adventures. I replaced them with some Schwalbe AV4 tubes which I prefer.

With the bikes I also bought myself a Mini O bag in a black-reflective finish. I am a fan of these bags and it's my intention to use the front bag most of the time rather than have a saddlebag fitted. Incidentally, the reflective elements on the front of the bag are good in low light when light shines on it.

I took my new bike for its first outing yesterday on the Tweed Run which I enjoyed a great deal. This morning, up early I look it for a spin from SW7 to the O2. I enjoyed every minute. This year has so far been a Brompton dominated one. My two road bikes have gathered a little layer of dust. This is probably set to continue.

The road bikes have more gears, better brakes, travel faster and cover miles a great deal easier but they are missing something I can only get from my Brompton bikes. My head is telling me that for lots of the nocturnal rides to the coast or the Audax events I have entered, I should be taking one of my road bikes. My heart however is telling me that I would be missing a sense of fun. For me at least that feeling can be found in one of my two Brompton bicycles.

My new Orange Brompton

As you perhaps already know I have a new Brompton. Despite me saying that I would never spend another Orange pound on a Brompton...here I go eating my words. I won't bore you with why  I changed my mind but all I can say is that the decision was made pretty quickly and I simply went with the flow.

The bike is a 2018 All Black Special Edition in Orange. It reminds me in many ways of my first Orange Brompton which was orange with black extremities. I do like this a great deal better and black and orange are a killer combination for me. (You may recall me adding lots of black parts to my titanium Brompton I suppose to make my own special edition. I ended up hating the grey of the titanium spoiling the general look. This is definitely miles better).

I chose a 6 x speed, standard 50t chainring (for the moment at least), extended seat post and would have chosen a firm suspension but there is only one option now - firm. More on this later.

Already I have added a few optional extras. I do quite a bit of night riding and despite having some excellent battery lights I have always enjoyed the unlimited run time of dynamo lighting. It really is forget and go.

I had originally got a Supernova front light but didn't like it. The beam was bright but narrow and I actually preferred the beam from the Edulux II. I decided to keep the orange and black theme going and got a version in just that. (I have to say the colour seems to be a lot better than the one I bought and returned a few years ago.

To go with the front light I decided to go for the SON rear light which I have to say is excellent. It works well with the optional rear reflector. The red light is very bright and can be seen from a wide angle.

To power it all I opted for a SON XS in black with black spoke and rim. I have one of these on my P-type and it has been faultless. This one is a little lighter but apart from that and the different style it does the same job as efficiently.

Having been on two night rides to the coast recently you could quite happily travel dark country lanes and be perfectly happy using just these lights. The only thing I would add for urban cycling would be a additional light that has a flashing mode - just to be seen.


The 2018 Brompton bikes have the updated brake callipers. I have to report that these are pretty good and allow for confident braking.

The Brompton saddle was taken off immediately and a Brooks B17 in black put on. It certainly let me know it was new on the London to Southend run but a few adjustments to its position resulted in a very comfortable saddle for 102 miles from last Friday night to early Saturday afternoon.

I do have a black Brooks Swallow but I recently put this on my Condor road bike and it looks rather good on it so it will almost certainly stay put.

I had put on a Rixen and Kaul bottle mount to the front stem but this worked its way lose on the Southend run. I decided to try out a Monk Clip mount specifically for Brompton bikes which actually worked a great deal better.

I am normally a Marathon user but as the Marathon Plus has been updated recently to allow 110 psi I decided to give them a go. No worries from me with regards rolling resistance or them feeling sluggish. (I did have these issues with the older version when I tried them a few years ago). They run well and being slightly wider allow for a more comfortable ride.

The bike came with Marathon Racers and these look good for being a summer tyre and a wiser alternative to the Kojak.

The suspension block is now smooth with no ridges. There is no firm or normal just this. It is good. Definitely as firm as the firm suspension and if anything more so. I like it.

The Brompton pedals also came off straight away to be replaced by some Shimano SDPs that I have got on well in the past with.

The new lock on Brompton grips are actually really good and a massive improvement over the foam that was on bikes previously. The only reason they came off was I had a set of Ergon grips - in orange. These are same as those found on the pretty fine CHPT3 but in orange of course.

The space on the S-type bar is pretty good and made better by the new shifters. I have a Wahoo mount placed in the dead centre of the bars and a mount for my Exposure Toro front light.

There you have it. My new Orange Brompton. I am very please with it and having done a few distance rides on it I am pleased to be back with an S-type.

My Review of my new Orange P Type Brompton P6L

As I am sure you are aware, I have a new Orange Brompton. Using it the past few weeks has been a gleeful experience and I now feel in a position to say what I think of it – which many of you have asked me for.

My new P Type

Okay, I had better start with the specifications. The bike was a bespoke order and I deliberated long and hard about what I would and wouldn’t get:

• P Type
• 6 x speed
• 44T chaining – 12% reduced gearing
• Orange frame
• Orange extremities
• Firm suspension
• Extended seat post
• Eazy wheels
• Marathon tyres
• Brooks B17 Special Edition saddle
• SON Dynamo lighting system

Essentially, I suppose I wanted this Orange Brompton to be a touring bicycle. Comfort and being practical were important factors. The SON Dynamo lighting system was chosen unashamedly to make night rides (I go on lots of these) and my commute easier. More about this later but I didn’t want to bother too much about lights and batteries, especially on my daily commute. During late Autumn/Winter my commute to/from work is often in darkness.

The reduced gearing was chosen for two reasons. First the SON Dynamo would make pedalling a little harder. Second, I was happier to sacrifice some top end speed to make über hills easier to ascend. The strange thing since using the bike is that for me at least I have detected very little resistance at all when using the SON Dynamo. As such, I may well end up swapping the 44T chaining for the standard 50T. (To be honest I have not encountered too many problems ascending hills when using a 50T anyway).

44T Chainring - but for how long?

The P Type bars. Some of you may be wondering why I opted for them. They aren’t the most popular bar type in the Brompton range and some people hate them, going as far as saying they are ugly. Having had a go on a P Type many years ago I liked the riding position. With the addition of the Brooks leather bar tape, to compliment the Brooks saddle, I think there is a certain elegance about them.

Brooks saddle, Brooks bar tape

More important than looks however is how they perform. The ride position is quite upright – which is exactly what I wanted for longer distances. I am not getting any younger and don’t fancy being unable to cycle due to back pain. I had considered an H Type but for me the lower riding position of the P gave them the edge. The lower position does not have brakes and there is a sticker to state the obvious on the handlebar. I have found this lower position to be excellent when ascending hills and when cycling into a headwind. Many have safety concerns about not having brakes, which are indeed valid. That being said, I would only ever use this lower position as described and therefore do not see it as a danger at all. Incidentally, the lower position is further down than my S Type. For getting ones weight forward when ascending hills this lower position is excellent.

The P Type, for me at least being quite tall affords an excellent riding position. There are a couple of caveats if you are thinking of following suit. First is handlebar real estate. If you have loads of gadgets you want mounted to the bars, it is possible on the P Type but the amount of usable space is a little reduced. The SON Dynamo lighting system does however mean that I don’t feel the need to have as many lights as I used to. Second, if you are…how can I put this…possessing a paunch, you might find the lower riding position uncomfortable. Thankfully, cycling so much has kept the middle age spread at bay, so the lower riding position is fine for me.

Rather elegant I think

Reduced real estate

As far as comfort goes, I have Brooks leather bar tape with some gel strips at crucial positions. Recently I went on a 67+ mile ride from London to Whitstable and suffered no hand aches or pains. There are lots of places to position ones hands (in addition to the lower position) resulting versatility and comfort. 

A Brooks saddle looks really good on a Brompton and as I have always got on well with them I had to have one. When you order a bespoke Brompton the cost of the Brooks is offset against not having the standard saddle. This means that you get a Brooks Special edition for a good price.

Brooks B17 Special Edition

Love those copper rails

Proofhide has been applied twice since I got my P Type and it has for me at least been very comfortable. I like the copper rails and pleased that the colour will only get better as the saddle gets older. It will also get more comfortable as it ages which is a bonus.

The SON Dynamo lighting system has so far been more than worth the hefty price tag. This is a little marvel of engineering. The whole setup weight a little over 200g and has little rolling resistance. There are lots of boring statistics to tell you exactly what this is but I will put things more plainly. Either on of off I cannot detect that is it there and it certainly - for me at least - doesn't make pedalling any harder - including ascending hills which I encountered on the London to Whitstable ride.

The SON Dynamo hub. Low weigh and little rolling resistance

The rear light with the SON Dynamo produces a much brighter light than the battery version and the stand light function means that when you have stopped both front and rear lights stay on. The front light is excellent. It produces a bright, whitish light that does an excellent job of illuminating the road ahead. Let's be clear about this. It is not a commuter light that allows oncoming traffic to see you from considerable distances. It does this to some extent but I would add a small flashing light for this purpose. 

SON powered rear light is also quite bright

On the London to Whitstable ride, once we were out of the urban sprawal and entered country lanes things started to become pitch black. I had brought my Hope Vision light with me but never had it on anything but its commuter flashing setting. SON powered front light instilled confidence. There was not a time when I felt I needed more light. For long stretches I turned off my Hope Vision light altogether to see what the SON powered one could do. It was excellent.

The SON powered Busch & Muller front light is excellent

It produces a bight, whitish light

Added to this there is even an automatic setting where a sensor detects when it is dark enough to turn everything on and light enough to turn everything off. Very clever. I also think that the SON Dynamo is also rather pretty and I liked the shiny sliver finish.

As on all Brompton bicycles there is subtle detailing that tells you and others your bike is a Brompton. The chain guard, cranks and brake levers all have the Brompton logo discretely placed. 

I have not been a fan of Brompton customisation as in my opinion they are a design classic anyway. I have made some changes. Some cosmetic, some practical and some a combination of these.

The first is the chainring bolts. Since 2013 Brompton bikes now come fitted with the spider chainring. This allows the user to swap their chainring easily. I replaced the original bolts for aluminium alloy ones that are...orange. They are also half the weight of the originals. 

I have used clipped in pedals on all my Brompton bikes for some time now and took the standard pedals off almost immediately. The Shimano XT pedals are a favourite of mine and I really like them.

I had a spare front carrier block so this went on. This will allow me to use a wide range of Brompton luggage options I have build up over the years. I currently have:

• Mini O bag in Orange
• O Bag in orange
• S bag 
• C Bag 

I use these bags according to what I know I might be carrying and the great thing about the P Type is that all the above works.

There was nothing wrong with the standard firm suspension block, but the one in the picture below by BikeFun is orange and a little firmer.

As I am sure you will have gathered, I really do like my new P Type Brompton. This bike will become quite a workhorse taking my on my commute and night rides. The P Type isn't for everyone. For some the lower riding position is too low or not safe enough without extra brake levers. Some may long for more handlebar real estate. For others it is not a looker. 

For me one of the attractions of a Brompton is its quirkiness. The P Type is certainly that. For me at least, I feel I have made a good choice and I can see us becoming better friends that we already are now. I have already been on a few adventures with this Brompton and you can be assured that there will be many more to come!