BROMPTON ELECTRIC G LINE

This UK brand flies the flag for British folding bikes, and its new ebike is even better thanks to bigger wheels and disc brakes

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Brompton is to folding bicycles what the VW California is to campervans. Over 50 years, the Brompton name has become synonymous with folding bikes.

The basic Brompton design has evolved gently over five decades and is still going strong. The G Line and the Electric G Line which we've been riding take the bike in a slightly different direction. The G Line replaces the tiny 16-inch wheels of the regular Brompton with smoother rolling 20-inch wheels. Rim brakes are also out, replaced with hydraulic disc brakes for all-weather stopping power.

It does make the bike better to ride than a 16-inch wheeled Brompton, with a more comfortable ride and better stability. The G Line is also more able on bridleways and canal towpaths. The lightly treaded tyres struggle in deep mud but bite into soft ground, without making the bike feel slow on smooth surfaces.