Brompton G Line Review: A Folding Bike Built for More Than Just the City

Enter the Brompton G Line.

Folding bikes have always been about compromise: sacrifice a bit of ride quality to gain portability. But what happens when a brand like Brompton, legendary for its clever urban folders, decides to flip the script?

The G Line is being positioned as “the most versatile bike in the world”—a bold claim backed up by an entirely new frame, 20-inch wheels, disc brakes, and the promise of full-sized comfort with the convenience of a fold.

We’ve been riding it across city streets, gravel trails, and everything in between to find out whether this hybrid machine lives up to the hype. Short answer? It just might.

Tell Your Friends

There’s a lot that’s new here. Let’s start with what makes the G Line feel revolutionary: ride quality.

Brompton engineered this bike from the ground up—this isn’t just a classic frame with bigger wheels slapped on. The all-new chassis features 20-inch wheels, Brompton’s widest-ever tires and handlebars, and geometry that gives it the feel of a full-sized hybrid or gravel bike. The result is remarkable. You forget you’re on a folding bike within the first few pedal strokes. It just feels right.

Built for Comfort, Engineered for Everything

The semi-balloon tires smooth out rough city streets and hardpack gravel trails. The wide bars give you control and confidence, whether you’re maneuvering through tight urban corners or cruising along a park path. This bike is designed for comfort—Brompton calls it “game-changing,” and we tend to agree.

The drivetrain features an eight-speed Shimano Alfine internal hub that’s clean, quiet, and low-maintenance—ideal for all-weather city riding and mixed terrain. Shifting is smooth, precise, and totally enclosed, making it virtually bombproof in bad conditions. Paired with Tektro disc brakes, you’ve got consistent stopping power in rain, dirt, and everything in between.

Brompton G Line with Shimano Aline 8-speed internal hub

Foldability Without the Fuss

Yes, the Brompton G Line still folds using the familiar tri-fold method, and it includes quick-release pedals to reduce bulk when stashed. It’s bigger and heavier than the classic Bromptons (more on that in a bit), but it likely still fits under a desk, definitely in a trunk, or on public transit—albeit with more muscle required.

Designed for Real Riders

We also love how Brompton has refined fit and sizing here. Brompton G Line comes in three rider-size options (S, M, L), all using a single frame with different stem and seatpost heights. Developed in partnership with bike fit experts, the system accommodates riders from just over 5 feet up to 6’5”, which is excellent news for tall folks, like me, who have found some folding bikes awkward or cramped.

There’s also mudguards and flaps, and an optional rear rack for commuters and bikepackers alike. You can even swap on Brompton’s luggage system up front using a standard carrier block, and while it doesn’t ship with integrated lighting or dynamo hubs (yet), the frame supports aftermarket options.

Brompton G Line features a steel frame

Wish List

As versatile as the Brompton G Line is, it’s not without a few trade-offs—starting with weight. At about 32 pounds, it’s no featherweight. That’s a big jump from the brand’s svelter models like the CHPT 3 (~20 lbs), and you’ll notice it when lifting onto a train or carrying up stairs.

Second, the folded size is larger than traditional Bromptons due to the 20-inch wheels and wider cockpit. While it still folds down smaller than most other gravel or adventure bikes, it may not comply with stricter folding-bike transit rules in some global cities (e.g., certain London Underground lines or Tokyo rail policies). So if your daily ride includes squeezing into a tight train compartment, double-check before buying.

And while it does brilliantly on rail trails, cobbles, and hard-packed gravel, it’s not a full-blown gravel or mountain bike. You won’t be hammering down singletrack or scaling boulder-strewn fire roads. For that, a larger wheelbase and suspension would still serve you better.

A final note: lighting and dynamo options are not yet standard. It’s something we’d expect to see in future iterations or higher-spec builds.

Brompton G Line compared to Brompton CHPT 3

Ideal User

If you’ve been craving a bike that can do-it-all—commute Monday to Friday, then hit the trails or country roads on weekends—the G Line is for you. It’s ideal for those who have limited space and want one bike for commuting, trail adventures on the weekend and occasional bike packing.

It is fantastic that fAnd if you’re a taller rider who’s never found a folding bike that fits comfortably? This is the one to try.

Final Thoughts

The Brompton G Line is a category-defying folding bike. It’s not the lightest. It’s not the most compact. But it might just be the most well-rounded, capable of confidently bridging the gap between commuter, cruiser, and weekend adventurer.

What really stands out is the ride feel. This isn’t just a folding bike that handles “well for a folder”—it’s a bike that just handles well, full stop. It brings a sense of confidence, comfort, and smoothness you rarely get in bikes this portable.

If your idea of cycling involves both city commutes and gravel detours, and you want one bike that can do it all—without looking like a transformer or weighing 50 pounds—the G Line is well worth a look.

It’s a new kind of Brompton, and maybe even a new kind of bike altogether.