Hi everyone,
I’m reaching out to share a frustrating experience and ask for your opinions — especially from other Brompton Electric owners.
I bought a Brompton Electric C Line in late May 2025. The bike is new but the model is 2023. After just two rides, I noticed that the rear hub was stiff and there was noticeable resistance when backpedaling. It felt like something was dragging inside the hub. I took it to an authorized Brompton dealer, and after waiting nearly a month, they replaced the rear hub — at my expense (255€), which I found odd for such a new bike.
Unfortunately, within just four days of getting the bike back, the exact same issue returned. I brought it in again, and they attempted another repair. Still no improvement.
To compare, I also own a 2022 C Line (non-electric), and I ran a simple test:
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Both bikes are in the same gear settings (right shifter on 3, left on “-”),
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I gently backpedal on both.
On the Electric, the chain derails slightly and hits the frame, clearly rubbing.
On the normal Brompton, the drivetrain spins smoothly and quietly — no rubbing, no issues.
This issue has now persisted through three service attempts, and I’ve barely been able to use the bike at all this summer. It’s extremely disappointing, especially from a brand like Brompton that I trusted for quality.
My questions for the community:
– Has anyone else experienced this issue with the Electric C Line?
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Is it normal for the chain to rub or derail slightly during backpedaling?
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Could this indicate a manufacturing defect or a setup error?
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How was your experience with warranty support?
Thanks in advance — I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts.
Is this level of rear wheel stiffness normal on a Brompton Electric C Line?
byu/co_royan inBrompton
by co_royan
7 Comments
Things I would look at, gear adjustment, stiff chain link, bent hanger/changer, also might remove the chain to test the roller wheels of the gear train….
Unfold the bike and try again 🙂
As suggested previously unfold your bike first. Does it still happen?
I thought you were being silly at first and trying to forward pedal whilst the wheel was folded and the tyre likely touching the frame (as designed). I folded my H6L Electric (old name for Electric C line I believe) and backpedaling gives me no resistance or issues. I’d be annoyed at that too.
I have found it really depends in which gear I have folded the bike in. Sometimes it’s super easy to turn back the pedal to adjust, sometimes it binds like this and I have to unfold it. You can see that depending on the gear the tensioner will be in a different position, thus one makes it more prone to “bend” backwards, while the other is more stiff and there’s no issue to backpedal. Haven’t noted which gears cause this to happen and which do not though, but I might start doing so just to get into the habit.
You can try it out and see if it makes a difference.
>I bought a Brompton Electric C Line in late May 2025. The bike is new but the model is 2023. …I took it to an authorized Brompton dealer, and after waiting nearly a month, they replaced the rear hub — at my expense (255€)
Why wasn’t the repair covered on a bike that could not have been more than three months from the purchase date? The wheels are supposed to be covered for two years from purchase. Did you not register the bike on the Brompton site? (I forget how many days you have to register but it’s a short window.)
I never try to backpedal when my Brompton is folded so I can’t comment on that, but unfolded I have no problem doing so though I do it almost exclusively to get my pedals in the correct position after a stop. I don’t backpedal on descents or anything like that.
I’ve got a P E line. Does the same thing. But not that much. Still rides fines.