I need a few more days/rides for my full thoughts, but this is almost the “Goldilocks” Brompton for me.
Firstly, massive thanks to Hannah and the team at brilliantbikes for supplying it – if you’ve not had the chance to visit and are in the area, please go see them. They’re an incredibly friendly bunch and have a beautiful store to boot. ❤️
Quick background: Had various Bromptons over the years, but I’m coming from an Electric G-Line which I’ve had since January. My commute involves a 1 mile 16% avg climb straight out of my front door, a 2 mile descent (11%), then normal flat conditions once I get to London. Disc brakes and chunky tubeless tyres are absolutely a winner for the country side of the commute. However, as much as I love the bike, it just doesn’t fit in the GWR luggage racks (yes, I’m that guy who jammed it in the top of the luggage rack at a 45 degree angle, my frame and handlebar grips do not thank me for it), and it was becoming frustrating. Sure, it fits in the bike rack, but that defeats the benefit of a Brompton and is absolutely not fun on a busy route.
Cue Brompton announcing the new electric range, which has taken many of the improvements from the G-Line (disc brakes notably excepted), and you can finally get a motor on a T-Line. Instantly onboard with the idea, light bikes are way more fun up the hills.
Pros:
– All my existing G-Line luggage and battery works with the T-Line. If I’m willing to carry the weight penalty, I have a spare battery/range extender.
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Rides far faster than the G-Line. I’ve always found with any of the electric Bromptons you tend to stay around 15-16mph, right at the top end of the assistance. On this bike I’m finding I easily ride at 18-20mph on flats, saving battery. Seems to be around 1m30s faster on a loop into town and back (5.7mi, 700ft elevation)
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Range seems pretty reasonable, a 34mi ride (countryside so not start/stop, rain, 30mph gusts, 2k elevation, lights on, mainly using mode 2 assist) left me with 21% battery remaining. Estimated 9 miles left on the handlebar control unit. Will see how it fares in the city this week.
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Handlebar control unit is way more useful than I thought it would be. Make much more use of switching modes, which is likely helping with the range. It’s a literal tap up or down, no bother at all. As the folks at brilliantbikes have mentioned, you can effectively use it as additional gears, sort of turning the four speed into a twelve speed. It’s the first electric Brompton that feels good to ride without any assistance IMO. Hill start assist is fun on the one very steep traffic light start I have, although I did wheelie – it’s a little bit more powerful than you’d expect! The walk assist is essentially the same function, so expect to go running with your bike if you use it on the flats – it will run away from you otherwise.
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Same built-in lights from the G-Line, which are pretty damn solid, even on my unlit country lanes. I carry additional camera lights, but certainly don’t need the additional lighting.
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Compared to every other electric Brompton – and especially the G – yes, it is incredibly light. Distinctively pleasant to carry around, the weight being on the rear makes it far more balanced, but that does come at a considerable cost that is unlikely to be a reasonable trade off for many.
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Fits in the GWR luggage racks! 🥰 However, given the cost of the bike I’m likely going to lock it to the racks, which isn’t something I’ve previously bothered with.
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50 miles in and no creaky frame, I know this has been an issue for many T-Line users. Will keep an eye on this.
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As with the G-Line Electric, I can’t find a hill it won’t go up, even in the saddle. Four speed is plenty, you don’t need more. One speed is likely absolutely fine if you live in a city, as mentioned earlier you can sort of use the electric modes as gears anyway.
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Expected it to feel quite “squirrelly” coming back from the G-Line, but feels very stable. Helps if you have a bit of weight in the front bag to keep the wheel on the ground on steep inclines.
Cons:
– Needs disc brakes. Barreling down hills at 30mph in the rain is fun to a point, but really miss the assurance and feel I get from those on the G. With that said, no different to any other 16” Brompton. If they can sort this then it’ll become the perfect bike (for me).
- Cost. It is what it is, but the vast majority of people are going to be incredibly happy with the new C or P electric lines instead, especially if you’re not bounding up silly inclines all the time.
Any questions, please feel free to ask – might take a little while to come back, but happy to help!
by lhopwood