New G-Line Owner First Impressions

Long post warning. Settle in…

When I read about the G-Line last year I said "woah…that's cool, I want one of those!" Then I saw it in person at the NYC Junction and thought…"meh." It seemed less impressive in the flesh. I've been riding 3- and 6-speed C-Lines for years and I enjoy them. The G-Line was bigger, heavier and didn't fold as easily. But the desire, though not quite as strong, stayed with me. Now, five months later, I own one. So far I've taken it on two rides totaling 30 miles, one on road and one off-road, and these are my initial impressions, in no particular order:

• I'm 5'9" and 180 lbs (175 cm and 81 kg) and the medium size fits fine.
• Fit and finish are excellent. Aside from adjusting the bars and saddle fit to my liking, the only adjustment I had to perform out of the box was to move the locking block a bit.
• The self-adjusting hinge clamps are great.
• I wish the bars were closer in to the frame when folded.
• The superlight saddle is more comfortable than I expected
• The bike feels much more stable compared to my C-Line. By analogy, riding the C-line feels like driving a Mini and the G-Line feels like driving a RAV4. This is not bad, just different. The G is no slower than the C.
• It's much easier to ride the G-Line one-handed (or no-handed).
• The G-Line is much quieter in use than I expected.
• Ridden the same distance over the same roads, the G is more comfortable than the C. This is subjective, of course. Rough pavement and storm drains are no longer a concern.
• On flat gravel or packed dirt trails, the G feels very relaxed. I've ridden those surfaces on the C but I feel more on edge and hyper-alert for changes in terrain when I do.
• Out-of-the-saddle climbs are easy on the G. Except on loose surfaces. On gravel or dirt that rear wheel breaks away too easily. If your regular riding includes short, steep pitches on loose terrain, go tubeless or use a different bike.
• On spicier gravel (loose, sharper, 2-5cm pieces), or on loose dirt, the front end has a tendency to bounce around and get redirected. I think using lower tire pressures and carrying more speed would help, as would improving my technique.
• The G loves fire roads and double-track. I would not take the bike on technical trails. It could probably survive but would be no fun to ride.
• The front fender stays pick up lots of grass and vegetation off-road.
• I'm a fan of the factory bars and pedals. The grips feel nice but they are extremely slippery when they get wet. Ride with gloves if you sweat or if it's raining.
• The brakes are trickier to modulate than the brakes on my C Line, but they work fine and don't squeal. You can lock up the wheels pretty easily on dirt.
• The removable pedal is kind of pain, but I think I just have to get used to it. Don't try to carry the bike with that pedal attached unless you enjoy shin bruises.
• I definitely notice the larger size and weight of the G when carrying it, but it's not bad. It rolls much easier than my C-line, which has no rack.

After riding it for a few days, I don't think it's fair to directly compare the G to the C/P line. It's a different bike. There seems to be a tendency for some to look at the G and ask "why?" It's not as compact, it's heavier and it's more expensive. In my opinion, the question to ask is "why not?" The C/P are excellent machines, the best in the world at being compact multi-modal transportation and touring machines. People push the limits of those bikes all the time. But I think it would be more difficult to find the limits of the G-Line. The G seems to encourage spontaneity even more than the C line does. The G-Line is like your one buddy who's game for anything, even the stuff that can get you in trouble. Yes, it's a "Brompton folding bike" but the G has a different personality.