Brompton makes arguably the world’s best folding bike. To help prospective owners and participants of the next Brompton World Championships navigate the range of options available, this guide explains all of the Brompton folding bike’s main features and the range currently on offer.
Based around a robust steel frame in standard form and rolling on diminutive 16-inch wheels, a Brompton can be folded into a package measuring 585mm × 565mm × 270mm in under 10 seconds. It is, as its inventor intended, like having a magic carpet you can unfurl anywhere.
Despite tweaks and upgrades over the years, including electric models, all Bromptons follow a similar pattern to the bike as created by founder Andrew Ritchie back in 1975.
Brompton folding bikes: The range explained
The first thing to understand is that Brompton simplified its product naming system in October 2021. All models now fit into one of the brand’s four lines: A Line, C Line, T Line and the P Line, with the C Line and P Line both offering electric versions.
- The A Line is Brompton’s most basic model: a sturdy 3-speed folding bike which has a one-size-fits all concept – Buy now from Halfords (£950)
- The C Line range offers more options, and comes in a 2-speed, 3-speed or 6-speed as well as a range of different seatposts, saddles and handlebars – Buy now from Leisure Lakes Bikes (from £1,202.75)
- The Electric C Line is what it says on the tin and comes in a 2-speed or 6-speed – Buy now from Leisure Lakes Bikes (from £2,545.75)
- The P Line is a lightweight titanium and steel 4-speed Brompton which comes with or without a roller frame – Buy now from Leisure Lakes Bike (from £2,142)
- The Electric P Line is the electric version of the P Line and Brompton’s lightest electric bike – Buy now from Condor Cycles (£3,600)
- The T Line is Brompton’s lightest bike, made from titanium and offered in a 1-speed and 4-speed – Buy now from Brompton (from £4,250)
Brompton folding bikes: From A to T
Brompton A Line
£950 | View offer
Seen as a one-size-fits all bike, the Brompton A Line has a hand-brazed folding steel frame and comes with a mid-rise handlebar. It comes in 3-speed which is suitable for most eventualities when commuting or pedalling around a city.
The A Line is offered in one colour – white – and does not come with mudguards or a luggage carrier, although these can be added.
Brompton C Line
From £1,295 | View offer
The Brompton C Line comes in three different versions: C Line Urban, C Line Utility and C Line Explore. The main difference between the three is the speeds and weight.
- The C Line Urban is 2-speed an weighs 11.4kg.
- The C Line Utility is 3-speed and weighs 11.8kg
- The C Line Explore is 6-speed and weights 12.2kg
The Urban, Utility and Explore versions are available with three types of handlebar – low, mid and high – and three different seatpost lengths as well as four different saddle options. See below for further details on these options.
All three are offered with a luggage carrier block and mudguards fitted as standard and in a variety of colours: black, fire coral, house red, racing green, matcha green, cloud blue, black lacquer and flame lacquer.
Brompton Electric C Line
From £2,900 | View offer
Created in conjunction with F1 maker Williams, the Brompton Electric C Line is offered in Explore and Urban models. It’s narrow front hub drive is powered by a 300Wh battery that sits on the mount normally occupied by a front pannier.
Readily detachable, the great benefit of this system is it doesn’t compromise the foldability of the bike. With the battery popped over your shoulder, this leaves the bike on your arm just about manageable to carry.
- The Electric C Line Explore is 6-speed or 12-speed and weighs 17.4kg or 17.3kg.
- The Electric C Line Urban is 4-speed and weighs 15.6kg.
Both options come with a Brompton saddle with integrated carry handle and incorporate a mount for a Brompton rear light and saddle bag.
The Electric C Line Explore range is offered in different colours: flame lacquer, black lacquer, gloss black, turkish green, matcha green, fire coral, house red, cloud blue and racing green. The Electric C Line Urban range is offered in yuzu lime, ocean blue and dune sand.
Brompton P Line
£2,270 | View offer
Released in November 2021, the P Line features much of the same familiar makeup as the previous Brompton Superlight, but is designed to offer a lighter, faster ride with refined key elements.
- The P Line Urban is 4-speed and weighs 10kg.
- The P Line Explore is 12-speed and weighs 10.5kg.
Weighing around 10kg (nearly 2kg less than the A Line), the P Line is made from a combination of titanium and steel and can be folded into a package measuring 645mm × 585mm × 270mm.
The rear frame and fork are made from titanium, weighing a claimed 700g less than the all-steel equivalent, and comes with a redesigned suspension block.
The P Line also features a dual locking seatpost system which has two positions, either fully down which is ideal for storing, or halfway up which is meant for making it easy to transport the bike around a city.
The P Line is also available with a roller frame, which increases the weight by about 200g.
Brompton Electric P Line
£3,695 | View offer
The lightest electric Brompton bike ever, the P Line combines titanium frame elements with external 4-speed gearing for a low weight of 15.6kg. Saving around 3kg over the brand’s all-steel framed models, you will, of course, pay for the privilege. At around £700-£800 more than equivalent all-steel models, you’ll have to decide if the balance is right.
- The Electric P Line Urban is 4-speed and weighs 15.6kg.
- The Electric P Line Explore is 12-speed and weighs 16.3kg.
Using the same battery and hub motors as previous electric Bromptons, the assistance is pleasingly familiar. The battery is also removable and features a useful USB port for charging your devices.
While electrical assistance and titanium might be this bike’s headline selling points, the four-speed gearing is also worth mentioning. External rather than hub-based, it’s lighter and quicker to shift. And although you won’t be able to change gear while stationary, its sportier performance will better suit more athletic riders.
Like all the other models, the Electric P Line is also available with a roller frame at a weight of 15.9kg.
Brompton T Line
From £4,250
The lightest Brompton ever, the T Line weighs in at just 7.45kg for the One model, 7.95kg for the Urban model or 8.8kg for the Explore model. This is thanks to Brompton re-engineering 150 components on the bike to help with weight savings, and using titanium frames for the first time in history. These are handmade in Sheffield and then built in London.
- The T Line One is single speed and weighs 7.45kg
- The T Line Urban is 4-speed and weighs 7.95kg
- The T Line Explore is 12-speed and weighs 8.8kg
The handlebars and saddle are carbon fibre as is the seatpost, which has a protective steel shell. The carbon cranks have been created in association with FSA and feature a press-fit bottom bracket. The only part to have carried over from previous models is the brake levers.
The key utilitarian elements of the Brompton have been retained – its folding method, longevity and ride feel – but at around 3kg lighter than a regular steel Brompton, performance and everyday practicality has been stepped up a notch.
Brompton Options
Brompton handlebars
Three handlebar options are offered for the C Line and P Line range, and the different handlebars are useful for a rider’s height and style of riding.
Low
This flat handlebar is the lowest of the three. It’s suited to smaller riders or average size users after a more aggressive position. If you like a racier position on the bike and aren’t massively tall this is the one to go for.
Mid
The classic option. Not too upright, not too aggressive. Generally good for leisure riding or sedate commuting, it offers a more upright position for short riders or a more aggressive one for taller people.
High
The high bar provides the straight-back riding style found on traditional Dutch bikes. The go-to option for most very tall riders, anyone of medium height will find it easy on the neck and shoulders.
Brompton seatposts
Standard
The standard seatpost is for riders with an inside leg of 84cm/33in. It allows riders to get the saddle down as low as possible when folded.
Extended
The extended seatpost should suit riders with a maximum inside leg of 89cm/35in so is for those just a bit taller than the standard seatpost.
Telescopic
Aimed at taller riders with an inside leg of 89-99cm/35in-39in, the telescopic seatpost is for those with the longest of legs.
Brompton saddles
Brompton saddle
A standard feature for the A Line, the Brompton saddle comes in at 147mm and with an integrated carry handle. It also incorporates a mount for a Brompton rear light and saddle bag.
Brompton wide saddle
The wide version of the Brompton saddle boasts a larger seated area for added comfort and support (167mm). Like it’s narrower counterpart it comes with an integrated carry handle and incorporates a mount for a Brompton rear light and saddle bag.
Brooks B17
The B17 is made from thick leather and includes copper-pleated rails and hammered-copper rivets. It is Brooks’ flagship model and Brompton says it is ideal for log distance sports touring, trekking and ATB use.
It comes in both male and female specific versions.
Superlight
The P and T Line bikes come with Superlight and Superlight Carbon saddles, which weigh 280g and 100g respectively, and the Superlight Carbon has a grippy texture on the underside to make it even easier to carry.
Brompton lights
Battery lights
Brompton offers a range of conventional lights. These are either made by Busch and Müller or created by Brompton to fit directly onto the bike’s rear rack.
USB lights
Some Bromptons come with USB-rechargeable front lights made by CatEye (shown above) that can be easily removed from their mount above the front wheel.
Dynamo
This system uses a high-quality Shutter Products SV-8 hub dynamo to offer a reliable fixed lighting solution. This means you’re never at risk of a flat battery, though cost, weight and the efficiency of modern battery lights count against it.
Brompton tyres
Most Bromptons come with Schwalbe Marathon Racer tyres – a good thing too as we feel these offer the ideal balance of protection and ride feel.
The Brompton A Line uses 349 × 35C puncture resistant Schwalbe Marathon Race tyres which has a reflective sidewall.
Some riders like fitting lighter and narrower Schwalbe Kojaks. However, given the work such a diminutive tyre has to do, we prefer something more durable.
Another alternative is to go the opposite way and fit puncture-resistant Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres. In our experience, these are a pig to get on, which combined with their increased weight means we aren’t fans.
Continental Contact Urban tyres come with the lighter models as they save weight through a Kevlar bead, they also add grip in varying conditions.
Brompton luggage
The best place to carry weight on the Brompton is via its front carrying block, which is attached directly to the head tube. Once here it won’t adversely affect the steering, and if anything actually makes the bike more stable to ride.
Brompton now makes a huge range of different panniers, while brands like Carradice, Ortlieb and even the Cambridge Satchel Company also produce options.
Brompton special editions
Brompton produces regular special editions with limited runs and custom paint jobs. Recent examples include the adventure-focused Brompton x Bear Grylls C Line Explore shown above and the CHPT3 edition created in collaboration with former pro cyclist David Millar.
Ordering a custom Brompton
Bromptons can normally be built to your exact specification at no extra cost through Brompton’s Bike Builder service. Lead times for this service have varied over the years between a couple of weeks to three months.
However, Covid-related demand has seen Brompton cancel this service for the time being. This means you’ll have to hold off on ordering or buy a stock model from a retailer.
Brompton servicing
Brompton controls more of the manufacture of its bicycles than any other bike maker we know of. It keeps a complete range of spares, and Bromptons are therefore Land Rover-like in their ability to roll through the decades.
While most workshops or home mechanics will be able to fix the majority of problems, some occasional jobs like replacing hinge bushing or seatpost shims are best tackled by a trained service centre.
Shopping for a commuter? If you don’t need to fold, consider a single-speed bike for fun and simplicity.