Brompton is known for its folding bikes – they fold up small and are very sporty to ride. No comparison to most folding bikes. They are ideal for commuting, but also pack well in boats and RVs. With the triumph of e-bikes, all well-known manufacturers of folding bikes came under pressure. The motor and battery made the bikes bulkier and heavier – the image of commuters tucking their bikes loosely under their arms no longer fitted.
Now Brompton has launched a new model. Thanks to consistent lightweight construction and the use of titanium, the “Electric P Line Urban” weighs 15.6 kg with the built-in battery – and 12.7 kg without it. The main frame, front frame, fork and handlebar mount are made of steel, the rear frame and some attachments are made of titanium.
“We are thrilled to launch the Brompton Electric P Line,” said the company’s CEO, Will Butler-Adams. “This is the most compact electric folding bike on the market – and the culmination of years of research and development. By using elements of our in-house developed components, which are also used in the P Line and T Line models, this bike is really light and portable.”
“E-bikes are important for expanding access to cycling, as they allow more people to cycle further distances they might not otherwise travel. We are proud to launch a lightweight yet incredibly compact e-bike. bike – and we can’t wait to see people ride it.”
Front wheel drive
In order to make this possible, Brompton does not use a mid-engine, as offered by the big manufacturers such as Bosch, Bose and Yamaha. The Electric P Line is equipped with a compact and light 250 W front wheel hub motor that offers pedal assistance in three power levels. As always in the EU area, the speed limit is 25 km/h. While the engine drives the front wheel, the rider acts on the chain on the rear wheel. There it is supported by a specially developed 4-speed gear system.
In principle, an electric rear-wheel drive has advantages – in practice they have an effect on a mountain bike on the trail, in urban use on covered roads the difference is hardly noticeable. To save weight, the battery only holds 330 watt hours, which should be enough for 30 to 70 km. The current Bosch batteries store 500 or 625 Wh. The battery is fully charged again in four hours. The time is halved with a more powerful SuperFast charger.
The battery sits on the handlebar and is stowed in a pocket. The bag can be removed with a handle and can then be carried over the shoulder.
Ideal for commuters
The bike weighs 15.6 kg with the battery. E-folding bikes from the competition usually range well over 20 kilograms. The folding size of 645 x 565 x 270 millimeters is just as important. The Brompton wheels can be folded and pushed on special wheels. If the bike will be pushed over long distances, Brompton recommends the optional Rollerpack. The price of the Electric P Line Urban is 4200 euros – so small does not mean cheap. Good folding e-bikes are always more expensive than normal e-bikes.
The Electric P Line Urban is recommended for fans of the cult brand and for commuters who not only ride the bike, but also carry and push it regularly. If the bike is only to be folded up occasionally to save space and only rarely has to be carried, the more powerful models are more interesting.