I think this bike is brilliant, I like the main cable being routed through the bike frame and the fact that the demo shows it can easily be removed along with other components of the electric system for repair or replacement. This ensures that when these bikes are out of warranty, parts can be dismantled, inspected, repaired, or replaced. The Brompton channel has lots of videos on maintenance and repair of their bikes and this one will be no different, parts and upgrade parts will be easily sourced for these bikes thanks to the Brompton supply chain . If you cant repair it yourself, then your bike mechanic with the help of a video can. The 4 speed with the motor could be a perfect combination, I look forward to the review and comparison to other Bromptons and other e-bikes, none of which are perfect. I always adapt to the bike I keep making my bike perfect for me. The only reason I don't have one of these is because its out of my price range, and that's a me problem! 😃
Your assumption of why Brompton switch the motor position to the rear is correct. For loose surfaces, front wheel motor is bad. The load is mostly on the back wheel so front wheel motor would spin like crazy. I know that from experience as I rode several front hub motor bikes and I fell on one precisely because of that. There was some sand on the road bend and when I hit the pedals, the wheel just spun and slid and I was on my side sliding.
It will be interesting when they get out in the wild. The torque sensor doesn't know how fast the bike is going, there's a sensor in the wheel to measure speed afaik. I have a bike with a similar set up to this (suntour Hesc) and my observation is that the motor works best when it's lightly loaded and spinning fast (the reduction gear in the hub shell is fixed). My bike definitely starts to sound like its struggling on 10%+ That's big advantage of a mid-drive bike, the motor get's to use same gears as your legs, if that makes sense? So it will come down to whether they engineered it for climbing or just for pottering around. I use the assist level just as you'd use a front mech. That's partly a battery saving measure but it also what feels most natural, so it's definitely nice to have cockpit controls for that.
Gear inches is 52? (50/18) and 90 (50/11) I think my c-line with smaller chain ring is about 25->78, so its geared pretty tall in comparison which might be clue to its intended use. The battery is 345Wh. My rear hub motor, bike which is also geared quite tall I can get about 50km with 600m of climbing from a full battery (420Wh) but I'm 100kg and not really that fit. It'll also be interesting to see how easy it is to ride the bike with the motor switched off. Mine feels a bit like riding through treacle. It's not impossible, it's just not very fun. Hope you get yours soon!
Most interesting aspect to me is the inclusion of a third, unused, electrical port at the front. Maybe Brompton will create something for the handlebars to change power setting on the move. The current system of buttons on the top of the battery is archaic and dangerous. Regarding where the motor is located an off road e-bike needs power delivered to the rear wheel AND wide gear range. If Brompton developed the Electric G from the ground up you’d think they would have designed this bike with a crank motor.
My guess is that Brompton reached their decisions for good reasons. Virtually every time a pundit criticises, I’ve already read the actual answer from the company or Brompton quickly explain their logic. I’ve had my 6 speed for nearly ten years and tyres and brake blocks are all I’ve replaced. I’d not change a thing.
@ yes, I agree. In the case of the G Line Electric, as with the original Brompton Electric, the budget precluded a redesign with the result that Brompton produced a capable variant that is, however, less than ideal. It is to be hoped that the G Line’s battery connector remains connected when riding over rough tarmac!
@ Brompton would have to design an e-bike ‘from the ground up’, in other words designed around the central hub motor. Whether their existing fold design could fit is an open question. With regards the current G line electric with measly four derailleur gears, they should at least be offering many more gears on this bigger 20” wheel.
The electric line makes sense; it’s frankly ridiculous that people buy a bike designed for last mile travel, but use it in scenarios that is anything but last mile. I want a folding bike so that I can break it out to my destination when I get off the bike without perspiring. I don’t want a folding bike so that I can cycle the ENTIRE journey to my destination. Anything but the electric version is, imo, self-contradictory.
The fact thad this G Line electric is nearly useless without electric Power ( only 4 speed for this heavy bike ) makes it a no for me. I need a electric Version, so i stay with the electric C Line 12 speed. No problem to use it without Motor Power.
I am learning from your videos , not being critical it’s just how I see it , could I be wrong of course , seeing what happened to your P -line in regards to the rear triangle damage and listening to Brompton’s explanation was like listening to a two year old child with chocolate covered hands and small hand prints on the fridge door , when asked have you been to the fridge looking for chocolate no is the answer, I mention once before when you talked to the gentleman At kinetics and yes on your video he said that Brompton are going to have issues with titanium in the future , I have heard since from a few people that has had issues with the same problem as you had , yes I know it doesn’t relate to this video but as soon as you said they’re updating the software straight away thought = so they make a bike from scratch launch to the market and the delay is down to updating the software, sounds like lots of hands covered in chocolate to me , personally if I was purchasing the G -line I would of opted for the eight gear Alfine hub and purchased an electric front wheel = best of both worlds , we all tend to see things differently = no right or wrong .
I think this bike is brilliant, I like the main cable being routed through the bike frame and the fact that the demo shows it can easily be removed along with other components of the electric system for repair or replacement. This ensures that when these bikes are out of warranty, parts can be dismantled, inspected, repaired, or replaced. The Brompton channel has lots of videos on maintenance and repair of their bikes and this one will be no different, parts and upgrade parts will be easily sourced for these bikes thanks to the Brompton supply chain . If you cant repair it yourself, then your bike mechanic with the help of a video can. The 4 speed with the motor could be a perfect combination, I look forward to the review and comparison to other Bromptons and other e-bikes, none of which are perfect. I always adapt to the bike I keep making my bike perfect for me. The only reason I don't have one of these is because its out of my price range, and that's a me problem! 😃
Your assumption of why Brompton switch the motor position to the rear is correct. For loose surfaces, front wheel motor is bad. The load is mostly on the back wheel so front wheel motor would spin like crazy. I know that from experience as I rode several front hub motor bikes and I fell on one precisely because of that. There was some sand on the road bend and when I hit the pedals, the wheel just spun and slid and I was on my side sliding.
It will be interesting when they get out in the wild. The torque sensor doesn't know how fast the bike is going, there's a sensor in the wheel to measure speed afaik. I have a bike with a similar set up to this (suntour Hesc) and my observation is that the motor works best when it's lightly loaded and spinning fast (the reduction gear in the hub shell is fixed). My bike definitely starts to sound like its struggling on 10%+ That's big advantage of a mid-drive bike, the motor get's to use same gears as your legs, if that makes sense? So it will come down to whether they engineered it for climbing or just for pottering around. I use the assist level just as you'd use a front mech. That's partly a battery saving measure but it also what feels most natural, so it's definitely nice to have cockpit controls for that.
Gear inches is 52? (50/18) and 90 (50/11) I think my c-line with smaller chain ring is about 25->78, so its geared pretty tall in comparison which might be clue to its intended use. The battery is 345Wh. My rear hub motor, bike which is also geared quite tall I can get about 50km with 600m of climbing from a full battery (420Wh) but I'm 100kg and not really that fit. It'll also be interesting to see how easy it is to ride the bike with the motor switched off. Mine feels a bit like riding through treacle. It's not impossible, it's just not very fun. Hope you get yours soon!
Most interesting aspect to me is the inclusion of a third, unused, electrical port at the front. Maybe Brompton will create something for the handlebars to change power setting on the move. The current system of buttons on the top of the battery is archaic and dangerous.
Regarding where the motor is located an off road e-bike needs power delivered to the rear wheel AND wide gear range. If Brompton developed the Electric G from the ground up you’d think they would have designed this bike with a crank motor.
My guess is that Brompton reached their decisions for good reasons. Virtually every time a pundit criticises, I’ve already read the actual answer from the company or Brompton quickly explain their logic.
I’ve had my 6 speed for nearly ten years and tyres and brake blocks are all I’ve replaced. I’d not change a thing.
@ yes, I agree. In the case of the G Line Electric, as with the original Brompton Electric, the budget precluded a redesign with the result that Brompton produced a capable variant that is, however, less than ideal. It is to be hoped that the G Line’s battery connector remains connected when riding over rough tarmac!
Where would you put a crank motor? It’s so tight, I don’t think one exists on the market.
@ Brompton would have to design an e-bike ‘from the ground up’, in other words designed around the central hub motor. Whether their existing fold design could fit is an open question.
With regards the current G line electric with measly four derailleur gears, they should at least be offering many more gears on this bigger 20” wheel.
The electric line makes sense; it’s frankly ridiculous that people buy a bike designed for last mile travel, but use it in scenarios that is anything but last mile.
I want a folding bike so that I can break it out to my destination when I get off the bike without perspiring. I don’t want a folding bike so that I can cycle the ENTIRE journey to my destination. Anything but the electric version is, imo, self-contradictory.
The fact thad this G Line electric is nearly useless without electric Power ( only 4 speed for this heavy bike ) makes it a no for me. I need a electric Version, so i stay with the electric C Line 12 speed. No problem to use it without Motor Power.
Yes, love my C- line 6 speed electric. Rides great without power.
I am learning from your videos , not being critical it’s just how I see it , could I be wrong of course , seeing what happened to your P -line in regards to the rear triangle damage and listening to Brompton’s explanation was like listening to a two year old child with chocolate covered hands and small hand prints on the fridge door , when asked have you been to the fridge looking for chocolate no is the answer, I mention once before when you talked to the gentleman At kinetics and yes on your video he said that Brompton are going to have issues with titanium in the future , I have heard since from a few people that has had issues with the same problem as you had , yes I know it doesn’t relate to this video but as soon as you said they’re updating the software straight away thought = so they make a bike from scratch launch to the market and the delay is down to updating the software, sounds like lots of hands covered in chocolate to me , personally if I was purchasing the G -line I would of opted for the eight gear Alfine hub and purchased an electric front wheel = best of both worlds , we all tend to see things differently = no right or wrong .
I honestly have no interest, as I will never buy one, so I hardly care! Finn. Denmark
So you came here to tell everyone?? What a life you lead….