Brompton goes gravel

The weight of these and folded size makes it a non-starter for me, although I think they look great and will probably work well for proper rough stuff.

Hired a c-line Explore for a couple of months to see how I got on with it on the train into Victoria and nipping across to the office in Liverpool St. Love how easy it is to fold and great fun to ride, but 6 spds was overkill and it was getting on the heavy side for lugging around.

Have ended up buying the 2 spd Urban in BRG and it’s perfect.

Very impressed with Brompton’s hire scheme.

Sadly the two speed is going to be dropped. Doubling down on the four speed rear derailleur. Mine will likely be a T-line single speed with 4:1 gearing 56×14. Or a used S2LX, which are very hard to find.

I seldom folded my Rhino fully, but 20” wheels and FS took me around Swinley on many occasions. I was sad when it was stolen, but didn’t replace it. I’m sure the G-line rides well. But my it is heavy. Brompton do beautiful steel, but steel is not light.

So a TG-line is the one to wait for?

It’s not light, no.

How light do you think it could reasonably be and still be strong enough to do the job?

If you want light then a folder isn’t going to work, you have to compromise somewhere.

You won’t be carrying a. G-line. Anywhere. you will be lifting it out of a car or off a train (then unfolding on the platform). I think my FS Rhino was about 10-11 kg. Alloy frame makes a big difference. No hinge. Same Alfine hub. Not sure I get the strength argument. Smaller wheels are stronger, not all folders have a fold in the frame; Birdy for example.

Two kilos lighter, folds, 20” wheels, hand made steel. https://bikepacking.com/bikes/bike-friday-all-packa-review/

T-Line is 7.5kgs compared to a standard Brompton at 12kgs so thats in the frame, stem & forks.  G-Line is 15kgs so must have quite a beefed up frame. I guess when the Ti G-Line inevitably comes out with Carbon forks it will be nearer to 11kgs which is better but I bet it will be closer to £6k. Bonkers.

The g line will have loads of little weight penalties. Rims, tyres, brakes to name but a few.

The grading range is huge on the Alfine (just over 300%). Plus it looks like its quite high gearing. The guess is that it will start at 34 inches. But as they haven’t publicised the sprocket size nobody knows

But as they haven’t publicised the sprocket size nobody knows

Ask nicely and I’ll go and count them.  Brompton Junction Covent Garden is 300m from my new office. I might take a test ride too. I won’t be buying one though.

When I rode my Rhino, I liked the Alfine. So much that the Genesis IO I replaced it with had the same hub. But then I discovered single speed and never went back. The biggest issue for off road was the limited range of decent 406 tyres. That now seems better. Brompton basically reinvented 16” tyres. The old 16” was not the same ERTO (305 vs. 349) and decent tyres for that size are still very limited. My Tactiv has that size

One point you won’t see is that the powder coating is mentioned as robust. The Junction test C-range have the same, and it wears off at the fold clamp pretty easily. Expect the same

I don’t commute so I don’t need a Brompton

I already have a gravel bike so I don’t need a Brompton gravel

I already have too many bikes and have absolutely no good reason to want or need one of these

I really, really want one and bike to work is about to become available to me again…..

Not sure I get the strength argument

Well look at a Brompton compared to the Bike Friday. The frame in particular.

Trusses are lighter than equivalent (strength and stiffness) beams.

I’m not hating on the Brompton, just pointing out why it necessitates being heavier.

https://strava.app.link/B9lco4lxoNb

Took one for a spin. Gearing on the demos is 52×20 and I needed 6(/8) on the flat. It’s heavy but rides well. You won’t be happy carrying it up stairs.

took one for a whizz around London today – ride is very non Brompton.

odd that they did not design though for 2.5″ wide tyres

My wife’s very happy with hers, arrived a couple of weeks ago and we’re just back from a week nr Aviemore where it coped admirably with the gravel as expected. Makes travelling with 4 bikes much easier even with a van. It’s heavyish for what it is but not ridiculous but rides great, looks cool and got a few interested parties asking about it, such a well designed thing too!

Took one for a spin. Gearing on the demos is 52×20 and I needed 6(/8) on the flat. It’s heavy but rides well. You won’t be happy carrying it up stairs.

So i think this is the gearing. Based on a 44mm tyre as that was the closest. Looks like a better compromise than i expected