Cycling Weekly

We Took A Brompton To A 66km Gravel Event! Folding Bike vs Gravel Bike Ride

The video documents a real‑world test of Brompton’s newest G‑Line and G‑Line Electric folding bicycles in the 66‑kilometre Suffuk Gravel X event, pitting the compact city bike against a typical gravel‑bike course of fire roads and mixed terrain. Both riders highlight the G‑Line’s 14.1‑kg steel frame, 20‑inch wheels, 54‑to‑chainring and eight‑speed drivetrain, while the electric version adds a 250 W hub motor and a 345 Wh front‑mounted battery promising up to 50 miles of assisted range. Despite the added weight, the bikes maintained an average speed around 18 mph, with the motor kicking in on climbs and the battery still holding charge at the finish. Key moments include the CEO’s podcast remarks that Brompton aims to attract new demographics beyond city commuters, the claim that the G‑Line is “the most capable Brompton ever,” and the observation that every bolt is torqued with a Raspberry Pi‑controlled workstation, underscoring the brand’s precision engineering. Riders also note the bike’s ability to fold to briefcase size even after a full gravel day, and the electric model’s front duffel‑style battery serving as cargo space. The successful completion demonstrates that a folding bike can tackle gravel routes, expanding Brompton’s perceived use‑case from pure urban commuting to weekend adventure riding. This could broaden the market for portable, high‑quality bikes and encourage other manufacturers to develop versatile, foldable models for mixed‑terrain use.