The Brompton is a design classic, there’s no denying it. It’s probably what most people think of when you say ‘folding bike’, which puts it in a territory approaching things like ‘Hoover’ where brand names become so synonymous with a certain product they become the name for that product.
For a time there was only ‘a Brompton’, and it was never a case of ‘which Brompton’, but now the company has four distinct models, from the basic A-Line to the all-titanium T-Line, not including any electric models and special editions. The P-Line is a relatively new edition to the Brompton range and it sits between the standard C-Line, and the extremely flashy T-Line. It features a half-steel, half-titanium construction for weight saving, and the proprietary four-speed derailleur from the Ti model too. Is it that perfect bowl of porridge; the comfortable middle bed between the budget and the hyper-premium, or is it in fact a slightly confused product that solves a problem that doesn’t exist? Does it get into our list of the best folding bikes? Let’s find out.
Design and aesthetics
The first Polish dictionary from the 1700s didn’t mess about. Its definition of a horse was “Everyone knows what a horse is”. I’d wager everyone knows what a Brompton is too. The silhouette, shared between all the models, is iconic: A chunky, low slung toptube connecting two 16in wheels that sit beneath a hugely protruding seatpost and an equally lofty stem. Narrow handlebars of varying heights round out the front end, along with an integrated set of rolling wheels for when it’s folded.
It’s clearly a well-considered design, as you’d expect for a brand with such heritage that’s undergone many iterations. The hinges are robust, and it folds away to a diminutive size. The P-Line is only available in grey and black, though there is a slight flake to the paint such that in bright sunshine, it pops. The forks and rear triangle are painted flat black, so as to mark them out as different in their non-ferrous nature.
Slightly rudimentary own-brand rim brakes and a welcome square taper crankset (the ideal standard for a commuter) finish off the build, along with Schwalbe One tyres and a proprietary saddle which comes with a soft padded area under the nose for more ergonomic carrying as you lug it up some stairs.
The main departure from the…
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