Brompton Electric T-Line Folding Electric Bicycle Review: Pocket-Sized Pedal Power

Disappointingly, Brompton hasn’t fixed the T Line Electric immoderate much velocity for US-based riders, truthful I’m acrophobic you’re constricted to the UK velocity bounds of 15.5 mph alternatively of the Class 1 pedal assistance maximum of 20 mph.

I archetypal came crossed the e-Motiq strategy successful 2024, erstwhile I tested the larger 20-inch Brompton G Line. This almighty rear-mounted motor, which tin deed 20 mph, offered a much unchangeable thrust compared to the front-mounted design, and being pushed decidedly feels much earthy than being pulled along. The redesign besides keeps the value astatine the rear, truthful the folding mechanics remains balanced.

There are 3 power-assist levels disposable here, positive Push Assist (more connected that below), and the e-Motiq strategy besides adjusts based connected your ain riding style. It monitors pedal unit and cadence. How often you halt and commencement and implicit your archetypal 62 miles connected the motorcycle tweaks however the powerfulness is used. This isn’t to eke retired out other mileage, but to marque your thrust smoother and much natural.

During testing, I hardly noticed immoderate changes arsenic I racked up the miles, but I was earnestly impressed by however mean the motorcycle felt. Well, mean for a marginally wobbly upright plan with tiny 16-inch wheels. Yes, determination was a surge of powerfulness arsenic I started to pedal, but the archetypal acceleration was controlled. It felt much similar I’d supercharged my legs, alternatively than strapped a centrifugal to my bike.

My trial motorcycle was single-speed, but determination is besides a four-speed enactment available. Riding astir London, I did not request much than 1 cogwheel arsenic the centrifugal conscionable takes the effort retired of immoderate hills. Endless postulation besides means it’s harder to transcend apical velocity for long, but erstwhile the roadworthy did open, I was impressed by however easy it was capable to modulation betwixt assisting and backing disconnected the powerfulness to instrumentality to 15.5 mph. I tin lone speculate, but connected America's bigger roads, I deliberation I’d privation 4 gears. I’d besides privation a boost successful the velocity assistance limit. It’s a shame Brompton lone thought to see 1 of those things.

I besides rode a fewer miles without the artillery pack, and was pleasantly surprised. It weighs little than my aged alloy Brompton, and feels overmuch nicer to carry, too. I hauled the Electric T Line e-Motiq up countless stairs, onto the London Underground, slung it successful the trunk of a taxi astatine 2 AM, and lone near it successful a edifice cloakroom once. It is airy and tiny capable to conscionable transportation with you, and it’s besides costly capable that you’ll ne'er fastener it up and permission it connected the street.

I’ve besides been capable to thrust the nonelectric titanium Brompton T-Line, which astatine 17.64 pounds, was astir laughably light. If you don’t request electrical power, it is the cleanable commuter bike.

Control, Extras, and Competition

It’s tiny, but the handlebar-mounted controller does immoderate chill things. There’s a start-assist button, that if you property conscionable earlier you acceptable disconnected astatine postulation lights, oregon deed a elevation for instance, volition springiness you a almighty propulsion to get you started. It's not a throttle—you request to beryllium stationary though for it to footwear in.