Brompton Electric P-Line review: Compact electric folding bike with a titanium rear frame

The ideal electric folding bike for travelling by bus and train?

Whether it’s a stylish single-speed bike or a high-tech e-SUV: when your commute gets long, nothing beats the little Brompton. In just a few simple steps, the Electric P Line can be folded down to the size of a small wheeled suitcase.

The design is as unique as it is tried and tested. Ride quality isn’t the primary consideration. Instead, the P-Line can be folded down to the size of a small wheeled suitcase in just a few simple steps, making it easy to take on buses and trains – often without even needing a ticket.

The battery bag is also designed with everyday commuting in mind: it sits in front of the head tube, can be removed and comfortably slung over the shoulder. As well as the battery, it offers storage space for smaller items up to about the size of a tablet. If you want to reduce the pack size even further, you can also remove the outer pedal using a click mechanism.

​However, Brompton’s success in particular also has an emotional side to it. These London-made bikes have attracted a loyal following, with some riders even taking them on round-the-world trips. The Electric P-Line is a standout model in the range, boasting a compact and sporty design. For added comfort, there is also the heavier G-Line, It’s cheaper with the C-Line.

Sophisticated folding mechanism, compact pack size

The distinctive Brompton folding mechanism may seem complex at first, but once you’ve had a chance to get used to it, it’s quick and easy to operate. The rear triangle, main frame and head tube are folded in one after the other. The result is one of the most compact folded dimensions on the market.

To park the bike, the rear wheel is swung under the frame. The Brompton does not have a traditional side stand. Small castors on the luggage rack make it easier to manoeuvre the bike when folded. The rack can carry up to ten kilograms, but due to its small dimensions, it requires specialised or particularly small panniers.

Electric P Line with titanium rear triangle and carbon fork

The Electric P Line is one of the lightest and sportiest models in the Brompton range. Its main frame is made of steel, whilst the rear triangle is made of titanium. The design is complemented by a carbon rigid fork.

Without the battery, the P Line weighs just over 12.5 kilograms. This means it is not only relatively easy to carry, but can also be ridden comfortably over shorter distances without motor assistance. This is handy when the battery is flat or you want to save power deliberately.

The frame features an elastomer on the locking mechanism. Combined with the frame’s inherent flexibility, this prevents the Brompton from feeling excessively stiff or uncomfortable to ride, despite its narrow tyres.

New Brompton e-Motiq motor in the rear wheel

On the current Electric P Line, the Brompton e-Motiq motor is housed in the rear wheel hub. Its assistance remains subtle and unobtrusive. Rather than providing a powerful e-bike boost, the motor gives the sensation of a constant tailwind.

This suits the folding bike’s intended use perfectly: in city traffic and on longer commutes, the motor provides a pleasant boost without detracting from the bike’s light handling. However, it doesn’t deliver a great deal of power straight away when setting off. In this case, the rider needs to pedal a little harder or use the start-up assist.

The removable battery has a capacity of 345 Wh. The system is operated via Brompton’s Handlebar Control on the handlebars.

What’s the Brompton Electric P Line like to ride?

With its 16-inch wheels, the Electric P Line steers with remarkable precision. This makes it manoeuvrable on narrow roads and in heavy city traffic, but naturally results in a somewhat twitchy ride at higher speeds. Anyone who has only ever ridden bikes with large wheels will need a bit of time to get used to it.

The ride comfort is surprisingly good. Despite the Continental Contact Urban tyres being just 35 millimetres wide, the Brompton doesn’t feel uncomfortably stiff to ride. The one-size-fits-all design is suitable for riders between approximately 1.60 and 1.85 metres tall. Nevertheless, a test ride is particularly important before buying: with the Brompton, the riding position, handlebar height and its unique handling characteristics really do need to suit the rider.

Four gears for city driving

The in-house four-speed derailleur is easy to use and offers a range of gears suitable for city riding and commuting. However, the gear ratio range is limited for steep climbs or sporty rides.

The cockpit impresses with its good ergonomics. By contrast, some of the design details appear to be of lower quality. These include the simple nuts on the rear axle and the cantilever rim brakes. The latter provide decent braking performance and are presumably a result of the compact folding mechanism, but they do not quite match the high purchase price of the electric folding bike.

Added to this are occasional rattling noises: both the battery compartment and the locking mechanism can make themselves heard whilst riding.

The Brompton Electric P Line at a glance

Strengths

• very compact folded size
• a well-designed and tried-and-tested folding mechanism
• relatively low weight
• Titanium rear triangle and carbon fork
• surprisingly good ride comfort
• subtle motor assistance
• can still be ridden reasonably well even without a battery
• ideal for taking on buses and trains

Weaknesses

• unsteady handling due to the small wheels
• The battery compartment and locking mechanism rattle occasionally
• simple cantilever rim brakes
• not much assistance when pulling away
• not the best choice for long trips
• high price