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TECH NEWS
Brompton T Line 2Brompton drops its ‘lightest bike ever’: new 7.45kg titanium version of iconic folding bike revealed
Brompton has redesigned its iconic folding bike to create its lightest version ever that - at 7.45kg - weighs a whopping 37% less than the original all-steel equivalent, “setting a new benchmark for folding bikes in lightness, ride performance and robustness” so Brompton says.
> 6 of the best folding bikes for 2021
The new lightweight titanium Brompton T Line is the result of three years of development and research, and is available in a single-speed or four-speed spec.
“At the new facility in Sheffield, the frame is precision-engineered in titanium, then orbital and tig-welded for strength,” says Brompton.
“The T Line is comparable to a carbon road bike, yet, it can be comfortably ridden by a 110kg rugby player and withstand the punishing impact of the city,” claims Brompton.
> Best casual cycling commuter wear – check out our buyer’s guide
The new titanium model features a patent-pending drivetrain that has been designed ground-up to sit inside the fold, as well as to be as light as possible.
The carbon crankset has been included to save weight and “give greater power transfer”, while the 60g derailleur is said to deliver smooth shifting in a small package. The T Line Urban model also comes with a new gear ratio - it is equipped with a 50T chainring and 11-13-15-18T sprockets.
> Review: Brompton S6L
Brompton has also used Tubolito’s S-Tubo lightweight 34g tubes for folding bikes, which have a reduced wall thickness to save weight over standard butyl tube options.
> Review: Tubolito Tubo Road 700C inner tubes
Another one of Brompton’s big claims is that the new T Line is the first bike in the world with a steel-armoured carbon seat post.
“Ordinary carbon seat posts are stiff, strong and lightweight, but they can't stand up to the daily use of a folding bike,” the brand notes.
“Brompton’s design engineers have developed a new process to reinforce the limitations of carbon with 0.3mm steel armour.
“The result is a superlight seat post that can take the abrasion of the fold, 110kg load and all-weather riding.”
What else? Well, Brompton says it’s also managed to make this model faster to fold and easier to carry.
You’ve got new self-aligning hinges which, according to Brompton, are always "set-to-go". Then there’s the spring-loaded handlebar catch that is said to click effortlessly, and an easy-grab carbon saddle with an integrated nose handle.
Perhaps leaving existing Brompton owners in a bit of a quandary (i.e. making every effort to persuade them to splash out on this new and improved version) Brompton boasts: “Nothing folds like this Brompton, not even other Bromptons."
We're promised a seriously fun ride too: “Carbon cranks and cast Ti bottom bracket shift your power for a faster ride,” Brompton points out.
“Naturally, shock-absorbing titanium smooths out the road.
“The one-piece carbon fork and wider carbon handlebars make it stiffer and even more responsive.”
The bike is available in two specifications, each with the option of a low and mid-rise handlebar fit:
- T Line One (£3,750): Singlespeed - this one is the lightest Brompton has ever made.
- T Line Urban (£3,950): Featuring a compact 4-speed gearing system optimised for city riding.
The new Brompton T Line is exclusively available via a ballot system on Brompton.com, and through selected Brompton Junction stores including the one in London.
Anna has been hooked on bikes ever since her youthful beginnings at Hillingdon Cycle Circuit. As an avid road and track racer, she reached the heady heights of a ProCyclingStats profile before leaving for university. Having now completed an MA in Multimedia Journalism, she’s hoping to add some (more successful) results. Although her greatest wish is for the broader acceptance of wearing funky cycling socks over the top of leg warmers.
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29 comments
So it seems a chunk of that weight saving is from ditching the sturmey-archer 3-speed hub... and a lighter saddle.
Not just a Ti frame, they've actually gone to town on the whole thing.
Bear in mind you could always get a single and a 2 speed without the sturmey. Looks like they've made the chain tensioner behave even more like a derailleur than on the 2 speed.
Shut up and take my money.
The new one is very, very light. I've seen one of the prototypes. I should've taken it for a spin round the block when I had the chance in November.
If you "splash out" on a bike for "all weather riding" without mudguards - you're going to get wet.
Dammit.... Just when I thought I didn't need another Ti bike in my life.... *cries in wallet and wife conversation*
I'll run my steel 2019 S6L into the ground, and then (realistically, in 20+ years knowing how long the things last) see what the T-Line has become.... Might be a one off but I doubt it...
I hope it didn't get dinted when they dropped it
Always thought the Ti rear triangle was nonsense....and the new 7kg one is only twice the price of a normall 11kg Brompton. Bargain. That's about £500 per kilo reduction.... cheap by normal cycling standards....
"Brompton drops its ‘lightest bike ever’"
Thankfully very easy to pick back up again.
I thought the headline meant Brompton had just ceased production of this model! I see I was wrong.
Of course with the different wheel size, those numbers don't speak their worth straight off the page. It would be helpful if they were also quoted in inches for the older folk, maybe in "700c equivalent" for the youngsters. Otherwise it's a bit like being told your smartphone camera has a 4.3mm focal length - anyone's guess whether that translates as a super wide angle or a telephoto. I s'pose I could "do the math".
Boomer!
/with greatest respect, from another boomer
Boomer? Bulge Baby for those of us born in the UK!I'd guess the majority of people in the Brompton market wouldn't have much idea what it meant on a bike running 700c anyway.
Yes - do the math.
And then post up the results up here, so I don't have to. TIA.
You'll have to tell me the wheel diameter!
ETRTO of 35-349 tyre is 1315 mm. That works out to the following...
Gear inches: 45.8, 54.9, 63.4, 74.9
Meters of development: 3.65, 4.38, 5.06, 5.98
Taking the diameter ratio, this would be equivalent to a bike with the same sprockets driving a 700c x 38 mm tyre with a 30 tooth chainring.
It's a fairly useful range. I'd prefer a low gear below 40 gear inches, but I can get around on my single speed and it's 62 gear inches, so I'd probably manage.
This is helpful. Sheldon suggests that the lowest gear Brompton Gear is a smidge higher than 50x30 on 700c. Which to me is a little higher than I'd like too.
quite a bit higher than I'd like too.
On the one hand if it's only used for short trips around town it may not need the gearing range for big hills, but on the other hand, if that's the case, does it need to be so light?
If it's carried on and off a train including up and down stairs to an island platform before that short town trip, or up and down stairs to an Underground line, being light could make it a lot more pleasant. And if it isn't used for a multi-mode commute, does it need to fold so small?
Paddington is a greate example of this. Randomly sized bike racks on trains including tiny ones on the Intercity replacements for which a Brommy is the only comfortable fit. 1 Storey stepped exit if you are going West to Paddington Basin & Little Venice. (Lift is miles away). Steps back down to H&C line.
I swear I ended up with one bicep bigger than the other.
Thats a fair point, but I have noticed people take their bromptons into the office and keep them under their desk, but I'm sure I'd get some strange looks if I brought my road bike inside.
ETRTO of 35-349 tyre equates to 16" wheel in olde money, which is standard for a Brompton.
A 45"-75" gear range seems OK for its intended purpose but not wildly impressive for a bike costing £4,000. Perhaps they can squeeze something larger than 18". Or perhaps not. But if you can afford £4k for a folding city bike then you'll surely have several others with more appropriate gearing for longer hilly/fast rides.
The 50x12 singlespeed's 67" seems a touch on the high side.
But it's good to see them innovating and if this Ti model gets more people interested in the brand and the folding bike market then that is surely a good thing.
Nice. Good to see Brompton innovating for a change. Always felt they were a bit stuck in the mud. (Though being stuck-in-the-mud seems to sell). The Hummingbird is still 500g lighter but with a much less compact fold.
I wonder how this compares to an aftermarket brompton Ti frame from China that have been around for a few years?
Isn't that less 'aftermarket' and more 'copy'?
I'll take your copy and raise you "knock off".
My father was once offered a Rolex for £100. "Oh no, sir, it is not a fake- how could you think such a thing. It is a genuine imitation". Chutzpah!
not a fake, a Rolex tribute watch