Don't Buy a Brompton G Line.... BUILD ONE! (9.2024)

[@keithdainton6043]

To me the point of a Brompton is to be a small compact take anywhere bike . I certainly don't want a bigger version

[@TurnipGreen]

I'd ride that G line. I have no problem paying for quality. It looks way more sturdy. Crappy roads to even crappier back roads. Terrible sidewalks. Hopping on and off curbs. Disc brakes for wet conditions. Not to mention, out of the box reliability. Seems like a win to me

[@SmallWheelWonder]

You will get something out of the box but not the quality and beauty of DIY.

[@TurnipGreen]

@@SmallWheelWonder Your bike sucks bro. But you built it so now you gotta live with it

[@salt_spicy]

@@TurnipGreen Found the over-compensating, helmet-not-wearing Harley rider

[@cchangg]

What is "out-of-box reliability"? Are you saying your DIY build/tune up can't match the factory workers?

[@SimonBrowneNZ]

@@cchanggDIY makers ride their own bikes; factory workers put them together as fast as possible. DIY all the way.

[@dolittle6781]

Nice video and thanks so much for sharing this info. In my case, however, the last thing on earth I’d want to do is build a bike and do anything more than the absolute minimum maintenance tasks. I enjoy cycling because there’s really no work involved. I spend enough time working as it is. I just want to ride and enjoy the serenity of being outside around nature. The point of working one’s whole life is to be able to afford to buy the $3200 bike from the nearest store. Why work so hard and then work some more to build a bike. Am sure there are folks out there that enjoy building bikes. For those folks this video would be great!

[@SmallWheelWonder]

100% legitimate concerns. Get the Birdy GT. It blows away the G line right out of the box.

[@dolittle6781]

Seems like you’d have to buy it before road testing it-and then send it back if you didn’t like it? It’s often that way with a Brompton. Will definitely check the Birdy GT out and would likely choose to pay a pro to assemble it rather than doing it myself if I decide to buy one. Have assembled enough stuff in my life. I’m done!😊

[@SmallWheelWonder]

I have several videos on out-of-the-box alternatives.

[@dolittle6781]

Watched a review of the Birdy GT. Very cool! Of course no bike is perfect! Will check out the videos you have posted as suggested above. Appreciated!​@@SmallWheelWonder

[@live-to-ride]

I want a G line for touring, but ill wait for a full titanium model to be released.

[@SmallWheelWonder]

The Birdy GT will beat that one too.

[@live-to-ride]

@@SmallWheelWonder hahahaha. How do you know that? It's not even been released yet 😂

[@SmallWheelWonder]

Unlike you, I am an expert with decades of experience. A ti G line would have to reduce the weight by over 10 LBs to beat the Birdy and would still have an inferior suspension and frame.

[@live-to-ride]

@SmallWheelWonder and until its made, you just don't know if it will be equal to or less than the birdy. What you might gain in frame and suspension you will loose with the better fold. What about luggage carrying capability?. Its all subjective, and dependant on what the person needs.

[@SmallWheelWonder]

Nobody buys the G line for luggage or shopping, and its fold is bulkier than the Birdy's.

[@AlainJSG]

Just how strong are the forks? The front disc brakes worries me. I recall Bike Friday once did a custom job for a customer who requested disc brakes on their Tikit, a bike similar to the Brompton. Bike Friday never installed disc brakes again on their Tikit due to the fact that the front disc brakes were so strong that it managed to snap off the fork legs from the rest of the bike.

[@SmallWheelWonder]

Brompton steel forks are strong enough to handle my 700 Watt hub motor, so you need not worry.

[@TurnipGreen]

I'm calling BS on this

[@SimonCurrey]

Here's my 15 year Dahon. 2 to 3kg lighter than the Brompton. Gear set up vastly superior Zee 10 speed and Saint shifter. The shifter allow downshifts to be skipped. 20" 44mm Maxxis tubeless fast low pressure no punctures. Avoid Discs reviews show you risk a face plant. DT Swiss pads on V brakes lighter, simpler and safer. Small diameter wheels are easier to brake than 700c so it's a mismatch nonsense.

[@SmallWheelWonder]

Dahons are not recommended here, but a few people managed to make them last for decades, and some of the components are high quality Dahon is able to buy at a discount because of their vast volumes.

[@SimonCurrey]

@@SmallWheelWonder are you referring to your video or pod. I am not invested any particular brand. If had the money I would most likely have a Tern. My particular model has toured so I suspect it will survive the occasional trip to London. Weight and wheel size are my priorities in a folder. I would probably at a decent transmission and tubeless now I have them. What I am critical of a cycle industry that is driven by fads and a lack of common sense! I liked your video. Anyhow best wishes.

[@saki2789]

Creo que el modelo G es un acierto por parte de la empresa Brompton que busca instalar mejoras tecnológicas propias del siglo XXI que ya llevan otras bicicletas de serie. El modelo G mejora con creces todas aquellas carencias enumeradas por años, de los usuarios de rueda 16". Entre otras la estabilidad y confor en la conducción del vehículo, despreocupando si se salta un bordillo de acera o se circula por tierra con piedras, con una frenada muy buena aún en terreno mojado o con lluvia como suele pasar en el Reino Unido. Yo la compraré, y si sale con piezas de cuadro en titanio la volveré a comprar. El esfuerzo económico merece la pena, por tener una bicicleta premium.

[@SmallWheelWonder]

It is too little too late and no match to the competition.

[@Denis_Techno]

What are the tires on this bike ...

[@SmallWheelWonder]

2 inch Big Apples. Check out my tire videos.

[@Denis_Techno]

Thank you very much for your answer. I will try to familiarize myself with the video

[@TorontoTransman]

It's not a matter of being a better Brompton, if I wanted any 20" wheel bike I would go for Ren or Dahon. Or even a Priority Fold. But I want Brompton quality and until now I did not like the brand because of their 16" wheels. I'm willing to try their G-line.

[@SmallWheelWonder]

Enjoy!

[@michaeldavidson-8944]

For a tall person, the 3 sizes would be ideal. The larger size one much better for 6 foot plus people. The larger tyres much better for pot hole roads, not to mention gravel paths (too uncomfortable with the standard prompton). The standard brompton feels a bit cramped for me and I like the wider handle bars too. .....I'm going to test drive it soon😅

[@SmallWheelWonder]

These issues have been discussed many times on this channel. You should watch my other videos, especially on the bikes that easily beat the G line.

[@cha1rtech]

need the rear triangle on the regular Brompton for the geared hub and disc brakes, just mounted on a 16" wheel

[@stevenbell9589]

I ordered mine sod custom building it

[@mooneycast]

appreciate the effort you put into this video, but i would really go for the g-line all day instead of the build you put together.

[@SimonBrowneNZ]

We waited for the eB and it disappointed. We waited for G line and it will disappoint most riders. Now that we can compare the actual G line, we know the alternatives are SO much better and for same or less. But it is not about the $. B “was” about quality. By starting with A line original and adding quality extremities the spirit of Brompton lives on in a modern world. Thank you for spelling out the numbers Daniel. Alfine 11 speed with a Belt and proper 16 inch Big Apples is my dream bike.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

Why a Belt? I will give several problems which a chain have no problems in solving? Finn. Denmark

[@SimonBrowneNZ]

@@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188 Would you like to discuss exactly what those problems are with a belt once the frame is split?

[@garyseckel295]

Was the 8-speed hub chosen over their 11-speed hub because both are same total overall gearing? Higher durability, or...? Better shifting? Just curios.

[@SmallWheelWonder]

Could be just the price.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

@@SmallWheelWonder I have seen an Asian 7 speed chain gear Solution which I would much prefer from my combined and heavy functioning S.A. 2 times 3 internal gears! I think very much of a change, as it is only a new wheel and a changer that is extra (And less weight from that, for my now below 9 kilo bike, with mudguards). I have raced down a steep Serpentine road in Denmark, with often "Cattle Bars" crossing and full stops before walking over with my bike, and my - titanium modified, original Brompton Brakes never let me down!! A mechanical set disc brakes will never reach the effective function of a Hydraulic Disc Brake - eventually only one in front, and with an Asian built Titanium Fork for the purpose! Most part on a Brompton are made in better and ligther versions in Asia. Finn. Denmark

[@SmallWheelWonder]

@@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188 The Vostok set is very nice, also.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

@@SmallWheelWonder I don't think they are made anymore, but you may find some samples around still? But for some years we hoped and expected that a new Russia would be ruled by sane people and would be a partner for Europe. Sadly it wasn't the case and no one trades with Russia anymore.

[@karlInSanDiego]

Are those Big Apples made from real apples? They cost $38 each here, not $100.

[@SmallWheelWonder]

I count the tube as well, and prices do vary.

[@bradk7462]

Nice vid! Any idea what the largest tyres you can fit on the stock T line are?

[@SmallWheelWonder]

1.5" without the mud guard.

[@TurnipGreen]

@@SmallWheelWonder 2.1 with fenders on the G line

[@onsendiva4695]

a lot of speculative - and negative - comments with out any one actually haven't ridden it ...

[@SmallWheelWonder]

The video is about building a custom project. You should watch it to the end.

[@TurnipGreen]

@@onsendiva4695 This guy can't even ride, let alone build

[@onsendiva4695]

@@SmallWheelWonder I did and was not impressed with your critique - yet you haven't seen one or ridden one - look to your own build and quit being so negative about others.

[@Sebastian_Amsterdam]

I already broke 3 folder bike frames (Dahon and others) and then switched to a Brompton S6L Black Edition and never looked back ❤ #qualitycounts

[@SmallWheelWonder]

You should have watched my channel. All the bikes I recommend are rock solid.

[@seatconnect224]

why do you need to build frankenstein which wouldn't keep any resale price instead of buying G series? 😁

[@SmallWheelWonder]

Study my book to avoid an incompetent build.

[@live-to-ride]

@@seatconnect224 not to mention the difficulty with getting spares if touring.

[@TheBromptonGuy]

Problem with an A line frame is you can’t spec a H stem. Taller folk always get it hard 😂

[@SmallWheelWonder]

Tall men should get a Moulton.

[@TheBromptonGuy]

@@SmallWheelWonder I have heard this a couple times now 🤔. You rate them?

[@SmallWheelWonder]

The Moulton is less compact than the others and more sturdy as well.

[@TurnipGreen]

@@TheBromptonGuy I'm not even convinced that the guy can ride

[@TheBromptonGuy]

@@TurnipGreen 🤪

[@KavanOBrien]

Brilliant video, thank you .

[@TurnipGreen]

Brilliant? Far from it

[@KavanOBrien]

@@TurnipGreen it’s not what you look at that counts, it’s what you see.

[@TurnipGreen]

@@KavanOBrien Now that's brilliant 👏 But not the video 👎

[@KavanOBrien]

@@TurnipGreen Everyone needs a bit of encouragement from time too time , it doesn’t cost anything to be nice = good job haven’t got money , words mean more than money , take care you = me.

[@TurnipGreen]

@@KavanOBrien That's the problem today. Little ones need to be told that everything is ok and they're doing fine. When they should be told to do better and stop sucking

[@davidhunternyc1]

Am I the only one who thinks the G-Line is a fail? ... and it's not even out yet. There are way too many 20 inch alternatives. For the price of the G-Line, I'd rather buy a 20 inch titanium Brompton clone. Your builds here are superior to the G-Line. Also, I don't get why anyone would want disc breaks on a folding "cruiser" bike.

[@SmallWheelWonder]

Just like the titanium and the electric versions.

[@shahan1465]

its to give a choice. You could buy ADO Air carbon electric bike for 1700 GBP with bafang motor and carbon frame lol, weighs like 12 kg

[@davidhunternyc1]

@@shahan1465 This video isn't about e-bikes though.

[@l4ndst4nder]

I think it will fail by compromise. It’s too big to easily use public transportation or take it into a cafe, and a folding bike doesn’t work for bikepacking. So the G line really only makes sense to me for someone who REALLY doesn’t want to deal with a bike rack or frequently takes an uber to or from a route. Either way it doesn’t seem like there is a strong use case for them.

[@davidhunternyc1]

@@l4ndst4nder Agreed.