October 5, 2022 - (Toronto, Ont.) The storied Brompton folding bike company will soon celebrate its 50th anniversary, and their exciting electric bike lineup is a welcome addition to the renowned UK brand.
This was my first Brompton experience, and the folks at Curbside Cycle on Bloor St. W. in Toronto, the oldest and largest Brompton dealer in Canada, were very helpful and took their time to explain the controls as well as how to fold the bike.
Our test model was the Brompton Electric C-Line Explore 6-speed. My first impressions were that it’s very well built with quality components. The bike’s joints move with a fluidity that speaks to how well it’s constructed, and the paint was stunning with an orange clear lacquer that showed off the hand-brazed welds from this detail-oriented manufacturer.
Brompton’s unique solution to going electric includes a 250W front hub wheel motor, a built-in controller, and a 300Wh battery, with a range of 40-80km, that sits in a small battery bag which locks into a docking station attached to the front of the bike frame. The bag can easily be removed for charging mobile devices via a built-in USB port, which I happily discovered when my phone died on a train-ride home from work.
There’s also a pouch on the battery bag that holds the charger and an extension cable, or your lightweight jacket if you forget the charger at home.
The Explore features a combination of a Sturmey-Archer BWR 3-speed internal rear hub with traditional high and low external gears.
The power-assist controls are easy to operate with only two buttons, and the blue indication LEDs are bright enough to view even under the sun.
The motor gets you up to speed, smoothly. Soon after, I was cruising at the European maximum of 25kph — all Bromptons are set to this maximum speed globally.
The small-sized 16” wheels are ultra-responsive and may take a bit of getting used to, but soon you’ll be weaving around obstacles. The Brompton Explore is a lot of fun and excels in urban settings with bike lanes, city streets and separated paths.
Thanks in part to its full-size wheelbase, it’s engineered to behave much like a regular bike. Cruising at the top assisted speed level was no sweat and ideal for commuting. While you can pedal past the limit of the power assist, for me it wasn’t worth the effort.
I found that gear 2-low was ideal for getting underway. When the power-assist kicked in, I switched the external cassette to high and just enjoyed cruising along.
The internal gear 1 wasn’t really needed for my riding style, and with a top pedal-assist speed of 25kph, the internal gear 3 was only useful when the bike was pointed downhill.
With three pedal-assist power options, the sweet spot was Level 2, and the motor disengages when you surpass the top speed. The power re-engages smoothly as your speed dips, making for a comfortable commute.
The controller also operates the lights with standard on-off options, as well as a very useful automatic setting. The Busch & Müller AVY headlight offers 40 lux that nicely lights up the road ahead. The Spanninga reflector is engineered to the German StVZO bicycle standard, so it’s not just bright but more importantly has a designed beam pattern.
The Brompton dual pivot caliper brakes haul the bike down from speed adequately, even if the v-brakes feel a little spongy. The Schwalbe Marathon Racer tires provide a zippy ride, but note the small 16×1-3/8” wheel size for an inner tube in case you get a flat tire.
The saddle felt great, but that comes down to personal preference. You can choose between an extended or telescopic seatpost, and the Explore even has fenders for when the weather changes before the ride home. The grips are non-ergonomic rubber and feel fine while the cockpit is simple and intuitive with integrated shifter/brake levers and a bell. A Lezyne pump is also included.
There are lots of great optional accessories as well including a rear rack, a 20L City bag, a telescopic or titanium seatpost, lacquer colour options, a bell upgrade, a spare battery, ergonomic grips and more.
When I asked my wife if she wanted to take the Brompton to work, she was immediately concerned about locking it up outside all day. No worries, this e-bike quickly folds in seconds and comes to the office with you, or on transit.
Built for urban streets and all of the enjoyable hustle and bustle that comes with city life, the Brompton Electric C-Line Explore is so much fun to whip through congestion and get you to your destination. This e-bike will make the commute the best part of your day.
The SRP starts at $4,665. For more information, please visit here.
