August 26, 2026 - Brompton bikes recently partnered with Toronto’s Pedaal as its exclusive Canadian distributor, and I was excited to visit Pedaal’s downtown shop and café to test the new Brompton C-Line e-Motiq e-bike.
Founded in the UK in 1976, Brompton’s mission was to build the most efficient, cost-effective, and practical folding bike for city commuting – a bike you could take anywhere. This includes the ability to take multimodal trips on transit, regardless of bike policies, because when folded, the Brompton becomes a piece of luggage.
The brand has achieved cult-like status around the globe due to its innovative, well-designed foldable frame and its exceptional, long-lasting quality, ensured by maintaining its own manufacturing facilities.
Brompton introduced its first electric model in 2018 and launched its next-generation electric bikes last year, featuring its new e-Motiq system, which relocated the motor from the front hub to the rear hub.
According to Brompton, “e-Motiq is the next evolution of our electric system rather than a full bike redesign. The fold is unchanged. Instead, we focused on refining how the motor, battery, and rider interact together. It brings together more precise motor tuning, smarter torque sensing, improved battery performance, and better overall balance, resulting in a system that feels more intuitive and connected to the rider.”
The palm green Brompton C-Line e-Motiq test model is a colourful, lightweight step-through folding e-bike that was intuitive and a joy to ride, whether or not e-assist was used.
The compact e-Motiq 250W rear hub motor delivers 25Nm of torque and three levels of pedal assist, with a maximum speed of 25km/h, providing all the power needed to get around and climb hills effortlessly.
The system features a Greenway 340Wh battery, nestled in a front bag that detaches with one click, and provides a robust range of up to 90km. The battery takes up to five hours to charge.
The solid frame and components are all designed and manufactured by Brompton. The Cro-Mo steel frame is made from precision-drawn, heat-treated steel tubing and is constructed using hand brazing and selected auto-brazed joints.
The drivetrain features a patent-pending direct-mount 4-speed Brompton derailleur, shifters, a 164% gear range, and a forged 6061 aluminum crankset with a 54T chainring and an integrated chainguard.
The Brompton brakes feature dual-pivot calipers, and the Brompton brake levers include an integrated bell and a light mount, all of which are easily operated from either side of the handlebars. For illumination and safety, the front light is a bright Busch + Müller Avy 40Lux, and the rear light is a Spanninga Solo.
Out on the road, I was very impressed with how the Brompton C-Line e-Motiq handled a variety of terrain. I covered a total of 75km across a range of paved infrastructure and a couple of gravel trails, including some hills.
When the e-assist is disengaged, the e-Motiq rides like a regular acoustic bike, unlike many other e-bikes. This enhances the model’s versatility.
The smaller wheels not only make this bike more compact when folded but also make it nimbler on busy urban streets. The puncture-resistant Schwalbe Marathon Racer 349 x 35C tires feature a reflective sidewall and Schrader inner tubes.
Keeping commuters in mind, the detachable front battery bag can be worn as a shoulder bag to make boarding a train or carrying the bike up or down stairs easier. Not only does this protect the battery from the elements, but it also makes charging easier and lets you carry personal items or pick up groceries on your travels.
The Brompton C-Line e-Motiq also features a handy rear rack for transporting luggage or other gear.
To help manage ride settings and monitor performance, Brompton offers Electric apps for iOS and Android that are available to download.
Folding and unfolding this e-bike is a breeze. When folded, it is incredibly compact and portable, measuring 56.5cm x 27cm x 58.5cm (3.1 cubic feet). It also weighs just 36.6 pounds without the battery, making it easy to carry.
Every detail of the bike has been carefully designed, engineered, and manufactured to deliver the stability of a regular bike, the portability of a carry-on, and the agility to ride across a wide range of cycling infrastructure.
The Brompton C-Line e-Motiq is a stylish 4-speed e-bike that folds in seconds and is comfortable for long rides. Backed by a three-year electric warranty and a seven-year frame warranty, Brompton is a trusted brand for good reason.
The MSRP is $5,980. For more information, visit here.
