The Brompton C Line and Brompton T Line both have stand-out features that put them among the best folding bikes for cycling to work. Their qualities aren’t only about the commute to the office, though, and either will be a solid buy for anyone who wants a great all-round bicycle.
Despite their similar silhouettes, there are big differences between the two models, and the final choice will come down to the most important factors for you – including budget and how light you need your fold-up bike to be when carrying it.
Frame: Steel
Weight: 12.1kg (Explore)
Drivetrain: 6-speed (Explore)
Accessories: Mudguards, pump
The original Brompton, the C Line, is an iconic design. The steel-framed fold-up bike is robust, reliable and fun to ride, and its six-speed Explore model is comfortable and adaptable enough to be your day-to-day bike.
For
- Great gearing range
- Good handling
- Perfect for commuting or limited storage space
- Mudguards included
Against
- Heavy
- Expensive compared with other commuter bikes
Frame: Titanium
Weight: 7.95kg (Urban)
Drivetrain: 4-speed (Urban)
Accessories: Mudguards
The T Line is at the cutting edge of bicycle manufacturing, taking the much-loved folding framework of the original C Line and reimaging it with a focus on reducing the weight, regardless of cost. Its price puts it out of range for most, but as a concept it’s tough to beat.
For
- Lightweight
- Amazing components and spec
- Great on the hills or flat
- Easy to carry
Against
- Seriously expensive
- Handling is twitchy at high speeds
- Gearing range could be better
Price And Availability
The Brompton C Line was released in October 2021 and was a rebranding of the traditional steel range. The C Line starts with the Urban model, which costs $1,490 in the US and £1,195 in the UK, and goes up to the $1,680/£1,350 Explore model that I tested.
The Brompton T Line also came out in October 2021 and is available in two models: the single-speed, 7.45kg One ($5,225/£4,180) and the four-speed, 7.95kg Urban ($5,500/£4,415). The T Line is only available direct from Brompton.
How I Tested These Bikes
I have written both the Brompton C Line Explore review and Brompton T Line Urban review for Coach.
I tested the Brompton C Line and T Line for roughly two months each, using them for everyday riding around my local area in north London, as well as further afield with rides of over an hour. I also took the C Line in the boot of my car during a trip to Devon and used it to complete a circular ride around the River Exe. I tested the T Line’s fold-up functionality by taking it into restaurants and bars and on the London Underground.
Design
The Brompton C Line has fundamentally the same design and construction as the original Brompton, which was released in the mid-1970s. Its frame and fork are made from steel, it has 16in wheels, and the main differences between the various C Line models are the gearing. The Urban has a two-speed derailleur-actioned drivetrain, while the Explore combines a three-speed Sturmey-Archer hub and a two-speed derailleur to give you six gears.
Brompton tore up the rulebook when designing the T Line, taking the 150 parts that make up the standard C Line and rethinking them with a focus on being light yet strong. Its frame is handmade from titanium, and it has a suite of carbon fibre components (fork, crankset, handlebars) and a carbon fibre seatpost in a 0.3mm steel armour that reduces weight while remaining strong. The result is a Brompton that weighs 7.45kg – the same as a high-end carbon fibre road racing machine.
Its differences don’t end there. Brompton used the T Line as a chance to make upgrades on the original design, such as self-aligning hinges, a spring-loaded handlebar catch and a four-speed compact cassette-based drivetrain. In fact, the only feature the C Line and T Line share is the rim brakes.
The Ride
Bromptons are renowned for being fun to ride, and the C Line and T Line left smiles on my face each time I saddled up.
The C Line Explore I tested was the heaviest model Brompton makes (12.1kg) outside of its electric range, but its six-speed gearing meant that the additional load of the drivetrain wasn’t immediately noticeable when riding. It felt sturdy and reliable at high and low speeds, and I didn’t have to get off and push at all – even on steep hills. Its steel construction absorbed most potholes and bumps in the road, while it even remained comfortable on light towpath gravel.
The T Line Urban was just as enjoyable to ride, though for different reasons. Its lightweight nature meant ascents were a breeze, while the titanium frame kept the ride comfortable. Its carbon fibre crankset meant I was able to achieve top speed promptly from a standing start, although at high speeds (in excess of 20mph), its handling started to get twitchy. The only flaw I could find in its four-speed gearing set-up was that its top gear wasn’t quite big enough, but in the stop-start nature of city-based riding, it’s rare that you get a chance to encounter this problem.
Weight
There are big differences between the C Line Explore (12.1kg) and the T Line Urban (7.95kg) on the scales because one has been designed to be light regardless of the cost. So, in practice, how noticeable is the difference?
When folded, the C Line Explore is bulky. It may weigh the same as a dumbbell that you’d lift in the gym, but that soon starts to take its toll when you’re carrying it up stairs or through a crowded bar.
On the other hand, the T Line feels like you’re carrying a bag of shopping or rucksack by your side. During a journey on the London Underground, my arm didn’t get tired despite long transfers between lines, and it was easy enough to take up three flights of stairs during a visit to a bar.
While it might only be 4kg difference, if you’re taking a Brompton up and down stairs to your flat every time you head out for a ride, or lifting it into a luggage rack on a daily commute, that strain (and pain) can soon add up.
