Have you ever been curious about Brompton folding bikes or Brompton Electric bikes? If so, you’re in luck. We offer short test rides on any Brompton folding bikes that are in stock in our stores or, if you fancy trying one for longer, we have specific demo Bromptons that can be tested for up to two days. A demo can be a fantastic way to see how a Brompton could fit in to your life. Test it on your commute, fold it and take it on the train, or just take it out on a weekend leisure ride.
In this article, we will briefly describe the benefits of Brompton E bikes, customer testimonials, how you go about organising a demo on a Brompton, and finally, some FAQ’s.
A Bit About Brompton Electric
Brompton are probably the most famous folding bike company in the world, and for good reason. Boasting a super-compact fold, Brompton bikes are designed to be functional and portable city bikes that can be folded and stored in flats, under work desks, and easily taken on public transport.
The electric Bromptons offer the same compact fold but with the added help of a battery and a powerful front hub motor for making commutes and leisure rides that much easier. The electric Brompton bikes come with a 300Wh battery and a powerful front hub motor. The battery is easily removable to keep the Brompton’s famous effortless portability.
Brompton Electric bikes are perfect for…
- People who live in flats and have limited storage space
- Storing the bike under your desk at work. It’s more secure than locking the bike outdoors or maybe there is no secure bike parking
- Taking the bike on public transport – some trains and trams do not allow full bikes at certain times, and most buses do not allow non-folding bikes at all.
- Those looking for a compact, manoeuvrable city bike that offers electrical assistance for hilly cities or longer commutes
- Luggage options – All Brompton Electric bikes come with the standard battery bag (1.5L), however, there is an additional option to buy a 20 litre battery bag, which can store your larger items, e.g. a laptop. You can see all Brompton luggage here.
- Outstanding Ride Quality – thanks to the quality of the main frames, forks, and rear frame.
Brompton Models and Description
There are currently 3 models of electric Brompton folding bikes that we stock. These are the electric versions of the C Line range, Brompton P Line, and the Brompton G Line. Here are the key particulars.
- Brompton C Line – The Electric Brompton C Line bikes feature an all steel frame, fork and rear frame. The Electric C Line is available in a 4-speed version, and a 12-speed version.
- Brompton P Line – The Electric P Line features the same steel main frame and fork as the C line but gets an upgrade on the rear frame. The rear frame is made from titanium to reduce weight and improve comfort. Available as a 4-speed, or the 12-speed. The P line 4-speed is Brompton’s lightest electric bike.
- Brompton G Line – The Electric G Line is the newest addition to the Brompton family. The G Line are compact folding bikes with bigger wheels and tyres (20inch compared to the 16inch on all other Bromptons), and they are designed to go on gravel. Available in a 4-speed version.
Handlebar options
The Brompton Electric C line and Electric P line come in one size but have 3 different options of handlebar heights for different rider heights and preferences. The G line comes in different frame sizes and does not come with a choice of handlebar heights.
The general rule is that if you would like a more upright position, a higher handlebar will likely provide this, and if you would like a more sporty seating position, a lower handlebar would likely be the choice. Saying that, this is very much dependent on personal preference and height so if you are unsure, please get in touch with us and we can help.Customer Testimonials
Once customers go for a Brompton, they are usually Brompton riders for life. Everyone swears by them whether commuting, leisure riding, or taking on gravel (this is where the Brompton G Line comes into its own).
Helen from Edinburgh says “The electric Brompton allowed me to commute to work as it was previously too far for me to cycle. I now take my Brompton on the train and cycle the rest of the way. I love it”
Mark in Leeds tried an extended Brompton test ride and was really happy with the results “All in all, did I enjoy the Brompton electric? I really did, it’s fun, convenient and practical. Would I buy one? Definitely…”
Customer Testimonials
Once customers go for a Brompton, they are usually Brompton riders for life. Everyone swears by them whether commuting, leisure riding, or taking on gravel (this is where the Brompton G Line comes into its own).
Helen from Edinburgh says “The electric Brompton allowed me to commute to work as it was previously too far for me to cycle. I now take my Brompton on the train and cycle the rest of the way. I love it”
Mark in Leeds tried an extended Brompton test ride and was really happy with the results “All in all, did I enjoy the Brompton electric? I really did, it’s fun, convenient and practical. Would I buy one? Definitely…”
Brompton Test Rides
As we mentioned at the start of this blog, you can either opt for a short test ride of bikes we have in store, or organise a longer (up to two-day) demo ride to get a feel for how the Brompton would fit into your life. In two days, you can check how easy it is to store at home, the office, or how easy you can take these on public transport.
Short Test Ride
Short test rides can be taken on any of the bikes we have in stock in our branches. They are short because we need to keep these bikes in brand-new condition and we also ask that test rides only happen on dry days. If we have the bike in the store and it’s dry, you can take a test that day. All we have to do is create an account for you, charge you £10 on a credit or debit card (this is just an security check that you will be refunded), and keep hold of your ID while you are out.
Demo Ride
You can also organise an extended demo ride for a maximum of two days. There are only specific models of Brompton electric bikes this is available on so these would normally need to be ordered for you.
Here is the process to organise a demo ride.
Order the bike – The first step is to order the bike you want to try. We will ask for an initial 10% deposit when ordering and will organise a suitable date for you to try.
On Collecting – When you come to collect your demo bike, we check your ID, ask you to sign a waiver, and take a £1000 deposit plus £50 per day for the demo. The initial 10% deposit will go towards this £1000 deposit.
Returning The Bike – if you decide to buy a new bike on the back of your demo, this full amount of £1000 plus the daily fee transferred over to the new bike. If you decide not to proceed, we refund the £1000 (assuming the bike has not suffered damage) and give you a voucher for the daily charge which willl be either £50 or £100 depending if you had a one-day, or two-day demo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the frequently asked questions about the Brompton Electric bike.
Where can I test ride a Brompton Electric in Scotland?
You can test ride a Brompton electric bike in our Aberdeen store, the Edinburgh Bruntsfield store, and our Edinburgh Canonmills store.
What do I need to bring for a Brompton Electric test ride?
This question depends on whether this is a short test ride or a demo. For a short test ride, we require ID, and a £10 deposit.
For an extended demo, we need to check your ID, take a £1000 deposit along with a £50 daily fee, and ask you to sign a waiver. If you buy a bike off the back of the demo, the full amount of deposit and daily fee are transferred across to the new bike. If you do not buy a bike, the £1000 is refunded (assuming no damage to the bike) and the daily fee (£50 or £100) will be refunded in the form of EBC gift vouchers.
How does the Brompton Electric handle Edinburgh’s hilly terrain?
The Electric Brompton deals with hills incredibly well (and not just Edinburgh hills). The 250W front hub motor offers three assistance levels for varying degrees of hills so it will have enough for almost any incline. The motor also offers amazing acceleration when moving away from lights or when starting up. Perfect for cities generally.
Can I purchase a Brompton Electric after my test ride?
Absolutely. The hope is that you will love the demo ride so much you will want to buy one. In this scenario, the deposit is moved from the demo bike, you pay the remaining balance, and we give you the timescales for getting your new electric Brompton.
What makes the Brompton Electric a good choice for apartment dwellers
Brompton bikes are incredible for people living in flats or apartments. The compact fold is one of the main reasons for this as the folded Brompton can easily be stored in closets or cupboards. The other benefit for people in flats is that, when folded, the Brompton is incredibly easy to carry up and down stairs.
How long can I test ride the Brompton Electric?
There are broadly two types of Brompton bikes we stock. Specific demo models and new stock. If you are testing a demo model, you can try these for a maximum of two days. If the bike is from our regular stock, you can test these for 15 minutes in dry conditions.