In 1975, a young engineer called Andrew Ritchie invented a bike with a 3-part fold.
Over the next 10 years he obsessively refined his design and taught himself bike building skills from a small, rented workshop. He made every bike to order.
As demand grew, trying to gain investment from banks and bike companies was fruitless until 1987 when a Brompton owner, impressed with his bike, convinced Andrew to exhibit at the Cyclex Bike Show at Olympia London. The Brompton folding bike won the coveted Best Product Award.
Brompton then moved into their first factory in Brentford where the team built 60 bikes a month to order. All steel, all black, all had racks, but customers could choose 3 or 5 gears.
By 1991, Brompton had 56 outlets in the UK and a booming export market around the world.
In 2006, the first official Brompton World Championships were held in Barcelona. Fans from around the world, including a Tour de France stage winner took part. In 2019, 550 riders took part racing a 16km lap around St James Park in London such is the fan base Brompton has.
In 2016, an idea outlined in Andrew’s original patent came to life – A Brompton folding electric bike.
Let’s have a look at their range.
Brompton break their electric bike category down into two models:
The Electric C Line Brompton folding bike is based around the brand’s iconic all steel folding frame and features their 250W brushless motor and a meaty 300Wh battery offering a range of up to 70km. It weighs a very respectable 17.5kg, with up to 10 colours available. Throw in a choice of the classic Mid or High bars and you can enjoy your supercharged Brompton in style. It takes about 20 seconds to fold a Brompton electric bike that you can drag, tow, stow or carry anywhere….but some can do it much quicker! (see the video below)
If you want a Brompton electric folding bike that is even lighter, faster and more portable then the Electric P Line Brompton folding bike is the take home model here. With a titanium Advanced Rear Frame and premium, weight-saving components you can expect a bike 2kg less than its older brother. Easier to carry, easier to ride. It still folds in less than 20 seconds but tows and rolls better. The dual locking seatpost allows riders to steer the bike by the saddle when folded.
Subscribe to our Newsletter now. We will send you no more than one email a week which will include offers, news and our latest promotions
