Brompton Electric T-Line Folding Electric Bike Review: Pocket-Sized Pedal Power

Disappointingly, the Brompton T Line Electric doesn’t give any extra speed to US-based riders, so I’m afraid you’re limited to the UK speed limit of 15.5mph rather than Class 1 pedal assist of a maximum of 20mph.

I first encountered the e-Motiq system in 2024, when I tested the larger 20-inch Brompton G Line. This powerful rear-mounted motor, which can reach speeds of up to 20 mph, provides a more stable ride compared to the front-mounted design, and pushing certainly feels more natural than pulling. The redesign also keeps weight at the back, so the folding mechanism remains balanced.

There are three levels of power assistance available here, as well as Push Assist (more on that below), and the e-Motiq system also adjusts based on your riding style. Monitors pedal force and cadence. The number of times you stop and start, over the first 62 miles on the bike, adjusts how you use power. This is not to gain extra miles, but to make your journey smoother and more natural.

During testing, I barely noticed any changes while logging the miles, but I was very impressed with how natural the bike felt. Well, that’s normal for a slightly wobbly upright design with small 16-inch wheels. Yes, there was a surge of power when I started pedaling, but the initial acceleration was controlled. It felt like I was charging my legs, rather than attaching a motor to my bike.

My test bike was single-speed, but there is also a four-speed option available. When cruising around London, I didn’t need more than one gear as the engine worked hard off any hills. Endless traffic also means it’s difficult to exceed the top speed for long, but when the road opened up, I was impressed by how easily it transitioned between assisting and backing off the power to stick to 15.5 mph. I can only speculate, but on the bigger roads in America, I think I’d want four gears. I also want an increase in the speed assist limit. It’s a shame that Brompton only thought to include one of these.

I also rode a few miles without the battery pack, which was a pleasant surprise. It weighs less than my old steel Brompton, and it looks much nicer to hold too. I’ve dragged the Electric T Line e-Motiq up countless stairs, onto the London Underground, put it in the trunk of a taxi at 2am, and only left it in a restaurant cloakroom once. It’s light and small enough to carry with you, and it’s also expensive enough that you’ll never lock it up and leave it on the street.

I was also able to ride the non-electric titanium Brompton T-Line, which at 17.64 pounds was almost laughably light. If you don’t need electric power, it’s the perfect bike for commuters.

Control, add-ons and competition

Photography: Chris Haslam

It’s small, but the handlebar-mounted controller does some cool things. There’s a start assist button, which if you press before setting off at traffic lights, or when hitting a hill for example, will give you a jump start. It’s not a throttle, you have to be still for it to start working.