The Lightest Bicycle On Earth

How Brompton is rolling out the perfect last mile solution for city denizens

- Juliana Chan

WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT CYCLING?

It is good exercise that keeps your heart healthy and gets your legs and butt super-toned. Even better, it lets you get from point A to point B with zero carbon emissions. Add to that Brompton has just reinvented every millimetre of its iconic design to create its lightest bike ever. Weighing in at just 7.45kg, the new foldable bike is perfect for the last mile commute in the city.

The product of three years of scrupulous research and development, the new Brompton T Line is made using titanium, processed in a dedicated factory in Sheffield, United Kingdom, along with revolutionary new construction techniques, and involving over 150 specialised components.

At this facility, the frame is precision-engineered in titanium, then orbital and tig-welded for strength. In Brompton’s London home, the T Line is then finished with new componentry and tuned for the city, setting a new benchmark for folding bikes in lightness, ride performance, as well as robustness.

Strong As Steel

The weight reduction in the new Brompton T is significant - 37 per cent less than the original Brompton all-steel equivalent. This makes it much easier to move and stow when folded. What is amazing is that it remains as strong as its steel counterpart. Its weight makes the T Line comparable to a carbon road bike. But unlike carbon versions, it offers a lot more robustness and durability. It can bear a weight load of 110kg, and is designed to withstand the punishing impact of a fast-paced city.

Compact Drivetrain Ingenuity