Brompton Electric P Line Urban review: an addictive and enjoyable classic bike

Brompton Electric P Line Urban – 4 Speed: One minute review

A pioneer in folding bikes, Brompton has set the standard since 1976. The bike’s ingenious three-part fold design excels in various settings, from train carriages to city streets. Brompton’s lettering system can be a bit confusing but in the electric range, there are only C and P line options.

The model for this review is the P Line Urban 4 Speed. It’s made of titanium and steel, which makes it noticeably lighter than the entirely steel alternative that’s known as the C Line. The benefit of this reduced weight comes at a financial cost but it’s well worth the extra money, especially for those who need something that’s easy to move around.

The 4-speed version offers a limited gear range and would benefit from a couple of extra gears at the top end. You could upgrade to the 12 speed but then you’ll end up with half a dozen gears that you never have any need for. If you value simplicity, then go with the 4-speed.

Brompton’s renowned build quality shines through, especially in the heavily used folding mechanisms. High-quality components will ensure a lifetime of reliable performance, something that you’d expect at this price tag.

A 300Wh lithium-ion battery and 250-watt brushless motor power this road-legal (in the US and UK) e-bike, delivering ample performance when needed. Anyone who wants a foldable and portable e-bike that oozes class could do no better than the Brompton P Line Urban 4-speed.

Brompton Electric P Line Urban 4 Speed: Price and availability

• $4,750 / £3,695 for Electric P Line Urban 4-speed
• Get the UK ‘Flame Lacquer’ version for £3,805
• Non-electric 4-speed options are also available

The Electric P Line Urban 4-speed is not Brompton’s most expensive model but it’s not far off. The lightweight foldable commuter bike costs $4,750 in the US and £3,695 in the UK (around AU$7,450).

The model I tested is only available in the UK and has the paint finish ‘Flame Lacquer’. This attracts a higher price of £3,805. Whether it’s worth an additional £100, only you can decide, but I can certainly say that it stands out from the crowd.

The bikes are packaged with everything required to construct the bike, including a detachable battery and charger to go with it. A range of accessories are also available, including a Quad Lock Mount for mounting a phone to the bike. This mount is essential for using app controls to change the bike’s power level on the fly.

The high price tag of the Brompton electric bike pulls down its value rating. However, it’s important to acknowledge that Brompton is renowned for its top-tier craftsmanship and durability. This bike is a testament to that reputation.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Brompton Electric P Line Urban 4 Speed: Design

• Classic Brompton bike design
• Quickly and easily foldable
• Lightweight titanium and steel construction

The Brompton’s iconic three-point fold has remained largely unchanged since its inception in the early 1980s. The P Line Urban e-bike looks very similar to almost all Brompton models released in the past 50 years.

As with all models, you get small wheels, an adjustable seat height, and a long handlebar stem. The seating position and handling take a little bit of getting used to but after a few weeks, I couldn’t imagine riding anything else. The optional roller frame allowed me to wheel the bike around when folded, and it’s perfect for moving through city streets or train stations. It also doubles up as a cargo carrier for transporting your laptop or lunch.

The P Line Electric Urban is Brompton’s lightest electric bike to date, thanks to its titanium rear frame and lightweight components. I had no problems lifting the bike in and out of my car or even up flights of stairs. The ingenious foldable design provides a remarkably compact form factor, making it ideal for urban commuters. While the folding process might require a bit of practice, it quickly becomes second nature.

When folded, the Brompton P Line is impressively small, easily fitting into tight spaces. The front-mounted battery can remain on the bike when folded but it’s best to remove it for better portability. The included battery bag offers some storage space but is not suitable for larger items.

The bike’s 250W motor is powered by a 300Wh battery, which is located at the front of the bike. The design looks a little dated compared to most other manufacturers who aim to hide the battery in the frame. I’d like to see Brompton explore a more seamless integration of their battery or at least develop a smaller and more lightweight alternative. The battery can be easily removed for charging or to operate the bike manually.

After using the bike for a while, one thing I would have greatly benefited from was a small kickstand. I was regularly having to find walls to prop my bike up, which was a little annoying.

The P Line Urban e-bike remains a practical and stylish choice for urban commuters. Its compact size, lightweight design, and reliable electric assist make it a convenient option for those who need to navigate crowded cities.

• Design Score: 4.5/5

Brompton Electric P Line Urban – 4 Speed: Performance

• Enough power for most rides
• Smooth gear changes throughout the range
• It takes a few seconds for motor to kick in

The P Line urban electric bike is a commuter’s dream in practice, and I loved riding through my local city streets, navigating around cars, people, and other obstacles. It’s fast, responsive, and 100% able to get you where you want to go, with a whole lot of joy thrown in for good measure.

The gear shifters functioned flawlessly, being substantial and conveniently located for my thumbs, yet unobtrusive when holding the handlebars. The four speeds were enough for most flat or gentle inclines, but as soon as you needed to ramp up the speed, the gear range became distinctly lacking. It’s fine at the lower end, but two or three extra gears at the top would have upped this bike to five-star territory. Lack of range at the top end makes it very difficult to push much beyond the 25 km/h that the motor is limited to.

As with all Brompton bikes, the P Line does provide a certain unique style of ride. What is oftentimes a very smooth and nimble experience can at times be overtaken by unpredictable handling: the instant responsiveness takes a little bit of getting used to, but once mastered, it enables riders to move around urban roads and streets very easily.

One of the downsides to the handling and the location of the controls being on the battery is the precarious process of changing power levels mid-ride. I rarely felt able to make adjustments out of fear of completely losing control of the bike. I therefore opted to stay on maximum pedal assist for all of my journeys.

Much of this is overcome by using the Brompton phone app mounted with the Quadlock mount and adaptor. Through the app, you can adjust the power level quickly and easily, but it does require people to mount their phones every time they go out on a ride. I prefer the ease that a handlebar-mounted control provides, but it must be acknowledged that it has to be purchased separately.

The seat was absolutely fine for shorter journeys, but towards the end of my 7-mile commute, I was beginning to have some comfort problems. The smaller wheels were also far from ideal on the more rugged terrain of the rural roads that I took the bike on. The tyres do their best to absorb road imperfections, but they’re far from able to completely smooth the ride. One for cities only.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Brompton Electric P Line Urban – 4 Speed: Battery life

• 20-45 miles per full battery
• Four-hour re-charge
• Limited range on full pedal assist

The Brompton P Line Urban electric bike offers a claimed range of 20 to 45 miles, a figure that fluctuates based on the selected power assist mode. While this might suffice for shorter journeys, the reality is that most commuters will need a daily recharge.

During my testing, a daily 14-mile commute left little in the battery tank for the next day’s journeys. Having such a small range left me with a certain amount of range anxiety, although the distance achievable was very predictable. Although most commuters won’t travel longer distances, the inconvenience of daily charging and associated costs cannot be overlooked.

On the plus side, a full recharge takes only around three to four hours, a reasonable timeframe for a battery of this size. The battery itself is conveniently located at the front of the bike and can be effortlessly removed. Brompton has ensured the battery’s longevity by incorporating a well-protected charging port concealed beneath a rubber flap.

While the range might be a limiting factor for some, the bike’s compact size, folding mechanism, and overall riding experience make it a compelling option for urban commuting and short trips.

• Battery life score: 3.5/5

Brompton Electric P Line Urban – 4 Speed: Scorecard

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

How I tested the Brompton Electric P Line Urban – 4 Speed

Despite this bike being tailored to urban environments, I was keen to put it through its paces on a variety of road types. My daily commute provides the perfect test ride. 7 miles of hills, rural roads, city streets, on-road, off-road, and everything in between.

Over a period of two months, I used this Brompton bike as my main mode of transport. As a result, I was able to fully appreciate the pros and cons of Brompton’s 4-speed Urban bike. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed using the bike and rarely found a ride that I didn’t love.

First reviewed: August 2024