CNET

I can fold and unfold this electric bike in under 30 seconds

Brompton has been making folding bikes for over 45 years. Its first electric effort, the Brompton Electric, has a very compact design and will have you cruising up hills with ease. Logan Moy rode the e-bike for a few weeks and gives his thoughts on whether or not it’s worth the high price. You can…

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Brompton has been making folding bikes for over 45 years. Its first electric effort, the Brompton Electric, has a very compact design and will have you cruising up hills with ease. Logan Moy rode the e-bike for a few weeks and gives his thoughts on whether or not it’s worth the high price.

You can find a Brompton dealer here:

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0:00 – Brompton Electric
0:57 – Models, price and colors
1:17 – Folding design
2:25 – Battery and controls
4:13 – Performance and comfort
5:13 – Verdict

59 Comments

  1. JogBird

    April 27, 2021 at 12:29 pm

    that bike weighs more than 2x my regular size road bike

  2. Jarl Joshua Taggueg

    April 27, 2021 at 12:30 pm

    I use a fiido l2 ebike and it does not fold like that, you could try to compare it to fiido d1

  3. Juan Cruz

    April 27, 2021 at 12:33 pm

    Beautiful amazing piece of equipment. Unfortunately I highly believe there products are extremely overpriced. Completely disregarded the founder who wished everyone had one and anyone could afford one.

    • Habanero212

      April 27, 2021 at 1:38 pm

      Right? The sticker shock is real. The extras are crazy over priced as well. 😒

  4. Robert Reimann

    April 27, 2021 at 12:38 pm

    It would be much better to do a Brompton e-bike review after getting to know the other folding e-bikes first. I know many people with Bromptons (I own several too) and have never heard of anyone getting their hand caught in the folding mechanism or even worry about this. A kickstand on a Brompton redundant because of how it stays upright when the back wheel is folded and if you want to make it steadier, just add Eazy wheels to it…or does the reviewer not know what Brompton Eazy wheels are? I’ve ridden the Brompton 100+ kilometres in a day and found it very comfortable. And the front bag design is ingenious, allowing the Brompton rider to carry more luggage than any other folding bike on the market (other than maybe a cargo folding bike). The lack of range and high price are however legitimate criticisms.

    • Logan Moy

      April 27, 2021 at 1:25 pm

      You need both hands free to release and fold that back wheel in. You need no hands to engage a kickstand. For how expensive the bike is, I think they could add one.

    • Robert Reimann

      April 27, 2021 at 2:14 pm

      the price point of the electric Brompton is definitely on the high side but one of the beautiful features of the Brompton is how it stays upright with the partial fold. A kickstand would add weight, potentially get in the way when folding or packing and as I redundantly already said, a kickstand would be redundant 🙂

    • RICK Cavazos

      April 27, 2021 at 2:32 pm

      مراجعة لطيفة للغاية لكنني أختبر نفسي بشكل أفضل كل يوم

  5. cory ddp

    April 27, 2021 at 12:50 pm

    Put an apple sticker on there with a Steve Jobs signature then do the review

  6. Kenneth Varela

    April 27, 2021 at 1:08 pm

    Just get a urbe

    • Logan Moy

      April 27, 2021 at 1:48 pm

      You actually just reminded me that I’ve tried one. More of a scooter than an ebike though, and even worse for tall people than this Brompton.

  7. Logan Moy

    April 27, 2021 at 1:28 pm

    Thanks for watching. What kind of rides do you like to take e-bikes on? Short commutes or long journeys?

    • TAJARIB SAUD

      April 27, 2021 at 1:56 pm

      Both
      But for 4000 there is alot of options

    • RICK Cavazos

      April 27, 2021 at 2:25 pm

      Depending on terrain

    • Myew the Cat

      April 27, 2021 at 3:10 pm

      10-20 minutes around town. I have the RadMission 1, and even that is a struggle for me to get into my upstairs apartment. But at 1/4 the cost of this video’s bike, I am very happy with it.

    • Logan Moy

      April 27, 2021 at 3:14 pm

      @Myew the Cat Same! Every time I test a new ebike I’m always so happy to go back to my RadRunner. Not the most convenient bike, but all-around fun to ride!

    • Owen Chua

      April 27, 2021 at 3:32 pm

      The bad news is, ceartain countries banned ebikes as not only they do not met safety requirements but also require riders to pass a theory thest, register their ebikes and in my country, plaster a liscence plate on the back.

    • Derek Moy

      April 29, 2021 at 2:25 pm

      Are we related?

    • Logan Moy

      April 29, 2021 at 3:07 pm

      @Derek Moy Dad?!

  8. TAJARIB SAUD

    April 27, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    I use my bikes alot
    But i won’t pay that price for bike like that
    I rather get e_scooter and full size e_bike for less than what they asking

  9. Gary Korzelius

    April 27, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    I really love these things, but I can buy a used car for that price!!!!! Thanks for your review maybe someday when they are more reasonable.

    • effyleven

      April 28, 2021 at 6:58 am

      You have to own a Brompton for a while .. and then it starts happening. You get to realise how well they last, and how brilliant is the design, … and that’s when the price seems to be a real bargain.

  10. simon

    April 27, 2021 at 2:42 pm

    Can I have the bike after you done with it?

  11. Akshay James

    April 27, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    3:31 invisible magical selfie stick?
    .
    .
    or editing skills? 😅

    • Logan Moy

      April 27, 2021 at 2:45 pm

      Yep. Insta360 One R camera.

    • Akshay James

      April 27, 2021 at 3:18 pm

      😃

  12. Jasper de Jong

    April 27, 2021 at 2:56 pm

    Nice review👍

  13. Cesar Trujillo

    April 27, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    Cute joke. Too bad it’s not a great bike.

    • Logan Moy

      April 27, 2021 at 3:38 pm

      It’s actually a great bike. Hand-made and great performance. Just really expensive for its limited use.

  14. Bryan Gooseman

    April 27, 2021 at 3:37 pm

    Love the Bromptons, but the electric feature for the Bromptons are definitely at a high price point. My $2000 euc (electric unicycle) covers 40+ real-time miles with a top speed of 45mph, not to mention it’s already ultra-portable formfactor to begin with.

    • Logan Moy

      April 27, 2021 at 3:41 pm

      You’re doing 45 on a unicycle?! Be careful! But also, cool! 😅

  15. Blender Study

    April 27, 2021 at 4:51 pm

    Thank you for the in-depth review, CNET..!! I wish I had that bike 7 years ago. I tried to find something to ride downhill to work, ended up buying a 3 wheeled skateboard, and fell down hard on the concrete after losing balance due to my backpack weight.

  16. murcielago Batman

    April 27, 2021 at 5:07 pm

    The same price of a used good car. Geez

  17. AGENT SMITH

    April 27, 2021 at 5:41 pm

    Way too pricey for 250W. …not a fan with small wheel…And with 250w does not help much with a throttle.

  18. Benjamin Smith

    April 27, 2021 at 7:03 pm

    I’d be interested to see if Brompton will make a ‘US’ version with a higher top speed, and more power. Right now, it’s made to be available in all markets, hence lack of performance compared to Rad Power offerings.

    I wish the weight was brought up because it’s a folding bike and meant to carried or at least lifted into a car/bus. As well as how difficult and fast it is to fold/unfold.

    • Logan Moy

      April 27, 2021 at 7:33 pm

      The bike I tested in the video is the US model that can be purchased at bike shops. It’s slower because of the smaller motor, and I mention both weight and how long it takes to fold/unfold in the video.

  19. Major Lazor

    April 27, 2021 at 7:13 pm

    If I was rich I’d get this product

  20. Albin 2

    April 27, 2021 at 7:44 pm

    I have the same model and it makes a great ‘out and about’ in town bike. Very convenient and well built. Not cheap, but nothing folds as well.

  21. Wendigo Smith

    April 27, 2021 at 8:25 pm

    $4k , bruh

  22. Alister Beveridge

    April 27, 2021 at 8:33 pm

    Kick stand, are you kidding? If you set the folding locking mechanism to unlocked all you have to do is lift the saddle to fold the rear wheel under. Quicker than lifting your foot to a quick stand. Pro level commuters in London can fully fold or unfold the bike in about 10 seconds. Good review.

    • Logan Moy

      April 27, 2021 at 8:48 pm

      It’s really not quicker and not that easy with a handful of stuff (like video gear). A slight imbalance of the ground causes the bike to tip over on those tiny wheels, so you can really only stand it up on flat ground. I can engage a kick stand in less than a second with one hand and a foot.

    • Logan Moy

      April 27, 2021 at 8:51 pm

      Thanks for watching though!

  23. Ben Ozerkevich

    April 27, 2021 at 11:17 pm

    Wayyy overpriced. For that quote you should get a much better battery and overall bike. Try Amego. Their bikes are built better and are less expensive

  24. Cuki Yudhanto

    April 28, 2021 at 1:27 am

    Human’s muscles will keep getting weaker with this kind of innovation. 🦵

  25. James G

    April 28, 2021 at 2:50 am

    You an buy a motorcycle for that price.

  26. disciprine

    April 28, 2021 at 3:05 am

    Hard pass. For that money I’d rather get the radmini step through

  27. effyleven

    April 28, 2021 at 6:34 am

    It’s a pedal ASSIST bike built to EU rules on max power/speed.
    (250 watts – 15.6 mph assisted.)
    If you want to go faster, you have to provide all the power by pedalling.
    On the other hand, if you want an electric motorbike complete with a throttle and higher speeds, in the EU you have to pass a test and get a driving licence, a helmet, and insurance… same as any other kind of motorbike.

  28. Bob Lorrimer

    April 28, 2021 at 7:49 am

    A good compelling review of the pros and cons….it has gone some way to putting me off! I need to evaluate my needs very carefully – I do not have a storage problem, I do not commute – thus an open road ‘cruiser ‘ with the bigger wheels will probably be for me in terms of both performance and comfort.

  29. mrkeefor

    April 28, 2021 at 4:14 pm

    Made in Britain so follows British laws of 15mph max speed and no throttles
    If I had limited space I would probably buy a Brompton

  30. RAMSIUM

    April 28, 2021 at 9:35 pm

    Title: weird flex but ok😂

    • Logan Moy

      April 28, 2021 at 11:39 pm

      💪

  31. Mark T

    April 29, 2021 at 8:11 am

    This guy complete misses the point of the purpose of Brompton. Good luck taking any other bike in a car or public transport.

    • Logan Moy

      April 29, 2021 at 1:23 pm

      No I get the point. Since I have a car, I don’t need a $4,000 Brompton. And if I took public transport, would $4,000 be worth traveling those last couple of miles? I could buy a car with that!

  32. Deirdre Reynolds

    April 29, 2021 at 11:09 am

    Wow! All bad marks 😂

  33. Bill Reals

    April 29, 2021 at 1:29 pm

    I own a Brompton. It’s was originally designed for multi-modal commutes, like those in places like London where someone is using the train or bus in conjunction with the bike. But there are people who have riddent them all over the world on bike tours. I personally used mine as a rental car replacement while traveling for work; mine has been on about 25 flights where it was my carry on.

    • Logan Moy

      April 29, 2021 at 2:05 pm

      The portability really is amazing! I just wish it was about half the price. Tough to justify $4,000 for something that can be replaced by a $500 scooter.

  34. Benjamin Stephen

    April 29, 2021 at 2:35 pm

    Meanwhile in school. “Great. I have no place to put my bicycle”

    CNET: it’s ok. Let me introduce you this folding bicycle in 30 seconds

  35. Siti Sakinah Abd Rahim

    April 29, 2021 at 3:07 pm

    Tqs for that review I been thinking of buying ebike too

  36. meester squid

    April 29, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    Congrats it’s too small!

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