Brompton has revealed an updated P Line today and says the new bike is lighter, faster and “engineered for riders who want to move with the city, not just through it”.
It’s been five years since the folding bike brand introduced the P Line as a replacement for the Superlight. The P Line (or 'Performance Line' in Brompton nomenclature) continued the Superlight’s focus on low weight, and this version maintains that theme.
The hand-built folding bike uses 'super light components' to reduce the overall weight. This includes new pedals that are made from CNC-milled aluminium and a carbon fork.
The fork is a departure from the previous P Line, which had a steel fork to match its frame. But it seems Brompton has taken the idea of a carbon fork from its T Line.
Brompton says the fork is lighter but also smoother, “absorbing road buzz and damping vibration before it reaches your hands for a more comfortable ride”.
Elsewhere, the P Line has a new Superlight Saddle, which is said to be 23 per cent lighter than the standard Brompton saddle, thanks in part to a carbon base. The low weight hasn’t come at the expense of practicality, though. The saddle still has mounts and loops to accommodate luggage and bike lights.
Brompton has made further tweaks to the P Line so it “moves with pace”. The bike has an aluminium crankset with short 160mm cranks for smoother, more efficient pedalling and greater power transfer, according to the British brand.
There is also a 54-tooth narrow-wide chainring to reduce chain movement and keep the chain in place, even over rough roads.
A wider aluminium handlebar with wider tubing is said to “provide greater control and confidence when cornering and accelerating”.
Brompton has also adjusted the folding bike’s hinge clamps “for faster, more precise folding”.
According to Brompton, the result of these changes is, “a ride that is as reliable as it is refined – built to handle the pace of urban life, day after day”.
The P Line weighs between 9.75kg and 10.15kg, depending on model, and costs £2,399.
