Brompton has gone full titanium with its latest T Line range of bikes, reinventing every millimeter of its iconic design to create their lightest bike to date, tipping the scales at just 7.45kg (16.4 pounds).
The product of three years of research and development, Brompton has brought its folding technology to the next-level thanks to a new titanium forging process, resulting in the development of more than 150 components, along with a new dedicated factory in order to create the ultra-light T Line.
At the new facility in Sheffield, the frame is precision-engineered in titanium, then orbital and tig-welded for strength. From there, the T Line is finished in Brompton’s London facility, where its receives its new componentry and readied for the streets.
Ultra-light. As strong as steel
At 7.45 kg in total, the T Line is comparable to a carbon road bike. Yet, according to Brompton it can be comfortably ridden by a 110kg (243 pound) rugby player and withstand the punishing impact of the city.
Compact drivetrain, designed ground-up
The T Line features an entirely new, patent-pending drivetrain, designed from the ground-up to be as light as possible, while the carbon crankset ensures a smooth power transfer.
Additionally, a 60-gram derailleur further adds to its smooth shifting, along with a new gear-ratio that’s been tested from Amsterdam to San Francisco.
Pioneering Carbon Seat Post
While ordinary carbon seat posts are stiff, strong and lightweight, they can’t stand up to the daily use of a folding bike. So, Brompton’s design engineers developed a new process to reinforce the limitations of carbon with 0.3mm steel armor. The result is a superlight seat post that can take the stress of folding, along 110kg load and all-weather riding.
Every detail sweated
Faster to fold and easier to carry, every aspect of Brompton’s folding design was studied and improved, resulting in new self-aligning hinges, a spring-loaded handlebar catch that effortlessly clicks into place, larger diameter rolling wheels and an easy-grab carbon saddle with an integrated nose handle.
A seriously fun ride
Equal to its folding technology, the ride dynamics of a Brompton bike have been just as important to owners. And, thanks to the adoption of a carbon crankset, a cast titanium bottom bracket, a one-piece carbon fork and a wider carbon handlebar, the T Line posses a smoother power transfer and a more comfortable ride than ever before.
Commenting on the breakthrough launch, Will Carleysmith, Chief Design and Engineering Officer at Brompton said, “the only thing that has been carried over from our classic model is the brake system. Everything else has been finessed, pared back, upgraded. We have gone over this entire product in the minutest detail, looking for every single gram we can find to save on weight. What we’ve ended up with in T Line is the sense that when you leave the house you can go anywhere. All of those shared environments you experience when exploring a city, the bike is not going to be a burden, and you can do whatever you want with ease. That’s a pretty amazing feeling!”
Paul Williams, Chief Operations Officer explained the challenges Brompton overcame to create T Line, “while titanium ore is a relatively abundant material, turning it into something usable for bike manufacture takes an extraordinary amount of effort. It proves worth it though, as it has the highest strength to density ratio of any metallic element, along with great impact strength and corrosion resistance, making it the perfect material to create the ultimate lightweight folding bike, able to withstand the punishing impacts of the city.
He adds, “working with Titanium takes a high level of knowledge, experience and diligence, so finding the right partner who shared our vision and belief in what could be achieved with Titanium was critical. Our relationship with C W Fletcher, based in Sheffieldstarted over 7 years ago and they have a long history in manufacturing going back over 100 years. With them we built Brompton Fletcher, a dedicated company with a purpose-built production facility and skilled team able to work with this demanding material and fabricate these fantastic titanium frames.”
The new Brompton T Line is exclusively available via a ballot system on Brompton.com and through selected Brompton Junction stores in London, New York, Shanghai, Singapore and Paris.
The bikes will be available in two specifications, each with the option of a low and mid-rise handlebar fit.
T Line One – RRP: £3,750 / $4,795 / €4,360 / 7,465 SGD / 34,550 CNY
T Line Urban – RRP: £3,950 / $4,995 / €4,590 / 7,865 SGD / 37,000 CNY
To be notified first when T Line is available, and view exclusive content, visit www.brompton.com/tline, or follow @bromptonbicycle on Instagram and Facebook.
T Line One
“The lightest Brompton ever made. T Line in its purest form, the single-speed machine. Masterfully built to deliver an ultra-light, agile and responsive ride. This is the benchmark for freedom in the city.”
T Line Urban
“A complete ultra-lightweight performance package built to move around the city and beyond. The all-new compact 4-speed gearing system optimized for city riding. Faster, smoother folding mechanisms, with 110kg load carrying for you and your luggage.”
Brompton
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