Brompton is celebrating 50 years since its founder, Andrew Ritchie, created the first of its iconic folding bikes from his Kennington flat overlooking Kensington’s Brompton Oratory in 1975.

Since then, over a million Brompton bikes have been designed, developed and made in its London HQ, reaching 47 different countries. In London alone, there are over 80,000 Brompton bikes on the roads.

In a community now estimated to be 500,000 strong, Brompton estimates that a collective 27,500 hours were spent socialising in groups on Bromptons in 2024 alone, leading to 3.1 years of riding and 8.2 million calories burned.

An open door celebration

Brompton is marking its 50th anniversary by opening the doors to its factory on 19th June, giving its community behind-the-scenes access to how its iconic folding bike is made, from concept to distribution.

The tours take place in the run up to the brand’s largest ever Brompton World Championship, a one-of-a-kind, lycra-free cycling race with enjoyment and community at its core, taking place in Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross, London on June 21st 2025.

After selling out in record speeds, Brompton is adding additional dates to its factory tours. Members of the public can get on the waitlist by signing up via the Brompton website.

Will Butler-Adams, CEO at Brompton, is passionate about bringing the community together to mark the brand’s milestone. Talking about hitting the big 5.0, and plans to celebrate in style, Butler-Adams comments:

“Since Andrew first created the Brompton, aside from it being an ingenious product, our biggest strength has been the people who have believed and embraced what our small folding bike can provide.

It starts with our factory team in London, handcrafting the highest quality bike in the world, and ends with our community of riders who use the Brompton as a real-life cheat code. From beating Beijing’s morning commute traffic to discovering the streets of Berlin, Brompton opens up a whole new world of mobility. One that offers urban freedom to riders and ultimately, happier lives. It’s this shared understanding that brings our communities around the world together every week.”

In addition to its factory tours, Brompton is set to launch a limited edition 50th anniversary bike, followed by the largest technology upgrade in its history.

Of that teased technology upgrade, Will Carleysmith, Chief Design & Engineering Officer at Brompton, notes:

“Over the past ten years, our capacity for innovation has grown massively. We’ve never had a more exciting line-up of ideas in the works. We’re developing more products than ever, aiming to meet a wider range of needs and help even more people enjoy the freedom and fun that comes with owning a Brompton.”

Brompton has linked up with the Tour de France to create two limited bikes that feature iconic race imagery printed across the bikes’ main frames.

Taking a C Line and P Line model, Brompton has used a sublimation print technique to add race day photography from Pauline Ballet and Charly Lopez onto the frame, creating “an aesthetic as iconic as the race”.

Of the unique look, the announcement points out, “at first glance, you see a pattern, but as you look again, fans and the riders reveal themselves.

“We might be from different ends of the cycling spectrum, but we’re united in our belief that bikes have the power to change everyone and anyone’s world. Racing Alpe d’Huez or pedalling through the city, the sense of joy and possibility is shared. Once you know it, it never leaves you.

“We celebrate that feeling with two limited edition Brompton x Tour de France folding bikes. For the riders. For the fans,” said Chris Willingham, Marketing Director at Brompton.

Brompton x Tour de France C Line – using imagery from Pauline Ballet

Hand-built in Brompton’s London factory, the bike is finished with a print technique which creates an abstract photographic pattern. The bike is equipped in a way that also “pays homage to the world’s greatest cycling race” – featuring iconic jersey colour paint, Leaders Yellow bar grips, and the Brompton logo in the unmistakable yellow.

Based in Paris and a previous winner of Rouleur’s Photographer of the Year, Pauline Ballet’s image is used across the main frame of the bike. She is famed for capturing the drama and iconography of professional cycling.

Features include:

• Printed mainframe
• Brompton Saddle with Tour de France print – custom Selle Royal saddle specially for C Line. The official Tour de France typeface flexes to create a topography-inspired pattern.
• Tour de France logo decals and ‘Allez, Allez, Allez’ design on main frame.
• Brompton x Tour de France bike front mudguard flap.
• Brompton x Tour de France bike box.

Brompton x Tour de France P Line – using imagery from Charly Lopez

Hand-built in London with a titanium and steel frame and equipped with “a gear range that’s comparable to a road bike”, the P line is 1.3kg / 2.9 lbs lighter than the C Line.

The design “pays homage to the world’s greatest cycling race” with the iconic jersey colours, overlaid race stats and the Brompton logo in the unmistakable yellow.

The abstract photographic pattern on the frame tells the story of the Tour. This image is from award-winning sports photographer Charly Lopez, who is known for adrenaline-filled shots and breathtaking aerial perspectives.

Features include:

• Printed mainframe
• Brompton x King of the Mountains – Selle Royal – saddle, featuring the iconic KOM jersey polka dots.
• Tour de France decals and ‘Allez, Allez, Allez’ design on main frame.
• Brompton x Tour de France Puncture Pouch and Multitool.
• Brompton x Tour de France front mudguard flap.
• Brompton x Tour de France bike box.

Presale for The Brompton x Tour de France P Line and C Line bikes opened on May 29th via the Brompton website, Brompton stores, and accredited Brompton retailers, with general sale from Tuesday, 3rd June 2025.

COREbike Preview

2025 marks 20 years of COREbike. On 23-25 February, trade, press and brands will return to Whittlebury Hall for the highly anticipated show. In fact, this year had a record number of advanced registrations, demonstrating the buzz around this event.

Twenty years of running a trade show is certainly something to celebrate. Expect some familiar faces and first-timers as the industry gears up for the first show of the year. 

We’ll be at the show too, come find us in the Reception Area to have a chat with the team.

Not sure what to expect? Our COREbike preview will get you prepped ahead of time so you can plan your visit.

What the team are looking forward to this year…

COREbike turns 20! That’s some milestone. 

Cast your mind back to 2004/5: The high-end road bikes you’d have lusted over would have featured 21mm (maybe 23mm – controversial, I know) tubbies – carefully glued in place. Carbon brake tracks looked very smooth (who needs brakes anyway!). For the XC MTB riders, the geometry was long and low. Suspension forks gave 80mm of travel. 9 spd gearings featured a double chainring. 26-inch wheels still dominated. The disk brake wasn’t yet a universal standard! An Olympic XC medal was won on a bike with a metal frame!

In 2025 much has changed. Our love of the bike is still the same. See you at the show – Simon Cox, Staff Writer

Over the past 10-plus years I have always enjoyed catching up with industry friends and meeting new faces at Core. With new brands there this year, it will be interesting to hear everyone’s views on the past few years and what is in store for 2025. COREbike always manages to give us lots to look forward to for the year, even when times can be tough – Richard Setters, Head of Sales

Exhibitors give an overview of what to expect at the show:

ZyroFisher

ZyroFisher can’t wait to exhibit at CoreBike’s 20th edition. We’re excited to be presenting Leatt and Gaerne and will be exhibiting both ranges for 2025, including the Leatt Gravity 6.0 and 1.0 helmets and Gaerne’s new G-Jet shoe.

Additionally, we’ll have; new Altura apparel and luggage collections, EVOC’s new elbow and knee protection, SRAM Red E1 Groupsets, Hammerheads Karoo computer, Continental tyres including the new Aero 111, Torq Nutrition celebrating their 25th anniversary, Tifosi eyewear’s SS25 collection, Panaracer’s new Agilist Fast TLR tyres. LOOK’s new Keo Blade Carbon Powermeter pedals. Selle San Marco’s new Mantra saddle collection. New pumps, bags and mudguards from SKS, Hiplok products including the anti-angle grinder DX1000 lock and will have products from Cateye and Joe’s No Flats.

We’ll also have both the new Unior electric workstand and Sinter bedding machine on demo.

As always, please drop by for a World Bicycle Relief coffee (Torq Blend) available with a £1 minimum donation with all proceeds going to this amazing charity. To help celebrate the 20th anniversary ZyroFisher has several show exclusives, giveaways and activations!

Wahoo

Wahoo returns to COREbike with the all-new, category-defining, ELEMNT ACE bike computer along with a sneak peek of more new products coming in 2025.

Wahoo’s UK sales and marketing team will be on-site to talk through and demonstrate their exciting range of KICKR cycling trainers, ELEMNT bike computers, SPEEDPLAY pedals and TRACKR sensors.

Founded in 2009 by Chip Hawkins in Atlanta, GA, Wahoo creates innovative solutions to make hard-fought goals attainable and lives better with a full ecosystem of software, sensors, devices, data and performance insights for cyclists, triathletes and runners.

Wahoo was built on the foundation of simplicity and the mindset that “there’s got to be a better way.”

Brompton

Brompton Bicycle will be debuting at COREbike for the first time, exhibiting in S25. The British folding bike brand, set to celebrate its 50th year in 2025, is looking forward to the opportunity to meet all attendees and expand its network.

Set to showcase the newest iteration of the C Line, launching later in Q1 and the recently launched G Line. Brompton will also have an extensive array of parts and accessories on display for dealers.

COREbike will provide the Brompton Sales and Account Managers the chance to connect with all dealers and share the latest innovation and partnership possibilities.

Extra UK

Extra UK will display new additions to their portfolio at this year’s COREbike, including; Scope Cycling, Veloforte and KMC. These newcomers to the Grand Prix Suite join well-established names such as Topeak, fizik, CLIF, Pirelli, MET and OnGuard.

With a wide selection of cutting-edge products from their brand lineup, highlights include the ultra-efficient E-Booster pump and new Team Issue tool range from Topeak, vibrant new shoe colourways from fizik, Pirelli’s latest P ZERO Race RS TLR tyres, and Ergon’s new range of SMS Saddles and updated GP grips.

KMC’s addition last year has further strengthened Extra’s lineup of workshop brands, which includes Enduro Bearings, Motorex, and Jagwire. Customers can look forward to exploring a comprehensive selection of KMC chains, tools, and accessories on display during the show.

With more brand representatives attending than ever before, this is a rare opportunity for dealers to get a deeper understanding of brands and their products while also connecting with their Area Sales Manager and of course, not forgetting the exclusive show-only offers that will be available.

Extra UK invites both existing and prospective customers to visit the Grand Prix Suite during this year’s event.

Lyon

Lyon Cycle, a branch of Lyon Equipment in Cumbria, is a premier supplier of quality products for the cycling industry, encouraging riders to Venture Further. We are known for our technical outdoor and adventure gear and the Cycle Division offers an impressive selection of globally recognised brands including 7mesh, Arundel, Hydrapak, Industry Nine, MilKit, ORTLIEB, Tubus and the latest additions to the portfolio, Continental and Goodyear Tyres. Alongside its brand partners, it remains dedicated to innovation, progression, and quality, with new and exclusive products set to be showcased at COREbike.

Lyon Cycle will work closely with brand representatives at this show to provide expert technical support, maintaining its position as a leader in the Cycle Industry. We will be located in the Suzuka room and as always, we will be on hand to catch up with current and new partners to discuss how we can best serve IBDs in 2025 and beyond.

Ison Distribution 

From the smallest washer to the fastest carbon wheels, Ison Distribution offers dealers a fantastic collection of brands for 2025. With multiple changes in distribution over the past year, we bring you up to date at Core Bike.

The first piece of important news – we’ve moved! You can find us in the Chequers Marquee, where we will have at least four brands displaying for their first time at Core.

Below are some of the brands we’d like you to meet. We have more Industry personnel than ever before joining our Ison team to provide key product information and insight into future developments. Make sure you take the opportunity to talk to as many of them as possible.

– Benno presents its latest innovative solutions to the urban transportation conundrums.
– 5 Dev are showing off their aerospace component wizardry.
– Microshift are here to talk about their popular drivetrain options.
– Wippermann are with us for the first time to talk Connex premium upgrade chains.
– Redshift presents its iconic ShockStop Suspension stem and seat post.
– Old Man Mountain is here for the first time with its premium rack and luggage systems.
– Hayes will be talking about launching another brand into UK dealers.
– Renthal will be showing their exciting new products.
– Surly will have new colours and builds on show and there’s a first outing with Ison for Teravail.
– Fidlock will have its usual magnetic charm.
– Weldtite will be greasing palms and cleaning up with their latest range.
– HT are on hand to explain why so many World Champions ride their pedals.
– Fix-Plus have the solution with their German-made luggage straps.
– Rohloff can explain the workings of their world-beating Speedhubs.
– Squire – in their own syndicate room- has new locks to run you through.

And…

– Halo will be launching exciting new wheels, rims, and hubs AND celebrating 25 years. 

We look forward to seeing you all in the Chequers Marquee in February.

Chicken Cyclekit

COREbike 2025 will be our biggest yet. Taking on feedback from dealers, Chicken Cyclekit are moving and will now be in Ison’s old room, the Indianapolis room as well as our extra room, S1.

This gives us a lot more space to show a wider range of our brands and products but more space for visiting dealers to chat with staff in a more relaxed environment.

We plan to focus on the products and brands that our customers are looking for. You can expect to see all of our biggest brands at the show, including Campagnolo, KMC, Schwalbe and Prologo as well as showing off the latest models from Basso.

We’ll also have an exciting and prestigious brand that we’re adding to our portfolio!

The Bicycle Association

Visit the Bicycle Association on Stand S4 to learn how to grow your sales and improve the profitability of your retail business in 2025.

After a comprehensive overhaul of its data offer, retailers are invited to discuss their participation in the only service of its kind for the UK cycle industry. Compare your store performance to the market, accessing updated sales data and insights every month to help improve your assortment and transaction values.

The BA is asking for up to 750 stores to help it form a retail collection network for the millions of expired batteries that it is obligated to deal with. Participating stores will receive a free collection drum, and be promoted to customers as an approved place to drop off batteries that have reached the end of their life.

Eovolt

Eovolt celebrated a triumphant 2024 with the Afternoon 20” Pro solidifying its reputation as a game-changer in urban mobility. The Afternoon Pro was launched to critical acclaim, earning the coveted Editor’s Choice Award from Cycling Electric magazine. Featuring six design patents, including a belt drive system, automatic gears, auto-locking hinges, and a proprietary seat post battery with magnetic charging.

Building on this momentum, Eovolt is set to launch the non-electric Afternoon Pro at Whittlebury Hall. Retaining the revolutionary design elements of its electric counterpart, this new model delivers the same innovative features and sleek aesthetics at a more accessible price of £1499. Retailers at the event will be the first to experience the non-electric Afternoon Pro, a bike that combines simplicity and sophistication to meet the demands of urban and leisure cyclists.

The debut of the Afternoon Pro non-electric bike marks another milestone for Eovolt as it broadens its reach, offering innovative solutions for both electric and non-electric riders while maintaining its position as a leader in urban cycling.

Silverfish

Silverfish UK, recently crowned BikeBiz Distributor of the Year, is set to present an impressive lineup featuring the cycling industry’s most prestigious brands at Core Bike 2025. The event promises attendees exclusive hands-on experience with cutting-edge products and direct access to industry experts.

Highlighting the exhibition will be Yeti Cycles’ 40th-anniversary celebration, alongside new bicycle releases from

Norco, fresh from their NEST research and development facility. Michelin will showcase their expanded tyre range, covering Mountain, Road, Gravel and Street categories. Additional product launches will come from industry leaders including 100%, Race Face, Fox Factory and other prominent manufacturers.

Brand representatives will be on-site offering visitors unique insights into their latest innovations and the stories behind their product development. Core Bike 2025 presents an unparalleled opportunity to understand both the products shaping the industry and the visionaries behind them.

Join Silverfish UK at Core Bike 2025 and discover the innovations that will fuel your next adventure.

Adaptive DCS

Adaptive DCS proudly makes its debut at the 20th COREbike Trade Show, showcasing an exceptional range of premium cycling brands.

Discover the best of Italian cycling innovation, including 3T’s highly anticipated 2025 collection of road, gravel, and electric boost bikes. Experience the craftsmanship of UDOG performance cycling shoes, Repente’s handmade-in-Italy saddles, and the cutting-edge helmet and eyewear collection from Limar.

3T’s latest launch, the Strada Italia RED, will be shown for the first time in the UK – a dream build featuring the new 1×13-speed SRAM RED XPLR AXS groupset, paired with 3T’s Italian-made Torno aero crankset and the lightweight Zipp 353 NSW wheels. 

Adaptive DCS will also feature NS BIKES and RONDO from the 7ANNA Group. Attendees will get an exclusive first look at the exciting new 2025 models.

Raleigh

For the first time in 2025, Raleigh UK will be making an exciting debut at the Core Bike Show, showcasing its latest, currently embargoed, innovations and setting the stage for a new chapter in the UK market. As part of the Accell Group, Raleigh will present a comprehensive lineup that includes cutting-edge e-bikes, road bikes, and mountain bikes from their premier brands—Haibike and Lapierre—alongside exclusive, never-before-seen innovations from the Raleigh brand itself.

Attendees can expect to experience firsthand the evolution of Raleigh UK’s offerings, from high-performance e-bikes that redefine urban commuting to rugged mountain bikes designed for extreme adventures.

Core Bike 2025 is more than an exhibition; it is Raleigh’s opportunity to unveil its future direction and strengthen its presence in the UK cycling market. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Raleigh and the Accell Group are set to captivate the cycling community and inspire a new era of riders and retailers.

For the full product highlights and preview, check out the COREbike preview in the February edition of BikeBiz Magazine

The Back British Bikes campaign has hosted an event which presented parliamentarians with the opportunity to sign an open letter, to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, urging that the current Anti-Dumping Duties on e-bikes and pedal bikes be kept in place, to support UK businesses and jobs.

In sharing news of the event, campaign organisers emphasise their focus is wider than “just manufacturing bikes in the UK; it’s about supporting green jobs for local communities, fostering innovative businesses, and building a sustainable, decarbonised future for the UK.”

Commenting via LinkedIn the campaign further states “we were thrilled to see such a strong show of support for British bikes and the importance of supporting our cycle industry at our campaign launch in the House of Commons yesterday evening.”

In thanking attendees who joined and spoke to representatives, the campaign highlighted Julian Scriven, Brompton Bicycle, Jerry Lawson, Frog Bikes and Chris Slater Raleigh UK Ltd “who shared their passion for the industry’s growth and the role cycling plays in a greener, more resilient UK.”

Julian Scriven, MD, Brompton Bike Hire also shared thoughts following the event, reflecting “yesterday we met with around 30 MPs to discuss the future of bike manufacturing in the UK, as part of the start of The Back British Bikes campaign.”

Scriven reiterated that “the Back British Bikes campaign is about more than just manufacturing bikes in the UK though; it’s about supporting green jobs for local communities, fostering innovative businesses, and building a sustainable, decarbonised future for UK. All key policies of the new UK Government.”

Reflecting on the opportunity to sign the campaign’s open letter to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Scriven points out that Anti-Dumping Duties on e-bikes and pedal bikes are “critical to supporting the future of UK green jobs, with businesses already under terrific pressure.”

Image credit: Back British Bikes campaign

Brompton has unveiled the brand’s biggest innovation in 50 years, its first ever 20″ folding bike, the G Line.

Delivering comfort through an entirely new frame, all-new 20” wheels, and Schwalbe custom made for Brompton, tubeless-ready tyres to enhance the capability of the bike, the G Line is Brompton’s latest engineering feat – creating improved feel, with the same foldable design.

The G Line is also the first Brompton to come equipped with disc brakes for all-terrain, all-weather riding.

With a Shimano 8-gear system that helps to cover a variety of terrains, the hub gear is tucked away inside the rear wheel.

“The G Line truly is the one bike to do it all. Brompton owners are passionate about their bikes but it has always been a bike optimised for cities.” said Will Butler-Adams, CEO at Brompton.

“Now, as more and more people look to escape the city, exploring roads and trails less travelled, it was the right time to take everything that makes the Brompton so special, and make it capable of going beyond the urban environment and into tougher terrain.”

Marketed as the brand’s “most capable bike ever”, the G Line has been tested over 250,000km, first to meet industry standards, then to meet Brompton’s, to tackle everything “from dusty singletrack to rain-soaked cobbles”.

“We created the G Line to be the best one-bike solution for the city and beyond,” added Will Carleysmith, chief design and engineering officer at Brompton.

“It’s the most capable Brompton yet, with the ability to deliver on all sorts of surfaces, with the feel of a full-size bike.

“Yet it transforms into a compact package that stores and travels easily. In a world full of possibilities, G Line is your one-bike route to anywhere.”

The G Line fold is designed fto retain a compact form-factor, akin to that of its 16” predecessor, measuring 690mm (h) x 730mm (l) x 402mm (w) in a size small.

Folding the bike halfway allows owners to steer with the saddle or tow with the handlebar. The G Line stays locked together and glides like a wheelie suitcase.

The G Line is available in three size options (small, medium and large) retaining one frame size, but differentiated through stem lengths.

It utilises the brand’s Wide Platform QR Pedal Set and also features all-new Brompton Ergonomic Grips to provide additional cushioning and support.

Alongside the launch of the G Line, Brompton is also announcing the Electric G Line.

“We designed the Electric G Line bike and e-system as one. Every element is meticulously engineered from scratch to work together in the city and beyond,” Tom Kerr, G Line Design Lead commented.

“From brilliant on and off-road handling to easy charging and storing in small places, everything feels seamless with this bike.”

An all-new electric system brings greater capability to the rider. Designed with an understanding of riders’ needs, the Electric G Line features new advanced software and hardware for optimal performance, self-diagnostics and latest features available through future software updates.

As an e-bike that can go anywhere in all weathers, the Electric G Line’s all-new 250-watt rear hub motor offers stability and traction on all ground throughout three levels of assistance.

In Brompton’s in-house R&D facility, the motor was put through its paces on a 24/7 durability rig, with 20+ motors going through a combined mileage of more than 1,000,000km.

Brompton’s best battery to-date delivers a claimed 345-kwh of power via a more efficient system, all to fit within the Brompton fold.

Using this power, riders can explore from 20-40 miles (30-60km) in one go and when it comes to charging, the battery pack can be removed with a click and plugged in anywhere.

Brompton e-bikes are independently certified and accredited – UL2849 and EN 15194 compliant and the brand is actively supporting greater regulation through the Battery Breakdown Safety Bill.

Bluetooth connectivity between the e-bike and the Brompton Electric smartphone app means the latest system upgrades happen over the air.

Owners are notified of new features available and can use the dashboard on their phone to control power modes, maximise battery life, track distance and more.

When it comes to gearing, the Brompton Advance 4-speed system works with the rear hub motor and power modes to deliver everything needed and fits inside the fold.

Ergonomically designed in-house to suit the pedal style on electric bikes, the Brompton Saddle (wide) delivers comfort and stability.

The saddle features a carry handle under the nose for easier towing and lifting as well as loops for Brompton lights and luggage.

A dedicated array of G Line specific accessories have been created, allowing owners to run a rack, mudguards, a variety of bags, add water bottles, and store a toolkit inside the frame.

G Line is also compatible with Brompton’s extensive existing bag range.

Each steel frame is handmade and quality assured in the brand’s London Factory, and comes with Brompton’s seven year frame warranty.

All models available in Forest Green, Adventure Orange, Traildust White

• G Line 8-Speed – £2,395
• G Line 8-Speed with Rack and Mudguards-  £2,495
• G Line 8-Speed with Lights – £2,480
• G Line 8-Speed with Lights and Rack – £2,580
• Electric G Line 4 speed – £3,495

Brompton has issued a recall for all T Line bikes manufactured before Friday, June 21, 2024.

According to an update issued by the brand, under specific circumstances, the handlebar support and fork “can become misaligned, posing risk to riders”.

Brompton has received 15 reports relating to this issue although there have been no reports of injury.

A spokesperson added: “The safety of our customers is of paramount importance to us, so we have taken the decision to recall all bikes to have the necessary fix.”

The procedure includes increasing the torque value applied to the four steerer clamp hinge bolts to 7Nm, ensuring that misalignment cannot occur.

This change has also been implemented in Brompton’s manufacturing process so future models will not be impacted by this recall.

Models subject to this recall can be identified by a serial number of up to 2406070001.

Members of the trade can use Brompton’s online serial checker to see if the bike has not already been updated.

If the bike is affected, dealers should tighten the four steerer clamp hinge bolts to 7Nm as shown in the step-by-step guidance in the video below.

Retailers have been asked to mark each corrected bike using a visual indicator to identify that the correction has been performed. Brompton recommends a green sticker as shown in the instructions.

Once complete, all T Line corrections can be registered online.

Bikes manufactured after June 21, 2024, have had the increased torque value applied and are not affected.

These can be identified by having a serial number of 2406070001 or greater.

Earlier this week, Brompton issued a communication to all registered Brompton customers, informing of this issue and advising them that this can be performed through their local Brompton dealer, or at home, using a calibrated torque wrench.

If a customer visits a store, retailers are asked to perform the update and help the customer to register this work on Brompton’s website.

To receive reimbursement for this labour, retailers should complete a form on Brompton’s Trade Platform.

Further information on the recall is available at: www.brompton.com.

Retailers with queries are advised to contact their account manager.

In July of 2023, Brompton announced the signing of a letter of intent with Norsk Hydro. The goal: To use low carbon footprint aluminium in its bikes.

At the time of the announcement, Norsk Hydro and Brompton stated they would “start exploration of the application of post-consumer recycled aluminium in wheel rims (with) development trials … anticipated in Q4 2023.”

Today, Brompton has launched a bike with the world’s first 100% fully recycled aluminium wheel-rims, developed through its partnership with Norsk Hydro.

The British brand has a stated goal to manufacture a net-zero bike by 2050. With this new component made of 100% recycled, post-consumer aluminium scrap, it is delivering both an industry first and taking a significant step towards this goal.

To create the rims, Brompton leveraged Hydro’s supply of 100% recycled 6063 aluminium produced in Dormagen, Germany alongside a low-carbon European supply chain to assemble the wheels in its London factory.

As the world’s first, safety-compliant component manufactured from 100% post-consumer recycled aluminium, the rims provide a real-world example of a truly circular economy in the industry.

In sharing this news, Will Carleysmith, design and engineering officer at Brompton said: “We’re a proud B Corp business, and material innovation projects like this one with Hydro, can not only improve the footprint of our products and how we operate, but also show the wider industry that there is a better way.”

• The first Brompton x Hydro Wheel Rims will be showcased at the Brompton World Championships in Coal Drops Yard, London from 21 – 23 June 2024.
• They will be the hero part of three specially designed BWC London bikes, that feature BWC logo touchpoints with a bright multi-colourway finish.
• Two of the bikes will be awarded to the winners of the men’s and women’s races, with the third being the grand prize in the BWC raffle.

Bikes will be available in larger volumes in late 2024.

Brompton and Palace Skateboards have combined for a limited edition C Line.

The Palace Brompton product is a C Line two-speed low bar bike with a Glowstick Yellow and Disco Silver paint fade colourway.

Additional features include: a printed Palace Skateboards saddle, a Palace Brompton pouch made with Cordura with reflective details, a Palace Skateboards tri-ferg logo (included with bike, not sold separately), a Palace Skateboards laser-etched licence plate, and a Palace Brompton cardboard bike box.

A spokesperson for the folding-bike brand said: “Palace Skateboards are as iconic as they come. We know them for cutting edge design, and pushing the limits of what’s possible with product and storytelling, so it was a no brainer to collaborate.

“Seeing their unique lens on our product, and world of two wheels, has brought a new kind of energy to our iconic folding bike.”

To celebrate the launch of the Palace Brompton, Palace have made a film starring Palace pro skater Rory Milanes and directed by Palace’s Stuart Hammond PWBC.

Palace, which is also famed for its unique product descriptions, describes the product as “Palace. Brompton. The Cycle. Of Lyfe.”

This is not the first time that Palace has dabbled with the cycling market.

Many in and out of the industry will be familiar with the limited Rapha and Palace capsules which have dropped in recent years.

Read more: International Bike Fitting Institute appoints Lee Prescott as interim president

Followers of the collaboration can get their hands on the limited-edition bike once it’s released from May 10 from Palace and then from May 17 via Brompton.

Pricing has not been confirmed by either Palace or Brompton. A standard C Line two-speed retails for £1,295, but this collaboration is expected to retail for more than the traditional product.

Brompton has secured funding from Innovate UK to optimise bicycle production at the brand’s Greenford site through the development and demonstration of industrial-grade robotic and automation solutions.

The project, called BROM-BOT, involves creating a “Robot Sandpit/Playground” at the Brompton factory in Greenford and leveraging EKC’s robotic learning factory in Canterbury to test integration across several operations in areas such as body shop, paint, and assembly.

The goal is to identify operations and upskill its current workforce with the potential to significantly enhance productivity, quality, scale, safety, and sustainability.

This comes as Brompton has just launched its first 12-speed bikes – using an internally designed derailleur to achieve a wider range of gearing across its lines.

Innovate UK provides funding to support investment in developing business-led innovation covering both products and processes.

This is part of UKRI’s Made Smarter Innovation (MSI) Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK. The challenge has awarded grants to 11 late-stage robotics and automation projects with a focus on developing solutions to improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience within factory production areas.

Leading the project internally will be Alexander Kimber, engineering project manager, alongside input from Riddhi Karambelkar, head of manufacturing engineering.

There are also several other key partners who are contributing to the project, each of whom were identified as a key leader in their field. They are:

ABB – A world leading technology solutions supplier who have recently supported Brompton in delivering new robot welding cells.

GEMA – A paint specialist, who Brompton has a long standing relationship with.

East Kent Colleges Group – A collection of community based colleges in the south east of England.

HSSMI – A sustainable manufacturing consultancy, who have worked with Brompton on their manufacturing strategy, building requirements and aspects of modelling processes.

Phill Elston, operations director at Brompton Bicycle, said: “Brompton and Innovate UK has always held a strong and positive relationship. This new funding will enable the team to drive forward an array of exciting technology projects, ultimately meaning that Brompton can continue to be a leader of innovation in the urban mobility industry,”

This project will run until January 2025, and work has already begun to identify key areas within which to innovate.

Riddhi Karambelkar, head of manufacturing engineering at Brompton Bicycle, added: ”On behalf of Brompton Bicycle, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Innovate UK and our esteemed project partners, ABB, HSSMI, GEMA, and EKC, for their unwavering collaboration and dedication.

“Together, we’ve secured vital grant funding, propelling us towards our manufacturing aspirations with renewed vigour and purpose.”

Brompton has joined a growing group of cycling and outdoor brands, including Yeti Cycles, GoreWear, Mango Bikes, and Black Diamond Equipment, on the BigCommerce platform.

In sharing the news, the BigCommerce announcement points out that, after struggling for years with its previous e-commerce platform and tech stack, Brompton sought a new platform that offered “flexibility and the ability to scale” as the company grows and its priorities shift.

Key business factors that drove decision-making

Brompton wanted the flexibility to support storefronts in different markets as e-commerce expands rapidly beyond the UK.

Additional functionality – such as click-and-collect and improved analytics – are seen as key to increasing direct-to-consumer sales, which the company expects to comprise 50% of its business in the next few years.

Reaching that target – supporting and enabling a carefully considered purchase – requires in-depth understanding of the customer journey, and an ability to personalise it appropriately.

An evolving customer journey

The Brompton team points out that the modern bicycle purchasing journey includes both online and offline touches.

Customers shop around to compare different models, specifications, availability, and prices, but they also want to ride different models before making a buying decision.

As Oliver Boardman, IT and digital director at Brompton, comments: “The bike purchase is very omnichannel. We’ve recently launched a 28-day satisfaction guarantee in the UK and offer a bike hire programme where people can rent a bike and try it out for a while before deciding to buy one.

“With our new composable site, we know we’ll be able to add that to our current website and provide a seamless experience for our customers in the future. Our old system arguably could have been called composable, but it wasn’t purpose-built that way.

“The components didn’t work together well, and we didn’t have nearly as much flexibility as we needed. BigCommerce showed us that they could provide a true composable platform capable of scaling with us and our customers.”

Composable e-commerce: Integration and performance

With the new site built on BigCommerce Brompton is delivering what’s known as a “composable commerce site”.

Vue Storefront powers the front-end, while e-commerce experience provider Bloomreach serves as Brompton’s CMS, driving AI-powered personalisation across the site.

Search capabilities from Algolia sit on top of Brompton’s Cin7 inventory management system, which effectively functions as its ERP.

“Our previous system had a variety of pieces that didn’t work well together, so the idea of taking a composable commerce approach required careful assessment,” says Boardman.

“We took our time confirming the various components would work well, and knowing that BigCommerce was a member of the MACH Alliance gave us a lot of confidence. Knowing we were following the MACH blueprint and that the components were compatible was a huge factor, and BigCommerce and its partners all came to the table early in the process to identify potential barriers and explain how they would work together to do what we needed.”

As an Open SaaS e-commerce platform for fast-growing and established B2C and B2B brands, Brompton’s BigCommerce sites currently support sales in the UK and US, and the company plans to expand into additional European markets soon.

Mark Adams, senior vice president and general manager of EMEA at BigCommerce, said: “Brompton has delivered a best-in-class customer experience based on the foundations of a modern, composable technology stack that creates new opportunities for innovation and speed to market.

“This demonstrates that companies of any size and scale can benefit greatly from moving on from their legacy technology platforms, but what matters most is that Brompton is now empowered with the technology and tools to fire up the digital experience creating more inspiration, more loyalty and more value for their customers.”