We live in interesting times. Ferrari made an SUV; the Rolex Submariner had a 41mm case diameter; and Brompton released the G Line.

I’ve always wished that my trifold had thicker tires for better ride comfort. But now that it has been granted, was it as great as I hoped for?

After trying out a friend’s G Line, I must say that Brompton’s newest model is quite the mixed bag.

The G Line represents a radical departure from the traditional Brompton formula, featuring thick 20-inch wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, and a slacker geometry.

On paper, these should address the shortcomings of bicycles with small wheels. But expectations open the door to disappointment.

The story behind this unit was that it was purchased from the USA by a Brompton enthusiast. But after trying it out once, he didn’t like it and decided to sell the bike online. After my friend bought it and rode it, he immediately understood why. The same could be said after I tried it.

“It’s slow.”

The first impression was…underwhelming. A few things stood out the moment the rubber hit the road. The neutral handling resembles that of a full-size bike, but without any of the speed. The G Line was just sluggish.

The ride comfort was noticeably better than my trifold, though, with the 20-inch-by-2.1-inch tires soaking up the road chatter. And the neutral steering means you won’t be tossed around when the road gets gnarly. The stock Schwalbe G Ones tires were swapped for Schwalbe Big Apples since the latter are better suited for city riding.

Gearing is provided by an eight-speed Shimano Alfine internal gear hub. The 307% range (close to an 11-34T cassette) is sufficiently wide for city riding.

Unlike with a normal derailleur, you need to stop pedaling when shifting. Exerting force during the gear change may damage the mechanism.

The advantage is that you can shift to a lighter gear while stationary. But pausing your cadence can be jarring when trying to build momentum.

One thing that’s undeniably better with the G Line is the TRP hydraulic disc brakes. There’s no need to worry about losing stopping power in the rain.

Upon arriving at your destination, you park the G Line by folding it at three hinges. Swing the rear triangle, fold the frame in half, and then bring the stem down.

Although the steps are the same, the rear triangle doesn’t fold as smoothly compared to the 16-inch Bromptons because the 20-inch wheel is heavier.

If a normal trifold were a suitcase you could stow under a table, the G Line would be a trolley stored beside your seat. It won’t fit in the same spots, and you’d need to use both hands to carry it confidently.

The G Line would inevitably turn out bigger and heavier at 14.8kg with the rack and the fenders. But I didn’t realize how odd it looked until I placed it side-by-side with other bikes.

Who is the Brompton G Line for? It’s a bit hard to say, especially with its SRP of $3,500 (P200,000).

It’s certainly more convenient than a bifold like a Tern or a Dahon. But those cost a fraction of the price. Compared to a 16-inch trifold, the G Line is comfortable to ride, but inconvenient to fold and carry.

The Brompton G Line is an inversion of what the British brand is known for. Don’t expect the same small, light package if you decide to get this big folding bike.

However, if your commute has shitty roads with even shittier bike parking—and you’d like the option of taking your bicycle into public transit—perhaps the G Line would be worth it with all the time you can save skipping traffic.