Brompton or Gocycle? An Electrifying in-depth electric bike review, featuring a McLaren 600LT

Starring a McLaren 600LT, a Gocycle GXi and a Brompton M6L electric bike.

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[gohumberto]

The E-Brompton is a perfectly useable bike when the battery goes flat. That's not the case with the GoCycle. Nobody is going to go bike-packing across Europe on a GoCycle.
No bike comes close to a Brompton for use in city life. Catch a train to Paris, cycle to a restaurant, stash the Brommie under your table. Perfection.

[noisycarlos]

Great video. The folding competition is the most polite race I've ever seen :-D
Ps, I really love my Gocycle GS

[dogkoa]

Some call Brompton analogue and the past while Gocycle the future. I just say whatever floats your boat and isn't it wonderful we have a choice? But I'm a die hard Brompton guy. I've had my Brompton electric for a year now and have come to appreciate its refinement. Bromptons have been around for over forty years refined over and over again as the years passed. As an owner, you get to appreciate those refinements which are not always apparent by just looking at the bike. Just one example of many. Noticed the bag on the Gocycle cannot be attached in its folded position. With the Brompton, the bag stays attached so you can roll the bike around a grocery store in its folded configuration using the bike with its attached large city bag as your grocery cart. It doesn't look like the Gocycle can do that. Also, if your bag attaches to the handlebar or the steering column as it appears is the case with the Gocycle, when you put heavy stuff into the bag like a gallon of milk and a gallon of OJ, the weight of the bag influences the steering of the bike, sometimes, dangerously so. I know...used to have one of those bikes with the bag attached to the handlebars and the steering column which made steering a nightmare when the bag got too heavy. Realizing this, Brompton electric attaches its forward bag to the mainframe of the bike completely unattached and independent from the handlebars and the steering column so no matter how heavy the bag gets, it doesn't affect the steering at all. And if I couldn't instantly transform my bike into my grocery cart so It could help me with my shopping, that would cut out a major part of why I love my Brompton...because it becomes part of your life and lifestyle...not just a vehicle to get you from point A to point B. And there are many more subtle refinements that when you discover them as Brompton-only refinements that no other bikes have such as attaching the forward bag to the mainframe instead of the steering column, that's why world wide people love their Bromptons. I wouldn't trade mine for anything else.

[glasss]

This was not informative whatsoever, sorry. I really need a proper review, because I can't decide between these two... GoCycle seems awesome but people are dropping comments about inferior tire quality, punctures and going flat all the time and losing your warranty if you change it to a different brand tire? These are the super important details we would need to hear about.

[julianne]

I’ve got the Brompton electric and I love it, if anyone is thinking of getting one I definitely recommend it, you won’t be disappointed.

[petergilbert]

My feeling is that on first look the Go-cycle looks more exciting etc with its various attributes. And 20” wheels will defo give a better ride.. But a Brompton is far more versatile - unlike larger folding bikes a Brompton is welcome inside restaurants and shops, I’ve even sat it next to me in a cinema. So it neatly eliminates theft. You can use range extender technology like buses with a Brompton where other makes are too bulky to be accepted on board. And of course in shopping cart mode you can tour a supermarket using your front basket to place items and then roll it to the checkout. A quick flick outside to unfold and you’re off home. I roll mine as much as possible but, if you do live up a staircase, you can instantly detach the battery bag and you’re left with a bike several kg lighter than most of the competition. Btw I have yet to see a Go-cycle with mudguards, lights and luggage.

[BUCKSHOTSTV]

I really want a brompton. My thinking is like this. I drive a Jeep Wrangler. The body style stays the same for years, so you rarely get the desire to upgrade to a newer year as it looks the same! So the brompton follows that same principal. It could be old, but still basically looks like the new model. So temptation to upgrade is very slim.

[bimble]

This is not much of a review. No comparisons of weight, range, ride quality, charging time, price, warranty or space when folded. For example I can't imagine being allowed to take a Gocycle into a restaurant or bar. What about riding with a flat battery? Will the Gocycle transmission function without power?

[Jennifer-wrsi]

Go cycle is way easier to fold and while I’ve never tried the Brompton electric (only the non electric), the ride of the go cycle is much smoother/more comfortable.

[chrissnyder]

You neglected to mention the Brampton provides 3 levels of battery assist, or no assistance, user selectable. The Brampton can also be ordered with 3 speeds.

[pixelbasedlifeforms]

Brompton hands down. It’s much smaller when you fold it. And that’s the whole point about folding bikes and why Brompton is so legendary in the industry.

[milkovivaldi]

Can the pedals be replaced with quick-release or magnetic ones?

[McStrien]

Gocycle looks great, but folded it’s way to big to fit in my car or be easy for train travel.
Also not keen on automatic gears, so that’s not a plus for me.

[FalkinerTim]

They are different bikes. I have a 20" folding bike and love it but it is too heavy and large other than for occasional transport. The Gocycle is lighter but still too heavy and bulky. I have put an order in for an unpowered Brompton because they are lighter and fold smaller.

[np]

I feel like if I break something it’s going to be cheaper and easier on the brompton

[chrisb]

Awesome video! I love how electric bikes are getting more popular. There is a lot of selection now and it's easy to find a quality bike for a reasonable price. I've had mine for 8 months and have already put about 1500 miles on it commuting to and from work and running errands. Thanks for posting. :-)

[Manc-fhwe]

Watching you fold them up made me want to weep for the designers 😅

[carolynwilliams]

Please could you review more e bikes? Especially the Driiven Bike+ Moulton sold in the UK by Human Cycle, compared to the Moulton TSR e bike? Thanks

[brianward]

Not specific in what how the bikes are similar or different. You would think they would have swapped bikes to give feedback on their different experiences. No specs given about range or handling. Poor review.

[atotzara]

almost perfect. I’m about to buy it but suddenly i saw the breaks. Kinda old
Outdated. Coz Looking for a disc break. Would like to hear about your comments about the break, and hopefully convince my self to buy it. Thanks. You got a good video.