The Brompton G Line is the best folding bike with 20-inch wheels in the world. When you buy a G Line, you’ll hardly feel the difference compared to a regular bicycle. The G Line is extremely stable, dynamic, reliable, offers a wide gear range, excellent disc brakes, and folds or unfolds in just 20 seconds.
There is always room for improvement, and you can easily make your G Line even better. Perhaps the number one upgrade after purchasing a Brompton G Line is installing a smaller 44T chainring for better climbing. This is a great option for easier hill rides, though you do lose the highest gears used for faster speeds.
That’s why we offer the best and lightest upgrade for the G Line — converting 8 speeds to 11! Click here to see!
The upgrade concept is very simple. Instead of the standard Shimano Alfine 8 hub, we build a wheel using your original rim combined with a Shimano Alfine 11 hub. You simply replace the entire rear wheel and swap the 8-speed shifter for the 11-speed one. Everything is included in the kit, including the Cassette Joint for Alfine 11. After that, you perform a very simple gear adjustment — and you’re ready to ride!
Now you have a Brompton G Line with a significantly wider gear range. Alfine 8 offers a range of ~307%, while Alfine 11 provides ~409%.
This means the highest gear is almost 4.09 times higher than the lowest on the 11-speed hub, compared to around 3.07 times on the 8-speed.
The Alfine 11 offers a larger overall range, making it ideal if you want more useful gears — both lower for climbing and higher for flats, descents, or fast riding. It also has smaller and smoother steps between gears, which makes shifting more comfortable.
If you have this upgrade installed at our store, Freedom Folding & Electric Bikes, we will not charge you extra for labor or adjustment — you only pay for the conversion itself.
Why Alfine 11 Is Better
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Wider overall range: ~409% vs. ~307% on Alfine 8
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More climbing options: Lower gears make hills easier
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Higher top speed: Faster flats and descents
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Smoother gear transitions: Smaller steps between gears for a comfortable ride
For Boulder cyclists tackling steep climbs and flat stretches, this upgrade is a perfect balance of efficiency and speed.
FAQ: Brompton G Line Upgrades
Q: Is Alfine 11 better than Alfine 8 for climbing?
A: Yes! Alfine 11 offers a wider gear range, making steep hills easier to climb and giving you more flexibility on flat roads.
Q: Will I lose top speed if I install a 44T chainring?
A: You slightly reduce top-end gears, but the trade-off is easier climbing. Many riders find it a worthwhile upgrade.
Q: How long does the Alfine 11 conversion take?
A: With our kit, the Alfine 11 conversion is simple — if you’ve worked on a bike before, it usually takes just 10–20 minutes
Q: Can I still fold my Brompton after these upgrades?
A: Absolutely! Both the 44T chainring and Alfine 11 conversion are fully compatible with Brompton’s folding system.
