The non-Brompton thread

[biggs682]

That's a keen price.

I thought it was as well

 

[ColinJ]

I thought it was as well

Being Mister Suspicious, I always wonder why something is that much of a bargain... One can't exactly ask the vendor because if they get a sniff of the fact that the item is under-priced they might just raise the price!

 

[biggs682]

Being Mister Suspicious, I always wonder why something is that much of a bargain... One can't exactly ask the vendor because if they get a sniff of the fact that the item is under-priced they might just raise the price!

It might be just a case of they are no longer using the item and want it out of the way.

 

[ColinJ]

It might be just a case of they are no longer using the item and want it out of the way.

They shouldn't have long to wait at that price!

My need for a folding bike has temporarily decreased since a Scottish cousin offered to lend me a road bike my size when I go up in September.

Still, my niece would like one for the same holiday so she can do some Highland rides with me. It would also be handy for her in Devon because she is based in 2 locations and could easily take a folding bike between them (and elsewhere) in her car boot.

 

[ianrauk]

So I bit the bullet and got a Tern Verge D9.
I'm moving soon, so needed a folder for the train/cycle commute.
I had a Brompton before but didn't like it. It sucked the life out of me. So didn't want to go down that route again.
Even though I've only given it a quick spin around the block, it feels more like a full size bike then a small folder. Feels quite nippy. I think I'm going to spin out on the high gears though. Also, the handlebars feel very wide compared to my road bike. Mudguards to be added also. All things to sort at a future date.
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So, baptism of fire this morning with the Tern. New commute of the Bike/Train/Bike sort.
And must say it performed admirably well considering the utterly crap heavy rain. It feels so much better ride then a Brompton, feeling more like a big boys bike. The handling is much better, get's up to and holds speed much better. Having no problem cruising along at 19's and 20's even in the rain. I bought mudguards for it which aren't in the previous pics. Expensive but with todays ride, worth every penny.
I will miss my big bike for the commute no doubt and come the better months will cycle the whole way to work and back every now and then, a round trip of 54 miles. But, for the job, the Tern did well. Early days but looking good,

 

[Drago]

How did you get on with the train? A lot of Brompton diddy wheel riders gasp in horror at the thought of a 20 inchers on the train, but I've have nary a problem with stairs, escalators, platform or even stowing it on the train.

 

[ianrauk]

No problems at all. Lucky in that South Eastern train staff are pretty laid back. When I did the Maidstone to Bromley commute I swapped over to the big boys bike and very rarely got called out on it. Only an aged old sourpuss on Bromley said something. I just said I had a mechanical and she just wandered off.
The Tern does actually fold up pretty small too so when stored in the bike vestibule took up little space. Both mine and the Brompton bike fitting in the space for one big bike.

 

[Drago]

I find the ID9 - very similar fold and dimensions - fits nicely between my knees on the floor when I'm seated. QR pedals helps.

 

[ColinJ]

I was watching an ID9 on eBay yesterday. The highest bid when I went to bed was only £82 but there were quite a few others watching the auction. I decided that would make a late cheeky bid of £126 but by then a higher winning bid had been made... £144 - bargain!

I am going to keep looking out for a bargain for my niece... Sub-£130 for an ID9 or sub-£100 for an ID8.

 

[Drago]

I love mine. It's still my favourite bike.

 

[StuAff]

So, baptism of fire this morning with the Tern. New commute of the Bike/Train/Bike sort.
And must say it performed admirably well considering the utterly crap heavy rain. It feels so much better ride then a Brompton, feeling more like a big boys bike. The handling is much better, get's up to and holds speed much better. Having no problem cruising along at 19's and 20's even in the rain. I bought mudguards for it which aren't in the previous pics. Expensive but with todays ride, worth every penny.
I will miss my big bike for the commute no doubt and come the better months will cycle the whole way to work and back every now and then, a round trip of 54 miles. But, for the job, the Tern did well. Early days but looking good,

Nice. With 451 wheels, probably a bit less twitchy than a 406 like Chutney is, better clearance for the rear derailleur as well, but not the same range of tyres. Chutney doesn't get ridden much- first ride this year was last week- but when I do, it always reminds me why I love it, and it can get a shift on, no problem there. Glad to hear you've had no problem with the trains.

 

[ianrauk]

Glad to hear you've had no problem with the trains.

The morning train is pretty empty. I could use a full sizer with no problem. It's not busy, having so many trains and different routes into London the one I get is a slower option for some. I'm already chatty with the station gate lady. 😀
The evening train is a bit busier though.

 

[matticus]

The morning train is pretty empty. I could use a full sizer with no problem.

I think reviews of bike+train experiences are a bit like comments on a speciifc tyre being hard to fit:
we really need to know what RIM they're fitting the tyre too as well!!! :-)

 

[ianrauk]

So two weeks in on the commute on the Tern Verge D9
Boy oh boy.. this bike is very good. It pisses all over a Brompton for both comfort and speed. Ok you don't get the great, compact Brompton fold but the Tern more then makes up for it that it's an all round much better bike. I can get up to 20mph and cruise along quite nicely where as the Brompton was always a struggle and seemed to suck the life out of you. It's a bloody enjoyable ride of which I can see myself doing some leisure rides on it not just a commute.
A fellow commuter on a (electric) folder even commentated how fast it is.

I've now mastered the fold and have it down and folded in few seconds. The shoulder pad placed under the saddle is a great little afterthought. Making the bike easy to carry up and down train station stairs.
I was going to take off the kick stand to save a bit of weight, but I have found it's no problem and it's very handy to have when parked up.
I'm going to chop off an inch off each end of the handle bars as do feel they are a little wider then I would like. The hydraulic disc brakes are flippin' brilliant too. Stopping the bike on a sixpence whilst having great modulation. Since the below picture was taken, I've added SPD pedals and full mudguards. Mudguards being a bit on the expensive side, but they are pretty lightweight and I've had a couple of wet rides.
I was looking at a higher geared chainring for the front as I am finding myself in the top 3 high gears most of the time on the flat, I would much prefer to be middle of cog when cruising. But the chainring is already a 53 so will look at a close ratio cassette for the rear instead, probably something like 11-25 (currently 11-28)
The weight of the bike is still under 13kgs, so still pretty good.

I was going to look at the new Brompton 20 incher, but riding the Tern has made up my mind that there's absolutely no need. The Tern does it all and more. Super impressed.

 

[Drago]

It's a handsome machine.