Just_Cruisin

Hello guys,

for my first post I need some help deciding which bike I would choose best. There are two left between which I would like to choose.

The main differences are:

Tern Verge P10
full aluminum 10-speed, uses 53T chain ring and 11-40T cassette.
11.7 kg
451 wheels!


Chinese Sava
carbon frame and fork - 9,3 KG total
9-speed, uses a 53T chain ring and a 11-34 cassette (if I'm right)
406 wheels

There's also a version which is a 20-speed (53t/39t)


I'm going to use it mainly for fun, casual rides and short commuting.
Which one would you choose, apart from looks, and if you didn't have to worry about importing costs etc.. ?

Would you worry about the quality just because it is Chinese (no offence)

Unfortunately I cannot post URL's yet but I guess the bikes I'm talking about are known quite well.

Mtroup

Not familiar with the carbon bike, but I suspect one other large difference to consider is the warranty. Tern has a pretty damned good warranty; some bike picked up from Ali Express... maybe not so much.

kidshibuya

Add an extra KG according to sava:
https://www.amazon.com/SAVADECK-Fold...2&sr=8-19&th=1

I was interested in that bike (and the terns) but even up buying a Dahon Mu (was lighter and better spec'd than them all). The carbon frame doesn't seem any lighter than an alloy frame and visually the bike isn't great. You can however find plain black carbon versions of the bike to use as a base to build on, you might be able to build something great based on that.

The tern is a great bike, just a bit heavy.

maxxevv

That 9.3kg for the Sava is for its top spec'd model with the best parts. Not its lower range ones.

The Amazon listing weight for its Shimano 3000 groupset sounds correct.

Bonzo Banana

Could do with more information, do you have to store the bike at work, is your commute on congested roads or rough roads. Are you light or heavy and what additional load.

Are derailleur gears right for you or would you be better off with hub gears?

Of the 2 bikes I prefer the Tern and it seems the safe bet too with less possibility of it being a major headache if there is a problem with the bike you buy.

I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with a aliexpress purchase of a carbon bike if that is where you are getting it. Even if they send you a perfect bike by the time it gets to you it may not be.

I'd look and try other bikes though to get the full picture, apologies if you have already done that and this is your shortlist.

You could even rent or see if you can borrow a test bike from your local bike shop and see what you prefer on your commute.

Just_Cruisin

Good info so far, thanks.

A main thing is that I'm totally sure about the difference in wheel size : 406 vs 451. There seems to be a lot of discussion about which would be best. If the 451 set will be more comfortable and less twitchy, that would definitely help in making a choice. Even if there isn't that much tire choice in that size.
The bike will be used on good, flat roads mainly. I'm shorter than average and also don't weigh alot.

I was thinking about importing the carbon chinese one, but decided against it. I can get it locally (at an increased price of course).

At work, the bike could be stored in a protected area, which is a plus of course.
I've looked a lot at different bikes already but think there won't be added much to my shortlist. But suggestions are always welcome.

kidshibuya

Twitchy isn't a thing. If you are used to one bike you might find another twitchy, but it doesn't mean that bike is twitchy. At first my my bike I felt it a little difficult to ride in a straight line (because of thin tyres though, not because of 406) but now it feels totally natural and I am in complete control. A bike that you might consider normal I might think of as ponderous. It's all about what you are used to, and whatever bike you have just becomes what you are used to.

What you get with 451 is extra weight and that is about it. People say 451 is faster, personally I think that is down to the gearing, what they believe I don't know.

Bonzo Banana

With that additional information it sounds like ideally you should get a bike as light as possible with high gearing with a derailleur. I feel there must be better candidates, what is your spending limit or at least what price are you aiming for?

Are you in the US?

Dragon - origamibicycle

Just_Cruisin

I'm from Belgium. After some reading I'm not wanting to import anymore. The added taxes ('anti-dumping taxes' they call them) are 48,5%. That is without VAT and additional adminidtration costs etc.

Let's say my upper limit is 1400 euro (+- 1600 US dollar).
I was also looking at a Dahon 10-speed Mu EX in Carribean blue. It has carbon clinchers, carbon fork, SRAM Red etc. It costs 1090 euro. I guess it is a 2015 model, that's why the high discount (normally 1895 euro). But I would like to make a decision soon and as said, don't want to add several options to the list.

Bonzo Banana

The Mu Ex looks pretty damn good and that's a competitive price its hard to see you going wrong with that. I'd personally put that at the top of the list based on your requirements or at least add it to the shortlist. Whatever you decide best of luck with your purchase.

Folding Bikes by DAHON Mu EX ? Folding Bikes by DAHON

kidshibuya

Yeah the mu ex does look great. It is very similar to my bike but heaver. For that price I'd go for it, I love how my bike performs.

If you do get that I'd love to hear about the wheels. They state carbon but they look identical to the normal dahon pro rims right down to the wtb markings.

Joe Remi

I don't think a carbon fork with carbon steerer is a good idea on a folding bike. The handlepost is a very long lever on that steerer, and carbon doesn't have a fatigue mode..it either holds or snaps. AND you have to hope whoever bolted the handlepost on obeyed a very specific torque rating for stem bolts on carbon steerers. I'm sticking with steel and aluminum forks.

ThorUSA

has alloy steerer tube just like an alloy fork :-)

Joe Remi

Ah, I misinterpreted crown for steerer. I'm still anti-carbon forks, but at least this one isn't all carbon.

kidshibuya

Yeah metal does give warnings. Like all those tern frames that snapped. Oh wait...

tds101 

Too bad Joe isn't a Tern fanboi,...he might be offended!!!

Joe Remi

Sorry, not a fanboi, and I wasn't discussing the fatigue mode of a frame improperly constructed.

tds101 

I know that,...I understand your point. The counter comment made towards you was baseless, as carbon has a much higher catastrophic, quite dramatic failure rate. It shatters,...or appears to pulverize. Not good for the application mentioned,...IMO of course.

Joe Remi

Yes, I was roundabout addressing the other fellow. Sorry if this wasn't clear.

tds101 

Just_Cruisin

Well, I've done it. Dare I say it after the previous comments.. I've ordered a Tern Verge P10. I hope to have lots of fun riding it. Thanks for all the help.

tds101 

I still like Tern,...

GTizzy

Awesome! Enjoy it!

ThorUSA

video is missing how nice it rolls

congrats great bike

Bonzo Banana

Funny to see 451mm wheels coming back into fashion, it was always part of the charm of the old Raleigh Twenty bikes that rode so well. Tern's best ever ride quality they say.