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Help with first folding bike

Old 04-22-13, 10:33 PM
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Help with first folding bike

Hi everyone, I'm looking to buy my first folding bike, I want a 26", I'm looking to commute at least 15 mi back and forth to work, with hills, over pavement. (I want something that I can use to possible go perhaps 70 miles on the weekends as well for fun)
I've researched and read the forums/reviews and narrowed down my choice to a couple of bikes, My budget is under 700,
I don't want a 20" at the moment,

Tern D24
Tern C21
Montague Crosstown
Montague Paratrooper

I like the prices of the tern's but on NYCEbikes it says they stopped carrying it because "it wasn't up to our standards", can anyone verify if these bikes are not worth it?
Regarding the montages I haven't been able to try one out because there are no locations nearby.

Any thoughts and opinions would be welcomed
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Old 04-23-13, 05:56 AM
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Originally Posted by liverpoolfc
Hi everyone, I'm looking to buy my first folding bike, I want a 26", I'm looking to commute at least 15 mi back and forth to work, with hills, over pavement. (I want something that I can use to possible go perhaps 70 miles on the weekends as well for fun)
I've researched and read the forums/reviews and narrowed down my choice to a couple of bikes, My budget is under 700,
I don't want a 20" at the moment,

Tern D24
Tern C21
Montague Crosstown
Montague Paratrooper

I like the prices of the tern's but on NYCEbikes it says they stopped carrying it because "it wasn't up to our standards", can anyone verify if these bikes are not worth it?
Regarding the montages I haven't been able to try one out because there are no locations nearby.

Any thoughts and opinions would be welcomed
I've never actually seen a Tern in person, but the impression I've got being here and on other forums is that people are quite happy with them. I'm surprised by the comments from NYCEbikes.

I have both a bike with 26" wheels and 20" wheels. The latter, a folder, is actually faster (although the bikes are actually almost identical in terms of gearing, weight). If you want a 26" folding bike, then get a 26" wheel folding bike. But I've been riding my 20" bike almost exclusively since I finished it this year (last weekend I did 70 miles total including this 30 mile ride). People have ridden around the world on 20" (or smaller) wheels.

Good luck!
Charles
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Old 04-23-13, 07:11 AM
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I think NYCE's concerns are with those particular bikes only - I don't think there is an issue with the majority of Tern bikes.

Does it have to be a 26" folding bike? If you're willing to try a 20" or even 24" model, it might open up your options.

What's your budget?
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Old 04-23-13, 10:22 AM
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I considered getting a fullsize (26" tire) folding bike, ended up getting a 20" wheel bike. Just my 2 cents but I think frame Geometry with regards to comfortability is probably more important on long rides than tire size. That being said their are some nice 26" bikes I would definitely consider. I rode on the Dahon Espresso when I bought by bike and honestly it was very comfortable but just a bit to big folded for my tastes--seriously though, I would consider it and the Jack if you do a lot of riding where the bigger wheels will come into play.
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Old 04-23-13, 10:52 AM
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DUnno why NYCE says that, as they sell all kinds of other stuff ... Maybe the 26 Terns are not THAT much superior tahn some other offerings. Dont forget also that shipping them is a huge pain in the butt, meaning expensive... Maybe their comments are pretty self serving as they dont want to offer free shipping as most other Internet dealers offer, and come up with such a lame excuse. Nit typically NYCE ...lol

Having said that, the C is somewhat on the lower side of components, especially if you compare it with a D ... which is a great bike and far nicer than the others u are listing ... Well worth the little upcharge from C to D ...

You gonna like the Tern ..dont let anybody talk you out of it
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Old 04-23-13, 07:14 PM
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Thanks for all the replies, my budget is under $700, I am looking at a 26" because I'm planning on using it for long rides as well
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Old 04-23-13, 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted by liverpoolfc
Thanks for all the replies, my budget is under $700, I am looking at a 26" because I'm planning on using it for long rides as well
If larger wheels were better for long rides then a penny-farthing would probably be one of the best options:


Of course I jest but wheel size really does not limit the length of the ride. Wheel size preference is moreso based on what one is used to and the tendency to gravitate towards what's familiar (what I disparagingly refer to it as a Pavlovian response ). Put a lot of miles on a small wheeled bike like I and many others here have and you may realize the benefits that small wheels have to offer.

Of course it's a matter of personal preference, don't let me deter you... you are, afterall, the one who needs to ride the bike. But as is said, ignorance is bliss, just as long as one remains ignorant. Again, I'm not implying (or intend to imply) that you are mentally challenged... what I mean is that you may merely be "inexperienced" to small wheeled alternatives. My attempt is to encourage you (via tough love) to stay open-minded for your own edification.

On a side note, I'm so stoked that my Scotland tour aboard my Bike Friday is just a few days away. Yes my planned route is less than 700 leisurely miles in 2 weeks but then "stopping to smell the roses" is a part of the bargain... on 20" wheels... others have done more on 16" wheels.
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Old 04-23-13, 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by BassNotBass
If larger wheels were better for long rides then a penny-farthing would probably be one of the best options:


Of course I jest but wheel size really does not limit the length of the ride. Wheel size preference is moreso based on what one is used to and the tendency to gravitate towards what's familiar (what I disparagingly refer to it as a Pavlovian response ). Put a lot of miles on a small wheeled bike like I and many others here have and you may realize the benefits that small wheels have to offer.

Of course it's a matter of personal preference, don't let me deter you... you are, afterall, the one who needs to ride the bike. But as is said, ignorance is bliss, just as long as one remains ignorant. Again, I'm not implying (or intend to imply) that you are mentally challenged... what I mean is that you may merely be "inexperienced" to small wheeled alternatives. My attempt is to encourage you (via tough love) to stay open-minded for your own edification.

On a side note, I'm so stoked that my Scotland tour aboard my Bike Friday is just a few days away. Yes my planned route is less than 700 leisurely miles in 2 weeks but then "stopping to smell the roses" is a part of the bargain... on 20" wheels... others have done more on 16" wheels.
Yeah, some people tour on 16 inch wheels. There is Definitely a difference between 26 and 20 inch wheels but they are a lot closer than you might think.
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Old 04-23-13, 09:37 PM
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On 20" inch wheels you may just get more wear than larger sizes. Simply because there's less rubber involved.

How fast you go will depend purely on gear ratios. It has nothing to do with the wheel size.

Smallers wheels are less intimidating when navigating through pedestrians.

Smaller wheels have more sensitive steering. Easier to maneuver.
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Old 04-24-13, 05:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Shahmatt
On 20" inch wheels you may just get more wear than larger sizes. Simply because there's less rubber involved.

How fast you go will depend purely on gear ratios. It has nothing to do with the wheel size.

Smallers wheels are less intimidating when navigating through pedestrians.

Smaller wheels have more sensitive steering. Easier to maneuver.
I generally agree with this.

Smaller wheels will have slightly higher rolling resistance than the same tire (at same pressure) on a bigger wheel. This is not a huge effect. I'm currently a couple mph faster on my 20" bike than my 26" bike (largely due, I think, to poor tire choices on the 26" - I'm more aerodynamic on my 20" bike).

For going fast, aero is most important, so finding a bike that lets you ride the same way you fit on a larger bike is important.
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Old 04-24-13, 11:27 AM
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I put racingparts, bars and brifters on a downtube. It did not ccost much to build. It went so well I sold my full sizedd racer as this did not fold.
You really don't need 26". You might prefer 26". Try out a dropbar bike friday, to realise how good a upgraded dahon or downtube can be. If you want off road ability try out a dahon jetstream( in buget in sales?) or a downtube fs.
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Old 04-24-13, 11:34 AM
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I get the same gearing range on my 20" wheel Bike Friday, [R'off hub 16t cog on both] 53t chainring
as the 26" wheel , with a 38t chainring..
pedals go around at the same speed , the back wheel just rotates more often..
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