Winfried

Hello

I need to buy a new folder in the coming few days, and have a couple of questions so I'm not disappointed:

1. Considering I'll only fold it very occasionally during touring (ie. not for commuting), and a Tern 20" (Verge P20; Gear Inches 25" - 95"; 1,000€) is almost as speedy as a Tern 24" (Eclipse X20; Gear Inches 25" - 107"; 2.000€) while being 2kg heavier and a bit more compact (a factor in trains)... what's the point of spending 2x more for the latter? Is a 24" more comfortable?

2. If you've ridden a Tern and a Birdy, especially for long distance touring, is a Birdy significantly better because of its fixed frame?

3. Provided a 20" isn't significantly better than a 24", why should I spend an extra 500€ to get a Verge X10 (1,500€) instead of a P20 (1,000€)? I need the extra speeds when touring in mountain areas.

Thank you.

cplager

I'm having some issues parsing your post (speedy?).

What are the prices of the three?

For decent roads, I'd probably go 20" (as you have better tire selection). The worse the roads/trails, the more it makes sense to have bigger wheels.

If you want the gear range, putting a triple crankset can help out a lot here...

Winfried

I edited the post.

Right, I hadn't thought about tires. 20" are more common.

Besides the price, I'm concerned about speed and comfort since this is for multi-day touring.

invisiblehand

FWIW, I think that the effect of wheel size is pretty tiny for most riding. Tire selection and quality in ERTO 406 is generally much better. Although I noticed that Target and some other big stores are carrying 24" tubes. Although writing this reminds me of an important question ...

What 24" tire does the Eclipse use? There are (at least) two sizes of 24" tires/tubes/wheels.

Without looking up the bikes, a 2 kg difference suggests that there are more than just wheel size differences between the two bikes.

The biggest effect from riding a Birdy is the full suspension. Overall, if customer support in the US was better, I'd strongly consider a model.

FWIW, I don't think that the additional speeds in the rear are as important as the width of your gear range. You might be better off starting with a Speed 8, adding a chainring/derailer, and spending the extra bucks on nice panniers/racks.

fietsbob

Personally I Know zip about Tern bikes , since none are sold around here..

406 20" wheels are used on Bike Fridays Travel bikes and people tour on those around the world already .

Its not a fast fold *, as with my Pocket Llama, the QR opens the rear tringle folds under and along side, stiffly.

to allow the seat post to also come down for suitcase sized packing
they have a hinged or removable option.. likewise the steering mast.


R'off hub (16t) I have a 53t chainring ..


* their Tikit is that one ..

badrad

When I am biking on mountainous roads, I will opt for my bike with the triple chain ring bike just to give me that extended range. Not that the X10 or X20 wouldn't work, but just having that extended range in gearing can make the ride more manageable on very steep bits.

BassNotBass

Bike Friday... hands down my favorite bike, folding or non-folding. It's comfortable, nimble, yet very tractable.

If my NWT was stolen or I had to replace it for some reason, I'd get the OSATA ($740 base price) and customize it.
Bike Friday - Configure your OSATA 8 spd Safe Routes to School & Fleet bike

fietsbob

The osata telescope slips the top tube to resize , length.. You'd have to ask if they also put the extra fittings on for FD, and etc .

they may not , then the range of the 8 speed cassette is all you have.

smallwheeler

or order it with dual drive wheel....

fietsbob

ask and see if it's an option, I dont work there , I'm 300 miles away.

smallwheeler

oh, i thought you were their marketing director.

fietsbob

they gave me a decent price on mine ..


I Used to live in Eugene , but moved away from the University town's tenant exploitation housing costs.



the PL has a bunch of unused braze ons disc or V brakes and derailleur cable guides +

the 2 down the left chain-stay for the Rohloff Hub & OEM1 dropout.

Winfried

Thanks all.

Bike Friday isn't distributed here, so it's not a good solution.

I guess I'll forget the 24" and go for the 20" model with a double chainring, possibly replacing it with a triple chainring if it proves to be lacking for steep bits.

smallwheeler

a few years ago i tried to give my girlfriend one of these as an engagement ring. i'm still single.

fietsbob

A Sturdy woman if she has a 1" ring finger..

smallwheeler

her head was kinda flat, but her head covered that. she was a fine girl.

fietsbob

My reference from local color .. kind of an inside joke ..

https://www.shanghaiedinastoria.com/
Shanghaied in Astoria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

invisiblehand

Good luck!

Getting low gears is easy with a 20" wheel. The issue is getting high gears.

smallwheeler

surely you can get airnimal or bernds bike in france.

Winfried

I checked the Airnimal but it doesn't fold as small.

As for Bernds, I'd rather use a derailleur.

smallwheeler

seems like they have all of the pertinent gear ranges covered.

bernds:

[h=3]Models of drive train[/h] 8-gear derailleur:
development 2.45-7.13m (48 tooth to 11-32), chain drive with freewheel

8-gear hub:
development 2.41-7.39 m (42 tooth to 15), Shimano Nexus with back-pedal or freewheel (Premium hub); optional belt drive

3x8-gear Dual Drive:
development 1.57-8.48m (42 tooth to 11-32) Sram DualDrive, 8-gear combined 3-gear hub

14-gear hub:
development 1.68-8.85m (48 tooth to 13), Rohloff SpeedHub; optional belt drive

Winfried

Thanks, I missed that part.