wilfried

Did you mean Winfried, or Wilfried? It confuses me too. I started this thread, many moons ago.

I got a Tern P20 a year ago July, and I quite like it. I think it's a pretty good compliment to my Brompton M3L. The Brompton is now more a short distance, get around town bike, when folding convenience is primary. The Tern more of a long distance "touring" bike (not that I've gone on any real bike tours). I think I ride both bikes about equally frequently, but these days I put many more miles on the Tern.

The Tern is faster, a bit roomier, feels sportier, and rides a bit more like a "regular" bike. The gear range is much wider; it's a bit faster on the high end, and a lot lower on the low end, I think something like 25 gear inches. I haven't encountered any hills it can't handle. I do use it as a utility bike and commuter, so it has rack and fenders. I've taken it on 80+ mile rides to Long Island and Connecticut, which I probably wouldn't have done on the Brompton (I've gone 70+ on the Brompton, but in areas I know and are fairly flat), as I'm not confident it could handle the terrain. I also would have a hard time carrying enough stuff (the Brompton doesn't have a rear rack).

The Tern however, is much bulkier and more cumbersome to move around than the Brompton. With rack and fenders, it's significantly heavier. Its definitely not as good for carrying and bringing into buildings. The ride, like the Brompton, is pretty upright; I wish the stem were lower, or that it were adjustable.

So, all in all, I'm glad I have the Tern, and it allows me to go places and do things I might not with the Brompton. I still couldn't live without my Brompton though.

I hope this helps your decision. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Coldhands

Hi Wilfried,

I'm researching folders with the aim of using one for medium-long distance touring. It won't be a round the world type of affair but more traveling here and there. I like the folding concept for arriving at airports, train stations, etc, and just folding it out and cycling away hassle free. I have no idea about cycles really other than you sit on them and peddle. So naturally I'm quite nonplussed by the sheer amount of options and choices out there. Sorry to cut this short then, I was looking at the Verge P20 - with the idea of putting a rack on the back and using it for this type of travel. Would you think it would make a good tourer? The Verge would be at the very top of my budget, hence the Tern models specifically made for touring (Verge Tour and Elicpse Tour) are too pricey. Any tips from an existing owner would be appreciated!

Many thanks

Abu Mahendra

touring calls for comfort (for the long hauls), luggage carrying and mechanical reliability.

Coldhands

Do you have any recommendations?

tds101 

Avoid Tern please,...

https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...rn-recall.html

wilfried

I've ridden the Tern up to 80+ miles in a day. I don't know how it would do with fully loaded touring, but I carried enough stuff for a weekend away (sleeping indoors, not camping, a pannier and a backpack strapped to the rack). Tern also sells a full on touring bike, the Verge S27h. At 36 lbs., that thing is a beast (I've never seen one IRL). I considered it, but I ultimately needed a sportier everyday bike, and I have to schlep it up and down stairs, so I couldn't cope with the weight of the S27h.

I should figure out a way to put some weight on the front. All the weight on the rear rack affects handling, but not so much that I can't manage.

PS Reading your post again, I've never tried to take the P20 on a plane, so I don't know about airports. I have taken it on trains, and that works fine. The fact that it folds means you can usually get around any restrictions on regular bikes. Carrying the bike folded is manageable, but not fun.

Willard.kill

Can someone tell me the dimensions on their OCL latch. I'm trying to see if an OCL latch would be compatible with my Fuji origami hinge assembly. Tern makes a much better and smarter latching system. Don't wanna drop the dollars unless I know it's fit

tds101 

You can't just swap out the latch. You will most likely need to modify the frame as well. Did you post pictures, and get more assistance?

Willard.kill

Where I appreciate your concern of my well being. I simply just wanted to the dimensions of the latch and the inner hinge area for said latch. If you have the time it would be greatly appreciated.

nz6666

I have used Brompton and a dahon like (so similar to Tern) for commuting 12 miles (one week dahon, one week brompton for a while). My feeling is Dahon type of bikes is faster due to less energy loss from the suspension (I already changed that to rigid on my brompton). How is the terrain? I found Brompton suffers big time in hills due to the rather wide gear range, I often feel either spin out a lower gear or can't push a higher gear.

As for Kojak, it's now the only tyres I use. It's fast, tough (not as big apples, but still very tough), good in both dry and wet (yes, very good in wet). Use the 35 mm ones to give some more support than thinner ones like durano (another good candidate).