Jyyanks

I have been trying to register for the Dahon forum for a couple of days but apparently the moderator is no longer accepting new registrations. At first I was confused until I read his post about how Dahon Global is now starting a new company while Dahon China will still operate/distribute Dahons in the US.

I was going to invest in a new Dahon but I am in no rush as I already have one. Would I be better off waiting for the Tern Bikes to reach retailers. I'm not even sure if they will have something in my price range but I am wondering if I'm better off waiting. what are your thoughts? Sorry to bombard you all with my endless questions but you guys are so very helpful and I don't know where else to go with my questions.
Thanks.

Jiten

Fall is not so far off now, which is when the first Terns are reportedly going to be available at US dealers. So if there is no rush, I'd wait and see and, when the Terns actually materialize, make my decision then. If the Terns are somehow delayed, I'd go buy the Dahon.

Or you could buy another Dahon now and then a Tern later.

Jiten

P.S. Tern has its own forum---try registering there.

simran

I have an old single speed Dahon. But I sure do like the looks of that Tern Uno.
sim

rkokish

In my opinion these companies are both unstable, with top level management in each distracted by trying to destroy the other. If I bought a bike from either I would be worried about quality control and about availability of parts down the line if one or both go out of existence. If I had to choose one, I'd buy Dahon, because they are a big seller of folding bikes (world's biggest, I think) and have been around for a while, while Tern is far from established, has yet to deliver a bike and was born into this conflict.

kamtsa

Read the fine print at the bottom here https://www.dahon.com . It suggests that when you buy a Dahon in the US you actually buy it from the Tern faction ("Taiwan").

Edit: the agreement between the two sides gives hope for better clarity of the Dahon brand after Aug 2011.

Diode100

That's what people have been saying about Dahon for years, long before Tern popped over the horizon. Dahon / Tern between them must have enormous assets, including patent rights, so even if they knock them selves out they are still a violable take over prospect. But what do I know, I've just bought a Dahon.

Cyiu23

My question is which bikes were you thinking about from the different companies?

Jyyanks

Well, I'm not too sure about the Tern bikes because there is not that much information on them. I was going to wait and see what they would offer in the $700 price range and then compare to the Speed P8, Mu p8 or the Vitesse P18.

Jyyanks

Thanks! Just did. Maybe I can try to get more info on a comparable bike to the Mu or Speed 8

chagzuki

I'm curious to know whether Tern is retaining Dahon headset specifications, in which case current Dahons will be compatible with Tern handlepost parts. That could be handy.

bendembroski

I think in general it's a good idea to wait until the end of season / when new models are released to buy a bike (if practical). End of season sales, blah blah blah...

If you can wait, I don't see the downside of waiting to see what happens with new models, new manufacturers and prices.

CSG

Meh, I'd rather buy a Brompton and avoid the whole Dahon/Tern drama and Chinese bikes.

HGR3inOK

I was unaware that one could buy a new Brompton in the U.S. for $700.00.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

kamtsa

You can buy a pair plus change.

https://clevercycles.com/products/acc...iniature-model

;-)

CSG

You can't. So what? Want a handmade British bike that works as it's supposed to or buy into the Dahon family drama? I'll take the former.

vmaniqui

the only thing i know for sure - TERN's price will be a premium compare to dahon.

vmaniqui

why - what's wrong with Dahon bikes ?

Jiten

This is my impression as well. It might turn out that they will be catering to different market segments, with some overlap.

Jiten

Pfft, I'm not buying the drama, I'm buying the bike.

chagzuki

I'm looking again at the Tern website and the fact that the handleposts generally fold to the outside of the bike. This doesn't strike me as a happy situation; if you look at the folded dimension stats you'll see that the Tern Link is listed as 38cm wide whereas the Dahon Vitesse D7GH is 29cm. Those stats may be a little inaccurate but even so it's quite a difference. Something to bear in mind.

CSG

If you like Dahons, knock yourself out. I had a chance to look at a number of them before finally seeing the Brompton and there was no comparison IMO. Add to that the stuff going on with the family feud and that I'd rather support our British friends and Bob's your uncle. Bromptons are elegant, Dahons not so much.

chagzuki

Anyone who's looking into Bromptons should read Rogerzilla's detailed observations and criticisms for a bit of perspective.

kamtsa

Bromptons are great bikes if this is what you need. Apparently different people have different needs (lower price, wider gear range, larger wheels, lighter, style, local availability, etc).

BTW, Brompton works great for me.

CSG

Who? Link/s?