Hi,
New here, but been a visitor to the forums every now and then.
I've benefited from the pool of knowledge here so I think its time for me to give something in return.
20160122-DSC09317 by
jenkwang, on Flickr
Since I tried to find info regarding the Tyrell Ive when buying one and could not find much.
I have decided to give a first impressions review after a 30km and 90km ride with it.
Background
I've been a cyclist for about 10yrs, on road and tribikes.
About 3yrs ago, I thought of adding a hassle free small bike that could be used for commute while at the same time getting some form of training for the effort.
Ended up with a Raleigh Mv8 mini velo which I have been very happy with.
Around the end of last year, with a bit more time on my hands, I decided to do some bike touring.
As such, I needed a bike that could be loaded up a plane, train, coach or bus.
Criteria
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1. Folds small
2. Preferably can be pushed and stays stable when folded
3. Enough gears if speed is needed to cover dull areas of a bike tour
4. Decent low gears for some small climbs
5. Preferably about $1000 or lower.
Hence I started looking around.
Tyrell Ive
I looked at the various options out there and tried most of them.
The Brompton, Ori M9, Birdy, Qix, EEzz, Dahon Dash, conventional fold Tern/Dahon/clones.
In the end, I chanced upon the Tyrell Ive, which was not in my radar all this while.
The brand was perceived as above my budget (with the Tyrell Fx being the one I knew about before noticing the Ive)
After trying it out at the shop, I decided to bite the bullet and pay a bit more than my original budget for one.
Good service from My Bike Shop here in Singapore help too, and I am grateful for their patience from my repeated visits (and not buying) as well as letting me try out the bikes.
About the bike
20160122-DSC09319 by
jenkwang, on Flickr
The frame is steel, and about 11-12kg.
What strikes me immediately is its build quality.
Very well powder coated and welded, with little to fuss over the components for the price.
There are plenty of nice attention to detail in the design.
The downtube for example has cut outs that properly avoid contact with the folding parts for the bike.
Not only this, some of these contact points are pasted with clear protective tape to further protect from scratching.
Cables are nicely routed and any dangling bits secured with cable tie, no chance of them dragging on the floor in folded mode or pinched as far as I can see.
The chainring guard is even sized at 58T so that the owner can upgrade from the stock 53T to a 56T and still use the guard.
I find that the parts given for the price is good.
No feeling of being short changed.
Sora trigger shifter and deraileur
9 speed cassette
Tektro brakes which are on the better end of their range
Nice looking BB and chainring (probably in the Sora or Tiagra range though it has Tyrell labeled on it)
Good looking, shiny double walled wheels that looks and feels well made
Schwalbe Marathon Racer tires
Nice aggressive looking saddle which does not immedately speak generic 'Velo'.
Metal fenders already given
Brakes and shifter also comes with adjusters (a nice small touch... again)
Edit (21Feb2016) - Added more info after a long 200+km Audax.
http://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...l#post18552938