^^^ I can not count the ways you've all been helpful to me. This is a trepidatious decision since I don't know anything about bikes. So now I have 2 out of the 3 shortlisted bikes tested. I rode the Brompton T-Line and today I rode the Tern Verge X11. I'm waiting to be contacted by a guy that owns a Helix who might let me test ride his bike too. The advantage is that he's a bicycle mechanic. He can educate me further on these three bicycles... but let's get the suspense out of the way! Let's talk about the Tern Verge X11. In a word, "Wow!"

As I said, I checked out a used Tern Verge X11. Honestly, I don't care that it's used. I think Terns are kind of ugly anyway. They are engineering machines to do one thing... go fast! The one I rode today blew my mind. It seemed twice as fast as the Brompton T-Line but here's why. It's fully customized. You guys know this stuff. I don't but the parts on this bike are expensive. It has 12 speeds and uses an electronic shifter too which blew my mind. Here's the rundown on this bike:

We put the bike on a scale and it weighs 21 pounds.

Tern Verge X11 - Upgraded Carbon Wheels with Dt180 Hubs that fit a 12 Speed SRAM Casette $1000 Sram Force Axs Groupset 12 Speed $1100 SRAM Red Crankset With Ceramic Speed Bottom Bracket $950 SRAM Xtr brakes $550 Carbon Bar And Seatpost $300 S-Works Saddle Carbon $325.

Most of this stuff is a foreign language to me. Does all of it make this bike better than a stock Tern Verge X11? For instance I asked what the "red" things were near the crank, like the BSA Shimano Red Coated "something," retailing for $480. Of all the upgrades, can you all break it down and tell me what's good or not?

The bike was a little beaten up, as can be expected with a used folding bike. I would give the condition a 7 out of 10, but what do I know. I checked the hinge and it folded and unfolded well. Because the forks were upgraded there isn't a magnet on the fork to connect to the magnet on the rear triangle. The rear magnet is there but it's useless. I wonder if it can be removed. It does fold, of course, but it doesn't stay folded without a strap. It swings open and there's no way to wheel it around.

As I've said, it's ugly. I don't like the looks at all but it's a speed demon. The fold is awful. Because it's used, is there something that's broken or likely to break soon? I don't know. With 2 out of 3 bikes tested, I'm really excited to try out the Helix. I'm thinking that the Helix might be a great middle ground between the T-Line and this custom X11 in terms of speed and foldability. The parts on the Helix can be upgraded too but that's another story.