Tern Folding Cargo Bike on Kickstarter
#1
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Tern Folding Cargo Bike on Kickstarter
Thoughts on the Tern Cargo Node? Full sized folding cargo bike, coming soon on kickstarter:
Tern Cargo Node | Tern Folding Bike and Folding Bicycle Accessories | United States
Tern Cargo Node | Tern Folding Bike and Folding Bicycle Accessories | United States
Last edited by GTizzy; 09-03-15 at 09:06 PM.
#2
On yer bike
First thought is similar to one I had for the Helix, which is shameless marketing. Not only is this not the world's first folding cargo bike, but it's not even the first one by Tern! They already had the Cargo Joe. Otherwise, looks okay assuming they've managed to get their frame welding under control. Sure hope they have more trustworthy engineers than marketers.
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I sincerely hope they have the folding joint welding thoroughly sorted out. The extra long wheelbase will put much higher stress on that same welding joint.
#5
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One down, Helix to go:
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I would be so scared riding that, assuming it exists as a product... The longer wheelbase put a lot more force on that welded frame joint... Maybe they killed the idea due to that.
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If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
#10
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Yup, accident waiting to happen.. do something clever like a solid main tube and then fold the front and rear if you need it to get to a smaller footprint.. Birdy tandem comes to mind..


Bike Friday's Haul-a-day is on the right track.. can you imagine the load on a folding center frame hinge with your kids on board.
Bike Friday's Haul-a-day is on the right track.. can you imagine the load on a folding center frame hinge with your kids on board.

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that's exactly what I was thinking. who is going to fold something like that anyway? much easier to stand it on end, like the haul a day. I'd be worried all the time about the hinge and $1800 isn't cheap. obviously, there is a market since it was funded; have to wait until it is out in the real world for a while to see how well it holds up. I went back read the tern page - they clearly state it is NOT for kids to ride, just for cargo. Curious as to why they would not make it so kids could ride, since they are showing xtracycle accessories.
Last edited by linberl; 04-16-16 at 06:23 PM.
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Just read the disclaimer on the Tern.. pretty much says it all for me.. haha..
"TAKE NOTE! The Cargo Node is for cargo, not kids. While all Xtracycle family accessories are compatible with the Cargo Node, there are simply no established industry tests or standards we can use to confirm that it’s safe to carry kids on the Cargo Node."
"TAKE NOTE! The Cargo Node is for cargo, not kids. While all Xtracycle family accessories are compatible with the Cargo Node, there are simply no established industry tests or standards we can use to confirm that it’s safe to carry kids on the Cargo Node."
#13
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A cargo bike with warnings not to carry certain types of cargo. Sure, let's get one of those...
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Only two reasons I can think of for the limitation on carrying kids: either they are sure it will break and want to avoid liability to humans, or they aren't sure whether it will break but figure squirmy kids will put extra stress on the joint. Either way, eeeeekkkkk.....