Mark, this isn't the first time you have stepped up to the plate to make things right and I have to say I am impressed. We need more people like you in this business.

Stepped up to the plate? So this situation is ok???

I would disagree, none of this is ok. Please understand this user is unable to post to Tern forums because the frame failure thread is heavily moderated. He may not even know about the Tern thread since it has been buried.

Using the evidence on Tern's site ( the number of different failures ) & some basic statistics it is easy to conclude that this is not the last frame failure.

Thanks,
Yan

Thank you Blakcloud!
Stepping up to the plate is part of the job.
Everyone at Tern is dedicated to making great bikes and when it goes wrong (and it sometimes does) the best course of action for everybody to try to get it sorted out as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Normally the supply chain is the best route, but when for some reason that does not work, then it is important in my book to have a direct route to the company.
We are all consumers as well as staff at Tern.... we feel for our customers when it doesn't work out. We aren't part of an evil empire, as anyone who deals with us knows.
I was brought up to believe in old fashioned service.... it is not so easy to find these days, but I am here and ready when needed for our customers.
Yan, Mr Downtube.... the bee in your bonnet seems a little overly buzzing.
If you have a problem you are welcome to bring it to me directly rather than through a public forum where it appears your first priority is get one over on the competition.
Apologies if this is too harsh, but from my perspective that is what it looks like.

Mark

Mark,

My apologies....thanks for stepping up! Can you answer a few questions:
1. Why has the Tern forum frame failure thread closed to new discussion for over a year. Also many images were removed. Is there a reason for that?
2. How many frame failures occurred so far? How many from each frame style?
3. What was the fault in the frames?
4. How did Tern decide what to recall? It seems the failures stemmed almost every frame in the lineup ( by reading online ) & the CPSC lists two different factories of production in each of the first two recalls.
5. How many more failures do you anticipate? Over what kind of time horizon?
6. Does Tern have a response to the Japanese government's evaluation of a broken frame? I recall they claimed that it was not strong enough to be used as a bicycle. Am I missing something here?

In order to actually step up, these questions need to be answered. However, I don't expect too much of a response. Actually I can see you playing a victim role here.....since the bee in my bonnet is buzzing :)

Thanks,
Yan

Even better, much better, would be for the bikes to not break in half in the first place so this guy wouldn't have to 'step up to the plate' at all.

Lapdogs...this channel is full of them. The Brompton lapdogs, the BF lapdogs, the Tern lapdogs. Lapdogs.

Hinge bolt
 

Hello. I have a Tern Link Uno. The lower bolt from the mainframe hinge has just fallen out. On examination it appears that the threaded part has snapped remaining in the frame so the other part just fell out as it had nothing to hold it there. Any suggestions please? I bought this bike second hand but hardly used and like new. Second one I have as my misses now has the other which has no issues. Thanks.

And you think these Tern jobs...
 

are 'pushing the envelope of performance'?

Tern Support
 

Guys
once Mark and his team got involved, the support given was great. Took a little while to resolve my problem, but Mark and Amanda(in Taiwan) sorted it.

ed

Uh, it's not like these are 7kg bikes. In fact, most of them are far beefier than a Bickerton folder of 50 years ago.

Mr. Bickerton,

I wonder if you might comment on the frivolous lawsuits Tern filled on Downtube in American courts?

Thanks!

Hi TCS,
I know nothing of any law suits against DownTube, frivolous or otherwise.
I do know that Tern will defend its IP where necessary.
And as far as i am concerned, I do not set myself up as a target for such an exchange on a forum.
By all means contact me directly about any concerns you have.
You know my contact details.
"mark . bickerton @ ternbicycles . com" (no spaces)
Mark

Wow, if the Japanese stated that, that is pretty damning. The average weight of a japanese man is 150lb's but an american is about 200lbs. Is there a link for that japanese tern information?

Sometimes the difference between a performance frame and a more durable frame is less than 1/2kg often less than 1/4kg and the overall weight loss of a performance bike is also in the components being lighter, wheels, handlebars, drivetrain etc. Being able to claim you have the lightest bike does sell bikes no question but a bit like anorexia its not healthy some people may die or be injured because of it.

Also a bike that might be 1kg lighter than the competition at that price point is insignificant if the rider himself needs to lose a lot of weight anyway. Far more important to get a reliable bike with good components with a strong frame that you don't have to worry about. 1kg heavier bike, 1kg of body weight lost quicker.

I recall someone posted the article in one of the forums. It is in Japanese, but google translates. I am busy most of the day, but will try to find it tonight.

Thanks,
Yan

Can I ask how your situation was resolved?

Edit-
Nevermind. I see they replaced the frame. Got your post confused with the other more recent reports.

As a new Tern owner, I find it valuable to have a Tern rep visiting these forums. He stepped up to resolve a problem to the customer's satisfaction, and is harassed and baited for his attention. If for some unfathomable reason, you need to hate on a company (a company of which you are clearly not even a customer), maybe you could at least pretend to be civil, or better yet, ignore the thread, so that us actual customers can benefit from the rep's presence on the forum. Thanks.

Yan, thanks for standing up for what's right. The more I hear about or from Tern, the further I want to stay away.

www.kokusen.go.jp/pdf/n-20150917_1.pdf

This one?

Yes that's it. It's hard to read even with google translate. Can anyone explain who made the conclusions? Was it a government body? I recalled someone stated it was the Japanese government, but my memory is not so good ( this is from two years ago )

Thanks,
Yan

Thanks very much. Quite a few people injured by the looks of it. Doesn't put me off a Tern bike completely but I'll have to lose some serious weight before I consider one. However its only really the mid range and high end models worth buying, their entry level models look rubbish so I should be safe from buying one unless a bargain comes my way and has me tempted.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8N...ew?usp=sharing

you forgot the dahon "lapdogs"?

what would it take? multiple deaths? i'm sure you realize it's only by amazing luck that that hasn't already occurred.

I'm actually sorry I purchased a Tern folder,...I pray I don't have a frame failure every time I ride it.

I think ANY Tern without the new extra welding as described by Steve [MENTION=17095]sweeks[/MENTION] should not be ridden at all.

This sounds kind of like IBM, Google or Apple. However, the truth is the IP they used against me was worthless since no one ever used anything like it in the bicycle industry. It was developed by Dahon ( patent was submitted and approved for Dahon ). They hold a couple design patents ( design IP is nearly impossible to enforce ), especially when no one uses such poor designs. It didn't stop them from filing a case for patent infringement. Every lawyer I talked to laughed at the claim.....it was that ridiculous. I understand these cases have been filed against more companies than mine. I know of one overseas that conceded to the Plaintiff's demands...without a fight. I have been told there are many more.

Thanks,
Yan

I understand your position, and I agree with the question....why all the hate??? There is alot you may not be aware of. I will make a list in the next few days and post here.

Please understand I think all the senior active folding bike forum members ( except Thor ) agree with my position on this matter.....they are considered experts in this field, and that means alot.

Thanks,
Yan