Bike Forums - Tern Link D8 long term use

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Tern Link D8 long term use

I use to be afraid to own a Tern folding bike because I heard about the frames snapping a few years back. For the longest time I was only riding my Brompton 2-speed because it folds exceptionally small. And the frame feels very solid with no flex.

The problem with the Brompton, even though I love it for short commutes and bringing into places, it has a few downfalls.

The Brompton rides great on smooth pavement but hates rough roads and sidewalks. I can feel every single bump due to the small wheels and skinny tires, sending jolts through my arms and rest of my body.

Also, the gear range is limited, not making it suitable for extremely steep hills or top speed. I did ride a 6-speed before, but it’s too clunky and weird to use.

The Tern Link D8 on the other hand has larger wheels with fat tires, making it much easier to ride in rough pavement and sidewalks.

Plus, having 8 gears with one trigger shifter offers many benefits. I can climb steep hills with no problem, and I can obtain a much higher top speed.

Has anybody went from riding a Brompton on a daily basis to riding a Tern?

And if so which model Tern did you choose and why?

Did the Tern offer better gear ratios?

Is it faster?

Does it ride better?

Do you regret the decision?

Offer your insights and I’ll tell you mine.

I have a Tern Verge S11i which I bought about six years ago. It's got about 6,500 miles on it. The frame was replaced under one of the recalls, though the bike didn't have any evidence of cracking.
I'm unable to compare it to a Brompton as I've no experience with that brand. However, I can attest to the ride quality of the Tern. It is a very solid-feeling bike, comparable to my full-sized road bike. I've done a century on it and lived. :D
The 11-speed Alfine hub is a snap to service; an oil change every 700 mile or so. I've rebuilt the rear wheel with a wider rim (22mm vs the original 14mm inner bead width) since it the original rim cracked. I think the tire (406-47) was too wide for the narrow rim. I've attached an image of the bike in its current condition.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...19bdc56beb.jpg

Tern Verge S11i folding commuter bike.

I have Tern D7i which I have bought about 1 ½ years ago. I came from 26 inch Gazelle Orange. The confort of course is a bit less compared to my huge city bike, still I can feel the bumps. I have got this particular Tern model because it compares to my Gazelle in terms of being a true city bike: good fenders, jeans protection, protected moving parts. The gear hub is internal and the chain is protected by a chain cage. Really low maintenance. I wished for some roller brakes and then would have been a miniature Gazelle J.

Our relationship did not start in the happiest of terms. I have opened a discussion about it and you can read all of it there https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/1138253-tern-link-d7i-unlucky.html. After changing myself some original parts (due to their faults ), being repaired in guarantee (crack in the rear rim), change some more because I’m a bit geeky and finally some personal touches here and there, I got to my perfect bike. My bike commute is about 15 Km/day and it will gets folded and then unfolded twice. I like the way it handles, the way it folds and, of course, they way its looks. All the components are quite standard so they can be easily repaired, replaced and upgraded. I have even went on touring with it, just about 300 km on a bike trail (flat that is).

I regret the decision to buy it? Yes! (unfortunately). However that’s not because of the bike. Personally I reckon that I would have changed the parts anyway (maybe not the rear rim as it is quite expensive). The customer service is a real pain, actually the lack of it. My dealer tried to contact them about 3 weeks for the rim with no luck (or so they say). At the end they have change it at their own costs (really felt sorry for them, but that’s not my fault either).

For me my brompton would be impossible to ride if it weren't for having either a greenspeed scorcher or a pantour suspension hub on the front wheel, plus ergon grips. Even so potholes are a killer. However I found with my 20" dahon that the ride was ridiculously harsh, and still jarring even with Big Apples. The brompton frame actually absorbs a lot of vibration due to the lively flex of steel, whereas the Dahon with an aluminium frame plus large tyres feels rather clumsy and dead. The brompton rear suspension makes a big difference too.