chris1234

So I am looking for my first folding bike. Mainly for use on weekend trips and domestic vacations - so taking a train somewhere and then cycling (I have a Cross / Hybrid bike for day to day in the city. I'm living in Tokyo - so for 20 inch bikes (discounting Brompton) I was looking at Tern or Dahon (because of good availability to try in local shops, reasonable prices and good model range - Birdy or BikeFriday are a bit too expensive).

I'm looking to spend around $1000 local equivalent, but could go bit more - main question is which is the better manufacturer, I have read the reports on these forums about racking on Tern frames - it seems rare now, but Dahon seems less affected by this issue.

So I wonder advice on choosing between Tern and Dahon?

rhenning

Tern has a history of frame failures so my choice would be Dahon. Roger

3speedslow

Between those two choices... Dahon. I would love to live in Japan again!

Winfried

Since you're in Japan, two local brands worth checking:

• Tyrell (IVE) https://www.tyrellbike.com/en/products/
• Iruka https://www.iruka.tokyo/en/overview/story

2_i 

Check out Loro Slow Spot and Y's Road Ueno for a broader range of folders. Relative to the scale of Tokyo they are close to each other, so in practice require one expedition.

Nyah

Chromoly will be dependable and, in the context of folding bicycles, at least, will be no heavier than aluminum. For those reasons among others, I chose the Dahon Speed.


Also, beware of the psychological draw of disc brakes. Unless the frame and fork are made for thru-axles (no mass-production folding bicycles that I know of are, yet), disc brakes are a scam, resulting in disappointment for the life of the bicycle.

Winfried

https://www.facebook.com/ysroadueno/
https://www.facebook.com/loro.nihonbashi/

Why is that?

Geepig

Because discs are nowhere near as good as coaster brakes

There is actually a whole ongoing battle on the subject of disc/no-disc, but as an R&D engineer I have yet to see any convincing data for the pro or con camps, other than the usual model specific issues one would expect to occur. Lots of hearsay, of course.

tds101 

Lower cost, excellent alternatives are as follows (I still might miss something, so please forgive me):

Zizzo folding bikes: ZiZZO folding bicycle | Lightest folding bike | Max load 300 lbs

Origami folding bikes: Lightweight Folding Bicycle & Folding Travel Bike for Sale (origamibicycles.com)

DownTube folding bikes: Downtube Folding Bikes with suspension & carbon belt drives

These are just 3 alternatives, all providing cost effective bikes, and great customer service. The Origami and DownTube bikes have their owners as members of the forum.

Winfried

BTW, I read train companies in Japan are pretty strict when it comes to the size of bikes, hence the popular rinkô bikes. So you might want to double-check on its size folded. For that reason, 16" wheels (305mm; Brompton uses 349) might be a good idea.

Since it'll be used mostly in urban settings, if available, I would choose one with an internal gear hub instead of a derailleur.

Check out Dahon's K3, and its 14" wheels and… derailleur — At 84,150JPY (~USD$850), it's within your budget.: The 2021 model has a lug, so a Brompton bag can be used with the Minimod adapter:

tcs

For a 14" wheel bike with an internal gear hub, the Dahon Dove i3. The Dahon Curve D7 has 16" (ISO 305mm) wheels and a wider range 7-speed derailleur.

Or you can use the KlickFix mount and any of their racks and bags directly with the Dahon front lugs - no adapter necessary.

https://klickfix.com/en/products/detail/variants/0211R

Winfried

However, the Dove i3 has no lug, although a fork-based solution is available.

The Curve might be bigger (Check train operators' requirements for folded bikes).

Klickfix takes less weight (max 7kg vs. Brompton 10kg), there are more bags for the Brompton, and (I find they) are more convenient.

Too bad the K3 doesn't come with a gear hub + chain protection.

chris1234

Thanks for the shop suggestions in Tokyo - I have been to Ys Shinjuku (the ebike / folding bike dedicated shop - is the Ueno shop even better?).

Big question on bike shops in Tokyo (or around) - where can I get an actual decent test ride? Ys only have very few test drive models, I went to Asahi Bicycle and they let you ride it outside for about 50 metres. For me I would like a 5/10 minute ride so I can determine the fit would work and also to check how the different models and tyre thicknesses respond to uneven road / pavement surfaces.

Is there anywhere in Tokyo like that or just outside Tokyo - I heard Hasirin in Kashiwa is good - but quite a trek (1.5 hours).

'm considering going there as they have a great number of models I could test drive - though assuming I find something I like I would feel obliged to make the purchase there, which may make going back for maintenance in future a bit of a chore.

Wonder if any alternatives closer to Tokyo.

2_i 

This is the page of Y's Ueno. I am not sure about riding at Y's. Also, I do not know how your Japanese is, but at Y's Ueno it may be hard to find someone speaking English. At Loro Slow they will let you ride and nearly everybody speaks decent English. However, I do not think they have Dahon or Tern. Loro may give you a package deal when you buy accessories together with the bike.