Dahon or Tern?

[Theoldjaffa]

Thanks for the recommendation. Will definitely consider that.

 

Btw, whatâs the selling point of Dahon over say Brompton and Tern?

Each has their own merits I guess.

 

Dahon is like the pioneer in foldies.

 

Brompton for it's ultra compactness when folded. Good for city commuting and train trips and small spaces in office or at home.

 

Tern is founded by the son of the founder of Dahon. The way it folds is different and there's a "cover" for the handlebar when folded.

 

Personally I like the way Tern rides the most.

This is the cover I'm talking about. My Dahon didn't have it. Not sure if the current models have.

 

[mersaylee]

Each has their own merits I guess.

 

Dahon is like the pioneer in foldies.

 

Brompton for it's ultra compactness when folded. Good for city commuting and train trips and small spaces in office or at home.

 

Tern is founded by the son of the founder of Dahon. The way it folds is different and there's a "cover" for the handlebar when folded.

 

Personally I like the way Tern rides the most.

This is the cover I'm talking about. My Dahon didn't have it. Not sure if the current models have.

 

B204882B-EBFA-48A4-A9F4-08E0BB345670.jpeg

Thanks for sharing.

 

I always thought Tern was a Philippino brand. What I’d learnt about their bikes was their unique folding design allow for quick folding and unfolding...

 

Found this...

https://sg.carousell.com/p/tern-c7-foldable-bicycle-165665063/?ref=likes&ref_referrer=%2Flikes%2F

 

is the asking price reasonable for an used C7? Maybe I get this to replace my mtb.

[Ichibawa]

What about Java? They make foldies at affordable price. 

[Shuaige12345]

Thanks for the recommendation. Will definitely consider that.

 

Btw, what’s the selling point of Dahon over say Brompton and Tern?

 

The origins of Tern is quite interesting. The founders of Tern, Josh Hon and Florence Hon, happened to be the son and wife of David Hon, founder of Dahon. They came out from Dahon to start their own company as they believe in going in a different direction from Dahon, leading to a lawsuit from David Hon. Personally, I like Tern more than Dahon as X10 Verge was the first folding bike that I encountered that was below 9kg with very good parts. Price was high then at about 2.6k. I like the design as well as the fold which makes it easy to carry around, although it wasn't the most compact. They have limited new models coming out though and I find that in recent years, Josh Hon is more focused on making electric bikes which is not approved by LTA due to their weight. The newer models like X11 Verge has 451 wheels which are bigger than the traditional 20" wheels(or 406 wheels as they are known), but they are very pricey with retail at 3.8k. Their Eclipse series has 24" to 26" wheels which are more similar to the standard road bikes. Their accessories from Biologic are also quite nice and customized for Tern.

 

Brompton would have the most compact fold among the three. It also has many editions and you can really customize its looks and accessories according to what you want. It also has quite a huge following in Singapore as well as other countries. Drawback for me is its high price point, not so light body and 16" wheels. Not good IMHO for commuting long distance although I know of some people who do that. 

 

Dahon has a lot of new models coming up every year, as different countries produces different bikes. You have Dahon China, Dahon Japan with different bike models. With Taobao, you can ship one from China at relatively good price, provided you have a basic understanding of how to adjust some parts of the bike. I bought the Dahon Dove plus during Nov last year at about $500. 7.9kg only! Excellent for covering last mile commuting from MRT. It's a white elephant though as I drive far more than I take MRT. For our local Dahons, they have an additional wheel called the landing gear.. It makes it easy to wheel around when you bike is folded. However, for bikes below 1k, they are generally quite heavy. However, you can buy parts from Taobao easily to replace those from your Dahon bike to make it lighter. Litepro and Fnhon parts are quite popular.  

 

There's this local brand called Travelo that has gained quite a lot of attention. Their high end models have very good specs on paper and are far cheaper than the above brands. But I have yet to try out this brand so far. You may want to check it out as well. 

Thanks for sharing.

 

I always thought Tern was a Philippino brand. What I’d learnt about their bikes was their unique folding design allow for quick folding and unfolding...

 

Found this...

https://sg.carousell.com/p/tern-c7-foldable-bicycle-165665063/?ref=likes&ref_referrer=%2Flikes%2F

 

is the asking price reasonable for an used C7? Maybe I get this to replace my mtb.

 

C7 is the entry point bike... it has been out of production for at least 3 years already. The latest one is A7 which is going for 499 brand new. I'll rather just spend a bit more to get a brand new one since there's wear and tear parts to be replaced for sure. You will never know if the bike had been involved in crashes as well. 

[Chongster]

I heard dahon wanted to do more China market and son wanted to remain purist bicycle maker, and in the end wife side with the son. Heheheh.

 

Anyway I find the stated weight v misleading. Doesn’t include pedals for eg. not sure if saddle is included in the weigh in.

[mersaylee]

Thanks for the detailed response...and I thought C7 was only two year old top.

 

Radar moving to A7 now...

[Theoldjaffa]

The origins of Tern is quite interesting. The founders of Tern, Josh Hon and Florence Hon, happened to be the son and wife of David Hon, founder of Dahon. They came out from Dahon to start their own company as they believe in going in a different direction from Dahon, leading to a lawsuit from David Hon. Personally, I like Tern more than Dahon as X10 Verge was the first folding bike that I encountered that was below 9kg with very good parts. Price was high then at about 2.6k. I like the design as well as the fold which makes it easy to carry around, although it wasn't the most compact. They have limited new models coming out though and I find that in recent years, Josh Hon is more focused on making electric bikes which is not approved by LTA due to their weight. The newer models like X11 Verge has 451 wheels which are bigger than the traditional 20" wheels(or 406 wheels as they are known), but they are very pricey with retail at 3.8k. Their Eclipse series has 24" to 26" wheels which are more similar to the standard road bikes. Their accessories from Biologic are also quite nice and customized for Tern.

 

Brompton would have the most compact fold among the three. It also has many editions and you can really customize its looks and accessories according to what you want. It also has quite a huge following in Singapore as well as other countries. Drawback for me is its high price point, not so light body and 16" wheels. Not good IMHO for commuting long distance although I know of some people who do that.

 

Dahon has a lot of new models coming up every year, as different countries produces different bikes. You have Dahon China, Dahon Japan with different bike models. With Taobao, you can ship one from China at relatively good price, provided you have a basic understanding of how to adjust some parts of the bike. I bought the Dahon Dove plus during Nov last year at about $500. 7.9kg only! Excellent for covering last mile commuting from MRT. It's a white elephant though as I drive far more than I take MRT. For our local Dahons, they have an additional wheel called the landing gear.. It makes it easy to wheel around when you bike is folded. However, for bikes below 1k, they are generally quite heavy. However, you can buy parts from Taobao easily to replace those from your Dahon bike to make it lighter. Litepro and Fnhon parts are quite popular.

 

There's this local brand called Travelo that has gained quite a lot of attention. Their high end models have very good specs on paper and are far cheaper than the above brands. But I have yet to try out this brand so far. You may want to check it out as well.

 

 

C7 is the entry point bike... it has been out of production for at least 3 years already. The latest one is A7 which is going for 499 brand new. I'll rather just spend a bit more to get a brand new one since there's wear and tear parts to be replaced for sure. You will never know if the bike had been involved in crashes as well.

Agree. Was considering Mu SLX and X10. Both around same price point.

 

End up I chose the Dahon cos of the carbon fiber handlebar and seatpost and also because the Tern didn't have the colour I wanted in stock (green).

 

Modded it to full Ultegra

[inlinesix]

The origins of Tern is quite interesting. The founders of Tern, Josh Hon and Florence Hon, happened to be the son and wife of David Hon, founder of Dahon. They came out from Dahon to start their own company as they believe in going in a different direction from Dahon, leading to a lawsuit from David Hon. Personally, I like Tern more than Dahon as X10 Verge was the first folding bike that I encountered that was below 9kg with very good parts. Price was high then at about 2.6k. I like the design as well as the fold which makes it easy to carry around, although it wasn't the most compact. They have limited new models coming out though and I find that in recent years, Josh Hon is more focused on making electric bikes which is not approved by LTA due to their weight. The newer models like X11 Verge has 451 wheels which are bigger than the traditional 20" wheels(or 406 wheels as they are known), but they are very pricey with retail at 3.8k. Their Eclipse series has 24" to 26" wheels which are more similar to the standard road bikes. Their accessories from Biologic are also quite nice and customized for Tern.

 

Brompton would have the most compact fold among the three. It also has many editions and you can really customize its looks and accessories according to what you want. It also has quite a huge following in Singapore as well as other countries. Drawback for me is its high price point, not so light body and 16" wheels. Not good IMHO for commuting long distance although I know of some people who do that. 

 

Dahon has a lot of new models coming up every year, as different countries produces different bikes. You have Dahon China, Dahon Japan with different bike models. With Taobao, you can ship one from China at relatively good price, provided you have a basic understanding of how to adjust some parts of the bike. I bought the Dahon Dove plus during Nov last year at about $500. 7.9kg only! Excellent for covering last mile commuting from MRT. It's a white elephant though as I drive far more than I take MRT. For our local Dahons, they have an additional wheel called the landing gear.. It makes it easy to wheel around when you bike is folded. However, for bikes below 1k, they are generally quite heavy. However, you can buy parts from Taobao easily to replace those from your Dahon bike to make it lighter. Litepro and Fnhon parts are quite popular.  

 

There's this local brand called Travelo that has gained quite a lot of attention. Their high end models have very good specs on paper and are far cheaper than the above brands. But I have yet to try out this brand so far. You may want to check it out as well. 

 

C7 is the entry point bike... it has been out of production for at least 3 years already. The latest one is A7 which is going for 499 brand new. I'll rather just spend a bit more to get a brand new one since there's wear and tear parts to be replaced for sure. You will never know if the bike had been involved in crashes as well. 

 

Even though Brompton price is steep, it is very hardy.  My 5 year old bike have travelled to Penang, Ho Chi Minh and Beijing.

 

Why 16" wheel? it is the most compact folding bike in the market.  Making it ez to store in office.  It is placed under my desk.  Physically, it will take more revolution to cycle than compare to a full size bike.  i cycled daily to work in Singapore (8km) and Beijing (10km).

 

Heavy?  it is heavy as the steel body is very thick.  Worse still if you have rear rack.  It will be close to 15kg.  With 4 easy wheel on rear rack, it is easy to push it around in folded state.  No need to carry it around.

 

It has 1 of widest bag option available.  Bag is mounted directly on the frame.

[Chongster]

Although the Brompton weighs in heavier than some of these dahon, tern bikes, but because it fold more compactly, might be easier and feel lighter to carry. For dahon and tern, even the light models, I think the fold is more for storage than for carrying around

[Shuaige12345]

Thanks for the detailed response...and I thought C7 was only two year old top.

 

Radar moving to A7 now...

 

BRU has an offer for Tern B7 now. Slightly cheaper than A7 as it was the older model. You may wish to check it out at their FB page. My first Tern was C7...got it in 2014... that started me on this journey on foldies.

Although the Brompton weighs in heavier than some of these dahon, tern bikes, but because it fold more compactly, might be easier and feel lighter to carry. For dahon and tern, even the light models, I think the fold is more for storage than for carrying around

 

Interested to get a Brompton myself too. Heard a lot of good things about it. But need to get rid of at least one bike from my house now first. Have 4 haha

What about Java? They make foldies at affordable price. 

 

Java bikes are priced cheaper than Dahon or Tern. Never tried before, but they look quite ok. The only thing that put me off is that their weight limit is 85Kg I think. Tern and Dahon bikes can take loads of up to 110kg. 

[Soya]

Looking at the Tern C8 too. Anyone got FR on that?

[Shuaige12345]

Looking at the Tern C8 too. Anyone got FR on that?

 

Never used C8 before, but tried the predecessor D8. It is a solid bike with a good gear range. More options to upgrade the bike as well. 

[Soya]

Never used C8 before, but tried the predecessor D8. It is a solid bike with a good gear range. More options to upgrade the bike as well.

Does Tern hv something like Dahon’s landing gear?

[Shuaige12345]

Does Tern hv something like Dahon’s landing gear?

No. Can't install the landing gear. But they have their own trolley rack which makes it easy to move around as well. Suitable for C8 too. 

 

https://www.ternbicycles.com/sg/gear/471/trolley-rack

[Neopcn07]

Any bros here know where can I find Dahon Expresso D24 and Dahon Jetstream? And what are the prices like?

[Ody_2004]

Any bros here know where can I find Dahon Expresso D24 and Dahon Jetstream? And what are the prices like?

 

Jetstream carousell got 2.. abt 900$

[Icebird]

Hi

I have an old Dahon bike. Purchased around 1986. Any idea where I can send it for servicing? Want to try using it but think I should check the parts, brakes etc first. Also need to replace some plastics that has cracked and fallen off too. Any idea how much would such thorough servicing cost? Also wondering if it is worth doing it....

 

[Ody_2004]

45 minutes ago, Icebird said:

Hi

I have an old Dahon bike. Purchased around 1986. Any idea where I can send it for servicing? Want to try using it but think I should check the parts, brakes etc first. Also need to replace some plastics that has cracked and fallen off too. Any idea how much would such thorough servicing cost? Also wondering if it is worth doing it....

 

My view is to sell it as it is in Carousell or anywhere unless i is of sentimental reason..vintage parts are hard to source and not necessary cheap.

Beside after the money spent on restoring it the question is "Are you sure you will ride it?"

It maybe a collector item for those who know and appreciate it.