Stuff Nobody Told You About Folding Bikes and Tern Verge X20

Are folding bikes the right choice for you? They might be, if you lack storage, and need to bring your bike inside the bus or metro. Let’s discuss the topic from different angles, and look at a higher end option, the Tern Verge X20.

The good stuff

With a folding bike, you can:

• Add exercise into your lifestyle
• Save money on gas and parking
• Lessen your carbon footprint. Imagine, a 20 km daily drive to work generates 1.3 tons of yucky gas annually.
• If you blend public transport with biking, a folded bike is easier to manage.
• It is easier to store at home and at work. Just slide it under your office desk.
• You can fit it in your trunk, then drive to a nice area where you would like to    ride your bike.
•  It’s convenient when you are on a travelling vacation, whether by train or plane

That's all very nice, but how do I know a folding bike is right for me?

This is the most important point you must take into consideration. In terms of value, a regular bike will generally give you a better quality bike. However, if a folding bike really suits your lifestyle, then by all means, go for one.

When you buy your folding bike, look for the following: 

1. Make sure that you can fold and unfold the bike quickly and easily. Test it in the shop,and keep at it until you get it right.
2. Check if the bike folds with the chain inside. That will help avoid grease getting on your clothes.
3. Test its lightness and portability by walking and carrying it while it’s folded.
4. See if you can wheel it when it’s folded.
5. Does it lock when folded, or do you need to use a strap?
6. When it’s folded, can it stand up on its own?
7. How does it ride? Check for assembly issues. When you ride it do the wheels wobble?
8. Make sure that all the parts of the bike operate smoothly. If you have troubles, ask the shop to address them.

 Other things to consider when choosing a folding bike:

• Does it have a carry bag? (This will protect your clothes, and other people’s clothes, from the bike).
• How compact is it when it’s folded?
• Does the size meet the train standards of your city? For example, even during peak hours, some city trains allow you to bring your foldable bike inside, so long as it is no bigger than 79 x 59 x 36 cm.
• Foldable bikes have small wheels, making them less comfortable to ride. With a wider tire, you can drop the pressure. This will increase the amount of cushioning you get from the road, without risking a pinch flat.  The smaller wheels of a foldable bike doesn’t offer that convenience.
• Foldable bikes have a high seat saddle, and its frame is less robust.  You will feel the difference when you ride it. You must adjust to it. But if your main objective is to get from one place to another which involves riding your bike and taking public transport in between, then it will serve you well.

Maintaining your foldable bike

The following are things you can expect to look out for in maintaining your foldable bike:

• Punctured tires. This will be the main thing, because you have a smaller sized wheel.    Be prepared. Take extra tubes with you everywhere, because their size makes it harder for them to find. Also, carry a portable inflator.
• Another option when you’ve punctured a tire is to fold the bike up and grab a cab.
• You may want to consider some useful features, such as mudguards (if you ride through all kinds of weather).
• Depending on your lifestyle, you might find luggage racks or a box useful.

An Option for Fast Riders

Whether you buy a foldable or non-foldable bike, the price will always be based on the quality of its parts. For example, wheel size matters. Bigger, 20-inch wheels will provide more stability, but 16-inch wheels are stable and lighter to carry. 

The Tern Verge X20 is the best ritzy and speedy foldable bike. It overcomes many problems of foldable bikes, and provides a lot of extras as well. Its components are exquisite. Some facts about The Tern Verge X20:

     1. Weighs just below 10kg, making it extremely light to carry into the train. (Blame this on the carbon fibre and titanium components).  

     2. Has 20 gears that shift smoothly.

     3. The 20 gears allow you to go very, very fast. The Tern Verge X20 is built for speed.

     4. Is well-built and attractive.

     5. Aero spoke wheels, great for speed.

     6. Folds in 10 seconds.

     7. The frame is strong and durable. It will last you for many years.

     8.  Its Kinetix Pro X Wheels sport a New hub and spoke design built to improve strength and durability

     9. New Hydroformed fork looks amazing and matches frame design. (A bicycle fork holds the front wheel. It consists, typically, of two blades that join at the top by a fork crown. Above the crown, a steerer tube attaches the fork to the bicycle and the handlebars [via a stem]. This allows you steer the bicycle).      

   10. Replaceable front magnet holder.

   11.  An integrated chain retainer, which prevents the chain from popping off.

   12.  Lightweight - just 9.9kg / 21.8lbs

        
    To know more about Tern bikes, go here. here