First impressions: Tern Verge S11i

Class, defined.
I've seen many attempts to exude class on a folding bike.
Where most had failed, one bike really stands out from the crowd.
When if was opened from its box for a short photo shoot, I'd immediately fell in love with it.
What I love on the Tern Verge S11i, is the clean lines and its classic appearance.
While my wife scoffed at it, I felt that the colour scheme is suitable for a middle-aged guy like me.

Something completely new
The Verge S11i is not your run-of-the mill bike.
It commands a pricetag of RM6.8K and you better believe it.
One of the significant feature on this bike is the physis stem. It locks really solid and provides a stable handling. 
While the Andros steering system is something that really pushes the envelope in a folding bike handlebar design, much of its chrome-brushed finished appearance blends with the frame design.
And the Verge's frame alone, is an award-winner. Hydro-forming increases its structural integrity, yielding superb handling on any road conditions.
Even the folding has improved.
With the new N-fold system, it deploys under 10-seconds. Pretty fast!

Anytime, anywhere...
I can't complain about the Shimano Alfine-11 drivetrain.
Its quiet and silky smooth.
You don't need to spend much time maintaining it and to my surprise, the whole bike is pretty light in comparison with other bikes that comes with an internal hub gear.
The Biologic freedrive chain guard actualy makes this bike looked futuristic. But it had a purpose - to protect you, the cyclist.


How can it be further improved? 
With all the bells and whistles thrown-in, all the Verge S11i needs - is a set of hydraulic disk brakes. Yes, it will push up the cost, but this will be a value-added feature incorporating both safety and handling.

Conclusion
No matter how you view it, the Verge S11i is a perfect bike. So, there's still time to spend your money on a Christmas gift for yourself! hhahahahahah!!!

Tern Tea Party - Part 2

Absolutely fantastic: The window dressing

Public session
The afternoon was reserved for members of the public, especially folding bike enthusiasts.
I had lunch with a key person from K2 Asia in Bukit Tinggi town.
We chatted a bit about Tern's new direction and the emerging market especially in folding bikes.
Since there are issues with Dahon's QC and marketability here next year, I bet my top dollar that Tern Bikes would take the folding bike experience here in the Klang Valley to a higher level.
The importers have to be committed in providing a good sales and service network. They have to learn from previous experiences.
I must say that without the media support, the level of awareness on folding bikes would not be as wide as it is today.
So, after a good lunch session, we returned to Rodalink's outlet in Bandar Botanic.
A steady stream of people were already making a bee-line towards the showroom, eager to check out the bikes.

Folding bike lovers getting the first-dibs on the latest foldies in town

Buddies
I met up with DC Ong, the first time after the OCBC Cycle Malaysia Ride. 
He was complaining about the lack of activities.
Ronnie Soon came later.
I saw a group of people whom I've never met. They kept to themselves and were admiring the bikes.
Some 15 bikes were showcased to the public..

IHG darlings: The Verge S11i and Eclipse S11i

Destructive testing
While most of the people were civilized and well-mannered, there were some who just crawled out from a cave.
I saw an elderly man with his two children trying out the Verge S11i.
He was jamming the shifter and tried to undo it. 
Obviously, the guy was applying a lot of force.
I watched from the distance and having seen that, I guess he had no love for other people's things. Since it was a sample bike, its bound to get thrashed.
Some guys, on the other hand, had a go at a test ride. 
This was done at the back of the showroom..

A potential customer trying the Link D8

Senor el cheapo
At the very end of the day, a Rockstar friend of mine walked-in.
He introduced me to an elderly man.
"Hey Samosa, I read your blog!"
I told him that Samosa refers to a triangular fried snack.
He asked: "I need a bike, anything cheap ah?"
With such a chance encounter with a stranger whose opening line is "Cheap", my alarm bells rang.
Being the good citizen, I led him to the showroom floor where the Terns were displayed and showed him the Link C7.
It was a nice white-coloured bike. 
Mr Cheapo spent some time examining the bike.
And right at the end of the room, I met another guy.
"Hey, you are Samo right? I am disappointed la, not all the bikes were shown..."
I seriously don't know what this guy was talking about.
Later, I showed him the Link P9, which in my humble opinion, was one of the three bikes that stood out in today's launch.
While talking to him about the fixed stem, Mr Cheapo had cut in.
"Isn't the stem height important? Bla-bla-bla..."
Well, he sounded like Heinz Stucke, probably a Rockstar wannabe or in the Guerilla cycling group. 
And I have a bad feeling that this geezer would most likely end up with cheapo China-made bike.. Or he would prove me wrong.


Conclusion
I think the guys at K2 Asia had done a great job rigging up the show.
Too bad the turnout was far and few in between.
All good things said and done, with the launch, Tern Bikes are now available in Malaysia.
My money is on the Verge series and the one and only Eclipse S11i

Project Foldie 2012

The perfect find: Tern Verge S11i

I am basically done with folding bikes.
We have six, three for each person ranging from 16" basic and high-end, 20" tourers and 20" full-suspension foldies.
I won't replace my Dahon Speed P8, but I would consider the Tern Verge S11i.

Technologically superior frame 
The Tern crew has produced an IGH folding bike based on the award-winning Vector platform.
This hydro-formed frame is said to be strong and yields a firm ride.
So, no flexing and twitches.
What I like, is the 11-speed internal gear hub.
This eliminates the need to clean the chain at all times. Its also much cleaner and virtually low-maintenance.
Based on what I see, this bike is solid.


The good stuff
The physis handlepost is something that is out of this world.
I can see that the Tern guys are putting a lot of emphasis on handling and having rode the Speed TR with its Andros steering system, I'd say that I can expect a lot of big things out of this bike.
Everything on this bike spells elegance and grace.
And at a pricetag of USD$2K (RM6,250 before 35% duty and sales tax), I'd say that its simply an upmarket product.
Since I won't be getting a MuXL, the Verge S11i is definitely in the running for my next bike project.

Classy ride: Tern's 11-speed IGH foldie

Rigged for touring
I placed a question on the Tern Forums.
Asked whether the bike can be fitted with rear and front traveller's racks.
The company's owner Josh Hon said most Tern bikes can be fitted with them.
Now, this is a bonus! 
I can fit the bike with by Ortlieb front and backrollers.
Well, I guess the Verge S11i is worth the wait. I can't wait to check out the bike once its launched here in mid-November...