Noel's Part time commuter, part time racer

Can speed mix with commuting? Well, for Noel it sure can!  I also love the way the Tern is photographed in a very Singapore living context. The HDB Void deck! 

Photo credits Noel Tan

Reply from Joshua Hon (Tern)

Guess what I got on my mail today (see below). It was Josh hon replying directly to my queries on the Tern brand and bike!  Now, while we have our differences in opinions, I am impressed with the clear and no BxxSxxx reply from Josh. He is clearly passionate about  the Tern brand and bikes. So much so that the company gives a free bike to their staff if they want to commute( by bike)! If that's not commitment, I don't know what to call it. Looking forward to try the Tern bikes! I heard it is coming to SG real soon! 


  

June 23 

Woon Taiwoon

  Hello Josh, My name is Taiwoon and I am from Singapore and I love folding bikes and anything with wheels. I do sunday rides which I try to get everyone to ride bicycles... Pls have a look at my blog which I keep a blog account on things cycling, foldies and our Sunday rides account. I like what u did while u are at Dahon(like the bags which can store in cupboard or under the bed" and I am very excited to know u have setup Tern. And I actually wrote about it... I want to clarify that I am not trying to "bash" u or Tern up.. just stating my perspective and hopefully u can also respond and share with me ur thoughts. Thanks for ur time to read this, http://www.smallwheelsbigsmile.blogspot.com/.

Yesterday

Josh Hon 

Hi Woon - sorry for my late reply - I didn't see this. I like your blog. I think your comments are perfectly fair if you've only seen our video. But today we'll go live with additional product info. Sure on outward appearance, there is a lot similar between Dahon and Tern which is to be expected considering that it's the exact same teams doing the Dahon 2011 and Tern 2012 product ranges. But there's also a lot that is very different. The frame joints and handleposts in particular get six new patented technologies. When you see the bikes up close or test ride one, you'll know. Seriously. As for standing for something, we stand for sustainable transport. And that's not marketing talk - we live it. I've walked to work for 19 years and we give a free bicycle to any company associate who wants to commute to work. Feel free to post this and thanks for your note. 

Woon Taiwoon

hi Josh, thanks for the reply! I admire ur passion in sustainable transport and the innovation in folding bikes. Was talking to the local SG Dahon & Tern dealer (MyBikeShop) and looking forward to try out Tern bikes close and personal. Hope to have a chance to ride with u sometime and understand more on the the Tern brand!

 

More on Tern straight from 16incheswestofpeoria.wordpress.com

Photo credits : Tern Cycles

 Excerpt on the article
"How do you appeal to people interested in bicycles but unaware of folders?
To grow the demand for folding bicycles, we have to make good bicycles. In other words, if a folding bike looks a bit weird, doesn’t ride well, and flexes in all the wrong places, we will have a hard time getting customers no matter how well it folds. So we need to work on the design of our bikes, to make them aesthetically pleasing, and sexy even; we need to make sure that our bikes ride really well when compared to a non-folding bike. Our bikes need to be fast, efficient, and stiff. When we can do all of these things, and keep costs reasonable, we think that there’s a big part of the cycling market that will appreciate the convenience of a highly portable bicycle. We also think that there’s a lot more innovation to be had in making bicycles more suited to urban transport. Innovations in lighting, power, luggage carrying—there’s lots to be done here, and we’ve got some pretty cool new technology in these areas as well. We’re not just designing a folding frame and slapping on standard bike components. We’re also innovating on the component side."

More here... yes! I like the vibes..can't wait to see the new bikes and innovation. Go go Tern! This are exciting times! 
https://16incheswestofpeoria.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/after-the-launch-josh-hon-of-tern-bicycles-talks-business-folding-bikes-and-the-genius-of-in-n-out-burger/

Tern, what's ur story?

Yesterday I had a lively FB chat with my good bike crazy pals, Matt, Steve, Bro Al and many others. The topic of the day was Tern.  More information here

In a nutshell it is a new bicycle company led by Joshua hon with a group of ex-Dahon staff.  I had a look at the press release and also the video teaser.  Well, it was sure was slick, stylishly executed... but something felt missing. It felt too posed and fake.  come on, cycling in the middle of the express way, with no cars...ok maybe 1 car... right... try telling this to urban city riders.  Warning...   Ok, if u are Dahon Zealots that love Dahon to death... maybe I would suggest that it is time to click away.  To clarify, I have always admired Dahon as it has set levels of standard that many folding bikes are matched to..  I tried my friend's Dahon P8 and it rides well and last well. This is the problem. It has too much legacy...Tern claims that their bikes would last better...
I quote from the report  "Tern designers have spent a lot of time examining the durability of the bicycles in their folded position, too. A patented floating linkage removes any additional stress on the steel rod in the hinge clasp, and the rounded edges of the hinges removes sharp edges which can tear carry bags or injure others on public transport. The safety catch itself is made from engineering plastic..."  Hmm...So does it means Dahon models are not sturdy enough and not designed well?  For the record, I haven't had a chance to really see the bikes up close and personal so this is just my direct honest opinion looking at the press release kit and video. From this perspective, I find there is just so much in common to Dahon. It just looks like a glam up Dahon with really nice paint and graphics.  Come on, customers are not stupid...
So what does the brand stand for? In this increasingly congested , competitive folding bike market...the brand message needs to be crystal clear. I am also very surprised that brands are not moving beyond the hardware to the "heartware"... What's the story? What will touch the customer in a "primal" and emotional way? 




And to cap it off, here is another perspective from a rider based in Taiwan.... Comments? Opinions? Fire away!