ROAD TEST - TERN

fairly average 5-feet, 10-inches tall, but Road Test with a background in racing I like bikes a bit longer than many do. With only one size offer, the Tern will either fit you or it won’t. And if it doesn’t, you don’t have many options to make it fit. Because of the folding stem/handlebar mast, bar height and reach is limited. That said, the Andros stem fitted to the Eclipse S18 is really slick. I couldn’t stop playing with it when the bike first arrived. It allows for height, reach, and bar-angle adjustment with the flip of a latch and two levers. The Biologic Pump Post 2.0 seatpost TERN ECLIPSE S18 allows for an incredible range of height adjustment so the Tern should easily fit even fairly short riders. It’s on the taller end of the spectrum that riders will BY NICK LEGAN start to disagree with the ergonomics of the Tern because the reach from saddle ➺NOT ALL ADVENTURE riding takes in some circles. is also very to bar is fairly short. place on remote or desolate roads. popular and has a large variety of The front and rear racks are sturdy Although most of us conjure images of models. Tern pushes an edgier take on a winding tarmac heaven or a beautiful folding bikes. Ride quality and style are ribbon of dirt when the word comes Tern’s primary focus with folded size a up, many of us actually live in urban third priority. areas. So while the bliss of conquering a mountain pass is satisfying, sometimes ÜBER COMMUTER/LIMITED TOURER the flow of riding in traffic can get the As a commuting bike, the Eclipse endorphins coursing through your veins S18 ticks every box this reviewer has in a short 20-minute ride. when considering an urban bicycle. For those in the especially cramped Fenders? Yep. Lights? Check. Racks? quarters of a major metropolis, cycling You bet. Reliable tires? Affirmative. is a great transportation solution. How about a kickstand? Why A can help justify a not! designated commuter/grocery-getter In fact, what’s most machine if you happen to pay through impressive about the the nose for the square footage in Eclipse S18 is how which you reside. It’s also easier on the thoroughly Tern has other end of your commute, making anticipated the needs of it possible to take your bike into your a commuting cyclist. office instead of relying on the best that They’ve even included the lock industry offers to ensure your a comfy set of Ergon bike’s safety. grips with integrated bar-ends and a BACKGROUND pump that’s hidden Tern made a splash in the world in the seatpost. of folding bikes several years ago. Essentially you just In fact this is only the company’s need to add a rider, third model year. Of course, Tern is perhaps a pannier by no means the only folding bike and a spare tube to manufacturer. Moulton, Bike Friday, the mix and you’re set. Dahon, and Brompton are all players As a touring bike, the in the folding bike market. While Bike Tern has serious potential Friday produces mostly made-to-order but only for certain riders. travel bikes, Brompton goes after the I like a bike with more cockpit tweed set and Moulton has a cult status adjustability for long rides. I’m a

42 ADVENTURE CYCLIST JULY 2014 ROAD TEST - TERN

SPECIFICATIONS 8. Fork: Aluminum 6061 with 20. Stem: Andros 3Djust models and I wouldn’t hesitate to TERN ECLIPSE S18 rack and fender mounts 21. Handlebar: Kinetix Pro, use them for an extended tour. In 9. Rims: Kinetix Comp Price: $2,100 (as reviewed) double-butted 7050-AL fact, because of the small wheel size, 10. Hubs: BioLogic Joule 3 22. Headset: Flux Pro Sizes available: one size dynamo disc (front), Kinetix the center of gravity of the bike is Weight: 34.8 pounds (with quick Pro, sealed cartridge bearings, 23. Saddle: BioLogic Phia extremely low, making for great release pedals) disc (rear) stability. GEARING IN INCHES 11. Tires: Schwalbe Big Apple As for gearing, consider the effect of TEST BIKE MEASUREMENTS 12. Bottom bracket: Cartridge, 50 34 1. Distance: Seatpost to sealed bearings 11 109.1 74.2 the small wheels before scoffing at the Handlebar: Min: 22.4 in Max: 13. Crankset: FSA Vero 12 100.0 68.0 double chainring setup on the Tern. 28.7 in compact, 50/34T 14 85.7 58.3 The gearing is definitely biased toward 2. Distance: Saddle to Pedal: 14. Cassette: 9 spd, 16 75.0 51.0 the hill-crawler side of the spectrum, Min: 31.3 in Max: 41.3 in 11-32T 18 66.7 45.3 meaning that a loaded bike would still 3. Suggested Rider: 4’10” – 6’5” 15. Brake levers: Avid FR5 21 57.1 38.9 4. Max Rider Weight: 254 lb. make for miles of smiles. Although I’m 16. Shift levers: SRAM trigger, 24 50.0 34.0 5. Folding Size: 16.5 in x 35 in 2 x 9 spd more accustomed to Shimano shifters, 28 42.9 29.1 x 29.9 in 17. Brake calipers: Avid BB7 the SRAM X7 mountain bike thumb 32 37.5 25.5 6. Folding Time: 10 seconds cable-actuated discs shifters and their associated derailers 7. Frame: 7005-AL with 18. Pedals: MKS EZY QR Contact: Tern Bicycles, shifted well both on the FSA crank and patented OCL Joint and Double 19. Seat post: BioLogic ternbicycles.com rear SRAM cassette. Truss PostPump 2.0 The stoppers on the Eclipse S18 are Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes, a personal favorite thanks to the easy setup, adjustability, and reliability. While they don’t self-adjust for pad wear like a set of hydraulic disc brakes, mechanical disc brakes certainly have a place in the world. Many long-distance riders prefer them because they are field serviceable. Other nice component selections include the dynamo front hub that powers front and rear lights. This is a very reliable route to take as it means you’ll never have to worry about charging your lights. Schwalbe’s Big Apple tires roll extremely well while providing excellent puncture resistance. One small miss for this reviewer were the stock pedals. The quill-style platforms have the added value that they are removable without tools, but the shape of them left me wanting something more substantial. This may be nitpicky, as it’s easily remedied and the stock pedals do help in tight spaces or when you’re storing your bike on a boat, in a car, or a tiny apartment.

RIDE QUALITY With the Eclispe S18, Tern nailed its design priorities of “a big ride” and an attractive bicycle. The Tern rode exceptionally well with neutral handling, even with a pannier or two on board. At times I would forget that I was riding smaller wheels.

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ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG 43 LIFE MEMBER PROFILE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43 LIFE MEMBERSHIP A lifetime of benefits and long-term support for bicycle travel. TERN ECLIPSE S18

Funds from the Life Membership program Of course, with only one size are put into a special account to provide offered, the geometry isn’t optimized long-term support for Adventure Cycling for riders both big and small. But the Association. In the past, these funds Tern delivers good, middle-of-the-road have helped us purchase and update our handling that made evading potholes headquarters building, saving us thousands easy without requiring constant rider of dollars in interest payments. input to keep the bike on a heading. If bicycle travel is an important part of Thanks to the wide tires, the ride your life, please consider making a lifetime was nice and smooth. If you want a commitment by joining as an Adventure racier feel, narrower tires would help, Cycling Life Member. To find out more, visit but that would be missing the point of adventurecycling.org/membership or give this bike. It’s meant to be robust — a Julie Huck a call at (800) 755-2453 x 214. sort of apocalypse bike for the urban Thanks to these new life members who jungle. joined with their support since March: • Bruce D Adams Jr., Stockton, CA CONCLUSION

GREG SIPLE • Michele Baber, West Chester, OH As a commuter bike, especially for • Michael Barry & Jessica Mattia-Barry, • Maryanne Gallagher, Gill, MA someone with limited space at home or Tucson, AZ • Langston J Goree, New York, NY at the office, the Tern Eclipse S18 is an • Ken Berger, Cincinnati, OH • Sigrid C. Haines, Gaithersburg, MD exceptional machine. It’s ready to roll • Glenn & Donna Boutilier, Cincinnati, OH • John & Sarah Holman, Morristown, NJ right off the showroom floor. At $2,100 • Jeff Crouse, APO, AE • Krrish Jiwan, Pharr, TX the S18 isn’t inexpensive, but consider • Kim D’auria-Vazira, DPO, AE • John Mielnik, Roselle, IL that you’re buying a fully equipped • Mike Dillon, Los Gatos, CA • Zane Jenkins Siple, Lolo, MT bike. Brand-name accessories like the • William M Doumas, Tucson, AZ • David A. Waters, Milwaukee, WI dynamo-powered lights, racks, fenders, an integrated pump, Ergon grips, Schwalbe tires, etc., don’t come cheap. joined the board of directors for — “France, Italy, or Mallorca” — to The Tern is a better tool for the Recreation Equipment, Inc. (REI) simply committing to at least one tour urban warrior than for the backroad with Angel Rodriguez, who also each year with Adventure Cycling. meanderer though. Its somewhat served on the Adventure Cycling The couple also talks about making limiting size will keep some touring board. Then she and David signed up another cross-country trip, this cyclists from using it on multi-day for tour after tour, traveling through time at a leisurely pace and with the jaunts. Another detail that limits the the red rock canyons of Utah and flexibility to rent a car or take a train range of the bike is the single water mountains of Montana. They always through sections they decide not to bottle cage mount. found time for a trip or two each year ride. “No plans, no schedule, nothing,” More to the urban assault point, despite increasing demands on their she said. the low-key gray paint, mostly black schedules, which were brought on in Regardless of their route, it’s running gear, and the gray color- part by Catherine’s position as senior unlikely you’ll see Catherine and matched 24-inch rims kept me flying vice president and general counsel at David pulling their bikes up to a under the radar, nice for urban settings REI. hotel anytime soon. They prefer the where flash can lead to theft. I quite As the years and the trips grew in communal atmosphere of camping to like the aesthetics of the Tern. number, Catherine and David became the indoor amenities — and isolation — This bike is best suited for riders interested in life membership with of a hotel room. under six feet tall or those who like Adventure Cycling. “I’m a joiner. If I “Even though we’re older now and an especially upright position and are like an organization and believe in it, I it’s getting harder to sleep on the looking for a ready-made commuter might as well support it at a leadership ground, it’s hard to imagine going to bike to squeeze into their apartment. As level,” Catherine said. “Besides, it’s one hotels,” Catherine said. “We’d miss that such, the Eclipse S18 is sure to please. less thing to remember each year! Plus community piece of touring — hanging there’s the low-hassle factor. We don’t out and getting to know each other in a have to worry about renewing,” she little village of tents. There’s something Nick Legan lives in Boulder, Colorado, but firmly said. really magical about that.” believes that adventure is a state of mind and has That gives the couple more time little to do with geography. As a former pro cycling team mechanic, he’s seen parking lots the world over Alex Strickland is Adventure Cyclist’s Managing to dream up future trips ranging and a few great roads along the way. from riding Europe for the first time Editor.

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