JakeTs

Hi all,
I'm torn between two bikes and need some advice for casual rides, park trips, and occasional trails around the London area. Could you please advise me on which one is better and why, or highlight any significant differences between Dahon Mariner D8 and Tern Link D8?

While it would be ideal to test both simultaneously, I'm unsure where I can find both models. Any suggestions, preferably in South London?

Additionally, can you recommend reliable shops to purchase a bike from? Are there any discounts available for bikeforums.net users?

Warm Regards,
Jake.

Reddleman

The main difference is that the Dahon has a telescopic handlepost, while the Tern has a fixed height handlepost and an adjustable stem. The latter is lighter and stiffer but offers a more limited range of adjustment. Dahon appears to be a Halfords exclusive in the UK, so if you’re after support post-purchase bear that it mind, whereas Tern is stocked by a wider range of bike shops.

JakeTs

Thank you for your reply. Is there anything I should know about Halfords?

And saying "stiffer" do you mean that the Dahon is uncomfortable due to the handlepost being telescopic?

Schwinnsta

​​​​​​​Telescopic stems are inherently less stiff being jointed.

JakeTs

Thank you, but can I ask you to explain to me exactly how this manifests itself, in what situations and how strongly/noticeable. I'm not very good at bicycles yet )

Schwinnsta

When you're pulling or pushing on the stem as say in pedaling uphill.

JakeTs

I think that for the first bike in many years (and the folding one - the first bike in my life), it will be important for me to be able to adjust the steering wheel in height.

Reddleman

Halfords are not renowned for their aftersales support or the quality of their mechanics, that’s all. Tern dealers in London appear to be smaller independent stores, often specialising in cargo bikes, ebikes and folding bikes. You’ll probably get better aftercare and support from them compared to Dahon from Halfords.

If you do feel that a telescopic handlepost is something you desire, have a look at a Tern Link C8 instead of the D8.

JakeTs

Thanks, but it looks like Tern Link C8 doesn't have a telescopic handlepost...
And I didn't mention that before but I need a bike with a rear rack. As far as I can see the Tern Link C8 bike goes without it. Is there a rack which suits well for the bike (ideally from the manufacturer to avoid any DIY)?
Lastly, its rear derailleur is of lower quality than the D8 variant (I'm tired of the hassle with changing gears).

CrimsonEclipse

Like Schwinnsta said:
Out of seat pedaling when you are really pressing one pedal and pulling the same side handle bar.
It will be exacerbated by any load on a rear rack.
Almost any long stem will have more flex and a telescoping stem ads a telescoping and thinner stem.

A one piece stem cannot be adjusted but you can sometimes replace the stem for a more forward or rearward handlebar placement.

Also, folding bikes by nature are less stiff so any change in one source of flex is commonly felt in other areas.

Schwinnsta

For your first folding bike, I think an adjustable stem makes more sense.

Reddleman

Sorry, I had assumed that as the C8 didn’t use the adjustable Andros stem on a fixed handlepost it had a telescopic handlepost instead.

Have a look on Tern’s website - they produce a lot of accessories including racks. A Tern stockist should be able to supply and install a rack if you buy a bike from them.

JakeTs

Thanks everyone for your advice and opinions. I still leaned towards the Dahon Mariner D8 because of the height adjustment. If anything, Dahon also gives you the opportunity to replace it with a fixed-height option (I found something like that on the Internet). I'm a little confused by the reviews that Halfords' post-sales support is poor, but I hope I won't need it. And if I need it and the problem with support is confirmed, then I will return the Mariner back and take the Tern Link D8 then. But I hope I'll enjoy my Mariner D8 and everything will be fine

vuurmot

Isn't the Tern frame known for cracking?
I mean you can look up numerous photos of this on google, unlike dahon

wesgreen

That's one reason I'm staying away from that brand. But their bikes also tend to be heavier and more expensive than some of the Dahon models I like.

CrimsonEclipse

Dahon has had more than a few cracking frames.

Seems disingenuous

tds101 

Dahon didn't lie about their frames cracking, and then try to silence customers who had frame failures like tern did. Tern completely shut their forums down to try and silence the owners who'd had the catastrophic failures. There were injuries. I own a tern, and after their debacle I was afraid to buy their brand again. The new, stronger designed frames I'd say should be considered (maybe), but they don't instill confidence with the people who know about their treatment of customers that were victims of the bad design flaw/crappy welds. Is their QC up to snuff nowadays? Could be...

CrimsonEclipse

huh, had no idea.
Sooooo.... skip the Tern.

Good safety tip.

Duragrouch

No, Dahon just said I was too tall and heavy (both well below maximum rated limits), then ignored me.

(Not saying Tern is any better.)

Regarding handlebar stem:
- The telescoping stem on Dahons is less stiff, this manifests as squeaking at the telescoping joint, unless greased or anti-seize, which is a mess. This is why Dahon used their older fixed height stem on the Speed TR (touring), (long after they had introduced their telescoping stem), because it was more likely to have higher sideloads, with panniers, when climbing a hill with load. The TR had the same style "swinging" top adjustment like the current Terns. I think they may also have used their older Cr-Mo steel stem, instead of newer aluminum.
- The fixed height (non-telescoping) stems are the same height as the adjustable stems at *maximum height*, so if you like the handlebars at top position, there's no detriment to getting a fixed stem, *except*, if you add clip-on aero bars, when you fold, you'll have to swing those up, and with a fixed stem, they will drag on the ground when the stem is folded. On my bike, I just rotate the folded bike aft like it's standing on its rear, it's stable that way with the big rear rack I added. But with a telescoping stem, you can just shorten the stem, and have the folded bike sit normal. The fixed height, swinging-top stem, has the advantage of adjustment fore/aft (how it swings), which normally does not exist on the Dahon.

tds101 

I could care less at this point, since you've singled me out to quote and talk crap to. I have Dahon, Tern, Origami, and a few other folders. Your issues aren't something I've been having, and I'm not really caring about what you're suggesting, as i have telescoping handleposts, as well as non-telescoping ones THAT I'VE PERSONALLY INSTALLED. You quoted me, then went off on something totally unrelated to what I posted. NO, Tern and Dahon didn't handle issues the same. And maybe you are too tall and too overweight for a Dahon. That sounds like a "you" problem, not a "me" problem.

I'll say it like this - don't quote me again. I'm not interested in you deciding what you recommend, since it's completely off the topic I was discussing.

Duragrouch

At the time of the Dahon frame cracking, I was 60 lbs below the rated frame payload, and 7 inches below maximum rated frame height, and the seatpost was well below maximum extension. As a retired engineering manager in automotive and aerospace, I wrote a detailed failure mode analysis and submitted to Dahon, with detailed pictures. They blew me off on my frame, and I subsequently sent the report and photos to the Consumer Product Safety Commision, and later frames from Dahon do incorporate improvements I suggested.

I wrote the above regarding the stem stiffness (98% of my post) in response to the thread original post, and subsequent posts, as they did not seem to understand when someone else said the telescoping stem was less stiff. I tried to be helpful in detailing this more, and the advantages and disadvantages of the Dahon telescoping versus fixed stems.

You are acting aggressive, when there is no cause. From your number of posts, clearly you value communication on this forum. That's great. I've been a bystander on other forums, where longtime posters threw their weight around, became aggressive, were given temporary suspension by the moderator, problems continued after they returned, and they were promptly banned. Something I'm sure you don't desire. I suggest you take a step back, and gain some perspective. Most people on here, make a post, with the aim of being helpful. That is my intention. If you are already knowledgable, great, truly. No reason to be aggressive. A bad example in the media in recent years:

A group of kids were trapped in a cave, their escape path blocked by a rising tide. A famous, wealthy person, offered to fabricate some sort of small rescue chamber to get the kids out. An experienced diver said that won't work (fine, and the response should have been, "but thanks for offering, much appreciated"), but no, the diver went off angrily on the person offering the help. Said person offering help, then implied the diver was a pedophile, due to their country of residence. (Not helpful, extremely immature, and slanderous.) Well the kids are rescued by the experienced diver, but the exchange lands in court, and the famous, rich person, got off from a big payout, by the skin of their teeth, in my opinion. But I see huge immaturity on the part of both parties, who, ironically, were both trying to do good, but their massive egos got the better of them. A cautionary tale.

I wish you peace and happiness.

tds101 

I asked you to not quote me again... Bye Felicia!

Duragrouch

I replied on the thread. I did not quote you.