Working at NYCeWheels, a bike shop on the upper west side of NYC, I see the Tern Verge X10 all the time, but so far, I haven’t had a chance to give it a good ride.  I’ve had my eye on the bike for a while, ever since I learned that our mechanic, Izzy, rides the bike home almost everyday from work.

I did have a chance to ride the Verge X10‘s older brother, the Tern Verge X30h.  The X30h is a fantastic bike in itself, with racing handlebars, high end Shimano derailleurs and shifters, and a weight of only 22.7 lbs.  The Tern Verge X10 maintains this same level of quality and still manages to shave off another pound and a half, weighing in at an astonishingly light 21.3 lbs.  That 1.5 pounds might not look like much, but when you’re carrying a bike up 6 flights of stairs it can make a whole world of difference.

Becoming more interested in the Verge X10 I watched an instructional video put together by Peter, my friend and co-worker at NyceWheels.  In the adept hands of my friend, a few features of the Verge X10 especially caught my eye.

The Verge X10 is Versatile

First, I was struck by the ease with which Peter was able to maneuver the folding bike in nyc.  Whether he is cruising into a local coffee shop for a quick refreshment, speeding up the Central Park Bike Path, or rolling over rough gradients of dirt and rock, the Verge X10 seems to just glide.

In part, its fluidity can likely be attributed to its extremely light weight, but, watching the video, I also had to give a tip of my hat to the advanced 10 speed derailleur that provides a particularly direct transference of power.  Coupled with super strong Kinetix Pro Wheels, the Tern Verge X10’s light weight and advanced gearing create a bike that is delicate but also definitely a powerhouse.

The Tern Verge X10 folds like no other!

Another thing I was struck by was how small the bike folds.  I was impressed with the Tern Verge X30, which folds up very small (42 x 79 x 72 cm) but the Tern Verge X10 goes a step further folding up to the size of a small suitcase (38 x 79 x 72 cm).  I can definitely imagine taking this bike on a subway, or stashing it in my closet at home.

Exceptional Hinges on the Tern Verge X10

Lastly, I was impressed by the construction of its hinges.  Until recently, I always rode a traditional road bike (since I started working at NyceWheels I’ve been checking out a Brompton Bike to ride home), and I didn’t know what to think of folding bikes.  How can all those hinges support my weight?  But I am always impressed with Tern’s joint technology.  The Verge X10 is obviously very quick to fold and unfold, but with the addition of the extra safety latch, there is no question that the hinges are secure and stable.

In any case, I can’t wait to try out the Tern Verge X10 for the first time, and this weekend I’m going to try to find the time to take a test ride.  Check out this great video, starring my talented and bike-loving friend Peter, or if you can, come by NYCeWheels and take a test ride for yourself!

Jack

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On Tuesdays and Saturdays at approximately 3pm, I wrap up a few Facebook posts as NyceWheels’ social mediator, and prepare to go demonstrate Brompton Folding Bikes in NYC for a few hours on the corner of 86th and 3rd avenue

Three Brompton Bikes in a single cart!

First, I go to the back of the shop where a tarp covered, 100 pound wheeled cart holds three Brompton bikes.  The Cart is only 3 ½ feet wide by 2 feet deep so it’s only by the magic folding power of Brompton that they all actually fit there.  Everytime I pull them out I feel like I’m a magician pulling three rabbits out of a top hat.  Then again rabbits aren’t nearly as cute or amazing as Brompton bikes, and you can’t use them to ride to work.  Unless someone has finally invented that rabbit powered car we’ve all been on the edge of our seats for.

To get the Brompton Cart from the back of the store out to 86th and Lexington, I first have to “run the gauntlet” carefully wheeling the Cart through the narrow hallway that comprises NyceWheels, and then through the front of the store hoping not to knock any scooters off the wall or run over Peter’s foot (more than I have to).

The A2B Metro hauls 100 pounds!

A2B Metro Bike hauling weight!

A2B Metro Bike hauling weight!

Then comes my favorite part.  Outside the shop I attach the cart to the back of a bright yellow A2B Metro Electric Bike, using a small trailer hitch, and then use the electric bike to motor the 100 pounds worth of Brompton Bikes up 65th street, pushing 18 miles per hour and enjoying the amazed looks I get from passerbys.

With a 500W motor and 20-inch wheels the A2B is definitely nothing to play around with.  Any electric bike that can carry that much weight at that kind of speed is a serious piece of equipment.  Not only this, its also incredibly comfortable with full suspension, thick, durable tires, and a very comfy seat.  Really an impressive bike.

Finally, I pull up to 86th street, place the A2B Metro to the side (it always draws a crowd), take the Bromtons out of the cart, and begin showing off the Bromptons!  Definitely between the A2B Metro Electric Bike and the Brompton folding bike, I get to spend my days with some pretty awesome bikes!  Come by the shop  if you can, and try them out for yourself!

 

Jack

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Here at NYCeWheels, the steady approach of summer means many things: sunny days, happy bikers, more customers and, of course, much more work!

Selling Fold-up bikes in NYC is hard work!

When I first started working here, the shop cultivated healthy levels of efficiency—everyone was busy, VERY busy, but there was still time to stop and take a breath. On a typical day, I would walk into the shop, past the folding bikes on the wall, and receive a happy greeting from Roberto at the front desk, a warm smile from Peter at his computer, and wry comment from Art in the back.

Now Roberto gives me a friendly nod but in the midst of a flurry of emails and phone calls, Peter gives a warm smile but while simultaneously talking into a head set, fixing a Tern link D8 with his right hand, and eating a banana with his left.

I ride the storm out on the seas of social media, answering 20 posts where last week there would have been 10, posting pictures and links as fast as my hands can type.

Folding bikes and good vibes!

Being this busy is at the same time exhilarating and intimidating. It’s fun and exciting because business is booming and we know we’re helping a lot of people find the perfect folding bike or the Kick Scooter of their dreams. It’s intimidating because we have to work hard to keep pace with the increasing demands of our customer base—to keep shipments flying out and orders coming in, and bikes fixed, and questions answered.

Even in the face of this flurry of activity, the NYCeWheels crew always rises to the task. Peter has become a master organizer, planning out his daily tasks months in advance. Art races around the back of the shop, lifting heavy boxes like a super hero, and I’m pretty sure Roberto has learned a few new languages this week. Is “folding bike” considered a dialect? Meanwhile Bert oversees us all, the Wizard of NYCeWheels, making sure the machine is well oiled and all the wheels turn smoothly.

Folding bikes make it all worth it!

At the end of the day, everyone has the look of someone who’s given it their all, who’s averted every obstacle and surmounted every difficulty— the look of a man who’s fought the good fight. We are also all pretty exhausted. But it’s also satisfying to work so hard and know that we’re helping people make their lives better. Every time we see a folding bike in nyc, or an electric bike coming up the street, we know we’re making a difference in people’s lives, and that feels really good.

So come into the shop and say hello! Take a test ride on a sweet fold up bike and see what it’s all about!

Jack

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Every Thursday around 5:30pm a smile spreads across my face, the birds start chirping, the sun comes out from behind the clouds, and all seems right with the world: the NYC Brompton Bike Tour has arrived at last!!

When I started working at NYCeWheels, a few weeks ago, I was asked to plan and lead a guided tour on the Brompton Folding Bikes. “Jack,” Bert, the owner addressed me with a deep dignified voice, “you have ten shiny yellow Brompton Bikes and the entirety of NYC to explore, go forth and show people a time they will never forget.”

The first Brompton Bike Tour in NYC!

The day before the tour, I checked out a Brompton from the shop, and rode the folding bike in NYC all day, trying to find the best routes. When the day of the first tour finally came, there was one attendee, a nice man named Peter who lived outside the city and was visiting his two children for the week. After showing him how to fold and unfold the Brompton bike, we set off on the tour, heading north on the east river bike path, taking the folding bikes on 6 train from 110 and Lex down to 68th street, and then taking a joy ride around the lower end of Central Park. By the end of the tour, heading back north along the east side of the park with the warmth of the setting sun on our backs, we both had big goofy smiles on our faces.

The second Brompton Bike tour even more incredible!

That first tour was everything I wanted it to be and more, but nothing could prepare me for the excitement of the next tour. When the next Thursday rolled around, not one but seven people showed up for the Brompton in NYC tour!! We set off for the east river, and from the get-go it was just a blast! Looking behind me I saw seven smiling faces on seven yellow Brompton bikes. Laughing and whooping, we sped all over NYC having the time of our lives.

When we took the Brompton‘s the subway people couldn’t believe their eyes!! “What bike is that?!” “Where’d you get that fold-up bike?!!” People were just awestruck that you could take eight bikes on the subway and not even take up that much space. When they learned that we were on a guided tour, a FREE guided tour, their eyes bulged!Of course all of us Brompton riders felt like celebrities!

To end the tour, the eight of us rode all around Central Park, speeding down the hill at the lower west corner, taking pictures at the fountain, introducing the Brompton Bikes to a few monuments. I can honestly say it was one of the most fun and fulfilling experiences of my life, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for next week!

So if you ever want to come by on a sunny Thursday afternoon, come check out the Brompton for yourself, and have the time of your life!

Thanks for reading!

Jack

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Peter holding the Eclipse S11i folding bike

Peter holding the Eclipse S11i folding bike

Man oh man! We just posted on super cool video. I’m pretty excited about this one – mostly because the bike is so uniquely cool. What bike is it? Why a folding bike of course, and not just any. This is a Tern Eclipse S11i folding bike. This bike is something unique among the Tern Bicycles line up – designed with one idea in mind: creating the ultimate commuting bicycle that folds!

Features of the Tern Eclipse S11i:

  • Biologic Joule Dynamo and Head Light
  • Avid Hydraulic Disc Brakes
  • Rack and Fenders
  • Andros Adjustable Stem

With all those features I think the Eclipse S11i will really appeal to riders looking for a fully loaded and truly deluxe folding bicycle. I wont waste too much time here though, let’s get straight to the video!

I was very impressed with the features of this high end folding bicycle but I won’t do much talking here, I already go over it so much in the video. Watch and enjoy:

If you have any questions about the Eclipse S11i let me know. I’d be happy to go answer them for you.

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Kicking off Guided Brompton Bike Tours!

April 9, 2012

We get so many people asking us if they can try a Brompton bike before they buy that we’ve decided to run guided Brompton bike NYC tours every Thursday this season! Try a Brompton bike NYC before you buy! Have you been dreaming of owning a Brompton? This is your chance to see if it [...]

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Behind the Scenes at Top Electric and Folding Bike Shop

April 6, 2012

On Wednesday, April 4th I got up at 8:00am, gulped down a banana/frozen berry whipped drink and headed out on my bike to start my part-time job at NYCe Wheels. I started out test-riding folding bikes… Over the past few months I’ve become increasingly involved with NYCe Wheels. My roommate, Peter, has worked at the [...]

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Stromer Elites – In and Out!

April 5, 2012

We got our first shipment of Stromer Elite bikes in last week and have run through them super quick! No wonder since they’re some of the most fantastic electric bikes we’ve ever carried. To quote Art (our down hill mountain biking and extreme fun shipping guy), “I think it’s amazing -phenomenal power. When I lived [...]

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NYCeWheels gets a make over!

March 29, 2012

“What do you think of the color?” Bert asked me. “Is it too late to go back?” I replied. “Yep…” “It’s perfect!” But seriously, the shop is looking its best ever. We’ve got a bright and happy new coat of paint in a two tone green scheme to match our awning and website. It really [...]

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Jack’s Kettler Twin Electric Bike Review

March 27, 2012

A  guest blog by Jack R. Last week, I found myself, once again, at the bike shop where my roommate works, bright eyed and cheery, ready to check out a new folding bike and take on the world. Little did I know that my roommate had something a little a more “electrifying” for me to [...]

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