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
Pingback: The Tern Link D8 – Quality, Convenience, and Affordability