Today, Tern introduces their newest model, the BYB, short for Bring Your Bike. With one of the smallest footprints on the market, the brand has taken an innovative approach to make the bike more compact and easier to move with while folded, yet still ride like a larger bike.
We previously had the Tern Vektron in for review, and it was an absolute blast to ride. For a 20″ folding e-bike, it handled well and rode much larger than it was. It folded up nicely, and was pretty easy to roll around. With the new BYB, Tern has taken the design of their folding bikes a step further and created their smallest folding bike, while still retaining a solid ride. When folded up, the BYB is actually one of the smallest 20″ bikes on the market.
“The BYB is the culmination of four years of focused work by the team,” stated Josh Hon, Tern Team Captain. “We had to develop some radically new technology for this bike and the manufacturing tolerances are, in the words of our factory partner, ‘tighter than automotive’. But we’re excited because new folding bike paradigms only come along every few decades or so, and we think the BYB falls into that milestone category.”
The whole idea behind the BYB is that you shouldn’t have to leave your bike behind on your daily adventures, regardless of what they may bring. You could be commuting to work, traveling to a new country, or just riding a few blocks to the local market, and the BYB is made to get you there and travel with you everywhere.
The small folded footprint is made possible by new technology from Tern. The new patented TriFold Technology uses two hinges in the frame and on in the handlepost versus the traditional single hinge in the frame and one on the handlepost. The positioning of the two frame hinges are apparently so complex, the patent includes a mathematical formula that describes the hinge positions, along with alternative positions. The hinges themselves, patented TFL Joints, rotate around stainless steel pivots sitting inside smooth Igus bearings. The levers use strong aluminum pins to lock automatically and provide the security of a deadbolt.
When the BYB is all folded up, a new Anchor Bolt mechanism keeps the bike locked together. This is one area that I felt could be improved on the Vektron. In the short time we have had the BYB, it definitely holds the bike together well when folded, but more to come as we have a chance to live with the bike during the review period.
For Tern, it wasn’t just about making the BYB small. It also needs to be easy to move with, especially in tight spaces. For many commuters, the ride isn’t the only part of your commute. Being able to move with the bike in a crowded train station or wheeling it into your destination is just as important as the ride there. Tern put a lot of thought into the design of the new folding system. Things like integrated spinner wheels on the rack helps you move the folded BYB around like a piece of wheeled luggage.
Tern could have gone with smaller wheels, to shrink the BYB even smaller, but 20″ seems to be the sweet spot for folding bikes. They aren’t too small that they severely affect handling and ride, but they aren’t too big that it takes away from the idea of a compact folding bike. Add in the new DoubleDeck frame for stiffness and durability, and a cockpit with plenty of reach, and you have the making of a solid folding bike that rides bigger than its size.
“We spent a lot of time debating wheel size at the start of the project,” stated Hon. “Some argued for using a smaller wheel which of course results in a smaller folded package. But smaller wheels come with a compromise in ride quality. In the end, ride quality won out because if we and our customers are going to be on a bike, putting in miles day in and day out, it has to ride well.”
Part of commuting is being able to carry what you need with you. The rear Metro Transit Rack not only helps with rolling the bike when folded, but also works with a line of accessories, along with bags and panniers from Ortlieb and KLICKfix. Additionally, there are mounting points for the optional front Luggage Truss CMT ($49), which works with a wide range of bags, baskets, and panniers from Tern, or other brands using the KLICKFix mounting system.
If you’d rather go with a more traditional front rack, the new Pack Rack ($59) offers front cargo while riding, or a handle to use when folded. The Go-To Bag ($140) is the perfect messenger to use with the Pack Rack, and features a Fidlock magnetic buckle for ease of use, but still maintaining a secure closure.
Tern also wants you to take your bike with you on other adventures in your life. The AirPorter Slim ($295) case allows you to fold the BYB up and pack it without any tools. The case will protect your bike in an ultralight polycarbonate case that can be checked like another piece of luggage.
For day to day transport, the PopCover ($49) slides over top of the BYB and protects the folded bike while making it easy to roll around.
“Some people might find it a bit surprising that we’re launching a non-electric bike since the trend is going to electric,” continued Hon. “But we see micro-mobility as a continuum of different types of trips and different sorts of mobility options. An ebike lets you do the entire trip by bike and skip cars and public transport. But for many people, public transport is still the fastest and most cost-efficient option, and all they need is a last mile mobility device to get them to and from the station. Others might work in a city center that is car-restricted. For such short trips, people don’t need electric—they need a mobility device that packs small and isn’t a hassle to move and store. Hence the BYB.”
To start, the BYB will be available in two models, the P8, which we have in for review, and the S11. The P8 starts at $1,295, while the lighter S11 is $2,495. Availability will be July, but check with your Tern dealer for more information.
With the bike arriving just before publication, we are looking forward to putting the BYB through the tortures of office commuting life. Look for a full review coming soon.
Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Scott joined Bike World News as the Cyclocross Editor in 2012 before taking over as Tech Editor in 2016. He has also worked as a photographer for various pro teams and shoot races along the east coast of the US, including the 2012 US MTB National Championships, 2013 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, and 2016 UCI Road World Championships. Scott has a passion for performance and technology, with 35 years of riding and mechanic experience. He also enjoys soccer, running, teaching group fitness classes, and is the founder of Lancaster Beard Company.
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