Tern  Node D7i Folding Bike

Crossed two countries, almost 1000 miles over two months. Rugged bike that was put through the paces. Excellent large wheel base with very sturdy touring frame. The larger size was not as convenient as my other three Terns, but the ability to roll it on its wheels, folded in its bag is outstanding.

Bought this a few months ago and have used it a few times. Was looking for a folding bike that handled like a big bike. Going for the 24 inch wheels was a great decision. I am 5'7" 240 lbs and this bike was rated at a higher capacity over the 20 inch wheel bikes. Also I had to have the internal hub gears. It seemed crazy to have a derailleur on a folding bike, getting in the way and damaged. The bike is very easy to unfold and adjust the seat and handlebar. It rides easy and shift quickly and smoothly, and get to higher speeds quickly. It handles normal street grade inclines well, but had to walk on a very steep hill. It seems the 7 speeds are suited for normal city and road grades, being geared more for speed rather than climbing, but considering there are only 7 speeds and that this is a folding bike, I am satisfied. Can't beat the Tern quality. Glad to see REI selling it. Plus it fits in the trunk of my Prius.

Overall, this bike is a great base for the folding touring setup. A thousand miles under the belt and working well. Some improvements we've made that I would recommend when touring: 1) Switching out the crankset for a smaller 30t or 32t. The gear ratios tend to be a little high with seven speeds for climbing with a fully loaded touring bike. 2) Front rack installation (must be a side-mount style or else it will interfere with folding mechanism) 3) Replacing zinc coated hardware on brakes, etc. with stainless Other than that, well worth the money. Definitely a serious contender with bike friday touring setups, except this one is cheaper being made in China instead of USA.

My wife and I shopped the Tern Node D7i against other folders from Brompton, Tern, and Dahon, and against a range of hybrids. I was thinking that I wanted a folding bike for convenience of travel, but I didn't want to give up comfort. My wife wanted a bike that would be easy to ride and would fit her short stature. Also, we knew that we probably would like internal gears as they require less care. We went to two local, independent shops and the REI in Reading, Ma. Great service everywhere. Skeptical as she was, my wife feel in love with the Node D7i immediately. We looked at other hybrids and folders after, but she liked the 24"wheels, the swept back handlebars, and the 7 speed shifter. I couldn't find anything I liked better. I did a 20 mile RT to the closest subway station yesterday. No problem. Today, we road the Boston to Border rail trail. Nice. I've put 35 miles on mine and my wife has done about 15 in the first 3 days. The only place I will don't this bike is that I would like to have a higher great ratio for flat and downhill terrain. I feel that I can't peddle fast enough with the current set up. I want a higher great please.

I’m really enjoying my new Tern Node D7i Folding Bike. Here is the main features that make me like it. 1- The shifting action of the 7 speed internal hub is superb. Smoothest shifter I’ve ever used. It’s great! 2- Because there is no derailleur on the right side, when the bike is folded and you set it on it’s side to place it in the trunk, the gears don’t get banged around. Another plus for the internal gears! 3- The chain has a plastic guard so you don’t get grease on your pants, or on your car or anything else you might lay the folded bike down on. 4- Fits me great. I’m 6ft 1in and like the fact that the deat height and the handle bar placement are both adjustable. 5- The bike had the light installed. I thought I would need to purchase it as an accessory. 6- The seat tube has the tire pump inside. Another accessory that was included that I thought I would need to purchase. 7- The ride is great, the frame is stiff and the brakes are stout. Perfect bike - I highly recommend it!

This bike is so easy to ride, adjust to fit you. The ride is very close to a full size bike. Taking it with you, folds up easy and fast. The lights on the bike don’t have to be charged, just turn them on and pedal. I have owned a few bikes, this one is it.

This is the best built bike I have ever seen. Quality through... would recommend to anyone!

I bought your Node D7i and assembled it today. Most of which was assembled at REI. I had to install the front wheel. No problem. I have been an avid bike rider all of my life. I'm now in my 60s. I have a lot of experience with many different types of bikes. I currently own a recumbent, a Dahon Mariner and just got rid of a mountain bike before buying your bike. Kudos on most of the design. The brakes are outstanding and so is the shifting of the gears inside the rear hub. The look of the bike is striking and gorgeous. It's too bad that the ride is so uncomfortable. I know how to adjust bikes to fit my body but this D7i is so uncomfortable for me to ride. First of all, that seat, no matter what position it is in, is the most uncomfortable seat. After 10 minutes of riding my buttocks was going numb and was painful. That is going to have to be replaced if I'm going to keep this bike. The bigger problem is the reach for the handle bars. Having adjusted them in every position possible, I still had problems reaching them. I had to lower the seat below where my legs usually extend, but even then it forced me to put too much pressure on my wrists and hands. With my arthritis that just makes the ride very painful. Those windswept handle bars are really not a good idea at all. There is no comfortable adjustment for them. I've tried in every position and nothing helps. Really bad design there. You should offer a straight version... no windswept on those. Also the stem needs to be tilted to the rider so that they aren't leaning so much forward. Very bad for the back. As I found out after riding the Node D7i. Being able to vertically raise the handlebars would help. I really don't see riding this bike in the future and after all the money I paid to buy it I'm feeling rather disappointed. Perhaps on future designs you can fix these obvious problems.