Tern Link B8 Review
The Tern Link B8 is, unfortunately, a disappointing bicycle for its price point. Despite being marketed as a quality folding bike, it suffers from poor design choices, questionable component quality, and several practical drawbacks.
Braking system: The bike comes with no-name disc brakes that perform poorly even after proper break-in. In comparison, a cheaper folding bike I own has disc brakes that delivered safe, powerful, and hydraulic-like braking right out of the box. Shockingly, even the V-brakes on another of my folding bikes outperform the Tern’s disc brakes in terms of stopping power and responsiveness.
Build quality & parts: After a simple wash, the screw heads on the mudguards already showed signs of rust—unacceptable for a bike at this price. It also came without lights or a hub dynamo, both of which are included on cheaper folding bikes I own. The lack of a dynamo is especially concerning for safety and reliability, as battery-powered lights can fail unexpectedly, especially during cold winter commutes.
Kickstand: The stock kickstand was poorly designed. It repeatedly hit the rear disc brake when folded up and was so weak that the bike would topple over during rough train rides. I had to replace it with a sturdier one.
Rear frame design: The rear triangle design is impractical. Because of the lower bars, you actually have to dismantle the chain to remove it entirely. This makes even basic maintenance frustrating, while competing folding bikes avoid this flaw with smarter, more accessible frame geometry.
Tires: The stock Kenda 1.75” tires are far too thin, offering little in terms of cushioning or comfort. The frame only allows upgrading to 1.85”, which is still inadequate. Wider, more ballooned tires (at least 2.15” or more) would provide much better shock absorption, comfort, and puncture protection. To make matters worse, the stock Kenda tires began peeling rubber after only a few short rides.
Customer support: When I reported these issues, I was ignored. This is in stark contrast to when I inquired about purchasing the bike, where responses were quick and attentive.
Conclusion
For a bicycle in this price category, the Tern Link B8 fails to deliver where it matters most: safety, comfort, durability, and ease of maintenance. Cheaper folding bikes outperform it in nearly every aspect—from braking to component quality to thoughtful design. Sadly, the Tern name here feels like you are paying for branding rather than performance or reliability, and even customer support does not live up to expectations.
