Tern electric bike, with the fold as close second
the opposite trade-off from Brompton. Its larger wheels and more conventional frame geometry mean the fold takes an extra step and results in a slightly bigger folded footprint, but the ride feels planted over rough pavement, potholes and speed bumps in a way Brompton’s small wheels can’t match, which is exactly the ground Best uses covers for anyone weighing the two. That trade-off shows up in the price too: Tern sits in the middle of this comparison, above Decathlon and below Brompton, and the extra cost buys ride comfort rather than fold size. If your commute mixes cycle paths, uneven pavement or the occasional long weekend ride, that’s what you’re paying for. If your only requirement is squeezing the bike under a train seat or a desk, Brompton’s smaller fold still wins on that one measure alone, and Tern’s advantage won’t matter as much. Full specs and current UK pricing are on Ternbicycles
What you actually get
Tern builds around a folding hinge and a noticeably larger wheel size than Brompton, trading a few extra seconds to fold and a bigger folded footprint for a ride that feels planted over kerbs, potholes and uneven pavement. The frame geometry sits closer to a regular bike than Brompton’s does, so the riding position feels familiar to anyone coming from a normal bicycle rather than a dedicated folder. The motor and battery are built into the frame rather than bolted on top, which keeps the folded package reasonably compact even though it’s larger than Brompton’s.
Tern doesn’t publish one spec sheet that covers its whole electric folding range either — motor power, battery capacity and folded dimensions vary by model — so treat any figure quoted here as a starting point, not a guarantee, and check the specific model’s current spec sheet on Ternbicycles before you buy.
Who it actually suits
This is a bike for commutes that go further or rougher than a single train-platform hop — a mixed-surface route, a longer daily distance, or weekend rides where comfort matters as much as portability. If your day includes potholed backstreets or unpaved sections, the larger wheels are doing real work every single day. Best Uses goes into more detail on matching a bike to a route like this rather than to a spec sheet.
It suits that rider far more than someone whose entire need is squeezing a bike into a train vestibule or under a desk — for that narrower requirement, Brompton’s smaller fold still wins outright, and Tern’s ride-quality advantage won’t come into play as often. Buying Essentials covers how to weigh fold size against ride comfort before spending on either.
Pros
Larger wheels make for a noticeably steadier ride on rough or wet pavement than the small-wheeled folders in this comparison. The riding position is closer to a normal bike, which shortens the adjustment period for anyone new to folding e-bikes. It sits in the middle of the price range here, buying real ride comfort without Brompton’s premium.
Cons
The fold takes an extra step and produces a noticeably bigger folded footprint than Brompton — it won’t disappear under a train seat the same way. It’s also heavier to carry up stairs or onto a train when it isn’t being ridden, which matters if the commute involves lifting the bike rather than rolling it.
Range, in practice
Manufacturer range figures assume flat ground, a lighter rider and no hard accelerating from stops — none of which describes most real commutes. Range and Battery breaks down why real-world range usually comes in lower than advertised, and how to estimate a realistic number for Tern’s specific battery options before committing.
Verdict
If your commute mixes rough pavement, covers a longer distance, or includes the occasional weekend ride, and a slightly bigger fold than Brompton’s is acceptable, the Tern earns its middle-of-the-road price. If your only requirement is the smallest possible fold for a short multi-modal hop, see how Tern stacks up against Brompton and Decathlon in this comparison before deciding
