Fnhon DB12

It is not so common to see folding bikes with disc brakes, as they are not really necessary, and add weight and cost to the bike. However, I like hydraulic disc brakes and this new build is focused on building a folding bike with hydraulic disc brakes.

For this new project, a Fnhon disc brake compatible frameset was purchased, and some compatible components were transferred over from the Dahon MuEX. Other components such as hydraulic disc brakes and wheelset were new.

An emphasis was placed on minimizing the weight increase of this bike over the Dahon MuEX with V-brakes. Therefore, some high end and lightweight components were selected.














48 comments:

  1. I am interest in this Fnhon Frame too, looking at V-Brake version or Disc-Brake version, but I have not decided which one yet. So how does this compared to your Dahon MUEX? Thanks!

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    1. I like it because it uses hydraulic disc brakes. But will be heavier than an equivalent V brake setup by around half a kg on average.

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  2. Hi, i am a beginner and actually thinking to build a foldable bike with fnhon frame. Do you have any tutorials or guides that might help in building one like what components is needed?

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    1. You can check out this page for some guides.
      https://handsonbike.blogspot.com/p/technical-info-diy.html

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  3. I interest in fnhon frame. Do you know the shop that selling? Thanks

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    1. In Singapore look for Cyclicworks.

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    2. Hi bro can I check, https://cyclicworkz.com/bicycle/fnhon-tornado/ is this worth getting? the one at S$740.. I am a newbie and totally clueless. Please be kind enough to let me know. Thank you !

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    3. Looks pretty good, can upgrade quite easily.

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  4. Hi is the fnhon tornafo frame can accomodate 451 wheelset? Thanks in advance

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    1. Yes it can use 451 wheels, as you can see from this post.
      https://handsonbike.blogspot.com/2020/03/fnhon-db11-wheelset-tires-brake-rotors.html

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  5. How is the size compared to the Crius Velocity? I am 1.65 cm tall; do you think tornado or velocity is better for me? I heard tornado is bigger/longer than velocity.

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    1. I think the frame size is the same. In any case, all touch points (saddle, handlebar) can be adjusted to get a good fit. I'm 1.68 m tall and I think it fits quite well.

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    2. thx. Decided to but Tornado. Happy with the purchase.

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  6. Hi Steve, may I know where did u get the chain protector for your chainstay

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    1. It's just a generic velcro chain stay protector, can find on Taobao.

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  7. Hi, do you think the Tern Link B8 Disc can be upgraded with this build? It is the only cheap Disc frame model from Tern. The original bike is heavy but after upgrade it should be similar in weight with this. I think the Tern frame is supposed to be more sturdy than the Fnhon frame.

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    1. Modifying the Tern Link B8 disc to this Force AXS build is possible.
      The Tern frame is heavier, as well as the handlepost and steel fork. It will likely be >500 grams heavier given all other parts are the same as this Fnhon DB12.

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    2. The Tern steel fork is hi-tensile steel so it is heavy, one could replace with a carbon fork (100mm) and it would be very close in weight. Have you try the carbon fork from Litepro or Silverock?

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    3. yes the steel forks weigh about 800 grams, while aluminum ones are about 440 grams. Carbon ones are 300+.
      For me, going from steel to carbon is worth it. From aluminum to carbon, maybe less than 100 grams difference.

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    4. I just found out the fork on the Tern Link B8 Disc has steerer tub length of 140mm which I havent yet found a replacement carbon fork (aliexpress has some with 112 and 122mm steerer tub length). Do you think it possible to buy a carbon fork of different length and change the handlepost to match?

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    5. If the steerer tube is too short, no way to make it compatible as it will not have enough length sticking out above the headset.

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    6. In that case we can replace the handlepost also? For example 112mm fork + Fnhon handlepost to replace Tern fork and handlepost. Would there be any interference with the frame?

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    7. You can check the head tube height to see if it fits. Check out this article to see how to measure it. https://handsonbike.blogspot.com/2015/03/can-i-install-tern-handlepostfork-on_20.html

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    8. I found a shop that have 100mm OLD/140mm steerer tube fork but just found out again the Tern B8 front OLD is only 90mm. If this is correct I will need spacers to be able to use the current wheel with the new fork right? Should the spacers be 10mm on 1 side or 2x5mm on both sides?

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    9. The front hub OLD should be 74 mm or 100 mm, there is no 90 mm. Measure the distance between the fork legs.
      There are spacers which you can use to boost the OLD from 74 mm to 100 mm, but may not fit all hubs. If your front hub is a nutted axle type it will not work.
      Check this out. https://handsonbike.blogspot.com/2015/09/wheelsport-ultegra-di2-2x11-speed-part_15.html

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    10. I measured on my Link B8 and front OLD is actually 88 mm https://imgur.com/a/30VoNei.
      Also check out this link where it also says 88 mm
      https://www.vehicle-cyc.co.jp/shopdetail/000000031976/
      Can't seem to find any spacer to go from 88 mm to 100 mm. I guess the only option is to change the front wheel also? I dont understand why Tern decided to use such an uncommon spec on low-end model.

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    11. That is a weird spec which I have never heard or seen in all these years. Just to double check, measure the distance between the lock nuts on the front hub. Exclude the axle tips that slots into the fork openings.

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    12. Here are some photos and a side by side comparison with a spare 100mm fork of mine. The Tern fork is carved inward at the openings so OLD is shorter.
      https://imgur.com/a/xI4WUr5

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    13. You have a very unique hub and front fork. So if you want to change your fork, the front wheel also needs to be changed.

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  8. I think the option is to change the front wheel?

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  9. Steve, do you know of any cluster with a 9 or a 10 minimum cog size (such as 10-34) that would worth with this bike? Is the limit the diameter of the freehub?

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    1. Going to anything smaller than 11T will require a different freehub, such as XDR or Microspline. I used the SRAM 10-36T with XDR freehub body. https://handsonbike.blogspot.com/2021/12/fnhon-db12-sram-force-axs-12-speed.html

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  10. Hi Velocity or tornado is better? which one is heavier?

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    1. I prefer the cleaner look of the frame hinge and latch design on the Tornado. Should be similar weight.

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    2. how about build quality? I looking at this 2 now. Is fnhon gust any better?

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    3. The Gust is a steel frame, so it is heavier and more prone to rust.

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  11. Maybe i will go with tornado but seem like crius velocity is more well known in sg than fnhon. are fnhon more exp than crius normally?

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    1. I think Fnhon is a bit better in quality. You can also look at the Crius that I assembled. https://handsonbike.blogspot.com/p/crius-aev20.html

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  12. You got any recommend crankset & bb for fnhon tornado? and what the size?

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    1. Check out the ones I use, Shimano road crankset and road Hollowtech BB. Specifications in the part list at one of the posts.

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  13. is Ascent Revolution BB good? where to purchase?

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    1. Yup it's very smooth. Not the lightest though due to the full aluminum she'll construction. Can get from Ascent Bikes.

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  14. can i know how much you brought your wheelset?

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