Dahon Folding Bicycle Forum: Rider Reviews Dahon Folding Bicycle Forum: Rider Reviews http://forum.dahon.com/index.php Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:05:17 -0600 30 Multiple Bike Tests http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=9243
First Off I have been riding, wrenching and racing bikes for 10+ years, I know a little about 2 wheels........

The day started off by seeking to test a Dahon ECO 3, which lead me to these test rides.
Upon seeing my respective steeds lined up waiting to be ridden @ the first dealer.
Our First impressions (My Girlfriend and I) were:
-How well constructed the bikes were
-The design seemed well thought out
- How much better they looked in person, not that pics online are terrible but, just being close up, the bikes begged to be ridden and have fun. smile.gif

ECO 3: Right off the get go we both were blown away by how "Normal" the bike felt, handled just like a larger wheeled bike.
To me I felt as if I was going slower compared to my cyclocross bike with the same amount of effort. Could be just me, also this bike was not "Dialed" 100% for me, but close.
My Girlfriend did not notice though. (Maybe her dimensions are closer to being satisfied?) I am 6'2" and her 5' 6". One little singlet was the "Twist" of the Grip Shift is opposite of all the other Grip Shift products I used. So I ended up shifting into the wrong gear every time. Not a problem for a newbie. The bike was just plain Basic "FUN", almost made me giddy. Gave Inspiration to my Tall frame to go pedal and have fun.
One thing that stood out and you have to stare @ the photos to see the difference, but the ECO 3 's handle post sits @ a slacker angle than other Dahon bikes. Later I would reflect on how casual the ride was, almost "Criuser-ish". Fine if you’re seeking that, but too slow handling for me. Also it would require more parts tweaking to get my position dialed in for sport riding. Also the slacked geometry encouraged "Sit Down" Pedaling; standing was not efficient, nor comfortable for hill climbing.
Also I am not sure how Dahon derives their numbers in their spec sheets about ref. points for fitment measurements, but this bike should not have fit me well, for leg extension, but it did with plenty of post adjustment left….??
As for handling all the test rides @ the first dealer consisted of: Paved roads, Dirt Roads (similar to "Rails-Trails") and "Chip-n-Tar" Roads (loose gravel poured over hot tar), (that’s PA's answer to PAVE’)
The ECO 3 handled all three with aplomb, the transitions were seamless, not the "Scary Twitchy" small wheel I was expecting. Those little wheels just wanted to roll on....
Final Verdict: Best Bang for the BUCK if you’re on a tight budget, (That’s me!!) but be aware that you may outgrow this bike very quickly if your skill level increases, and then you will be frustrated and bored. For the causal pleasure cyclist: this would be a long lasting “Hot Ticket”! Especially with the High Quality Fenders, they were sturdy.

Vitesse D7 HG: This bike felt the next step better in ride quality and handling for Fun/ sport riding/ commuting.
In hindsight the internal gear hub experience made me weary of this design for a couple reasons, to us there was more friction, which required more forward effort, also the rear kept making this “Clunk” sound that was irrespective of effort, cadence or speed. It shifted fine, but a little on slow side for my tastes.
With the difference in Handle post angles, I was able to get every Dahon I tested afterward very close to my riding position. I believe the handling and responsiveness improvement came from better, lighter materials and handle post angles. Also this equated to more enjoyable and efficient climbing.
The more aggressive “BMX” styling of the frame won over points with me, I was having flashbacks to my younger days. Once again it was all about FUN!! My girlfriend wasn’t so overwhelmed, she enjoyed it, but the strange internal gear hub sounds along with the extra friction steered her clear.
Big Bonus points were given to lots of little frame, styling and specing feature details that were missing from the ECO 3. Once again step up in price, features and quality. (Rack, Build Quality, etc.)
For us just getting our feet wet with folders we still weren’t sure as for what we were looking for, we getting closer, something was missing……….


Speed D7: This bike appealed to us similarly as the Vitesse D7 HG, but benefited from having 7 external gears, right from the first pedal no strange noises, seemed to roll just like my personal bikes; smooth and efficient.
I wasn’t keen of the frame not having the seat post re-enforcement gusset as the vitesse had, which knocked it down a notch in my mind. I like sturdy frames; hey it’s the very HEART of the bike. But it handled as well as the Vitesse and seemed as sturdy, just a notch below the Vitesse in its usage limits.
With a higher comfort level and fit we were able to focus on more granular items. We buzzed around on this model a good bit, even bouncing between this and the ECO 3 and comparing notes. Final Verdict for Vitesse D7 HG and Speed D7. These bikes give me the impression of Dahon’s Value line, best suited for people with the right budget with the intentions of regular commuting, sporty fun riding, maybe even doing a B&B over nighter on a Bike Trail. Please keep in mind, you get what you pay for here, parts were well spec’d and the bikes well designed; where the inspired and enthusiastic rider could get decent mileage out these models; w/o the worry of part replacement and/ or upgrade. At the end of the First dealer the Speed D7 had our votes, and we were hoping to ride a Mariner D7 (due to the frame design) to lock this decision in, but @ the heart; we still felt something was missing……


We made our way onto the next dealer who carried Dahons, Giants plus many other brands.

GIANT Halfway: This was the first bike the dealer had ready for us. He felt if fit our needs better than any Dahon could.
We both were taken by the cutting edge design of this bike (it has a one sided chain stay and fork for incredible thin folding); it seemed well built and could be a strong competitor for the Dahon’s
Our awe only lasted long enough until we rode it. From the first pedal stroke, something with this bike design was just not right.
The handling was somewhere between a cruiser and a hybrid bike, nowhere near sporty or fun for us, almost boring. It felt slow even with external gears, almost like it wanted to make you feel slow and secure. Rode like a HEAVY bike even though it wasn’t.
I tried push out of mind that this bike had a unique design except something made it feel different as a constant reminder. In hind sight and after reading up on this type of bike design I can reflect that the design of the bike I rode was unbalanced laterally. I had to correct for unbalanced weight which resulted in a wobbly ride.
Our test and review lasted long enough to ride until we were wierd-ed out and hastily pedal back to the bike shop. Different folders, for different folks; not for us.
Also Side Note: Due to the unique frame design, for those that commute or enjoy quick flat changes; the wheels are held on with 3 allen bolts each, BEWARE!! No Quick Releases!

Speed P8: After we came down from our twilight-zone test ride, we hoped on the Dahon Speed P8.
Every single experience leading up to this point was rendered moot. In our minds this was the nexus. It seemed like every “T” was crossed and “I” dotted. No fake; to me the ride of the Butted Steel frame and the whole package gave me flashbacks to my first “Real” Mountain bike: Specialized Rock Hopper, rigid. This went to scrap metal pile from rust (old age). The Speed P8 was the bike we rode the longest and talked the most thoroughly about. It just did everything well, nope not just well but great!! Not only was this bike FUN to ride but the: ride quality, build, parts spec’ing not just inspired confidence but it made us feel like the bar was set waaay above our heads and it dared us to find out where that was and flirt with it. That’s exactly how the Rock hopper made me feel, which my skills benefited from throughout the many years I owned it. In our humble opinions @ this price point; the buyer gets the whole package for those eager to ride aggressively, seriously commute or tour/ adventure tour. This bike feels like it’s built to last as well. We actually had to remind ourselves we needed to get back to the dealer. The Speed P8 blindsided us and our budgets. We did not buy the bikes but left in silence with our heads full of thoughts.
You may be wondering “What is this Weirdo Wind Bag talking about? Nexus?” In our hearts we knew how, where and when we would be using these bikes, even before we shopped for them; regardless of budget. We just knew what we were looking for we just had to find it. The Speed P8 represented to us every bike we tested up to this point; what they would be like if we were to tinker with part upgrades, getting them to where we wanted them to be. SHAZAM!! 1 test ride and we were there! Why did we leave? An old biking wise man once told me never to buy the first bike I see, nor the last…….but sleep on it. He also told me “Figure out how much bike you can afford; then spend a little more”. It has not failed me yet. The only nagging point was that we did not get our reach and fit 100% out of the box, that would take some part swaps. This little nagging curse turned out to be a true blessing later.

We moved on to the final dealer

BIKE FRIDAY Pocket Crusoe: I really must state for the record this test held so much emotional turned around for us, because leading up this day we did a lot of research and spoke with many people about folding bikes. We were directly pointed to “Bike Friday” time and time again. It was explained to us how; the welds were beautiful, the bike design was amazing and one ride would be like a night and day difference from the lower end companies. The Hierarchy was laid out for us Bike Friday was at the top with the other “High End” bikes: Birdy, Brompton, etc. and then we were told “If Money was really tight, you could get a Dahon” and maybe save your money and dream. NO BS!! I wasn’t even going to go to do the test ride since my budget was tight ($300-400) and the Bike Friday had a price tag of($1600), but my girlfriend reminded me if I didn’t; I would torment myself endlessly over the “What If’s”. Also the dealer who was very nice gentlemen reminded me that “You could afford a Bike Friday, cuz you deserve one, plus we can make a deal since, it was a left over model”. My response was”Wow I could afford a Bike Friday, a deal?” Even still I was only so/ so about the design it seemed “Cobbled” together and overly complicated, not to mention the parts spec’ing were paltry for what you were paying.

Pocket Crusoe (Standard Stock Model): I was assured the large frame model would fit me darn near perfect: It didn’t. Same deal with a medium. This was a blessing for both us: When ridden: If I closed my eyes I COULD NOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BIKE FRIDAY OR A DAHON. We were blown away. The one difference was the ride of Pocket Crusoe was very busy, if not twitchy, causing a busy steering correction. Weight was equal to the Speed D7/ Speed D8. The Bike Friday lacked the flexibility adjustment for steering height and other adjustments, unless I broke out the hacksaw. Seeing them didn’t help much either, no bonus points here, just boring. Also the parts spec’ing was what I considered very low for what the price tag was. My girlfriend kept asking: “Why do these cost so much, when there is no difference?” I had no answer. It left me dumbfounded. Yes yes you can berate us about foreign made goods made in un-human conditions. I agree up to the point where cold economics stops you dead in your tracks. IF YOUR GOODS COST MORE FOR THE SAME QUALITY. Go out of Business or get competitive. No way your material cost is that high, if it is; your suppliers are hosing you. In the end the dealer gave me the GREAT price drop of “OUT THE DOOR Pricing” for $1300. We thanked for his time and were on our way. The Bottom line was our budgets could not buy into the bragging rights of owning an overpriced folding bike. Not to mention we are talking apples to apples given some nuances in parts, etc. We just felt theses bikes were not good fit for us; especially the amount of hype surrounded this test.

The End Result; after much thought: We have decided on: The Dahon MU P8, it’s the sister to the Speed P8. I have just outgrown 4130. Also we like the look of the Mu P8’s: they are clean and artsy which suits us. Plus the Price Point/ Parts Spec’ing are nearly impossible to beat.

So Look for a Test Review after the FED-EX stork delivers our twins

Happy Riding!!

P.S. We are hoping the Dahon Bike community comes to protect us; when the legions of torch bearing Bike Friday owners come for us!! Even worse are those stink eyes from across the pond……. ; )
]]> Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:46:05 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=9243 Jetstream P8 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=9107 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:33:49 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=9107 Thanks To Thor http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8988
But, my experience with the 2 used TRs I've been riding and tweaking, and a nice clearance price, motivated me to buy a new 2009 TR from Thor.

Communication was not a real important factor - I just placed my order and got what I wanted - but he answered my couple of questions quickly.

It shipped much quicker than I expected, and when he said "Free shipping" he meant Fedex, not Slowboat. I had it in just a few days, and could see each stop it made along the way on the Fedex tracking site. It arrived within 60 minutes of when I expected it - from Illinois to Baltimore.

Everything was as spec'd, packed back up nicely after obviously being opened for inspection. Assembly on my part was minimal - not much more work than packing one of the old bikes into my trunk. A little, not much.

I am 100% satisfied at the moment. This transaction went exactly as a buyer should be able to expect, though that seems rare sometimes. I haven't ridden the bike yet, still tweaking and adjusting after dark and gotta work really early in the AM.

Since he's here answering questions for strangers, I feel confident that he'll be there for me if I need something.

So - I just want to say, "Thanks, Thor!" You got friends in Baltimore.
]]> Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:16:30 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8988 Curve D3 Vs Speed D7 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8934 I am debating between the Curve D3 and Speed D7 for general commuting purposes. I'm a female 120 lbs 5'4. Will be carrying it on/off the train/bus and into a hospital (tight quarters).
Would like to purchase one asap- any recommendations?

Thanks!]]> Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:44:01 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8934 Dc Area - Bikes At Vienna http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8803
(I had to stop in mid post this morning - my flight was ready to leave.)

Anyway, this is not a corporate retail chain kind of place. It seems to be run by a devoted bike enthusiast, with lots of bikes crammed into the place, with the work bench open to public view, and a "bike garage" on one side where it looked like they might be building custom recumbents or rebuilding used ones. I was on a mission to pick up another Dahon, so I didn't delve deeply into other things that were going on there, but don't think they even had any conventional mass market type of bikes there. I believe it was all recumbents and folders plus a few odd items like an extremely heavy duty delivery bike.

It was all friendly guys working there, who made sure I had the attention I wanted, but who backed off and left me alone when I wanted to just look things over and ponder.

If you're in this market, I'd recommend dropping by Bikes@Vienna.]]> Fri, 18 Jun 2010 06:01:03 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8803 Vitesse D7hg http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8802
I did some research and thought the Mu Uno looked very nice, but I read over here on the Dahon forum that it's best to try out the bike first before buying, and he was so right, I felt very uncomfortable on the Mu Uno, I guess mainly because of the coaster brake. I also assumed the Mu Uno would come with a front caliper brake, but here in Belgium apparently its sold without the front brake.
I tried the Vitesse and it was so much better to ride on, so I ended up buying it even though it was a bit more expensive.

So far I'm extremely happy with my purchase. It's such a sweet ride. For me biking is generally a functional activity to get from one place to another (preferably not too far), I 've never even considered any touristy kind of bike trips, but I'm enjoying my Vitesse so much I could definitely see myself do some longer bike trips on it smile.gif

I've started using it for commuting to my work in combination with taking the train. I was a bit afraid that folding the bike at the train station and carrying it into the train would be a hassle, but it all goes very smooth. On the train my bike even sits next to another beautiful Dahon folding bike, not sure which model though as I've only seen it folded, could be an Impulse...

I haven't found the right way yet to push or pull the bike once it's folded though. This would be handy since I have to carry it a bit in a pedestrian tunnel on the way back home from work. I guess I'll just have to practice a bit more laugh.gif

I'm also happy to have the gears on the bike. When thinking about buying the Mu Uno I didn't really mind having a single gear bike, 'cause my old bike gears were broken anyway, so I was used to riding with one gear. But now I have the gears I definitely use them. I don't really use speed 1 to 4, they are way to low for me, maybe I'll need them one day if I have to climb a very steep hill or so. But speed 5 to 7 are very useful, I think a speed 8 or 9 (which I don't have on the Vitesse) could even be useful, but anyway I'm quite happy with the speeds I have, it's already such an upgrade from my old bike.


Ine,
So far a very happy owner of a Vitesse D7HG]]> Fri, 18 Jun 2010 04:24:30 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8802 First Impressions Of My Jetstream P8 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8797
And what do I think of it?? Well, considering I have been a Dahon owner for a grand total of 4 hours first impressions are very good indeed. I cannot believe the range on the seatpost (I'm 6` 4" and fit on it perfectly) the overall fit and finish of the bike is excellent and I found the opening procedure intuitive - I haven't folded it down yet!

Initial issues? The saddle rail is a new concept for me and I'm not sure I'll be able to fit my Body Geometry saddle to it. The handlbar position is fine, but, for an absolutely perfect positioning I would like them to be about an inch higher - perhaps that's something I can address in the future??

But the above really are minor points. Having just done a gentle short ride to get a feel for it I'm hugely impressed with the comfortable Biologic handlebar grips, the smooth suspension and the look of the bike - it's stunning.

Photos will follow in due course but, for now, thanks, again, to all those who took the trouble to help with my initial queries and I'm looking forward to being a part of this community.]]> Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:54:49 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8797 Mu P8 Really Does Take The Brooklyn Bridge! http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8734
She was purchased mainly to leave at my Manhattan office and tool around the city. I did not take this for a true commuting bike that could be ridden 9 miles from Brooklyn to midtown and back. My other bike is a seemingly-indestructible 1994 Marin hybrid that is still going strong. Still, the promo for the P8 says it takes the Brooklyn Bridge, and it was a beautiful day, so I decided to go for it. Plus I needed to get home to practice folding and unfolding!

Sweet! As a 5'6" female, I expected to feel more vulnerable riding a smaller, lighter bike through downtown traffic and this year's Hell Mouth potholes. Furthermore, I'd heard the steering could be 'twitchy' so anticipated an adjustment period. On the contrary, this ride felt solid and surprisingly maneuverable through traffic perhaps by dint of its smaller size. I was expecting to huff and puff up the bridge, but again, surprise! Eight gears are apparently plenty and I did not break a sweat (despite 90 degree temps) in a middlin' gear. The icing on the cake was that on the way home through Brooklyn streets, I crossed paths with a pair of roadies in full kit who had shared the ride over the bridge.

I'm having a ball here! My only question, for you Dahon veterans, is am I supposed to "hear" my bike? My hybrid is silent, whereas the MU sounds "clicky" when peddling and makes a distinct ratchet sound when shifting. This is not a performance issue, but if it means the bike needs further tuning I'd like to know.

Thanks also for all of the postings on this forum that helped me choose my bike.

]]> Sun, 06 Jun 2010 09:51:41 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8734 Fold-up For Meandering Through A Forest To The Nearest Pub http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8677
Yesterday I test rode a Dahon Mu P8 and was impressed. I didn't think the finish was as good as the Brompton - no wiggly welding at the joints on a Brompton - but the tyres and wheel sze seemed to offer a better ride. My husband, who wants a bigger wheel, was farily taken with the Briza D3.

I don't want to put a bike rack on the back of my 'van and fold-ups will also allow us to take bikes with us in the car when we are hoidaying without the 'van.

When I perused the brochure back home I thought the Jetstream P8 would probaby suit my needs even better - then I spotted the Jetstream EX. Oh yes, this was clearly the one for me! Then I looked up the price online. Mmmm - just how much more (or less - in terms of weight) do you get to justify this price? Is there anyone out there who will confess to owning one? I am going to load the bike up with a bag of paints and brushes, so am I going to benefit from the lighter vehicle that much?

This will be my first bike for about thirty years, so advice required.

Autumn

]]> Wed, 26 May 2010 07:07:27 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8677 Maiden Voyage On Jetstream P8 (09) http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8664
Well.... as the weather has been in the mid-twenties all weekend and the sun has been splitting the trees in London I decided to take the JS out for a proper ride... I've only had the bike for a week or two, and haven't really had an opportunity to ride it for any great distance.

So hit some nice canal paths, light gravel pathways and lots of quiet route cycle paths... must have totalled around 35 miles in all. I have come to the conclusion that the JS is indeed a very capable bike, and copes very well with anything that is thrown at it. The seat is a touch narrow for my liking so feeling a bit tender, but as for everything else - terrific.

The gears are very well sized and spread, the brakes are excellent and the front and rear suspension certainly help out with uneven roads etc.

Only thing I might do is upgrade to Big apple 2" tyres - just to get a touch more cushioning - has anyone tried these on the JS?

Just my 2 pennies worth - the Jetstream is a good all rounder IMO.]]> Sun, 23 May 2010 13:40:29 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8664 Mu Sl http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8596 Sweet ride! It is responsive, has a nice gear range and is pretty light. Just wish it was smaller when in its travel case. Airline baggage check looks at me like I am an alien. Thu, 13 May 2010 15:12:42 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8596 Initial Impressions Of The Vitesse P18 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8513
I had a 2008 Jack, which was a dream to ride, soaked up every pothole NYC could throw at it - it was like riding a Hummer, you just glided over the road. Those big apple 2-inchers were just amazing - but slow as molasses. I also wanted more than 7 gears, so I looked at an upgrade - and found it in the 2009/2010 Dahon Vitesse P18 (according to Dahon corporate, both years model is the same).

It has 20" kojak tires, which after almost 3 years of a 26" folder on an Abrams-tanklike frame, felt a bit wobbly at first, and you can certainly feel every pebble you ride over. BUT, they are quite nimble, and offer a degree of road control and maneuverability that a big wheeled bike could only dream of. Squeezing between cars waiting for the light to change is much easier now, and the V18 is just flat out faster than the Jack. I still will get passed by roadies pumping hard, but they will have to work harder to get by me, if I am pedaling with effort.

It looks like most of my time will be spend in gears 14-18, as the lower gears are too light unless going up a steep hill. The bike is a feather compared to the Jack, and requires less effort to move with velocity. As expected, the smaller wheel base does require more pedal rotations to move a set distance than the Jack.

It is a more fun bike to ride in general, and after an initial extended ride - the maiden voyage of the starship Vitesse - I can say so far I am pleased. I was going to upgrade the pedals and brake pads immediately, but looks like I'll only need to swap out the OEMs pads for Kool-stops as the pedals are serviceable.

I will try to update this review every few weeks as I become more acquainted with the bike, and experience additional positive/negative events. In some ways, I miss the simplicity of riding the Jack, where there was no need to ever look down at the road to view the condition of the road. But I think (hope) the tradeoff to a more sophisticated, capable and faster bike will be worth it in the long run.]]> Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:21:50 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8513 09 Mu P8 Purchase And Review http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8405
Reasons for switching from the Speed D7 to an MU P8:

Rather than upgrading my Speed D7 I purchased an 09 MU P8. While I was really happy with my D7 I wanted something a better suited for the days when I commute to work (9 miles one way).

The gear range on the D7 was fine for my commute which includes two pretty steep climbs. What I really wanted was a better set of wheels, tires, and brakes. After selling my D7 the cost to purchase a new MU P8 was about as much as upgrading wheels, tires, and brakes on the D7.

Review/Riding impressions after 25 miles over the last 3 days:

Wow what a difference. I expected an improvement with the better wheels, tires, and brakes but I had no idea the difference between the two bikes would be night and day (in favor of the MU P8). To be fair, there is a 3 year difference between theses bikes as my D7 was an '06 and the Mu P8 is an '09.

At first look, I was very impressed with the quality of the Mu P8. It seems that Dahon has made a lot of improvements over the last three years from wheel to wheel. The Mu P8 feels and seems to be better built. All the little stuff like the clasps for the handle bars and seat mast have a better look, feel, and functionality to them. Even the magnet that keeps the bike together when folded is more robust.

Obviously, component wise the Mu P8 is a big step up from the D7. However, I did not expect such a big jump between the two. Wheels and Tires are what I expected, but it was the additional goodies like the brakes, Ritchey handlebar, crankset, and the Neos 2.0 derailleur that have been the big surprises. The Neos 2.0 derailleur is so crisp, the shifts are almost instant. The Avid/Kinetix brakes are such an improvement over the D7 package, brake feel is firm/solid, controlled, and smooth. I feel as if I am in much better control of this bike rather than the D7. I don't notice much of a difference in gear range between the two.


The ride of the Mu is so much smoother and it accelerates much faster. This is probably more attributed to the wheels and tires (which are huge improvements) more than anything else but could also be due to the frame. I feel more in control on descents as well.

Overall, I am just blown away. Aesthetically, the bike looks great. Functionally, the Mu P8 performs just as good as it looks if not better. I was very happy with my D7 and am ecstatic about my Mu P8!

On a side note, I really contemplated making the jump/stretch to an MU SL. I mostly chose the P8 due to the price point and the awesome deal I got on it (although the '08 SL closeouts were tempting). I do not regret my choice at all although I'd love to ride an SL to see the differences between the two.

My only gripes...Color, while I think the white "could" color looks great and is much better in person than in online photos I worry about scratches and dirt standing out. Also, while the telescoping handle post is solid I prefer the more streamlined look of the solid post.]]> Tue, 06 Apr 2010 10:47:28 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8405 Dahon Jetstream P8 - Tour Of Flanders http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8403
I was looking for a folding bike which would allow me to replace my Trek 7500 Hybrid bike (because I absolutely hate to have to remove the front wheel, put down my seats etc. whenever I want to take my bike with me in my car).

After some research, and because of the limited choice here in Belgium, it was the Jetstream P8 that got my attention.

After picking it up from my local reseller and taking it on a 50km maiden trip (together with some friends on road bikes) I was ready to take it out for a real test ride. The Tour Of Flanders !! 75km of hills and cobblestones while keeping up with friends on full-sized road bikes.

I must say...it was GOOD. Perhaps one or two extra (lower) gears could have been helpful on the "Muur van Geraardsbergen', but I managed to take all hills without setting a foot to the ground.

Speeds of 35km/h and above can easily be achieved on level roads and even at speeds around 50km/h downhill the bike feels solid.

A very satisfied owner!!

]]> Tue, 06 Apr 2010 06:29:56 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8403 Speed Tr 2008 Vs Speed Tr 2009 Vs Speed Tr 2010 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8401 Thorusa has the 2008 for $650, the 2009 for $1200, and the 2010 for $1000. There are technical differences in the specifications but I cannot figure out what significance they might have. Anybody here knowledgeable of the functional significance of the differences?]]> Mon, 05 Apr 2010 03:35:44 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8401 Bullhead Reviews? http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8387 Who has a Bullhead? Are there any reviews out there? It looks like a great commuter. Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:01:37 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8387 <![CDATA[Praise & Gold Star For Dahon, Thorusa & Wayne]]> http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8303 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=4431

Now, to the bike(Rainy days limited ride time: Riding Speed TR felt like driving a Luxury "Sporty type" car- smooth, silky, responsive with everything working better than it should. Avid5 brakes were solid, stopped effortlessly, & quietly. The Sram Dual Drive 24 derailer/hub system worked flawlessly. The paddle shifters functioned sharply & efficiently, they took a little getting used to. (Remember, I'm an old guy who has some "Senior Moments" remembering which of the 4 paddles, on different sides of the handlebars, shifted what & in what direction, hi or lo gearing) tongue.gif I can still learn though, all is fine now. The BA tires road comfortably and the "reflective" side walls along with the front/rear lights added nice safety touch. I did not replace the saddle with my 33 yr old "copper rivet" Brooks saddle, because the Biologic Saddle was comfortable and the fit was fine. Lighter too. And I 2-toned the Speed TR like the Boardwalk.
http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=4432
The only "nit", I wished the Speed TR came in Metallic or Candy Apple Blue, to match my eyes.

Recent inclement weather limited my riding so I had a lot of time to work on/inspect the bike. The Dahon Speed TR exhibited fine workmanship & assembly. The TIG welds were better executed, smoother, & smaller than on the 2 Boardwalks I owned. Actually the quality, ride, components reflected on Dahon quality in general. The Boardwalk, although at the low end of the Dahon line, was a solid performer, much like the venerable Honda Civic when compared to the rest of the Honda line.

Needless to say I'm a very happy biker, the Dahon Speed TR & ThorUSA's service delivered more than expected. It would be difficult understand why any biker would not be pleased with a Dahon purchased thru ThorUSA.




]]> Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:01:53 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8303 Ios Alfine 8 - Stiffness ? http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8287 dry.gif amazed by your suggestions :

I do adore stiffness of the Brompton for instance (2Speed titane)

and would love to commute with a 24'' (Airnimal now also on Big Appel)

Do you see a review on this stiffness ?

Keep in touch]]> Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:16:36 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8287 Damaged Front Fork Cadenza 8 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8236
Where can I obtain a stock replacement fork?

What other forks will fit without unduly changing the ride characteristics?

What is the distance from the drop-out to crown distance on the cadenza stock fork? What's the stock rake?

Thanks]]> Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:25:15 -0700 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8236 Which Way: Dahon 8 Spd. Mu Xl Sport Or Dahon 24 Speed Tr http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8234 approves?) either a Dahon 8 spd. Mu XL Sport, Dahon 24 Speed TR and would like some advice from you guys before I do anything.

I know the bikes fill different needs. I’m having such a good time riding my Boardwalk 7 around surrounding neighborhoods, but in order to ride further and longer I will need lower gears. Living the Piedmont/foothills, at the foot of the Appalachian Mts, rolling hills are everywhere. I’m an old guy tongue.gif riding daily, loosing weight, and getting better at cycling and want to explore now that I have the time. I need lower gears.

The Dahon 8 spd. Mu XL Sport is lighter (Alum frame), sexier, Hi-zoot, and the Nexus 8 low gear is comparable to my Boardwalk. Additional sprockets are offered with: 16 stock, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 cogs . This will allow a gear as low as 24 if needed. So there is some flexibility down the road.

The Dahon 24 Speed TR (Cromoly frame) has more than enough gears and is heavier. The Sram Dual Drive is new to me , I downloaded the PDF, and learned how it works, but you still have the messy multi cog freewheel & a derailleur hanging off the side. I don’t know if the racks are Steel or Alum, but they could be removed saving a little weight. BA's are already on this bike. The Boardwalk 7 at about 27# is in between. Carrying weight is not a problem with the Boardwalk.

I think I’d be happy with either bike (price is not a factor), so twist my arm. wacko.gif

Thanks,


]]> Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:59:45 -0700 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8234 Vitesse P18 - Teething Problems! http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8157
The bike duly arrived and to be honest I fell in love with it straight away. In compliance with the warranty I had it checked over and all seemed well. I ride about 25/30 miles today and as part of the overall journey I commute by train where the bike easily fits in whatever space is available. Nothing excessive and it is all on road stuff.

Equally I am neither a tall bloke, and though well built I am by no means overweight or obese. The bike rides as good as it looks and it was a perfect fit and I sit comfortably within the weight rider guidelines.

After a few weeks, I noticed the spokes on the rear wheel had started to work loose. took it to the mechanics and had everything checked over and readjusted. To me a perfectly normal thing to do with a new bike. Once again I had three weeks of no problem. Then a broken rear spoke!

This is where the nightmare truly begins. I bought the bike in August. Rode the bike in through September -November with a few bedding in issues, all perfectly normal, and at the end of November I booked the bike in for simple spoke replacement. These things happen. I wasn't duly concerned and expected to be back up and running in a few days.

It's now february 11th and the bike is presently with a wheel maker at my expense, who is rebuilding my rear tyre. Accessories are readily available but essential spare parts in the UK (spokes) are almost impossible to get hold of. I appreciate that there have been changes to supplier etc but with a new bike you don't expect to have so many teething problems.

Let me make it clear. I contacted the Dahon Uk representative, I contacted the shop I bought it from and I also contacted the designated UK supplier. I tried every conceivable option to source the spokes but in the end my only real option was to take it to a mechanic with a good reputation for wheel building.

His opinion the spokes were fatigued which is odd given the age of the bike and the usage (3 months)...but it happens. Tomorrow I get my wheel back and I cannot wait to get back on the road.

It made me think...I wondered if this was just a bit of bad Karma on my part or if anyone else had experienced any similar wheel issues or parts problems with newer bikes? It's generally not something that is covered in reviews.

How do I rate the bike? Well for comfort and ease of use I would give it a 10/10. For looks I would give it a 9/10. For maintenance and availability of spares at present it is coming it at a lowly 4/10...the jury is out.





]]> Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:19:10 -0700 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8157 Vittese P18 24 Speed http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8143
All comments would be be really appreciated. Thanks in anticipation,

Alex]]> Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:35:47 -0700 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8143 Dahon Mu Sl http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8092
Alas the rear wheel has been nothing but trouble. As I am a small female and almost half the maximum weight limit for the bike I never expected to have any problems with it but the Kinetix wheels on my bike have been a very poor quality product not built well or to last. Taking into account a month lay-off over Christmas and New Year after less than 3 months' actual use for weekday commuting only there have been continual problems with the back wheel being out of true and rubbing the brakes and compounded by poor quality spokes one of which broke on Monday. It has been back to the shop on three occasions finally culminating in a rebuild of the wheel this week.

Based on my experience with my bike I don't think I could be persuaded to buy a Dahon bike ever again. I am tempted to rename my bike with the acronym Dahon Mu SLUR (with SLUR standing for Super Light Utter Rubbish). At close to almost £800 it is a colossal disappointment and I am astounded the wheels on my bike passed any quality checks before being shipped to store.

]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:01:44 -0700 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8092 Review On Mu Ex http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8004
I did not do much riding on the Mu EX yet, as it is very cold / snowy weather.

Just wrote a first report over at german folding bike forum:
http://www.faltradforum.de/viewtopic.php?f...=182&p=1738
The report comprises a test ride plus geometry measurements and other observations.

More experiences will follow in this thread here. Any specific questions?

QUOTE (SkyviewGlenn @ Jan 9 2010, 07:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
peteribach,

I noticed your listing of the 3 Dahons that you have owned (Mu Sl, XL, EX) . I am interested to read your thoughts/comparisons of the SL and EX. Any comments re saddle comfort and the Ex's SRAM Red components, especially how the SRAM Red sounds compared to others?



The Kore I-Beam saddle has a flex zone. It is similar to the BelAir FX but a bit more firm. So far it pleases me very well.

I have read some reviews of the SRAM Red being noisy, but I don't hear it doing any sound at all. It shifts very precise. Dual Tap shifters are fascinating, but need a bit getting used to.]]> Sat, 09 Jan 2010 16:10:07 -0700 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=8004 Friend Bought Twin Of My Boardwalk 7 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=7997
Around Thanksgiving I sold my Boardwalk1 and purchased a Boardwalk7 & from a Lady (local) on Craigslist. Been riding it almost every day weather permitting, and showing/talking to friends about folders, how much fun, convenient and easy they are to ride, and good exercise too.

Told one of my friends that the Lady (local) had another identical Dahon Boardwalk7 for sale. Gave him her email, he contacted her, bought the bike, so now I may have a riding buddy if he stays interested.

I offered to checkout/tune his Dahon using the knowledge I gained for this forum. Thank's guys.

Also, I've started building a bike tuneup stand from merging several net DIY's on the subject.

I think I'm hooked again.]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:41:50 -0700 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=7997 Mu P8 2009 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=7992 I just wanted to try a good folding bike with 20" wheels with Al components and frame, good brakes, smart folding and good details.....just like the Mu P8 shows.

My first impression was very good because the folding system is fast, efficient and the bike stays up when folded correctly, even on the metro'.

It looks like a good compromise between the ultra compact Brompton (mine had terrible brakes) and the ultra light Birdy (not very friendly to fold, and looks like a metal jam after all).

After the first week I swapped the front weel with one based on a S.O.N. hub dynamo, to challenge the winter with reliability and to charge my phone-navigator during my longest trips.

There're two things I didn't like:

- the handlebar is way too large for a city ride, so I cut 3cm per side.
- the weels seemed to be true, but the spokes were tensioned by a crappy machine...they're all loose!

After the first 10km ride my rear wheel started to wobble and I really felt unsure. I just tried to reach the nearest metro' station.....I wonder how no spokes were broken, the wheel was completely loose!

The next day I trued the wheel but it was just like building a new one, fortunately the rim was ok and this time the spokes received an high and even tension.



I think Dahon should at least put a sticker saying "check spokes's tension before the first ride, and possibily each day for the first week of use".

I wonder who build the wheels on the SL model....brrrrrr ph34r.gif


Anyway I'm loving this bike and my daily ride to job is about 15km, with two boardings on the metro'.
Handling is very fine and the 20" wheels are smooth on every urban surface...I don't miss any suspension (the Brompton has a rear one, the Birdy has a rear and a front one) and the brakes are fantastic (I'm 90kg).]]> Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:47:54 -0700 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=7992 2008 Cadenza 8 After Nine Months Of Use http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=7794
I own a Brompton, which when folded, has been very useful for public transport as well as storage in my house. I saw the folding feature of the Cadenza offering additional flexibility over a conventional full size bicycle.
I had a Rohloff hub fitted to the Brompton which has been wonderful for its wide range of gears and low maintenance, so my attention was caught by the Alfine hub fitted to the Cadenza, along with the disc brakes and fat tires.

I bought the bike by mail order, which was a first for me. The only reason I did this was the very good price offered, a saving of over £250.00 on the normal retail price.
The bike arrived well packaged and in good order, after a minimal assembly, it rode well with very little adjustment.

Like most cyclists, I began to replace parts I did not like, found uncomfortable or needed to change (more of this later*).

Parts I have replaced and reason:

Seat-post - fitted a Thomson 31.6mm, 410mm long. Needed the length and strength of the Thomson as I'm 6' tall and 190lbs.
Saddle - fitted Brooks Flyer Special. The brooks offers some suspension and much greater comfort than the saddle the bike arrived with.
Pedals - fitted some old Suntour XC pro grease guard pedals with clips and straps. Much higher quality and easier to service than the stock items.
Handlebars - fitted Thorn riser bars. Needed more upright riding position, also better wrist position.
*Front Wheel - fitted Sputnik rim built onto Schmidt SON disc dynohub. The stock wheel began to go out of true and loose spoke tension, I also needed a reliable lighting system for the winter.
*Rear wheel - rebuilt Alfine hub into Rigida Andra 30 rim which is designed for high flange hubs. The stock wheel was very poorly built with uneven spoke tension, it went out of true quickly and then began to break spokes.

Other components fitted:

Tubus 'Loc' steel rear rack - very high quality German built item, allows fitting of rear LED light in protected position. With a little work, made to fit the frame over the rear disc brake for use with panniers.
Busch & Muller rear D toplight LED dynamo lamp - simple, very bright lamp with stand-light feature.
Schmidt Edelux front LED dynamo lamp - top quality, very bright lamp with stand-light feature.
SKS Mudguards - essential in the British winter
Pitlock security bolts + skewer - excellent product built in Germany from stainless steel. Replaces front wheel skewer and bolts on front lamp, disc brakes and seatpost binder. Requires special coded key to open, hence thief proof.
Hebie chainglider Chaincase - plastic case that fully encases the chain, keeping oil off of my trousers and road muck off of the chain. Great for the winter.

Having made these changes to the bike, I now have a very practical, comfortable and low maintenance utility bicycle that can carry 40lbs of kit, generate its own light and when needed, be folded in half.

Conclusions

Ride - The bike rides well with a neutral, stable feel to the handling.
Frame - The quality of the frame is best described as adequate. The disc brake mounts are not quite square on the frame. The triple cable guide on the down tube seems to have been welded on back to front which is rather odd, this means I could not fit a conventional cable setup if I decided to fit V brakes or a front derailleur. The paint job is very good, thick and even coverage, it appears durable.
Something I don't understand is the rear dropout spacing, it measures 129mm on my bike, which means a wrestling match whenever I install the rear wheel. This is by far the worst aspect of the bike.
The Fold - I must admit that I do not find adjustment of the lockjaw hinge straightforward. I find I have to get the cam close enough to allow the frame to close without the jaws rubbing together, then when the cam is closed, use the other adjustment bolt to nip up the joint to make it solid for riding. A neat design but not very well executed. Certainly not 'quick release'.
Wheels - I was very disappointed with the build quality of the stock wheels, they should not have needed to be replaced after only a couple of months of light use.
Mechanical Disc Brakes - A bit of a fiddle to get dialed in, but work well when set up. Best of all, no black brake dust/sludge on the wheel rim to get smudged over hands, trousers etc. which happens with V brakes.
Alfine Hub Gear - So far, so good. This component seems to be excellent, with smooth changes under moderate pressure on the cranks. With the 38t chainring that came with the bike, the ratios are ok for most applications. Of course it would be lovely to have one extra gear at each end of the range, but you can't have everything.
Weight - With the modifications I have carried out this is not a light bike, but when it is rolling, it is quiet, vibration free and I don't notice the extra pounds.
Would I buy another Dahon? Cadenza or other model? - I like the bike, but it is let down by certain quality control issues with the frame and wheels. At the price I paid, I swallowed the problems I had and got on with kitting the bike out to enable it to do what I require of it.
Had I paid the full RRP, I would have been far from happy.
So unless I could get to a bike shop and take my vernier gauge with me to carefully inspect the bicycle, I would think very carefully before buying another Dahon.



]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:44:41 -0700 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=7794 2008 Cadenza 8- First Impression http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=7790
Background: I have just moved to the USA (Maryland) from Singapore after living car free for 10 years.To get to work I need to catch a bus and train. Looking for an alternative to the bus so a bike sounds reasonable. I was lucky enough to be able to rent a bike locker so that made things even easier. Its basically about a 6 mile ride to the station and most of it is on a bike path.

Why a Cadenza?
I was actually looking for the perfect commuter bike- internal gears, disk brakes, mounts for fendors and racks. There is actually not a lot out there that meets this criteria. I am not after speed, what I want is a workhorse- a bike that will just keep ticking along no matter what the conditions. I do like folding bikes, but as I had a locker I did not really need to get one. In the end it was pretty much a price/value call- there is nothing out there that compares in price to the Cadenza 8. I should add that its one of the few folding bikes that come in different sizes (I'm 6'2 so needed a large)

Set Up
Paid a little extra for Thor to give it the full treatment. When it arrived everything was good to go. Just had to install lights, fendors, racks, Brooks saddle etc. Couple of test rides (including in the rain) and it was good to go

The Ride
Speed- The Cadenza is definately slower than my road bike- but it is not slow. Loaded with my bags, big apple tires and an IGH it is a different beast from my skinny tire road bike. I still managed to get it up to about 25miles/hr just coasting down a hill so it can certainly roll.

Comfort- Great. I was able to dial in a nice position that suited me (I like to be stretched out). I could probably do with about another inch more reach so will need to do a bit more adjustment. The bar ends are nice and there is no problem operating the brakes or gears with thick gloves on.

Mechanics- I like the IGH, I find myself changing gears just for the heck of it. Brakes are great and stop really well. I have never had disk brakes before so now I can see the advantages.

Downside
Changing tires. I tried this at home, it was pretty easy to get the wheel off but a real pain to get it back on. Suggest you might want to practice this one at home first

Documentation. I would have liked to have seen more 'Dahon' documents. You got all the standard manuals but very little from Dahon. Things like how to remove the wheel etc would be good to include.

Overall: so far so good. I got this bike for a specific purpose and it does that very well. As we start moving into winter and the wet and icy conditions I would expect this bike to really shine.....]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:47:22 -0700 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=7790 Large Seatpost Is A Big Drawback http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=7753 I just purchased a Dahon MU P8. Over all I am pleased with the bike. There is one very large drawback. As I intent to use the bike for commuting, I will be using a rack. To the best of my knowledge there are no quick release seatpost bike racks that will fit the large seatpost. I believe the only option you have is to buy a rack from Dahon (that bolts on). This is very limiting and means standard QR racks and bags are not compatible. Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:25:38 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=7753 Any Hammerhead Owners Out There? http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=7632 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:03:32 -0600 http://forum.dahon.com/index.php?showtopic=7632