LOL :)

I didn't know of that one.

Hope I didn't lower the tone too much.

Here's a new pic to get this back on topic. My Curve SL in configured for my commmute (added fenders).

I took it for a 36 mile ride last weekend (mostly flat riding some moderate uphill and 31 mph downhill) averaged 18 mph, with an extremely comfortable ride. This is a great little bike.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/vanloch/Curve%20SL/000_0011.jpg

(...) and 14R isn't the first to sing the praises of a bike shortly before selling it off.

I praised the bike months before having the intention to sell and still praise it after I sold it, to someone that never heard of Bikeforums.net.

I still think the Curve is a great bike, just not perfect for my needs.

14R.

PS: No, I am not selling one right now.

Here's a new pic to get this back on topic.



Very nice looking bike!!Do the handrgips compromise the final fold?

Very nice looking bike!!Do the handrgips compromise the final fold?


Nope, pics on page 3 post #75 show it folded with the stem and barends. I had to fiddle a little with the brake lever and shifter positioning (especially with the fenders on), but now I can get it to roll like a trolly on either wheel with the seatpost up everything else folded.

Firebolt! I love it!

TCS

After watching the video, I need a quick release at the stem/handlebar conection for my Brompton. any suggestions?

Firebolt! I love it!

TCS

:D

Southern Tenant Farmers Union (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Tenant_Farmers_Union)? :D

Links to informative images:
STFU (http://gallery.elvado.de/albums/structure/USER-RELATED/stfu/normal_uncle-sam-stfu.jpg)
STFU (http://extraball.sunsite.dk/behave/stfu.jpg)
STFU (http://www.voidspace.org.uk/gallery/silly/big_cup_of_STFU.jpg)
STFU (http://bsd.benquick.net/images/stfu.jpg)
STFU (http://seiti.de/flame/stfu.jpg)
STFU (http://www.photocasket.com/funny/stfu61.jpg)

I started to just link to the images themselves, but you know the mods around here....

After watching the video, I need a quick release at the stem/handlebar conection for my Brompton. any suggestions?

I'm not sure how it would connect on a brompton, but I bet you could make it work pretty easily.

Basically I used the adjustable stem that comes with the downtube folding bikes. An UNO adjustable stem. It is a 1 1/8 threadless and the dahon tube is 1 inch so I had to use a shim. You can replace the bolt that you loosen to adjust the stem up and down with a standard seatpost quick release. It's pretty easy to find one with the same threads as the stem. Get a nice strong washer to go in between the stem and the quick release. The stem as is will only go up 130 degrees. I filed away a bit of each side of the stem to allow it to get a more vertical position (just filed the curved bits on the part of the stem that clamps to the steering tube).

Then to tighten the stem, I have the quick release open and tighten it until I can just close the lever, then I rotate it a little more to really snug it down (you can adjust the final position of the lever with the bolt on the opposite side so you aren't stuck with it in a funny position.

It's the best solution I've found so far for a stem the gives me the proper riding position and still allows a quick, complete fold.

(...) It's the best solution I've found so far for a stem the gives me the proper riding position and still allows a quick, complete fold.

It is 4:15am here and my thesis is almost complete after extensive re-re-reviews. Once I am done with that I will consider adapting a QR into my current stem bolt. Thank you for the hint.

R.

Weights/dimensions of frame, wheels, and components?

Has anyone taken this bike apart to see what could be upgraded with lighter parts?
I ordered one of these from Brands but it seems to be on backorder and so I'm wondering if this bike is even worth trying to make lighter.

I would not bother replacing the frame, stem, and wheelset so knowing the weights of these components would give a base weight to work off of.

Can anyone provide input on the following:
Handlebar: what is the outer diameter?
Crank: what is the inner diameter and width of the bottom bracket, is it threaded?
Seatpost: what is the outer diameter and how long is it?

Imagine if the frame and wheelset weighed 10lbs, you could make a 15 lb bike easy.
Sure it would cost over a grand in parts, but wouldn't it be cool?

Would you describe this as a quick bike?

That curve looks beautiful Locke. If I wasn't about to drive 300 miles tomorrow to pick up a special new bike, I'd be in the market for one. There's a great offer on ebay.co.uk for the SL at £399 which I do believe is the cheapest price of the SL in the UK just now.

I'll say more about what I'm buying when I return with it in a few days...... I've wanted one of these for ages, but they are not cheap.

To have to drive 300 miles to get one, it better be special.

Would you describe this as a quick bike?

For what the bike is, I'd say it is very quick. I average about 17 mph on my commute 12 mi round trip, slightly uphill going and slightly downhill coming back. Max speed has been 41 mph (no issues with stability). Peddling downhill I spin out at about 32-35 mph.

The only limitations to it's quickness are the gears and the shorter wheelbase, which is unstable on loose surfaces like deep gravel and sand.

For me it is fast, fun, comfortable and so far reliable (just hit 700mi).

The SL is out of stock now here is the US, glad I got mine when I did.

That curve looks beautiful Locke. If I wasn't about to drive 300 miles tomorrow to pick up a special new bike, I'd be in the market for one. There's a great offer on ebay.co.uk for the SL at £399 which I do believe is the cheapest price of the SL in the UK just now.

I'll say more about what I'm buying when I return with it in a few days...... I've wanted one of these for ages, but they are not cheap.

I'm curious about your new bike. :D. Good to hear the SL is availble in the UK and for a more reasonable price.

Loch, do you know whether the gears can be changed, whether a chain ring or new hub?

Loch, do you know whether the gears can be changed, whether a chain ring or new hub?

Short answer: Gearing higher would be difficult. Gearing lower would be simple. A new chainring would be the easiest maybe a 48 or 50T would fit, but it is very tight in there so would be difficult. Gearing lower, you have a choice, larger rear sprocket or smaller front, either would fit easily.

Long answer:
I've looked at this very carefully, because I originally wanted to do it. The problem isn't with the crank or hub, it is with the frame. There is just not a lot of room in there. So far the gearing has been pretty good for me and I really like how light the front crank and chainring (one piece) is so I haven't tried to change it yet. I'm guessing you could probably get a 48 or 50T front chainring in, but it might be tricky. That's probably my biggest complaint with the bike. If they would have just designed the frame with a little more room for gearing upgrades. Then again, I like having the lowest gear, and 30 mph is a pretty good spin out speed for this bike.

Thanks for the reply. I forget to add that I was interested in how high a gear it might be possible to achieve so that it would compete with the full spectrum of gears offered on the Birdy. I would be disappointed if I felt I had run out, similar to only having 4 gears in a manual shift car. But I gather from what you are saying that this is not the case?

Using the 5 speed hub that comes with the Curve SL, you could only raise or lower the total range of gears. There is no way to make the gear range wider. It would be very hard to compete with the spectrum of gears found on folders with larger wheels and derailluers. There are things you can do, but would probably end up costing a lot and adding weight. If you really need the wider gear range, I would probably be looking at other bikes. I ride a speed pro also for just this reason (longer rides when I need more gears).

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1280/1325082445_2d8d793ca3_m.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1257/1325978070_ef05a7b820_m.jpg

Spent a few hours exploring Yokohama yesterday on the new bike. The Curve SL has got to be the perfect bike for a city like this - in an instant, you go from pleasant low speed riding on city streets and congested sidewalks to all out on quiet lanes and bike paths. There are also many small but steep hills. I love the Curve's quick acceleration and the ability to change gears when stopped.

Also, along the way I popped into a new bike shop in town and ordered an El Bolso. I really want a Quickfix adapter and bag.

Thanks for the reply. I forget to add that I was interested in how high a gear it might be possible to achieve so that it would compete with the full spectrum of gears offered on the Birdy. I would be disappointed if I felt I had run out, similar to only having 4 gears in a manual shift car. But I gather from what you are saying that this is not the case?You could go for a Curve D3 and upgrade the back wheel to one with a SRAM 5sp hub (http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=HU2509) which has over 300% range, same as the biggest casette range, and much bigger range than the Curve SL. It'll be heavier though.

Do I take it that a SRAM 8sp hub is not an option on the SL?

I don't know what the Curve's dropout spacing is, so even my 5sp suggestion may not work.

The reason I suggested that one is in response to your query about spreading the 5-speed's range. The SRAM 5sp is unique in its range of just over 300% for 5sp hubs. What I like is the price. The 8sp Nexus would work (assuming the dropout spacing is suitable) but is double the price again.

There is a guy on the Dahon forums, Kootenay Joe I think, who replaced his Curve D3's 3-sp hub with an 8sp Sturmey Archer hub, and described the whole process in fine detail over 2 separate threads. The SA 8sp hub would work since its over-locknut-dimension (OLD) is as little as 116mm. But I think the other 2 hubs' quality is better.

If they are better it's very marginal. SA have a proven record of reliability and correct me if I'm wrong are over $40-50 cheaper than their Nexus 8 speed equivalent?

Many thanks jur.