Folding Bikes - Dahon Speed Hot Rod (pic)

I have been working on an old Dahon Speed for awhile.

I already own a Twenty (http://www.guybouchard.ca/twenty.htm). The Dahon will do exactly the same thing BUT the folded size is smaller. Since i own a small Jeep (Tracker) and my folding need is more of the car boot type than train/bus type, it will handle the job alright for me.

Please take a look at:

http://www.guybouchard.ca/wp/?lp_lang_pref=en&page_id=61

It is not completed but right now:


Rear derailler hanger
Rear rack braze-on
Front derailler braze-on hanger with a Campy derailler
2 bottle cages mount on frame tube
Replacement of folding handle by an allen bolt to get a positive clamp and no more noise
Removable and non-folding handle post for a stiffer handlebar setup


More to come!

Sweet mods... Love the 'ratbike' burnt paint too (Yes I do know you'll treat it to a nice powdercoat when it's finished ;) )

I like the new engineering on the clamp fold.

Thanks!

I like the rat look too!

Yes, when all is done, i will powdercoat it.

The clamp thing was not really good at first. Dahon have better system now.

This one was not effective. Tight enough and i was not able to open it. Loose enough to open it and it was noisy and flexy. With this bolt setup, it is stiff and silent.

Only question is: since the head tube is really short and headset is 1 inch, will i got problem in the long run?

I will use good quality cartridge headset but is it a problem?

It is a fun project. If i was giving me 20$/hour to do the job, it would be better to buy a Bikefriday!

So you did all the brazing yourself?
juan

Why not just go with the Sram 3/9 ?

So how did you replace the handle post? I assume it now works like a Swift's -- i.e. pop a quick release and tug it off, which I guess will make it stronger but would compromise the fold....

From what little I understand, IH's are bullet-proof, but extremely difficult to fix if something breaks inside the hub, and a little less efficient to ride. Bike Friday uses a lot of the SRAM DualDrives so I assume they work pretty well. People do use them -- mostly for kids' bikes really -- so when a mechanic says "I never had to work on a hub in 10 years" it sounds like an accidental testament to their mechanical robustness... ;)

I do all brazing myself.

I have built several recumbent bikes and customized a few frames.

The 3 * 9 is interesting. The 3 * 7 seem to work well on my girlfriend bike. I don't like the weight AND i know little about internal hub. I would not like to be stuck in one gear and not knowing what to do (principally on the road). I have been a bike mechanic for 10 years but we didn't have to work on one internal hub. Really few people ride them anymore in my area (ok far east in Quebec province). I am really open to internal hub but i would need to learn a lot of things on them. Right now, i prefer what i know.

So how did you replace the handle post? I assume it now works like a Swift's -- i.e. pop a quick release and tug it off, which I guess will make it stronger but would compromise the fold....
;)

Right.

It is really similar to Swift design.

I prefer stronger with less convenient fold for my use.

I will build a custom front rack a bit similar to BF and may had something (thread) to receive a top plate.