Apparently all the respected models have their own thread, and since I just recently joined the Dahon family, I don't think it's a bad idea to create the place to find information about the Curve.

I'm loading a few pictures comparing the folded size with a Merc. More tom come in the future.

R

PS: So far, besides being a little heavy and a little stiff, this bike is awesome. I'm already working on reducing the weight (Fenders, rack, etc) and a nice thudbuster seatpost will do the trick.

The tires on the Curve look smaller than those on the Merc. Are they 305s?

The tires on the Curve look smaller than those on the Merc. Are they 305s?

Yup, they're 305s.

I'm surprised at how close the two bikes are in size. Everyone raves about the Brompton folding so small. I thought the folded curve was kinda big and judging from the photos it looks like the Brompton is too.

BTW, 14R, how much does your bromptonstein weigh?

Very nice. I see you're turning yours into a bit of a speedster, whereas I'm going for more of a nerd-mobile shopper image with mine.

I would like to see a photo of the DT Mini next to the Curve. That would be more of an apples-to-apples comparison.

Nice pix of the curve - I see it folds the handles in the between the tires where as the merc has it to the side keeping the wheels closer together.. Who / where do you get the Merc from - nice looking bike too?

Would be nice to see the DT Mini here too..

Very nice. I see you're turning yours into a bit of a speedster, whereas I'm going for more of a nerd-mobile shopper image with mine.

Nice bike. I noticed you keep a basket up front. Can you have a Brompton like bag attached to bike or one that's closed?

Apparently all the respected models have their own thread, and since I just recently joined the Dahon family, I don't think it's a bad idea to create the place to find information about the Curve.

I'm loading a few pictures comparing the folded size with a Merc. More tom come in the future.

R

PS: So far, besides being a little heavy and a little stiff, this bike is awesome. I'm already working on reducing the weight (Fenders, rack, etc) and a nice thudbuster seatpost will do the trick.

I still feel the Presto Lite was better because it could be carried a football field without leaving you exhaused. However, your bike is still very nice.

I have the Dahon suspension seat post and it works fine. It's less expensive than the Thudbuster and doesn't compromise the fold. A Brooks Champion Flyer is also another alternative.

BTW, 14R, how much does your bromptonstein weigh?

26 Pounds

Nice pix of the curve - I see it folds the handles in the between the tires where as the merc has it to the side keeping the wheels closer together.. Who / where do you get the Merc from - nice looking bike too?

Would be nice to see the DT Mini here too..

I agree having the Curve next to a Mini would be a better comparison, but based on what I have here now, that's the best I can offer. :)

My Merc was purchased aproximately 5 months ago from Wav, a forum user. It's the "super Merc" as some other members address it, the G6 model with 6 speed and all the upgrades Brompton users would love to be able to get without spending thousands of dollars (front derailleur, V brakes, suspension handlebar, telescopic seatpost, S type handlebar with bar extensions, etc). It is a great bike and if I could I would keep it, but I need the money and the bike is right now on E-Bay for sale.

I have the Dahon suspension seat post and it works fine. It's less expensive than the Thudbuster and doesn't compromise the fold.

I already have a regular Thudbuster, so for me all I needed was a 20 bucks or so telescopic seatpost from Dahon (ended up getting it from ThorUSA again) and I am all set for a decent amount of money invested.

I think it is telling that the Brompton/Merc is still smaller when folded than the Dahon Curve - even with the latter's 305s. What's more, the wheelbase and saddle to bars distance is longer on the "Mercton"...

Nice bike. I noticed you keep a basket up front. Can you have a Brompton like bag attached to bike or one that's closed?
The Klickfix type bags don't seem to include any large ones comparable to the Brompton ones, and US dealers don't have a very large selection. I'm also not sure what the maximum weight capacity is supposed to be. There are some closed style bags on the market.

Time for some pictures. I don't have any decent landscape where I am (I don't live in Orlando right next to golf courses anymore) but one must do what he can with what he has, so here we go:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/413118409_f20c720d53_b.jpg




http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/413118406_7458f1aa33_o.jpg



and while bored, waiting for a soup to get ready:



http://farm1.static.flickr.com/152/413118414_21a4d38b7c_b.jpg


It is kinda weird how SMALL LOOKING the bike is. Well...

R

Nice looking bike. Very minimalist.

I love the last photo, b/w with the red pop! How do you do that?

Finally, did you say in another thread you're bidding on another folder? You just got this one!! Can't you make up your mind?:)

nice pics.. i envy your weather .. we have snow and -30 here .. anyhow whats ur height ? Will help to better picture the bike size..

nice pics.. i envy your weather .. we have snow and -30 here .. anyhow whats ur height ? Will help to better picture the bike size..


I'm 5'9" (1.74m)

Finally, did you say in another thread you're bidding on another folder? You just got this one!! Can't you make up your mind?:)

I need one bike for me and I need one bike to my significant other. Every week I have a new significant other, so I need a new bike about every other week (lol).

I love the last photo, b/w with the red pop! How do you do that?

if you are familiar with Adobe Photoshop (I use CS2), create a new image with the same dimensions of the original.

Drag and drop the original image as a new layer;

make the entire image Grayscale;

Make the image back RGB (the grayscale will be preserved);

Now drag, once again, the original image (in color) to a new layer;

You pretty much created an image with 2 layers: one black and white and another, in color, on top of that;

Get the erase tool and nice and slow (I use a Wacom tablet) delete everything you don't want in color. The back and white layer will still be preserved;

Once you are done, flatten all layers and save as JPG.

With practice it takes about 5 minutes to do a simple image like this one.

Hope this helps.

R.

Every week I have a new significant other, so I need a new bike about every other week (lol).

I like this plan! Wish I had thought of it before I got married :cry:

I need one bike for me and I need one bike to my significant other. Every week I have a new significant other, so I need a new bike about every other week (lol).

Hey 14R,

I'll date you for a week if you'll buy me a new Dahon curve. :) Of course I'm straight and married, but what the heck, it's only a week.

Juan

So has anyone tried the SL with the SA 5 speed ultra-light version (Dahon spec's wording, not mine)?

Of course I'm straight and married, but what the heck, it's only a week.
Juan

Let me think about that one for a second..uh..no. Something is telling me that this is NOT a good idea (lol)

R

PS:What a diverse group we have here, uh? Never thought I would find a folder enthusiast with pederastic tendencies! Awesome (lol)

By the way, the SL version is supposed to weigh 22 lbs.--with Big Apples on the wheels.

So how are things going with the Dahon Curve?

Do the bar-ends intefere with the compact fold?

Can you roll the bike while folded after extending the seatpost?

Can you fold the bike with the klickfix bag on the front?

Given that it has the front attachment, a 5-speed internal hub, and (hopefully) fully compatible with various Dahon handbar stem modifications, it has crossed my mind to pick one up as a small commuter. R ... I think you brought up a good point about the magnetic lock.

I am a little taller than you R (6') ... and I like to be more spread out horizontally; maybe Thor can suggest a few suitable mods.

. . . Can you roll the bike while folded after extending the seatpost?

Yes, although I have only done this a very short distance to see if it would work. Haven't tried it in difficult real world conditions, such as weaving through crowds at a train station.

Can you fold the bike with the klickfix bag on the front? . . .

There is a large bracket (has to be bought separately) which attaches to the head tube and stays on the bike. That does not interfere with the fold. The Klickfix accessory I bought is a wire basket, and no, I wouldn't be able to fold the bike properly with it on there.

Yes, although I have only done this a very short distance to see if it would work. Haven't tried it in difficult real world conditions, such as weaving through crowds at a train station.

There is a large bracket (has to be bought separately) which attaches to the head tube and stays on the bike. That does not interfere with the fold. The Klickfix accessory I bought is a wire basket, and no, I wouldn't be able to fold the bike properly with it on there.

Hey DaFriMon. Thanks for the response.

Leaving your basket on, what interferes with the fold? Do you think the KlickFix alternatives (there is an 8L bag that is typical of many handlebar bags) would experience the same problem?

Hey DaFriMon. Thanks for the response.

Leaving your basket on, what interferes with the fold? Do you think the KlickFix alternatives (there is an 8L bag that is typical of many handlebar bags) would experience the same problem?

Actually, I need to apologize for giving bad information, as the attached photos should show. It looked like the basket was going to bang into the rack when I started to fold it, so I took it off (the basket, that is). On closer examination, this was wrong.

I'm not sure what bags would work. With some, if the attachment point was too high on the bag, perhaps it could end up rubbing on the tire.

May I know if the Curve D3 can be fitted with the Dahon Touring rack? Its such a neat little bike but I think its capable of short touring, say 40-50km per day.

Actually, I need to apologize for giving bad information, as the attached photos should show. It looked like the basket was going to bang into the rack when I started to fold it, so I took it off (the basket, that is). On closer examination, this was wrong.

I'm not sure what bags would work. With some, if the attachment point was too high on the bag, perhaps it could end up rubbing on the tire.

Thanks again ... no need to apologize. It is surprising that you could fold the bike with BOTH the basket and trunk bag.

I am a little taller than you R (6') ... and I like to be more spread out horizontally; maybe Thor can suggest a few suitable mods.

I would love to hear about them. I would benefit myself to gain about 4 to 6 inches of "cockpit" space.

R

Hello all - I'm new to this forum, and was happy to find it.

I'm a pretty avid club racer with Porsche Owners Club and had a nice weekend at California Speedway. During the two days, I borrowed a Dahon Speed from a friend who had an extra one and let me say that it made all the difference in the world - being able to cruise around was so fantastic I committed right there to buy a folding bike and take it with me on events at various tracks. I also see it as another piece of luggage to bring to Maui when we go in June, but not so sure yet.

Anyway, I need one that is truly compact, so the Curve has piqued my interest. It seems the most compact quality unit under $400 around, but when I read the folded size, it doesn't seem that much smaller than a 20" model like the Downtube IXNS, essentially only 7 inches longer, that's it. I need it small because I'd like it to fit in one of my trunks of the Boxster S, and with the description of the Curve saying it fits in a grocery bag, that statement belies the measurements they give, as I don't know too many grocery bags 26" by 25" by 13", unless they have them in Texas. ;)

FYI, I am 6'2" and 209lbs

Anyway, thoughts on compactability of these bikes?

Re: biking on Maui. There are two great coastal roads on Maui for biking. Hana Highway from near OGG airport to beyond Paia has wide shoulders (about 7 miles from near the airport until a major gulch). Gulches are the problem with many coastal roads in Hawaii, such as Hana Hwy on Maui and Belt Rd. on BI .... the gulch hairpins are often wet, have red mud and fallen boulders on the shoulders, have steep approaches, and impatient drivers. The second pick for "safer" biking on Maui is Lower Honoapiilani Rd. on the Lahaina side ... about 5 miles, dry, sunny, residential and beach traffic. If you like hills, gulches, and lots of them, along with lolo drivers, try the remainder of Hana Hwy, or the windward side of West Maui.

Hello all - I'm new to this forum, and was happy to find it.

. . . I need it small because I'd like it to fit in one of my trunks of the Boxster S, and with the description of the Curve saying it fits in a grocery bag, that statement belies the measurements they give, as I don't know too many grocery bags 26" by 25" by 13", unless they have them in Texas. ;)

FYI, I am 6'2" and 209lbs

Anyway, thoughts on compactability of these bikes?

Although I'm not really into photography, I got a new digital camera about a month before I bought my Curve, so I took quite a few pictures of it, and put them on the public section of my Flickr (http://tinyurl.com/2x55o4) page. Two of the most recent show the bike in a shopping cart, which should give you an idea; I'd have to agree that it would be a pretty large grocery bag that would take it. It folds small enough for my purposes, and I like it a quite a lot. At least I got the same folded dimension that they give when I measured it myself. Review on the Dahon forum under my handle there, Slivovitz. Also, there's another review by somebody else who got one a few days ago.

I would love to hear about them. I would benefit myself to gain about 4 to 6 inches of "cockpit" space.

R

I just sent Thor an e-mail. Hopefully he will make a return visit to the forum.

I will also check out the reviews on the Dahon forum ... take a guess what my userid is ... ;)

IH, I just got back from DC. Sunday was great! Great weather, lots of bikes. I had a great time!

I have a syntace stem on mine, with a cool carbon handlebar ....with bar ends....

I can fold the handlebar just fine.
And yes it rolls really nice with the seatpost stickin out.
The smaller bags I hve from Klickfix will allow to stay attached when folded .... the bigger wicker basket has to go off the bike however.

more mods to come.. when I have time I will make a page with all the details

thor

I have a syntace stem on mine, with a cool carbon handlebar ....with bar ends....

I can fold the handlebar just fine.
And yes it rolls really nice with the seatpost stickin out.
The smaller bags I hve from Klickfix will allow to stay attached when folded .... the bigger wicker basket has to go off the bike however.

more mods to come.. when I have time I will make a page with all the details

thor

I read that Dahon may give frame kits to dealers ... true? if so, will you be one of them?

I have a syntace stem on mine, with a cool carbon handlebar ....with bar ends....

I can fold the handlebar just fine.
And yes it rolls really nice with the seatpost stickin out.
The smaller bags I hve from Klickfix will allow to stay attached when folded .... the bigger wicker basket has to go off the bike however.

more mods to come.. when I have time I will make a page with all the details

thor

how much of an extension do you get with the syntace stem? from what I see online it does not look like much.

IH, I just got back from DC. Sunday was great! Great weather, lots of bikes. I had a great time!

Really? Sorry we missed you.

Even though it was overcast with a slight drizzle on Saturday, the riding weather was quite good. The boss and I actually rode both days.

Here is the Saturday ride ...

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Babes-on-Bikes-Hill-Ride-3-TR-Island

14R and other Curve owners - any problem with reliability? I've heard murmurs about the newer Dahons suffering a bit on reliablity, and I would hope that since the Curve has an internal hub, and essentially fewer exterior parts, it might not be very problematic...

These folding bikes are expensive when you use them only once in a while, but then again, it seems resale is quite good...

yes I will have frame kits as fast as they become available ...
its a couple inches extension only. but that plenty enough for me

its kinda strange to hear about reliability with new models and than in the same sentence that the can drivetrain might make all the difference..... as of most problems real or perceived were somewhat connected to a 5 speed can driven bike from a couple years back ....

Thor

Idea regarding extending the reach and hand positions ...

I noticed that Thor sells a Revolve Stem with a quick release at the top. Perhaps one could fit one of those trekking bars. One would then have the option of rotating the bar forward for more extension. Presummably they could be rotated into the correct plane for a small fold.

yes I will have frame kits as fast as they become available ...
its a couple inches extension only. but that plenty enough for me

What is the horizontal reach then? Say from the top of the seat post to the handlebar assuming that they are level.

What is the horizontal reach then? Say from the top of the seat post to the handlebar assuming that they are level.

If you are talking about the Syntace X-Ray clamps (or Peanut Clamps for road bars), they look like they would give you 40mm or so forward reach. I am sure someone with a Dahon can measure the distance more precisely though...I was going to use them on a Brompton...

14R and other Curve owners - any problem with reliability?

Less than ANY other folder I had: ZERO so far.

14R and other Curve owners - any problem with reliability? I've heard murmurs about the newer Dahons suffering a bit on reliablity, and I would hope that since the Curve has an internal hub, and essentially fewer exterior parts, it might not be very problematic...

These folding bikes are expensive when you use them only once in a while, but then again, it seems resale is quite good...

No problems after a bit more than a month, although I've done mostly short rides in fairly good conditions. This model is new this year, so I doubt if anybody has put really enormous mileage on one yet. We'll have to see how they're holding up after a year, but I'm pretty optimistic about mine.

If you listen closely, you'll hear murmurs about every brand out there. :)

If you are talking about the Syntace X-Ray clamps (or Peanut Clamps for road bars), they look like they would give you 40mm or so forward reach. I am sure someone with a Dahon can measure the distance more precisely though...I was going to use them on a Brompton...

Sooooo about an inch and a half ...

Is this what we are talking about here?

http://www.syntace.de/imgserver/syntace/images/2000/2000/2034/picture2034_Syntace.jpg

Is this what we are talking about here?

http://www.syntace.de/imgserver/syntace/images/2000/2000/2034/picture2034_Syntace.jpg

I do not think so ... my guess is that Thor is using a little stubby where the bar is located on a typical Curve as a base for the syntace clamp.