Folding Bikes - Dahon vs. Bike Friday vs. Pacific

Hello all,

I am interested in buying a folder that I will use to keep up with some road cyclers and probably 70% total road use, and then 30% off-road, but this consists of taking it on some hairy mtb trails.
I am wondering which model between the Dahon Jetstream P8, Bike Friday NWT and Pacific reach is the best option for the cost?
The Dahon is the cheaper of the three and seems like it could fit the bill of my riding requirments, but I've heard several complaints about parts and other mechansisms going bad on these bikes after some riding time, so I wasn't sure if its worth spending $800 on one of them. I like the bike friday very much, but also wondering whether this bike is worth the cost since it doesn't encompass any kind of suspension. The pacific reach seems like it would good, but was again unsure becuase of its more expensive pricetag and lack of reviews on them.

thanks for the advice and if there are other models that might be a better option (I.E. a bike almost as good for less money) I would greatly appreciate the info,
sam

Heh, you want a Mauna Kea bike (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=229066&highlight=mauna+kea). One of a kind...

Seriously, Airnimal Rhino. Be prepared to drop a big wad of greenbacks.

The Dahon Jetstream is very nice, but keep it away from trails.

You might be served by a Downtube... read some of the threads referring to it.

Or the Birdy.

Do you just need a bike that folds for stashing it in your car? How hairy are the off road trails?

One place where small wheels fall short is on rutted, steep drops. Even if you put nice knobby wheels on there, bigger wheels are better. Smaller wheels will be good for fast group rides, however.

This all puts you in a bit of a bind. The Airnimal would be a good choice if you are putting it in the car.

I believe Bike Friday only makes road and touring bikes. Without suspension and small wheels, you will get torn to shreds on terrible, rutted descents. The Jetstream may well break in half at the frame hinge.

The Birdy has full suspension, knobby tire options, and a very sturdy frame, but with 355 rims you are confined to packed dirt trails. (These bikes are used by park rangers in the UK who do a lot of mud riding, but don't jump rocks, etc.) The suspension is tuned to road riding, but can be softened.

The other problem is that you have to really make sure the latches are in good order before bunny hopping; the wheels of most good folding bikes fold *under* the bike. Thus, you might leap a rock and come down on your rear stays rather than the wheel! I go over the Williamsburg bridge in Brooklyn which has giant couplings that have to be leapt at high speeds when I have Stelvios mounted, and it's a bit nerve racking since either of my wheels could fold if I hadn't checked the latch.

Good luck.

My own Bike Fridays have never been taken on anything more technical than gravel and dirt roads, where they perform fine, even without suspension. BF does make the Pocket Llama model, which is billed as a mountain bike. I've heard different reports on how it performs off road. I'd agree with pm124's general comments about small wheels off road. Also, a rear derailleur will be closer to the ground on a small wheeled bike, which could be a problem on some terrain.

Despite the appearance, and the dual suspension, I believe that the Dahon Jetstream is not designed as an offroad bike. This is based on past discussions on the Dahon forum, which I am too lazy to try to chase down right now. They do have some 26 inch wheeled bikes that might work for you.

No idea about Pacific Reach. Airnimal was another good suggestion.

Bike Friday does make the Pocket Gnu which has front suspension.

I agree with the other comments about small wheels when riding off-road. In your case, I would make sure that whatever bike you purchase can fit 2"+ width tires.

hey thanks guys for the advice, I think what i finally decided to do was to buy a downtube FS and just upgrade some of the components, it also comes with 1.75" width tires which I think is okay.

thanks again,
sam

offisano, Yan sometimes has frames only available. If you're planning major mods, start with just a frame. Email Yan via his website or PM here.

The Mauna Kea bike, with its second wheelset (the original wheelset plus off-road tires) does WAY better than my Dahon off-road, and even better than my Swift (rigid forks) off-road. Yet, for stream crossings (esp., stream banks), sand, gravel and rock beds, and deep ruts ... I walk it, but were I on an MTB, I would keep pedaling. The DT FS hinge has been rock solid off-road. I do not jump the bike. IMO, you could get a DT FS very close to an Airnimal Rhino, esp. if you replaced the rear shock.

You will need to replace the OE DT forks unless you weigh under 140 lb. As you know, adjustable front fork sag (pre-load), compression, and rebound are of major importance off-road (as well as for optimizing street riding at speed). Going to a sleeve-post will also let you dump the quill hinge, which is heavier than the entire DT frame.


wubrew, have you tackled the new Chambers Creek "bikeway" (free for all ... no demarcated lanes, according to my bro) ... has some serious switchbacks.