Folding Bikes - Dahon Boardwalk-How squirrely is it really?

I'm in my yearly indecisive quandry about whether to get a folder. I don't need one, but it would be nice to leave in the trunk on long trips, or vacations.

So I've been considering a cheap one speed to test the waters (its flat here in Miami) and the Dahon boardwalk looks good at $150 new, but from what I've read, its not too stable.

So how bad is it? Hard to keep in a straight line? Scary around corners?

Thanks.

Don't worry about it. If you're used to big-wheels, then initially it will feel very responsive. You'll wonder about thing like corners and stability. Then you'll get used to it and then you'll be hooked. Big wheels will feel like driving a huge truck.

Just as an MTB is different from a road bike, most small wheel folders are different from MTBs. You will quickly adapt. IMO, the only substantive difference in technique is in high speed cornering, ~> 20 mph. You need to work up to knowing how much to shift your c/g forward.

Buy a Downtube. More for your money, IMO. If you don't like it, return it within 30 days and you're only out the shipping cost. Then try different 406, or maybe a 26" folder, which rides exactly like an MTB, but doesn't fold into as small a volume.

FYI the $150 Boardwalk is almost certainly a single speed.

It will be about as "squirrely" in terms of handling as any other 20" bike. Quality will obviously be somewhat low, although with a 1-speed bike you will also have less maintenance issues.

If you are OK with an SS bike, I don't see how you can really lose with a $150 Boardwalk.

When I first got my 20" folder I thought it felt squirrelly, but it was a matter of me getting used to the steering response. After a couple rides, it felt I was turning smoothly. Now I can alternate between my different bikes with ease.

Yesterday participated in the Portland Bridge Pedal (8-Bridges; 24 mile version) twisting and turning thru the streets of Downtown Portland, over the bridges and surrounding area on my Boardwalk D7, with ZERO problems. (Actually me and 19,999 others.)

I even hit 26.3 MPH on a long downhill - pretty much max in 7th.

My single-speed Boardwalk (S1) is just as stable in my opinion, but the wider handlebars on the D7 might make it seem more stable, I guess. (Both bikes have the same 1.75" Tioga Comp Pool Slicks on them.)

I've included a pic of a very small portion of the start, and a shot of downtown at 7:30am from the top of the Marquam Bridge (aka: the I5 Freeway bridge going North - over and alongside the Willamette River thru the downtown area.)

The only scary part is going over the metal plates and joints in the freeway at 20+ MPH. Larger wheels would be nice for that, but have no plans to go back to them - love the maneuverability and portability of the folders too much.

Portland! Bicycle capital of the US.

I'm in my yearly indecisive quandry about whether to get a folder. I don't need one, but it would be nice to leave in the trunk on long trips, or vacations.

So I've been considering a cheap one speed to test the waters (its flat here in Miami) and the Dahon boardwalk looks good at $150 new, but from what I've read, its not too stable.

So how bad is it? Hard to keep in a straight line? Scary around corners?

Thanks.

I really never had an issue with the Boardwalk for a "first folder." It was my first folding bike for sure. I have had it now for over 3 years and counting. Except for little tweaking and a small amount of Loctite on some adjustment nuts, I never experienced major problems with it after the initial tune up and addressing the front wheel's problem. And the handling is superior above the larger wheel bikes (I should know, I have both). For more information on my Boardwalk and other bikes, see below:

Yesterday participated in the Portland Bridge Pedal (8-Bridges; 24 mile version) twisting and turning thru the streets of Downtown Portland, over the bridges and surrounding area on my Boardwalk D7, with ZERO problems. (Actually me and 19,999 others.)

I even hit 26.3 MPH on a long downhill - pretty much max in 7th.

My single-speed Boardwalk (S1) is just as stable in my opinion, but the wider handlebars on the D7 might make it seem more stable, I guess. (Both bikes have the same 1.75" Tioga Comp Slicks on them.)

I've included a pic of a very small portion of the start, and a shot of downtown at 7:30am from the top of the Marquam Bridge (aka: the I5 Freeway bridge going North - over and alongside the Willamette River thru the downtown area.)

The only scary part is going over the metal plates and joints in the freeway at 20+ MPH. Larger wheels would be nice for that, but have no plans to go back to them - love the maneuverability and portability of the folders too much.


Foldable Two: Are there folder friendly shops in Portland? I am in Newberg, and have an old DaHon that I am currently having issues with. I don't know if there are bike shops in the Portland area that are folder friendly.

Thanks.

Rob

Rob,

Yes, there is a Dahon dealer in Portland - we have ours serviced there.

It's Coventry Cycleworks on SE Hawthorne, about 150' east of SE 20th. They specialize in recumbents and usually have 4-5 Dahons on display, too. (They won't

So how bad is it? Hard to keep in a straight line? Scary around corners?
I don't have a Boardwalk, but my (20" wheeled) folding bike is hard to ride without holding onto the handlebar, unlike all my other bikes. On my folder turning at higher speed (25+mph) with leaning into the turn makes the bike want to turn even tighter and therefore it counters the leaning if you let the bike "choose" it's line. If one is not used to that it can be a little scary at first.

Thanks Lou. I will check them out!

Rob