Folding Bikes - Ready to get a Dahon D7

I will use the bike as follows:

90% road/bike path commuting 12 miles
5% gravel trail biking
5% travelling by train to Chicago to bike there

SInce I will only be using the folding aspect 5% of the time ( when I go to Chicago ), should I get the cheaper boardwalk $180 plus a cheap full-size touring bike for $150? Or is this $320 Dahon D7 good enough for what I need . I would rather have one bike rather than mantain and house two bikes. Anything else I should be looking at for under $350 ?

I think you will find that having more than one bike is always best (unless space is a consideration). The chief reason is for breakdown/maintenance reasons i.e. one bike breaks down and you use one when the other gets repaired. A lot of us started out with one or two bikes then expanded as needs warranted.

I, for example, have a folder for portability, a commuter, a rainy day commuter (w/fenders) and a comfort/hybrid that has a child carrier in the back to take my daughter places.

duke-
i was where you were last year....it was a toss-up between the Dahon 26' Espresso and the D7, but when I realized how well the 20" wheel base rode, I ended up getting the Dahon Speed D7 (the cobalt blue '06 model, not the pea soup green '07) . Although the '07 model has the adjustable handlebar height and a few other little enhancements, I just couldn't get past the pea soup green color. I ended up getting the best price at www.brandcycle.com ($290 which included tax and next day shipping). Good luck.

lol
I actually have one cobalt blue 06 left over ..... besides pea green ones ..lol

The cheaper Boardwalk only has one speed, IIRC. So if 90% of what you do is flat, that will work out OK. It will be a little easier to maintain, by the way.

If you think you will encounter any hills or wind, though, I'd go for a D7 or another model with multiple gears.

brakemeister- I may have asked you this before (so I apologize), but how much would it cost for me to convert the fixed handlebar shaft on my '06 D7 to the adjustable version on the '07? Basically, I'd be looking for someone to ship everything to me so I could just pop it on myself with no major tool work, if that's possible. Thanks...

brakemeister- I may have asked you this before (so I apologize), but how much would it cost for me to convert the fixed handlebar shaft on my '06 D7 to the adjustable version on the '07? Basically, I'd be looking for someone to ship everything to me so I could just pop it on myself with no major tool work, if that's possible. Thanks...

Just in case Thor is busy, I think that you'd be looking at:
1x Dahon Revolve Stem with quick release top (19.25)
1x Dahon fusion extender Handlepost (49.95)
------
$69.20 (US) + shipping etc.

You can find both at:
http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/accessories/handlebar.htm

I can't guarantee that it is a straight-swap, but I would bet it is with an '06.
From what I've seen, I think '05 and earlier required a little "adjustment" to make it work.

Dahon has a PDF on their website (under Support iirc) on installing/fitting the handlepost.
Unfortunately I can't get to their site just now or I'd provide you the link.
cheers

;)Just in case Thor is busy, I think that you'd be looking at:
1x Dahon Revolve Stem with quick release top (19.25)
1x Dahon fusion extender Handlepost (49.95)
------
$69.20 (US) + shipping etc.

You can find both at:
http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/accessories/handlebar.htm

I can't guarantee that it is a straight-swap, but I would bet it is with an '06.
From what I've seen, I think '05 and earlier required a little "adjustment" to make it work.

Dahon has a PDF on their website (under Support iirc) on installing/fitting the handlepost.
Unfortunately I can't get to their site just now or I'd provide you the link.
cheers


Exactly what I needed.....have a great weekend and thanks again.