Folding Bikes - Dahon Yeah Review.

Hey guys,
Check out my review of the Dahon Yeah:

http://utilitycyclist.blogspot.com/2007/10/good-affordable-folding-bike-review-of.html

I'll try to update this review as I hit mileage milestones as well as when I do major upgrades.

Thanks for the review. Isn't Yeah a Dahon licensee?

--sam

Thanks for the review. Isn't Yeah a Dahon licensee?

--sam

I'm not sure. I picked this up at Camping World and their site still calls it "Yeah Bike by Dahon".

Its not a Dahon, rather it uses technology which Dahon licenses out to other companies.
http://www.dahon.com/technology/license.htm

as far as I know the yeah bikes are built by Dahon

thor

Hey guys,
Check out my review of the Dahon Yeah:

http://utilitycyclist.blogspot.com/2007/10/good-affordable-folding-bike-review-of.html

I'll try to update this review as I hit mileage milestones as well as when I do major upgrades.

Another approuch to simple effective bikes that don't seriously dent the pocket book and is very durable. I went in another direction with my Dahon S1 Boardwalk. I upgraded it with an internal hub gear system that set me back around 200 dollars. But I ended up with a bike that reflects my simple approuch to using a bike-direct and uncluttered. Photos and descriptions follow:

http://www.geocities.com/folder_fanatic/Selection3.html (http://www.geocities.com/folder_fanatic/Selection3.html)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/265095932/in/set-72157594325178229/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/265095932/in/set-72157594325178229/)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/289511360/in/set-72157594461421431/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/289511360/in/set-72157594461421431/)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/289511363/in/set-72157594461421431/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/289511363/in/set-72157594461421431/)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/265102674/in/set-72157594461421431/

Folder Fanatic,

You ought to try some foam hand-grips on your S1. It really cut down on the jarring my hands took with the very hard, stock plastic/rubber ones. Some wrapped, short bar ends also offer me a second hand position, plus some more arm extension (not for everyone I know, as I am 6'3" with a 6'6" arm span).

It was also a really good learning experience regarding how I wanted to set-up my new Bike Friday NWT.

Also, attended a folding Aframe trailer rally weekend before last (we're owners of one - a Chalet) and one member had a new Yeah Bike. Luckily I had my small 120V compressor to pump up his VERY LOW tires and also adjusted his rear dérailleurs so it worked properly. Also got to ride it a bit. Not a bad campground bike at all.

Thanks for the review. Sounds like a good inexpensive alternative. How much did it set you back?

I picked up a 'Dahon' boardwalk single at Performance yesterday. It says 'Dahon licensed technology' on it, so I suppose it is not really a Dahon. In any case, it seems like a pretty good bit of bike for $145 + tax. I would think that it is made in the same factory as the Dahons. A rack and fenders would normally cost $50, it's like getting the bike for $100.

These comments are in response to issues that came up in other posts:
Handling is fine. You can ride no hands and track stand. It is a little goofier than a bigger bike, but it's surprisingly good.
Ride is definitely harsher w/ the small wheels. I don't know what Performance pumped the tires to, so that may not be fair.
Ergonomics feel pretty good to me (5' 9"). It did feel like the seat is too far forward, though. It's adjusted pretty much all the way back on the rails.
I wouldn't want to replace a full size bike w/ this thing, but it seems like it will be fun to travel with, and great to keep in the car.
Wheels were pretty true out of the box and spokes are all tight. Hubs are not real smooth - oh well, not bad for the price.
Frame is plenty stiff for out of saddle single speeding.

Thanks for the review. Sounds like a good inexpensive alternative. How much did it set you back?

I paid $150 for it at Camping World when they had them on sale. I actually bought a membership there, which was around $15. After that and taxes, it ended up being $170 or so.