How does a Dahon Vitesse D7 fold down?

[v6v6v6]

I was at a local bike shop yesterday checking out the Vitesse and couldn't figure out how to fold it down. The staff there didn't know either. The handlebars folded in between the wheels and the magnets wouldn't touch. From what I can tell from Dahon's website, it looks like that the correct way.

http://www.dahon.com/images/bikes/large/folded/vitessed7-us.jpg

On my Mu SL, the handlebars fold outside the wheels and the magnets stick without a problem.

Would someone confirm this?

[jur]

You have to loosen the handlepost height adjust QR and get the bars below the wheel's axel when folded down.

[v6v6v6]

You have to loosen the handlepost height adjust QR and get the bars below the wheel's axel when folded down. Ah thanks. Sounds like it has a thinner profile than the Mu.

[v6v6v6]

Went back to the shop today to try it out again. It wasn't easy at all. Two problems the staff and I came across: 1) There's a very small window of play when adjusting the handlepost height--it has to be perfectly set. Too much and the handle touches the group, too little and handlebar hits the frame. 2) We had to tuck one of the cables underneath the kickstand while holding aside the others so they weren't in the way of the magnets. Neither of these are easy as you try to balance the bike while it's semi-folded.

Are we doing something wrong? I just watched the Novara Buzz Flyby video which seemed to use the same folding style and it was very quick.

Note: 3 of the 4 shops I've come across so far that sell Dahon bikes only had 1 Dahon in stock and don't seem to have intimate knowledge of them.

[foldingfolder]

Went back to the shop today to try it out again. It wasn't easy at all. Two problems the staff and I came across: 1) There's a very small window of play when adjusting the handlepost height--it has to be perfectly set. Too much and the handle touches the group, too little and handlebar hits the frame. 2) We had to tuck one of the cables underneath the kickstand while holding aside the others so they weren't in the way of the magnets. Neither of these are easy as you try to balance the bike while it's semi-folded.

Are we doing something wrong? I just watched the Novara Buzz Flyby video which seemed to use the same folding style and it was very quick.

Note: 3 of the 4 shops I've come across so far that sell Dahon bikes only had 1 Dahon in stock and don't seem to have intimate knowledge of them.

The trick with this folding procedure is simply> practice.
On the get go, it seems complicated... but once you have folded them a few times and learn how it all fits together, then really, you can accomplish the "15 second" folding time.
I'm at the point now that it's like second nature. (and about 10 second folding time)

[meat toothpaste]

The Dahon's are easy to fold down, amoung the easiest. The shop staff just needs to read the directions and not assume. It can be awkward the first couple of times, but after that it's gravy.

The frame hinge on the main "top tube" is cleverly designed.

Here's a youtube video that shows it pretty well

http://youtube.com/watch?v=m6zR8iHK4eA

One of the key things to do is make sure that the handlebars are below the axle when folded, this way the magnets can connect. Pay close attention to this on the video, you'll notice that his handlebars happen to already be like so, but the bike at the sop might need to be adjusted. Also, you can rotate the bars too with the quickrelease stem design to angle the brake levers upwards to create a thinner profile. All this will make sense if the bike happens to be in front you, reading it might sound confusing I have to admit.

[v6v6v6]

Here's a youtube video that shows it pretty well

http://youtube.com/watch?v=m6zR8iHK4eA The only difference I notice on the bike in the video is that it doesn't have the handlepost adjustment which seems the toughest part to me. Because if that's not in the perfect position, then magnets won't touch. But I'll take foldingfolder's advice and just practice (well, not me but my wife). Thanks!

Oh, and a couple guys over at the Dahon boards mentioned marking the height with a marker--good idea.