Folding Bikes - Why most folders have fenders?

I notice most folders have fenders/rack, but it is almost impossible to find a full-size touring bike with gears that has that under $300 . The Dahon D7 also throws in nice road tires. Is there a full size bike that offers the same accessories at a similar price?

http://www.dahon.com/images/bikes/standard/speedd7.jpg

Most folders are marketed as commuter bikes and nobody wants to show up to work with a brown stripe up their back. The folders that are performance oriented don't come with fenders or a rack. Note that the performance folders cost more.

http://www.dahon.com/images/bikes/standard/speedp8.jpg

I have a 2007 Dahon D7 and the tires are pretty rubbish. I'll be replacing them with Big Apples first chance I get.

BTW - I can't think of a full size touring bike that I would ride on a serious tour for under $900 and it doesn't come with fenders either. Commuting seems to be the only segment of the bicycle market in North America where people seem to feel fenders have sufficient value that bikes come stock with them.

I got caught in the rain on my folding bike last week and wished I had sprung for the fenders.

Only bikes with fenders were on my short list. I'm using it at work, so 'dirty' is unacceptable.

I notice most folders have fenders/rack, but it is almost impossible to find a full-size touring bike with gears that has that under $300 . The Dahon D7 also throws in nice road tires. Is there a full size bike that offers the same accessories at a similar price?

The Dahon isn't really a touring bike. It is more of a short haul commuter. The Breezer Freedom is similar for $300ish:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/breezer/freedom3.html

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/breezer/images/freedom-d.jpg

It's not so much the stripe up the back, as what's in the soup coming off the front tire. Gives a whole new meaning to s**t eating grin.

Also comes in powder form.

[QUOTE=vik;5966380]
I have a 2007 Dahon D7 and the tires are pretty rubbish. I'll be replacing them with Big Apples first chance I get.
[QUOTE]

What's wrong with the D7 tires, here is what Dahon says about them:

http://www.dahon.com/components/deluxe/roulez.htm

The Dahon isn't really a touring bike. It is more of a short haul commuter. The Breezer Freedom is similar for $300ish:


Seems like the breezer sells for around $460 new . Is there no full size commuting bike under $350 ?

Seems like the breezer sells for around $460 new . Is there no full size commuting bike under $350 ?

Hmmmmmm, I guess not. I wonder why.

Seems like the breezer sells for around $460 new . Is there no full size commuting bike under $350 ?

$120 including the basket. (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/384033434_086927124f_o.jpg) My sole transportation for three years. I loved that bike.

Speedo

What's wrong with the D7 tires, here is what Dahon says about them:

http://www.dahon.com/components/deluxe/roulez.htm

They provide quite a harsh ride given their volume/pressure, they aren't particularly fast or sticky. Your post said Dahon threw in "nice road tires". I'd suggest in stead of buying the bottom of the barrel no-name tire they bought a slightly better, but still underwhelming tire. I've tried a lot of different tires and the stock D7 tires are nothing special.

Having said all that they are an okay choice given the price point, but the cheaper Curve D3 comes with Schwalbe Big Apples which are an excellent choice for a small wheeled folder and what I'll be replacing the stock D7 tires with.

If you have a chance test ride a D7 and Speed TR back to back. The difference between the stock D7 tires and Big Apples will be quiet apparent.

BTW - I wouldn't necessarily believe everything Dahon says about its own products - they have an obvious bias.

They have previously used Kenda Kwest 20" x 1.5" tires on the Boardwalk D7. They are considered fairly decent tires.

The stock tires on my Speed 7 isn't the greatest but it served me well so far. The next set of tires will be Continental Contacts or Schwalbe Marathon + come springtime. And I love the
fenders that came with the Speed 7.