Question for the Dahon Genius

[pismocycleguy]

Is there a non-suspension fork available for the 2007 Dahon Smooth Hound. I would like to replace the suspension fork on my Smooth Hound. I notice that the Hammerhead, and the 2008 Smooth Hound are spec'd from the factory with non-suspension forks. If this item exists, please provide the Dahon part number, and/or the source for ordering this item.
Thanks
PCG

[14R]

Chances are slightly higher to find the Dahon Genius if you go to the Dahon message board by clicking here (http://www.dahon.com/forum/index.php).

Good luck (here or there).

14R

[blovejoy53]

Is there a non-suspension fork available for the 2007 Dahon Smooth Hound. I would like to replace the suspension fork on my Smooth Hound. I notice that the Hammerhead, and the 2008 Smooth Hound are spec'd from the factory with non-suspension forks...
Thanks
PCG


PCG,

I like the idea a lot! But from what I have seen in other posts (including ones on the Dahon site), getting some replacement parts for Dahon's would seem to be fairly (or unfairly) difficult, especially something like a fork from a newly redesigned model.

I have not kept up on the threads regarding such things on another board, but I wonder what it would take to have a fork custom made. Anyone here ever explored that, and if so, any cost or experience stories?

Thinking out loud....

Bob in cold and snowy Denver

[4cmd3]

In the interests of continuing your thinking out loud, what about a recumbent fork?

The benefit of the mini-bikes is that they just need a long steertube right?
(unlike the folding Dahon's with the non-standard internally threaded forks)

So do recumbent forks have steer tubes that long? Maybe something custom...
Like a single-sided carbon fork with disc brake while you are at it. ;)

PS. I pointed out in the Dahon forum that theoretically swapping in the 2008 fork seems to alter the geometry.

[invisiblehand]

In the interests of continuing your thinking out loud, what about a recumbent fork?

Will a recumbent fork have the right spacing for the front hub? I guess you could swap the wheel/hub too.

[brakemeister]

lol I was snowed in CHicago .... actually I was on a sailboat show with a Dahon booth and I couldnt make it back on SUnday night due to snow and stupid drivers on the road..... so I just made a left turn and satyed a night longer...

Thats an interesting thought..... please contact me offlist
thorsten@thorusa.com
and I will find out if it is technically possible and than how we can get a fork for you .. Keep in mind that there is not ONE of those 08 bikes made yet, and not one bike is available here in the US at thais time. I suspect top see the fisrst minibikes rolling in to April

Thanks Thor

[pismocycleguy]

In the interests of continuing your thinking out loud, what about a recumbent fork?

The benefit of the mini-bikes is that they just need a long steertube right?
(unlike the folding Dahon's with the non-standard internally threaded forks)

So do recumbent forks have steer tubes that long? Maybe something custom...
Like a single-sided carbon fork with disc brake while you are at it. ;)

PS. I pointed out in the Dahon forum that theoretically swapping in the 2008 fork seems to alter the geometry.

The altered geometry of the bike is hard to calculate from brochure photos. You have to remember that the length of the suspension is greatest in the photo without a rider,(load). Once a rider is aboard the length of the suspension fork is greatly reduced. So we would need to know the median length of the fork when loaded with the average rider's weight.
PCG