Folding Bikes - Single speeds

I just bought two of the Dahon single speed bike tonight. I thought these will be great to put in the back of the car when we are traveling. These will be mainly for my wife and I since she is more of a in the park rider. I can now add another bike to my sign off.

I received my Dahon single speed yesterday and have been putting to good use right out of the box. Where did you order from?

There are a couple things that I found to be less than satisfactory on the bike. The plastic mudguards were warped and bent right out of the box and rubbed against the wheel (lucky I have no real need for them). I suspect that because these bikes are actually a few years old the warping is just from sitting in the box for a extended period of time.

The coaster brake is a joke and significantly inhibited wheel rotation on my bike. You could literally feel the drag of the coaster brake when you rode. I ended up disassembeling the rear hub, pulling the coaster brake and pawls off the wheel, and putting it back together again....problem solved. I will most likely upgrade the wheels to some sealed hub BMX wheels soon so having non-sealed hubs at the moment doesn't bother me.

I think you will really like this bike. To me it feels like riding something like a cross between a mountain bike and beach cruiser and is very comfortable. The gearing is spot on in my opinion (I think 16/42) so you can keep good speed without any problem but still have the gearing to get up most hills. The steel definately provides a smooth ride.

I have taken the bike on rough roads and hard packed trails and the bike has done well on both.

Good luck and have fun!!!

I received my Dahon single speed yesterday and have been putting to good use right out of the box. Where did you order from?

There are a couple things that I found to be less than satisfactory on the bike. The plastic mudguards were warped and bent right out of the box and rubbed against the wheel (lucky I have no real need for them). I suspect that because these bikes are actually a few years old the warping is just from sitting in the box for a extended period of time.

The coaster brake is a joke and significantly inhibited wheel rotation on my bike. You could literally feel the drag of the coaster brake when you rode. I ended up disassembeling the rear hub, pulling the coaster brake and pawls off the wheel, and putting it back together again....problem solved. I will most likely upgrade the wheels to some sealed hub BMX wheels soon so having non-sealed hubs at the moment doesn't bother me.

I think you will really like this bike. To me it feels like riding something like a cross between a mountain bike and beach cruiser and is very comfortable. The gearing is spot on in my opinion (I think 16/42) so you can keep good speed without any problem but still have the gearing to get up most hills. The steel definately provides a smooth ride.

I have taken the bike on rough roads and hard packed trails and the bike has done well on both.

Good luck and have fun!!!


I have to assume that you both bought Dahon Boardwalk S1 models. That was my first folder and I still have it today after over 4 years. I did change it from a single speed to a Stumey-Archer AW 3 speed hub, plus changed the rear brake to a hand powered one. To see it see the Flickr links below:

The Evolution Of My Folding Bicycles set:

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

Gateway To Hollywood

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/)

Let's Do Lunch!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/265102648/in/set-72157594325178229/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/265102648/in/set-72157594325178229/)

Under The Table-Another View

http://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/265095957/in/set-72157594325178229/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/265095957/in/set-72157594325178229/)

Plus the other listing below: