First off, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond to my various questions over the last few months.:)
I called into a bike dealer on Saturday in order to check out some Bromptons (M and S –Type) and get some prices for my Sister who lives in Germany and wants a folding bike….
While there I spotted a bike that I’d only ever seen in brochures or online…. namely a Dahon MU SL (2008) so I took that for a test… granted I could feel the road more through those skinny racing slicks but what a nice bike!:D Very light @ 19.4 lbs (10lbs less than my current folder) and it will give me the extra 30 + gear inches that I really need. The bike was up @ £799.99 but I have been able to find the bike from another dealer for £674.99, just need to wait a week or so. He has the 2007 version in stock @ £639.99, but I prefer the 2008 colour and I hear the hinge clamp is better.
I know I have said previously how much I like the R+M Birdy Speed but with recent price increases it is now £1,559… the Birdy IS a very nice bike but I don’t think it is worth the extra £884! …. and at that sort of money I could get another folder as well.
Having now test ridden 3 Bromptons I would like a 2 speed S-Type (in raw lacquer)… although this being the UK I can easily pick up a Brompton from e-bay and have some fun modifying it.
Oh and my Sister is on her way to buy a (pink) Dahon Curve D3 this afternoon so that’s someone I’ve converted to the fold.
Regards
Paul.
msincredible
04-21-08, 09:59 AM
Congratulations! Don't forget to post up pics when your bike comes in. :D
nekohime
04-21-08, 10:21 AM
First off, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond to my various questions over the last few months.:)
I called into a bike dealer on Saturday in order to check out some Bromptons (M and S –Type) and get some prices for my Sister who lives in Germany and wants a folding bike….
While there I spotted a bike that I’d only ever seen in brochures or online…. namely a Dahon MU SL (2008) so I took that for a test… granted I could feel the road more through those skinny racing slicks but what a nice bike!:D Very light @ 19.4 lbs (10lbs less than my current folder) and it will give me the extra 30 + gear inches that I really need. The bike was up @ £799.99 but I have been able to find the bike from another dealer for £674.99, just need to wait a week or so. He has the 2007 version in stock @ £639.99, but I prefer the 2008 colour and I hear the hinge clamp is better.
I know I have said previously how much I like the R+M Birdy Speed but with recent price increases it is now £1,559… the Birdy IS a very nice bike but I don’t think it is worth the extra £884! …. and at that sort of money I could get another folder as well.
Having now test ridden 3 Bromptons I would like a 2 speed S-Type (in raw lacquer)… although this being the UK I can easily pick up a Brompton from e-bay and have some fun modifying it.
Oh and my Sister is on her way to buy a (pink) Dahon Curve D3 this afternoon so that’s someone I’ve converted to the fold.
Regards
Paul.
Darn it, I want the pink Curve D3! But not available in the US, boo. :(
mulleady
04-21-08, 12:06 PM
The Dahon MU SL is a very nice looking bike indeed PDR. Good prices you have got hold of too! Perfect fold/ light carry plus speed/agility trade-offs. Good luck with the purchase. A Brompton would be a nice complement for some situations too. Agree about Birdy, lovely lovely bike but so outrageously priced. Having said that I cannot fathom how AtoB magazine managed to rubbish the Birdy in a November 2006 review but that's AtoB isn't it? Nothing exists but the great British Brompton lol.
The Dahon D3 is a great price, fold and ride. Your sis will love it. The Foldinitis pandemic continues to spread. For the first time in history, there exists a virus that the WHO should encourage to spread :-D
i
mulleady
04-21-08, 12:11 PM
Darn it, I want the pink Curve D3! But not available in the US, boo. :(
Nekohime the Dahon D3 is perfect for you. Great little bike. Although not pink there is a very pretty D3 going on eBay US with 2 days left. See:
Always best to use a bidsniper if you are tempted to bid! www.justsnipe.com (http://www.justsnipe.com) gives you free bid snipes every week. I've used it many times, very useful.
The pink one is available for a good price on http://www.foldingbikes.co.uk/dahon_curve_d3.htm at US kinda price and they do international shipping rates on request. The issue is what the rate would be and US customs charges. it's worth trying Dahon US offices to see if they can source otherwise.
pm124
04-21-08, 01:05 PM
If it has the fatter Kojak tires on it, you can run them a little lower on PSI to reduce road shock. Or you can stand and bend your knees when you hit rough patches.
Please report on how well the bike holds up, how the new hinge works and looks, and how stiff the stem is. These were some of the weak points of the Mu before, but it sounds like they might have been addressed. Dahons are a great price, and if they have fixed the quality issues, great bikes. Of course, the quality issues don't matter so much for the curve, since they really only become apparent with very heavy use.
Does anyone know if the Mu is a Chinese or Taiwanese made bike?
pm124
04-21-08, 01:21 PM
If it has the fatter Kojak tires on it, you can run them a little lower on PSI to reduce road shock. Or you can stand and bend your knees when you hit rough patches.
Please report on how well the bike holds up, how the new hinge works and looks, and how stiff the stem is. These were some of the weak points of the Mu before, but it sounds like they might have been addressed. Dahons are a great price, and if they have fixed the quality issues, great bikes. Of course, the quality issues don't matter so much for the curve, since they really only become apparent with very heavy use.
Does anyone know if the Mu is a Chinese or Taiwanese made bike?