Folding Bikes - The real reason I chose the Dahon Jack over the Dahon Speed

We travel a lot for work. I wanted to be able to also ride mountain bike trails, when traveling. This past weekend, I went to 'Shakertown' (AKA The Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, KY). There was an antique show going on, that my wife wanted to attend. They have ~4300 acres, with 29 miles of multi-use trails, many of which mountain bikes are allowed to ride on – (some are small foot-paths, and for hiking only). Here is their map: http://www.shakervillageky.org/i/downloads/Trails_of_SV.pdf

So last week, I bought some meaty tires, Panaracer Fire XC Pro ($35/each, ouch). These tires are very wide and thick. I mounted them on the Jack, folded it up and I was ready to go. Hey, these tires are well worth the money - they were all over these trails and I had more 'confidence' with them.

I rode about eight miles, according to my GPS - if you don’t know, eight miles on a hilly MTB trail is a lot tougher than riding on the road. A deer jumped out in front of me on one trail. I had a great time, and my Dahon Jack had no problems at all. Looking forward to my next work trip.

Folders rock!

sweetness, nice pics.

It's a good looking bike, the Jack. Pleased to see it does the job.

I'm considering buying a Jack (out of a few other options)

Would you be willing to answer a few questions?
1. Is the gear inches range (7 speed only) on the Jack a problem?
2. Did you try the Big Apple tires on the road (commuting)? Are they ok?
3. Is removing the handle bars/front wheel necessary for portability?
4. Are there mounting holes near the rear hub for something like a panier?
5. Is the folding mechanism fast/safe/stable?
6. How are the brakes? Lack of a suspension?

Thanks in advance for your time/input.

I'm considering buying a Jack (out of a few other options)

Would you be willing to answer a few questions?
1. Is the gear inches range (7 speed only) on the Jack a problem?
2. Did you try the Big Apple tires on the road (commuting)? Are they ok?
3. Is removing the handle bars/front wheel necessary for portability?
4. Are there mounting holes near the rear hub for something like a panier?
5. Is the folding mechanism fast/safe/stable?
6. How are the brakes? Lack of a suspension?

Thanks in advance for your time/input.

1-I think the 7 are fine, I ride mostly on city and suburban streets though, no off-road stuff
2-haven't tried it
3-no, but you can loosen the screw and turn the handles, which can help fit the jack into tight spots
4-do not know, not a bike pro, someone with more info needed for this one
5-yes, I have folded the bike many times to fit into my closet or car trunk and no issues
6-brakes work pretty well I think, and as far as a the ride, its good but to ensure I can still use the family jewels I do stand up when I see a typical Manhattan pothole coming at me...

The photos remind me of why I continue to cycle as I grow older, especially the pic that looks temptingly down that wandering path, makes me want to disappear for a few weeks and discover new and exciting pootles on the Raleigh 20 or the tandem or the MTB and the BoB trailer....or

@iamconfounded - I was lurking on the Dahon forum yesterday, I believe there are rear lugs for mounting racks,, the handlebar 'fold' appears to be slightly different on 2005+ bikes - undo two screws at the rear of the stem and lift the bars off. Later bikes lose the suspension seat post and gain a Biologic pump post (or in the UK a Bel-Air/SDG) specs are different in the EU , so do check. Big Apples are highly regarded in urban environments, and give a compliant ride. They're probably one reason Dahon ditched the suspension seatpost on later bikes, which also got a frame re-design.

The cheaper (UK) Espresso has the same frame, 21 gears, higher stem and riser bars to give a sitting up position, curved (non-MTB style forks) and skinny road tires. Remarks from owners with both are that the Espresso is a more traditional upright ride, whereas the black-painted Jack is an 'urban assault vehicle'. Either could be easily converted to other duties, but the Jack has those MTB style straight forks.

I'm tempted to get an Espresso for the 21 gear, and fit an MTB stem, knobblies and low bars for modest country pursuits. The Jack is cooler, though , and looks to have different rims and spokes. Cranks are Truvative on the Jack, 'cold-forged' un-named on the Espresso.

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Sue

Thanks, Snafu21 & prtyich! Great overview & thanks for replying to my questions.
I was leaning towards the Matrix but I'm back in the Jack camp for the time being. The Matrix's disc brakes seem to need to be replaced and the LockJaw folding mechanism doesn't seem as stable. But replacing the fork, brakes, shifters, crank, casette, deraillers & wheels/tires seems be an expensive endeavor.

"But replacing the fork, brakes, shifters, crank, casette, deraillers & wheels/tires seems be an expensive endeavor."

It is, I've been down this route before. The Jack would be perfect for me but I'm not a strong cyclist and need the extra gears. So it's the Espresso, and maybe just a stem swap if the bars or too high, or a new folk if I do more muddy stuff. I don't know if bike disk brakes wear unduly, maybe the pads do, but chains and cogs wear, and that's usually been my biggest expense.
Having said that, my 15 year old MTB is at my pal's house, the only thing he's replaced has been the saddle.. I bought it in 1993 and nothing has worn out yet....

I used to ride singletrack on nothing more than 7 speeds with no problems...it's all about your gear range and the shape you are in.

Even with 24 speeds I almost never use the granny or the big ring when I am trailing it.

I used to ride singletrack on nothing more than 7 speeds with no problems...it's all about your gear range and the shape you are in.


Well, that's a kind of broad generalisation.. :)

Not everyone has the same strength, technique, stamina, local terrain, or cadence.

There are gender differences too, thank de Lord, and personal choice. That's why you have 24 speeds on your bike, even if you don't use them.

The Jack seems to be perfect at what it was intended for. More gear (range) extends the functionality of a bike, but at the expense of weight, maintenance, and cost. The last three aren't always desirable.

It is, I've been down this route before. The Jack would be perfect for me but I'm not a strong cyclist and need the extra gears. So it's the Espresso, and maybe just a stem swap if the bars or too high, or a new folk if I do more muddy stuff. I don't know if bike disk brakes wear unduly, maybe the pads do, but chains and cogs wear, and that's usually been my biggest expense.
Having said that, my 15 year old MTB is at my pal's house, the only thing he's replaced has been the saddle.. I bought it in 1993 and nothing has worn out yet....

You have the Espresso? Ah ha! Can you tell me if the gearing range on the top side is really only 89"? That's a tiny range given that it's a 21-speed. Also, would the are the folding pedals double-sided? I heard people complain about the 990-A pedals being single-sided... Also, they look like plastic. Wouldn't plastic + folding be a formula for a weak pedal?

The shorter top tube and higher handle bars may mean that the short gear range(?) and weaker(?) is acceptable for comfort type bike?

"You have the Espresso?"

No. It was supposed to arrive this week, but didn't . I called ye shoppe - their supplier didn't supply. I'm on holiday next week and I just sold my other bike, so now I don't got no street bike. Shop did me a deal on a 2007 Matrix which is fine by me, as they were also out of Jacks.

Gears, I don't know. Pedals, I have on my Hammerhead a pair of MKS FD6 pedals, alloy folding jobs. £25.00 which is a stack of money, really. I also have a pair of alloy/plastic Union pedals bought for £7.00 at my LBS. They rotate more freely and grip much better than the MKS jobs. They weigh about the same. So they go on the new bike, the no-better alloy ones go on the silly bonkers Hammerhead.

"Wouldn't plastic + folding be a formula for a weak pedal?"

We can't call the stuff 'plastic' anymore. The resin they make pedals out of also keeps 747's in the air . Probably.

yeah, I wouldn't mind the 2007 matrix either if I could get it for cheap. Would you post a few words when you do get your new bike? Thanks...

There's resin and sometimes there's just plain plastic: hard for an inexperienced guy like me to tell the difference from a picture. First hand experience like yours is extremely helpful.

If you're in the UK they're here, (http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/index.html?pageTitle=Folding&pageDesc=&action=search&submit=go&maincatID=0&searchtype=catID&quicksearch=816)Espressos at £220, Matrix at £360


I figured that I could easily spend the difference on upgrading the Espresso, although the only part of it I didn't really like was the steel forks. I was swayed by suspension forks and disk brakes too.

Hmmm. But the Jack just looks sexier...

More when/if the bike arrives.