I finally took the plunge!!!

[pengyou]

I bought a Dahon Speed today in the Beijing Dahon shop. There is a Dahon shop where I live in Tianjin but the folks running it don't look like they have ridden a bike more than a couple of miles at a time and were always stumped whenever I asked a question that could not be answered from their brochure.

I rode it from the train station in Tianjin to my home - took a couple of detours as well. Total distance of just under 30 km in...well, not any record breaking speed. The bike handled really well although there is an idiosyncrasy to getting started with this bike, as there is with most small wheel bikes. You have to be really careful which direction the front wheel is pointed in. I rode through puddles, over cobblestone type roads, pitted roads with pot holes and smooth freshly paved roads. The bike did well in all circumstances. I really love the shifting mechanism. It is so smooth and crisp that I don't even have to think about whether the bike has dropped into the right gear or not.

The only thing that has to go....the seat sucks big time. My seat is rather sore right now - of course part of the reason is that this is the first time I have ridden a bike for more than 8 km in a long, long time.

For those of you who are Dahon owners/lovers can you recommend a good seat? Better yet some websites that will educate me on how to choose a seat. I realize too that riding position could be a factor.

All in all...I am one happy biker :)

Thanks to all of you who have persevered through numerous (and often probably stupid) questions to help me get educated.

[Foldable Two]

For those of you who are Dahon owners/lovers can you recommend a good seat? Better yet some websites that will educate me on how to choose a seat. I realize too that riding position could be a factor.



Congratulations!

Seat choice is strictly a personal preference. I have stock seats on both my Dahon and Bike Friday and find them very comfortable. (They are very similar models.)

However, for longer rides (over 20 miles = 18 km) I would recommend padded bike shorts.

[pengyou]

Thanks! How about gel pads for seats? shock-absorber thingies to mount between the seat post and the seat? I have looked at my seat very closely and I honestly can't imagine it ever being adequate for any ride...but then again I am used to riding the wide, plush seat of an electric bicycle.

[v6v6v6]

Congrats pengyou!

I don't mean to take this too far off-topic, but I've found that I spend a lot of time OFF the saddle when I'm riding through town. Stopping at intersections, maneuvering, climbing, speeding up... but since you've been on an electric bike, I can see how you're used to sitting all the time. Maybe give the stock seat some time to break in.

[Dynocoaster]

I know the Brooks saddle has been recommended many times but it takes a bit of riding to break in. Congrats on the new folder.