Bought my 2007 Curve SL 5 speed in July 07 and almost exactly 1 year later I hit 2000 miles.

This bike has been used mainly for commuting 12 miles round trip to work, riding into town for errands and some pleasure rides. I've also taken it with me on some trips in the car and used it to explore the countryside. It has not been on a plane yet, but will be soon.

Longest ride, I believe was 50 miles, with quite a few rides over 30 miles.

Top speed: 43 MPH down a pretty steep hill with lots of run out. It handled it very well.

Did not ride this bike during the winter, because they don't have 16 inch studded tires, I rode my cannodale MTB with studs instead when the roads were icy.

This bike is folded at least once per day and stored under a desk at work. I carry it up two flights of stairs and the weight it quite managable.

Never had a flat in the front tire but have probably had about 5-10 on the rear (on my second tube). Aside from a freak tire slash the first day I got my bike, I'm still on the original tires (rear tire had to be replaced at basically mile zero).

Items replaced. The chain was replaced at about 1500 mile, sad to see the pretty rustbuster go.

Went through 1 set of brake pads. Changed the stock velvet seat for a Kore I-beam, my only complaint with the velvet was that the nose was a little too short. The Kore is harder but longer, and suprisingly it is very comfortable and much lighter.

Modifications: Had to put on an adjustable stem for increased reach at the beginning. I modified it so that I can fold it very fast, and has held up great and makes the bike extremely comfortable and I think it provides better control. Added a carbon handle bar and barends. That's about it, everything else is pretty much stock.

Added an MKS chain tensioner. These are SOOO nice, no more fiddling with the chain tension, just set it with the tensioner and tighten the bolts. I love this thing but it sure was expensive for what it was ($20 for one).

The best brake pads for this bike I have found are cartrige insert V-brake pads with Kool-stop inserts (avid is the brand I believe). These allow you to set them up perfect then replacement is simple without haveing to readjust. These are worth it, many brake pads are hard to fit onto the small rims especially with the big apples. In the future, I think I'm going to go exlusively with the Salmon pads (have been using black). Hopefully the softer compound will help the rim last longer (see following).

Problems: Seat post is the biggest I think. It is a tolerance stacking issue. The post is a little small and requires a lot of adjustment to get it tight without making a noise (I've added shims). On a regular bike this would never be noticed, but with a folder that gets the seat moved up and down daily it requires more attention. More of a nuisance rather than a problem.

The hinges of course need periodic adjustment. The handlepost is usually adjust about every month or so, and the frame hindge has been adjusted twice.

I took the hub apart at 1500 miles because the wet grimy spring weather was making it sound funny. The interior of the hub was very clean, but the outer more exposed parts needed cleaning and relubing. It's running good now, but was very tricky to service and takes precise adjustments to get it running smoothly.

I believe right at 2000 miles I felt a bump in the rear brake, the rim is beginning to bulge. The back rim is starting to wear out from braking and needs to be replaced. This has been quite a common occurance for me, I've gone through three back rims all about the same reason. One on my 26" MTB, one on my Dahon Speed pro, and this one. I think they have all lasted about the same amount of time. It will be interesting to see if the softer brake pads help, would rather change pads than rims.

Bottom line, this bike is just fun, I enjoy riding it everytime I get on it, and it's fast too. I love my Curve SL and I think the gears are great for fairly steep hills and spinning (fast cadence) at 30 mph. So pretty versitile all around. I would not trade the hub for a heavier eight speed personally (I wouldn't mind trying the SRAM spectro P5 though).

Looking at the 2008 SL, I'm glad I've got this one. It has the potential to be much lighter. I like the idea of the hindge on the 08, but haven't had problems with the 07. I do like the stiffer handlepost on the 08 though.

I sure wish dahon still offered a 5 speed Curve (Curve SL5 anyone ?) in the $600 price range in my opinion it it would fit very nicely in the line up.

See you all at 4000 :D.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/vanloch/Curve%20SL/curvesl2000mi001.jpg
There she is. I use nashbar clipless pedals, they are on another bike right now (testing something) but will soon be back on the curve.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/vanloch/Curve%20SL/curvesl2000mi002.jpg
MKS chain tensioner, so nice.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/vanloch/Curve%20SL/curvesl2000mi003.jpg
Cockpit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/vanloch/Curve%20SL/curvesl2000mi004.jpg
Cartrige brake pads work the best.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/vanloch/Curve%20SL/curvesl2000mi005.jpg
Front BA tire. 2000 mi.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/vanloch/Curve%20SL/curvesl2000mi006.jpg
Rear tire 2000 mi.

Allow me to comment on some of your comments: :)


The hinges of course need periodic adjustment. The handlepost is usually adjust about every month or so, and the frame hindge has been adjusted twice.Current Dahon hinges have this tendency because none of the screws are positively retained. These therefore have to be held in place with Loctite. This should stop the dangerous tendency for hinges and latches to work loose. I very strongly recommend this.

I believe right at 2000 miles I felt a bump in the rear brake, the rim is beginning to bulge. The back rim is starting to wear out from braking and needs to be replaced. This has been quite a common occurance for me, I've gone through three back rims all about the same reason. One on my 26" MTB, one on my Dahon Speed pro, and this one. I think they have all lasted about the same amount of time. It will be interesting to see if the softer brake pads help, would rather change pads than rims.

Back wheels get lots of road dirt sprayed on to them, dust in the dry and grinding paste in the wet. This plays havoc with rim and brake pad longevity. I have stopped altogether using rear brakes for this reason (except in emergencies). The front brakes and rims stay much cleaner and last a lot longer. And braking power mostly come from the front brakes anyway. So this is something you can do at no cost to drastically increase rim and pad life. Instead of several 1000mi, you're basically looking at permanent use. I now have about 12,000km on my Raleigh 20's rims (and rear pads!). The rear one has essentially stopped wearing. On my Mini, I have about 3000km and the rear rims still look like new.

Bottom line, this bike is just fun, I enjoy riding it everytime I get on it, and it's fast too. I love my Curve SL and I think the gears are great for fairly steep hills and spinning (fast cadence) at 30 mph. So pretty versitile all around. I would not trade the hub for a heavier eight speed personally (I wouldn't mind trying the SRAM spectro P5 though).

I have a 5 speed Dahon 20' inch bike and it's all I really need. It's incredible how people really believe more is better when it is just the opposite. I like the Sturmey Archer 3 speed but the 5 Speed allows me to travel in areas where hill would be murder on a AW-3.

I found the 5 speed was geared too high but this was easily resolved by buying a larger cog. I ride mostly in 4th gear giving me 3 low gears overall. I LOVE that first gear because it's actually as low as my touring bike.

Anyway, I think Dahon went for the 8 speed hub because the 5 speed costs almost as much and people think they're getting more value.

Allow me to comment on some of your comments: :)

Current Dahon hinges have this tendency because none of the screws are positively retained. These therefore have to be held in place with Loctite. This should stop the dangerous tendency for hinges and latches to work loose. I very strongly recommend this.


I have stopped altogether using rear brakes for this reason (except in emergencies). The front brakes and rims stay much cleaner and last a lot longer. And braking power mostly come from the front brakes anyway. So this is something you can do at no cost to drastically increase rim and pad life.

Just got around to loctiting my main hindge at the second adjustment. I still haven't bothered with the handlpost hindge. Really, the hindges have never "worked loose" or become dangerous in anyway, it's just part of folding bike maintenance. One of these days I'll get some loctite on the handlepost.

Wow, no rear brake. :eek: Sorry, I'll try the salmons first. :D I've endoed too many times in my MTB days, I'm conditioned to always gently apply the rear brake.

Dahon.Steve: Makes sense. Wonder what caused the nearly $300 price increase in the 08 SL.

Thanks for the review, what did you do with the ezy pedals?

Thanks for the review, what did you do with the ezy pedals?

They are on my wife's Mu P8.

I was wondering how light this bike would be as a single speed?

nice looking bike, i can see that youve done 2000 miles by looking at the tyres and dust on it :D :roflmao2:

nice looking bike, i can see that youve done 2000 miles by looking at the types and dust on it :D :roflmao2:

Ya, I had to leave all that on there or nobody would believe me! :D