Folding Bikes - The saga continues!

Alongside the smash and grab raid of a Moulton TSR by Sesame at the weekend, I actually bought his special edition Dahon Helios XX which weighs in at under 8kg. Only 300 o these were made on limited edition in 2004. I bought it on impulse and curiosity more than anything. She's a light speedy beauty and folds quite small but doesn't quite suit my needs. So I'm going to sell her on in the UK if anyone is interested.

I'm looking to consolidate to 2 main folders consisting of my raw lacquer Brompton and one other. I'm also going to sell on my upgraded Downtube FS (See http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=433020&highlight=upgraded+downtube)

I'm now looking for the ultimate compromise bike with 20" wheels. I want it to be fairly lightweight, fast, capable of riding a 20 mile each way commute into London on occasion and finally sometimes on canal trails which can be pebbly or slightly rough and muddy.

I have test rode the Dahon Mu SL again today and felt it might work with a change of tyres to Schwalbe Marathon or Marathon Racers. I liked the ride and rigidity. The Jetstream P8 is also a contender but I'm wondering would it be much slower than the SL. Not into the Birdy but do love the Tikit.

Or am I mad to sell the Helios XX lol?

Decisions decisions!

Good God man! You have Sesamecrunch fly a rare, impossible to find folding bike over here from Sunny California, and you're ready to sell it before the week is even out? I would spend a little more time with a bike that's travelled so far, if I was you. You may never see another one.

There's really no point to a Tikkit if you have a Brompton - if you want a 20" BF, why not got for a New World Tourist? Of course, a Moulton Dual Pylon would be nice....

Just curious, what do you have against the Birdy?

Winstanley's have the XX at 1800 pounds, none in stock, but avialble in 1-2 days. I think SammyBoy is right, if you dont like the Birdy, then look at some bike Friday's, one of the lesser Moutons, or an Arnimal.

Good God man! You have Sesamecrunch fly a rare, impossible to find folding bike over here from Sunny California, and you're ready to sell it before the week is even out? I would spend a little more time with a bike that's travelled so far, if I was you. You may never see another one.

There's really no point to a Tikkit if you have a Brompton - if you want a 20" BF, why not got for a New World Tourist? Of course, a Moulton Dual Pylon would be nice....

Mulleady is a masher extraordinaire. He has extremely strong legs and his riding style is to punish the pedals, not spin them. I must concur that the Helios frame is not stiff enough to keep him happy.

Had I known of his Frankencalfs before, I would have dissuaded him from the Helios too. Given the recent prices of Helios sales on eBay, he'll probably wind up in good shape on this deal.

I think mulleady has to decide what he likes better, mud ... or beer that looks like mud.

For riding on a rutted, muddy canal road, I'd choose an Airnimal Joey Explore. If I were taking the bike into the pub, it would be the Brompton P-type, to improve my chances of keeping a grip on the bars on the way home.

Regards
T

Mulleady is a masher extraordinaire. He has extremely strong legs and his riding style is to punish the pedals, not spin them. I must concur that the Helios frame is not stiff enough to keep him happy.

Had I known of his Frankencalfs before, I would have dissuaded him from the Helios too. Given the recent prices of Helios sales on eBay, he'll probably wind up in good shape on this deal.

Cheeky bugger lol! My legs are not Franken like! The girls don't complain :P and Stevegor eat your heart out :D Yes I put a lot of torque on the pedals but don't agree that I have a lower cadence, I can spin at high rates too on my Brompton. However when I accelerate at short notice thats when the bike probably gets the torque.

I have the Brommie Timo and absolutely love it. Mud is good for you and so is Guinness by the way ;) I like a variety of beers and wine but never to get drunk lol.

The Birdy as raised by Jur and Somna?

Well I actually think its a great bike but I believe Dahon have raised the quality of their high-end bikes in recent years. People say Bromptons are overpriced to some degree and I don't contest that but so is the Birdy. I can get a 24 speed Dahon Speed TR for £650. Is the Birdy touring worth double the money? I test rode the TR today and a very capable bike with excellent gearing.

Having said that I think the Birdy in anthracite is one gorgeous bike and the fold is not bad. Havig bought the Brommie its just outside my price range at the moment thats all.

I would hold on to the Helios because of its rarity. I would put it away and forget about it. For a second bike, MU P8 , reasonably priced so you can hot rod it and nice style.

I would hold on to the Helios because of its rarity. I would put it away and forget about it. For a second bike, MU P8 , reasonably priced so you can hot rod it and nice style.

Hi Dyno thanks for advice. Do you mean in terms of value appreciation. I love folding bikes for over a year now but not so much a collector. Like to use them!

Hi Dyno thanks for advice. Do you mean in terms of value appreciation. I love folding bikes for over a year now but not so much a collector. Like to use them!

Yeah ... collecting things can be cool, but I prefer to actually ride the beasts!

:speedy:

I have the gut feeling that folding bikes won't become real collectors' items like old Colnagos do. The market is limited and best when the bikes are still current and appreciated. So holding on to it may not get what you want, ie appreciated value.

Just an opinion. :)

Sorry, sometimes you sell something and then wish you had it back, and because of its rarity this one would probably be hard to find again. I cant think of any folders as collector items.

I would hold on to the Helios because of its rarity. I would put it away and forget about it. For a second bike, MU P8 , reasonably priced so you can hot rod it and nice style.

I just sold an Olympia Cremina lever espresso machine in perfect condition, in order to buy a Swift. I really wanted a steel Swift but the folks in Oregon never returned my calls or emails (maybe they're not making them any longer?) and Peter estimated a 60-day wait for an aluminum frame with an Alfine hub, so I bought the stock model from Xootr ... but I am cheered by the prospect of a steel Swallowtail. What is the scuttlebut on its ETA?

Regards
T

The alfine hub on the Swift sounded a tempting prospect, shame about the long wait though.

The Swallowtail is a Swift vaporbike. It has been promised "in September" several times, over the past years. Some examples exist but Reich does not seem to have a disciplined approach to marketing. I think we'll be lucky if we ever see this product.

The Swallowtail is a Swift vaporbike. It has been promised "in September" several times, over the past years. Some examples exist but Reich does not seem to have a disciplined approach to marketing. I think we'll be lucky if we ever see this product.


I've only spoken to Peter once, and have had a brief email exchange as well, and my impression is that he "has his act together" in a very mellow mode. The 1960s idiom would be "he has his sh*t together" but would make an awful MBA. Impatient consumers create no blips on that laid-back man's radar. He may also be preoccupied with the so-called gentrification of his workshop...the razing of industrial buildings to make way for high-rise condominiums. One gathers crumbs of info here and there.

Anyway, now that I have an alu Swift, I can wait for a steel Swallowtail. As I've mentioned before, I hope it has an eccentric bottom bracket.

Regards
T

i second dynocaster's opinion on the Mu P8. i had the same requirements for a bike, something that is reasonably foldy yet could take on the miles, too. i'm happy to say it's fulfilled both admirably. i've ridden 30+ miles (50 kms) quite comfortably on it yet it folds compactly enough to carry in hardside suitcase on the airlines. it is a bit heavy, though.

happy pedaling.

** mp **

Does anyone know that dahon cadenza has eccentric BB shell? I was very surprised to know that.. :]

Does anyone know that dahon cadenza has eccentric BB shell? I was very surprised to know that.. :]

Yes indeed, on the 2008 you can run an internal hub with disc brake on the rear wheel, and there's no need for a chain tensioner.

Regards
T

The Swallowtail is a Swift vaporbike. It has been promised "in September" several times, over the past years. Some examples exist but Reich does not seem to have a disciplined approach to marketing. I think we'll be lucky if we ever see this product.

He first told me about it when we met in May 2002. I was excited about it then and would love to see it make it to production, but along with Jur I wouldn't suggest holding your breath.

Peter is a really nice guy and seemed to live a simple lifestyle that allowed him to concentrate on the bikes. It's great to see all of the success that the Swift Folder has had... when I bought my bike in 2000 or 2001 I didn't expect it to become such a popular product. On the other hand items are slow to come to market and the website is many years out of date.

alex

The Swallowtail is a Swift vaporbike. It has been promised "in September" several times, over the past years.

A March 19th introduction would be better ... when the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano. :)

Regards
T