Folding Bikes - pros and cons for fenders and rack (dahon curve d3)

ok since my mind has been made up for the curve d3...what are you guys opinions that i should keep the rack and fenders on or not? i will mostly ride during sunny days....so fender may not be a priority for me...but on the other hand..the rack may come in handful if i need to carry my laptop/work bag, or other stuff...but i hear other the rear rack is not that helpful..is that true. i want to hear some pros and cons so i can decide what to do with my curve d3 once i get it. thx in advance.

ok since my mind has been made up for the curve d3...what are you guys opinions that i should keep the rack and fenders on or not? i will mostly ride during sunny days....so fender may not be a priority for me...but on the other hand..the rack may come in handful if i need to carry my laptop/work bag, or other stuff...but i hear other the rear rack is not that helpful..is that true. i want to hear some pros and cons so i can decide what to do with my curve d3 once i get it. thx in advance.

Just try them out and decide for yourself if you'd rather take them off. They come with the bike, right? Sheesh.

Rear rack:

Pros - you can carry stuff around
Cons - none

Fenders:

Pros - they'll keep the rain off you, in case you get caught in some, or if you ride through a puddle left by a sprinkler
Cons - None


Do I believe you're overthinking this? Yes I do. I can't imagine what would possess you to remove items which are of benefit and are already fitted as part of the price of your bike.

Rear rack:

Pros - you can carry stuff around
Cons - none

Fenders:

Pros - they'll keep the rain off you, in case you get caught in some, or if you ride through a puddle left by a sprinkler
Cons - None


Do I believe you're overthinking this? Yes I do. I can't imagine what would possess you to remove items which are of benefit and are already fitted as part of the price of your bike.

What about weight? Isn't that a con for both? Do you carry your coffee maker on your rear rack because it is "of benefit"?

Also, it's not as easy to carry stuff around on a rear rack as you'd expect. For that you need a trunk or basket or panniers, etc or you need to waste time tying and figuring out how to tie each item to it.

Can some tell me the weight of the fenders and rack?

The rack on my Dahon Vitesse is a whopping 1.056 kg, and that's why I don't use it.

The front fender is 126g and the rear is heavier, not sure actual value. I find I don't really need the front fender but the rear is important.

Y is the rear fender important?

In wet conditions it prevents (dirty) water being sprayed up your back.

What about weight? Isn't that a con for both? Do you carry your coffee maker on your rear rack because it is "of benefit"?

Also, it's not as easy to carry stuff around on a rear rack as you'd expect. For that you need a trunk or basket or panniers, etc or you need to waste time tying and figuring out how to tie each item to it.

I suppose weight is a tiny con for both. I don't carry my coffee maker because it wouldn't actually BE of benefit, when these will. And frankly, yes it IS as easy as I'd think. I think it's as easy as it is, because I own bikes, and put things on racks. Seriously, why would anyone REMOVE racks and fenders from a 3 speed folding bike? Those ounces are still not going to get you the yellow jersey at the TDF.

Y is the rear fender important?

Do you really, genuinely not know what fenders are for? I'm sorry, I'm still working at midnight on a Saturday, and as a result I'm cranky, but if you don't yet know what fenders are for, don't yet consider taking them off.

I think he wanted to know why I found the rear fender to be more important than front.

The weight thing is another juggling act, to do with how strong you are and how much you have to carry the bike. For me the 1 kg of rack made the bike way too awkward to lug around.

It's not related (but it my mind it is.. mainly because I have been drinking and am annoyed) but you think you have problems. I've been waiting 2 months for my d3 to be delivered to Halfords (as part of my works rubbish version of the cycle to work scheme) and today was the day it was to be delivered. Thing is, I've waited 2 MONTHS for them to delivery a D7 speed.

What a total bunch of muppets.

I thought it was odd when on the phone they were trying to tell me that the curve had arrived and it had 20 inch wheels. I just wish I had just saved up normally and got a DT mini, Strida or Carry Me.

I won't even go into the entire chain of events I had to go through to try and order the d3 (through Halfords Dahon supplier, Fisher bikes). I won't mention the facts that Halfords head office didn't understand the cycle to work scheme that they have organised. It would be pedantic to be annoyed that my company had a £500 limit and told my boss (after I tried to point out the error) that the goverment has said you can only do this "cycle to work thingy" with Halfords.

Whenever I finally get this bike.. will my bile duct ever let me love it in the future? :notamused:

Ps, Fender question.. do you really need advice for something as Trivial as that? :crash:

And frankly, yes it IS as easy as I'd think. I think it's as easy as it is, because I own bikes, and put things on racks. Seriously, why would anyone REMOVE racks and fenders from a 3 speed folding bike? Those ounces are still not going to get you the yellow jersey at the TDF.

It must be my ignorance then. How do you put a banana, a paper bag containing a sandwich and some pretzels, a stack of mail, a bottle of wine, or a laptop on your rack? These are the things I typically want to carry and I would be delighted if you could tell me how to do it with just a rack without spending 10 minutes mummifying the item in bungee cord to prevent it falling off with the first pothole and even that I find problematic because sometimes large items require more bungee cord then I have with me. I find that attaching a milk carton to put stuff in works alright, but that makes the folded bike considerably bigger. (to be completely clear I'm not being sarcastic...how do you do it, sammy?)

Speed is not the only reason to have a light bike. Effort is just as affected by unnecessary weight, if not more so (especially when lugging it up the stairs of your NYC apartment like the OP intends to do).

Y is the rear fender important?

More or less, when riding over water, water shoots off of both tires. Since the frame is between you and the back half of the front tire it provides some protection as opposed to the back tire which has a clear shot to spray dirty water onto your back.

I never said it was easy to put things like that on a bike, I said it was, in your words "as easy as I'd think". Your words seemed to suggest that I would be surprised how hard it is to carry stuff on racks, and I wouldn't, because I have plenty of experience.

For clarity, I would put all of that stuff in a small pannier, and hang it on the side of the rack. I have a briefcase pannier that I paid about $7 for which would hold any of those things, and which doesn't give me clearance problems even on bike like my Raleigh 20 and my Downtube Mini. Racks work best if you use them with the kit they're designed for. I'm really not buying that the weight of the rack and fenders could possibly outweigh its utility, either.

The Curve D3's rear rack is steel and pretty heavy (I think Dahon sells an aluminum version) but I find items get a bumpy ride back there so low to the ground. I run a klickfix basket up front instead, but I'm also looking at taller rear racks, like the one I believe Mr. Brown runs on the back of his Curve.

I'm sorry people, I'm really tired, cranky, and unpleasant tonight. I stand by my views in general about the usefulness or racks and fenders, but I'm not expressing myself well and I'm being rude, and that sucks. I'm putting the work down and going to bed.

It must be my ignorance then. How do you put a banana, or a paper bag containing a sandwich and some pretzels, a stack of mail, a bottle of wine, or a laptop on your rack? These are the things I typically want to carry and I would be delighted if you could tell me how to do it with just a rack without spending 10 minutes mummifying the item in bungee cord to prevent it falling off with the first pothole and even that I find problematic because sometimes large items require more bungee cord then I have with me. I find that attaching a milk carton to put stuff in works alright, but that makes the folded bike considerably bigger. (to be completely clear I'm not being sarcastic...how do you do it, sammy?)

Speed is not the only reason to have a light bike. Effort is just as affected by unnecessary weight, if not more so (especially when lugging it up the stairs of your NYC apartment like the OP intends to do).


I can tell you how makeinu. Sell your Carryme, buy a Brompton with the front luggage bracket and the larger touring bag, really it's a marvellous system and will carry these things in a really stable fashion. I agree the rear rack is largely useless for softer items but always useful for harder ones. I carried 3 20,000 word MBA dissertations on my rear rack 3.5 miles on rough London roads in parts no problem on the Brompton rear rack. It helps the elastics are built in. People often talk about the Brompton fold but forget how good it is in other situations too.

A kilo here and a kilo there only matters if the bike is exceptionally heavy to carry for the person concerned. It probably isn't an issue for someone like Sammyby lol!

I never said it was easy to put things like that on a bike, I said it was, in your words "as easy as I'd think". Your words seemed to suggest that I would be surprised how hard it is to carry stuff on racks, and I wouldn't, because I have plenty of experience.

For clarity, I would put all of that stuff in a small pannier, and hang it on the side of the rack. I have a briefcase pannier that I paid about $7 for which would hold any of those things, and which doesn't give me clearance problems even on bike like my Raleigh 20 and my Downtube Mini. Racks work best if you use them with the kit they're designed for. I'm really not buying that the weight of the rack and fenders could possibly outweigh its utility, either.

My bad. I should have been clearer. When I said "you" I meant to imply a generic "you" which included the likes of the OP and others inexperienced with carrying stuff on racks.

In any case, my opinion is that without the pannier like you have a rack is almost useless for most common items and if you add panniers you're talking about adding even more weight AND increasing the size of the fold. Consequently, I feel that if a person doesn't buy and use a pannier/rack-kit and chooses to "mostly ride during sunny days" (and never in rain or through puddles) then there is no utility to outweigh the con of extra weight. I realize that, near Southampton, mostly riding on sunny days may be a recipe for mostly not riding at all, but the OP is posting from NYC.

I can tell you how makeinu. Sell your Carryme, buy a Brompton with the front luggage bracket and the larger touring bag, really it's a marvellous system and will carry these things in a really stable fashion. I agree the rear rack is largely useless for softer items but always useful for harder ones. I carried 3 20,000 word MBA dissertations on my rear rack 3.5 miles on rough London roads in parts no problem on the Brompton rear rack. It helps the elastics are built in. People often talk about the Brompton fold but forget how good it is in other situations too.

Well, I think you proved my point in that even with the Brompton the best way to carry most common items is not with the rack. I don't use the rack on my Carryme either, but instead simply hang my shopping bags off the back of the seat. Bananas, sandwiches, laptops, etc could be carried similarly, but I usually just put them in a backpack (or even in my pockets...one orange in each front pant pocket for breakfast sometimes). I've also carried coolers, large boxes, etc on the rear racks of other bikes, but these are rare events and would hardly justify taking a rack with me everywhere (unless I attach a milk carton on top to take everywhere, but not on a folder).

I don't mean to be so sour about things, but I just think that rear racks are a very poor stopgap measure that become even less worthwhile as shrinking wheel sizes make room for other options.

(PS 08 Carrymes also have a front luggage bracket with a little rack that I imagine would work quite well for hanging a regular backpack from....as do Curves have their front kickflix bracket)

My bad. I should have been clearer. When I said "you" I meant to imply a generic "you" which included the likes of the OP and others inexperienced with carrying stuff on racks.

In any case, my opinion is that without the pannier like you have a rack is almost useless for most common items and if you add panniers you're talking about adding even more weight AND increasing the size of the fold. Consequently, I feel that if you don't buy and use a pannier/rack-kit and if you choose to "mostly ride during sunny days" (and never in rain or through puddles) then there is no utility to outweigh the con of extra weight. I realize that mostly riding on sunny days may be a recipe for mostly not riding at all around Southampton, but the OP is posting from NYC.

ok u almost have me convince of taking off the rack and fenders. but what if i want to carry a briefcase or a bag to hold the bike? wont a briefcase or a bag...all u need to do is lift up the ropes and put it between the ropes and the rack? isn't that easy?

If you decide to remove the rack and fenders you'll probably want to put them back on again when you start having so much fun riding the bike you'll want to carry something on the rack in the rain. :) Oh, and I recommend a couple extra bungee cords to hold your cargo down as I've found the horizontal strap that comes with the rack on my Dahon is pretty much useless by itself. They should have engineered a strap that goes across vertically as well.

what about these trunk bag? how does it secure to the rack w/o ropes?

http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Toploader-Bicycle-Rear-Rack/dp/B0013498NM/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1220140833&sr=8-5

ok u almost have me convince of taking off the rack and fenders. but what if i want to carry a briefcase or a bag to hold the bike? wont a briefcase or a bag...all u need to do is lift up the ropes and put it between the ropes and the rack? isn't that easy?

Yeah, I imagine a briefcase would work well. But then of course when you fold up the bike you have to carry the bike and the briefcase (either with the briefcase attached to the bike or separately, not sure which is worse). I like using a backpack because I don't have to do anything with it when I fold my bike (it just stays on my back). Carrying a whole folder with one arm is trouble enough; So I prefer spread out my other luggage to other muscles.

Of course, a backpack can make your back sweaty. So it's a tradeoff, but for a few miles like most people use folders for I prefer the backpack.

what about these trunk bag? how does it secure to the rack w/o ropes?

http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Toploader-Bicycle-Rear-Rack/dp/B0013498NM/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1220140833&sr=8-5

I don't believe you ever told us what the purpose of your new bike is. Are you going to be commuting to work? I somehow got the impression that you just wanted to ride the bike paths around NYC for recreation. It's difficult to give advice without knowing what your objective is.

Yeah, I imagine a briefcase would work well. But then of course when you fold up the bike you have to carry the bike and the briefcase (either with the briefcase attached to the bike or separately, not sure which is worse). I like using a backpack because I don't have to do anything with it when I fold my bike (it just stays on my back). Carrying a whole folder with one arm is trouble enough; So I prefer spread out my other luggage to other muscles.

Of course, a backpack can make your back sweaty. So it's a tradeoff, but for a few miles like most people use folders for I prefer the backpack.



I don't believe you ever told us what the purpose of your new bike is. Are you going to be commuting to work? I somehow got the impression that you just wanted to ride the bike paths around NYC for recreation. It's difficult to give advice without knowing what your objective is.


recreational and one time a week for work....but i gotta find out of if my building management allow me to bring the bike in the building even though it is fold it.

what about these trunk bag? how does it secure to the rack w/o ropes?

http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Toploader-Bicycle-Rear-Rack/dp/B0013498NM/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1220140833&sr=8-5

^^^ can someone answer this question....if i'm carry this trunk bag..i wont be carrying my briefcase and this trunkbag can hold emergency equipment like a pump and a water bottle holder on top...how do u secure it to the rack....i have seen some pix where it attach to the back of the curve d3 w/o ropes...my question is how?

Velcro straps at the bottom, rails + qr etc. Several different ways.

Don't forget you have a pump in the seat post.

Don't forget you have a pump in the seat post.

what do you mean a pump in the seat post? is it a pump to pump up your tires if you get a flat tire?

Yes.

Yes.

how do you take out this pump from the seat? can u show me a pix of it?

Yeah, I imagine a briefcase would work well. But then of course when you fold up the bike you have to carry the bike and the briefcase (either with the briefcase attached to the bike or separately, not sure which is worse). I like using a backpack because I don't have to do anything with it when I fold my bike (it just stays on my back). Carrying a whole folder with one arm is trouble enough; So I prefer spread out my other luggage to other muscles.

Of course, a backpack can make your back sweaty. So it's a tradeoff, but for a few miles like most people use folders for I prefer the backpack.

+1 for the backpack. I have got a few of the at home, when i go for a short ride i put my stuff in my mid-size wedge and i can still fold the bike easily. If i need to carry more stuff i will take a bagpack, when you carry the folded bike it is already enough, i don't want to worry about keeping my stuff on the rack. Keep in mind the bike isn't light, in your case the Curve D3 although small has a decent weight. I usually use one hand to carry the bike but sometimes i use two if it's a long walk inside the subway station for example. If i had to carry a suitcase on top of that..... man i will be miserable.

vincentnyc- I say when you get the bike, take it for a spin, asses your needs and we will take it from there. Before i bought my Dahon i was pretty sure i will take it with me everyday, the reality is different, sometimes things are not simple as they seem. Folding bike is great, but still you need to carry 11kg-13kg with you, if you need to worry about the stuff you placed on the rack, it will be too much to handle and no fun at all. If you are not going to fold your bike often it might work for you though.

Yes vincentnyc. Just ride it stock for a few weeks. Everything will make sense after you know your usage patterns. Don't take stuff off till you are really sure you don't need them. The Curve is not a heavy bike, but it ain't the lightest thing in the world either.

As for the usefulness of the fenders, gosh, I wish MY Curve shipped with fenders. I had to pay extra for mine. And I had no rack too. So forgive me if I feel a little peeved that one would take out something I had to pay to install haha!

As old_school_dave said, I have a taller rack custom installed on the Curve. It is da bomb. If I had the lower Arclite rack, I'd have added a trunk bag for my hauling needs. With the taller custom rack, I slapped on some inexpensive panniers and wow, freedom. I use mostly the right pannier alone, since I only need one, and it does not affect the fold. I use the second pannier on my other bike.

Another option is to add a Klickfix bracket in the front mounts and use all the Klickfix bags and baskets available out there. I will probably get one from Thor, I like the idea of having the option of putting stuff in front or behind.

I've come to terms with the whole weight thing these days. I realised it is pointless to shave a few grams or even a kg or two if at the end of the day, I am using the bike to haul my commute stuff anyway. I'll leave the weight weeny-ning for when I have the luxury of building a recreational fast bike.

Don't overthink it. Ride, enjoy the ride, tweak if necessary. That is all you need to do.

:)

can someone answer my question about the built-in pump with the curve d3? how do you take it apart and put it back?

Here's what the mighty Thor said on a recent thread on the dahon board:

hmmm?

take pump out of frame ( open q/r and pullthe seat)
unfold the little leg
pull orange line and attach to wheel ( take black valve protector off first )
put left or right foot on the unfolded peg
take saddle in both hands and pump
when tire is filled up reverse above order


thor

http://www.dahon.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5642

Here's my Downtube Mini loaded up for a business trip. Getting on and off the train, and into my hotel room, I had to carry the lot (bike in a bag, big hardcase briefcase, briefcase pannier, and full touring pannier), which was hard work, but definitely do-able. I wouldn't want to carry that amount around TOO much, but lets not pretend it's really that hard.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/P6230007.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/P6230008.jpg

Here's my Downtube Mini loaded up for a business trip. Getting on and off the train, and into my hotel room, I had to carry the lot (bike in a bag, big hardcase briefcase, briefcase pannier, and full touring pannier), which was hard work, but definitely do-able. I wouldn't want to carry that amount around TOO much, but lets not pretend it's really that hard.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/P6230007.jpg


Wow - impressive load on a small folder....:thumb:

Here's my Downtube Mini loaded up for a business trip. Getting on and off the train, and into my hotel room, I had to carry the lot (bike in a bag, big hardcase briefcase, briefcase pannier, and full touring pannier), which was hard work, but definitely do-able. I wouldn't want to carry that amount around TOO much, but lets not pretend it's really that hard.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/P6230007.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/P6230008.jpg

how come u dont have fenders?

Here's what the mighty Thor said on a recent thread on the dahon board:


http://www.dahon.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5642

is this how you use the seat pump...lol? are supposed to take out the seat post completely to use the pump?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B_ofFEkrHE

how come u dont have fenders?

Money! I bought the Mini because I felt if I was selling them online, I had to have one to demonstrate, but I had no spare cash for fenders. I will absolutely get some on there for the winter though - I ride in my suit on work days, and I can't afford to arrive with a stripe up my back!

I find it funny that people on low performance folding bikes are going to be worried about weight :rolleyes:

I find it funny that people on low performance folding bikes are going to be worried about weight :rolleyes:
That depends on how you define "performance". My 17 pound folding bike is an excellent performer in terms of getting me to work in a reasonable time without being drenched in sweat.

What I find funny is grown men in costume pedaling to nowhere on $5000 bicycles. What use, pray tell, do they have for light weight bikes? To win their childish little races? I ride a light bike because I want to win at life.

That depends on how you define "performance". My 17 pound folding bike is an excellent performer in terms of getting me to work in a reasonable time without being drenched in sweat.

What I find funny is grown men in costume pedaling to nowhere on $5000 bicycles. What use, pray tell, do they have for light weight bikes? To win their childish little races? I ride a light bike because I want to win at life.
:thumb:

operator, do you use a folder for everyday commute? do you carry it up and down stairs, in suit, take it into office etc? try that and you will know about weight.

Can some1 answer my question about the seat pump for my curve from the youtube video I just posted? Have any1 use it before? From the video, is that how u use the pump...lol..if I have to do that on the street...i don't want ppl to lol at me...it looks gay.

You can clasp it between your thighs and move your hips up and down, definitely less gay to do that.

You can clasp it between your thighs and move your hips up and down, definitely less gay to do that.


^^^^ wtf...lol. Any1, can some1 answer my question if that is the proper way? Are u suppose to take out the seat for the pump? How does it secure it if u can take out the seat so easily?

Yes, that is exactly how it's intended to be used. The seat post is an integral part of the pumpand the saddle is used as a handle.

I find it funny that people on low performance folding bikes are going to be worried about weight :rolleyes:*Boom-tish!*

And yet another pearl of wisdom from the great operator! :rolleyes:

Yes, that is exactly how it's intended to be used. The seat post is an integral part of the pumpand the saddle is used as a handle.

Ok, how do you secure and unsecure the seat then? Isn't it unsafe to take the seat out so easily? I don't want seat to fall off while riding!