Folding Bikes - Dahon Mu P8 2007 and 2008 handlepost

I've had the handlepost on my Mu P8 2007 replaced under warranty with a new handlepost (http://www.johnoconnell.plus.com/Mu_P8/Mu_P8Front3.JPG) which looks to be set up differently to the old handlepost (http://www.johnoconnell.plus.com/MuP8/MuP8HandlePost3.jpg).

Comparing the two photos, I'm sure you'll be able to clearly see the differences:


Both the handlebar clamp and telescopic clamp are oriented in opposite directions.
The groove in the telescopic section of the old handlepost is oriented towards the front of the bike, whereas the groove in the new handlepost faces to the back of the bike.


Generally, it appears that the handlepost has been rotated 180 degrees (apart from the main locking lever which stays where it was before amd has a stiffer action than the old one ever had) so at first I thought that the handlepost had been incorrectly fitted by my LBS, but on closer inspection found that couldn't be the case. Or could it?

I'm guessing that Dahon have supplied a 2008 model handlepost to replace the faulty one on my 2007 bike, so can any of you 2008 model Mu P8 owners out there confirm from this photo (http://www.johnoconnell.plus.com/Mu_P8/Mu_P8Front3.JPG) and this photo (http://www.johnoconnell.plus.com/Mu_P8/Mu_P8Front.jpg) that my bike's handlepost is indeed correctly set up?

Thanks in advance

Johno

I don't own a Dahon, but it looks to me like the new one is set up right, and the old one wrong - I've always thought that quick release levers should be facing backwards, so that an errant twig or some such doesn't get stuck and pull the lever open. Of course, I was mostly mountain biking as a teenager, I don't suppose it makes much difference on the road. Incidentally, what was wrong with the original post?

They both look corectly set up at the bottom; it seems the one case the bottom bit was welded on 180deg to the other. Perhaps the design changed... In it is all square, then it is possible that the one case was actually a welding deviation. But functonally, it seems the same. I think the one with the groove facing backwards is the correct one.

The dealer put it on backwards ....The Mu P8 folds to the inside of the fold... versus yours which folds to tthe outside ...
But its real easy to turn it around..open the 8 mm allen on the side and the large silver allen in the fork.. turn 180 degree and tighten the bottom up and than the side .. voila

Dont you feel cramped on the bike ? as the handlepost is surely backwards to the seat ???

thor

You sure Thor? From what I see, both cases have the hinge sitting in exactly the same orientation. It looks to me the top part is different for the 2 cases.

From what I can see I'd agree with Jur.

Both handleposts in the pics fold to the inside, but I've never seen a 2008 Dahon with the QR facing backwards like that!

Incidentally, what was wrong with the original post?
The telescopic part of the post kept seizing and was found to be faulty. Also, the clamp needed excessive force to keep the handlepost in place.

They both look corectly set up at the bottom; it seems the one case the bottom bit was welded on 180deg to the other. Perhaps the design changed...
That's what I thought and it actually works better than the old handlepost, because I when I extend/drop the telescopic section of the handlepost with the handlepost folded down, I can see it's position through the slot on the fixed part of the handlepost whereas previously I couldn't and the handlepost more often than not dropped out.


I think the one with the groove facing backwards is the correct one.
I've seen quite a few Dahons with the groove facing backwards so I concur.

If the handlepost design hasn't changed between the 2007 and 2008 MuP8, then I'm wondering if the original handlepost was incorrectly fitted and perhaps that was the cause of the problems I encountered?
I think the new handlepost will make my bike easier to fold though.

I'd like to see what owners of 2008 model Mu P8 owners think...

If the handlepost design hasn't changed between the 2007 and 2008 MuP8, then I'm wondering if the original handlepost was incorrectly fitted and perhaps that was the cause of the problems I encountered?
I think the new handlepost will make my bike easier to fold though.

I'd like to see what owners of 2008 model Mu P8 owners think...

I had 2 Dahons MU P8 (2007), the handleposts were exactly like your original handlepost. I recall that the 2008 was the same, with the groove facing the outside not the inside.

EDIT: And then I have found this photo:
http://dahon.com/components/premium/radius.htm

I had 2 Dahons MU P8 (2007), the handleposts were exactly like your original handlepost. I recall that the 2008 was the same, with the groove facing the outside not the inside.

EDIT: And then I have found this photo:
http://dahon.com/components/premium/radius.htm
Now that is confusing - the handpost in that photo looks exactly like mine except that my handlebar clamp is turned around 180 degrees!

Dahon must've changed it since that photo was published

Now that is confusing - the handpost in that photo looks exactly like mine except that my handlebar clamp is turned around 180 degrees!

Dahon must've changed it since that photo was published

If it helps, the setup in my 2008 Mu P8 looks exactly as in the picture posted by Tommy C: groove in handlepost facing backwards, handlebar clamp facing forward, telescopic clamp facing backwards.

Thanks for the info - Dahon must've changed the orientation of the handlebar clamp since they posted that pic on their site and since you bought your bike.

Overall I'm happier with the 2008 handlepost as it does make folding a little easier, though I'd prefer the handlebar clamp to face as per the photo on the dahon site.

Thanks for all your feedback folks :)