Folding Bikes - Dahon curve d3 and tallest riders

Hello
I would like to buy a Dahon curve d3 but I have some doubts.
Now I have a dahon speed 7 that is a good bike. but I need a bike less bulky and lighter for the transport bus and metro.
I would like to know if the Dahon curve d3 is suitable for people of 190 cm or if the bike is too small and insecure in lead.
I have also a dahon telescope seatpost.
I did a trial run by a dealer and the bike seemed to me good.
The path that I want to go back to work is about 5 km with slight climb, and with the road not too perfect (some holes). Another doubt.. I don't know if the aluminum oh the curve is more strong than SuperLite 4130 chromoly of speed d7.
What is your opinion? What is your experience?
Thanks

Looks to me like the curve D3 is neither significantly smaller when folded or lighter than 20" Dahons.

Definitely not lighter. Not that much slimmer either, the only difference is the slightly shorter rear axle width on the Curve D3 (but IIRC SL is different). Noticeably shorter and lower, but that won't make much difference on crowded public transport.

The aluminium frame will be fine, don't worry too much about it. People over 180cm generally complain about fitting on a Dahon (not enough reach, seatpost too short).

If you want to make a different footprint on public transport, get a strida or carryme. If you don't carry much, you'll do fine over 5km with gentle slope.

Thanks for your answers
I think that the problem of strida is unsafe for tallest riders people because the structure of the bike is different respect other folding bikes. No has gears and with some short climb can be a problem.
I saw some pictures on the website of Dahon curve d3 with telescope seat post, but I would know more info.

Hi,

I've got a d3. I find it a little bit short for me (I'm 1,80).
To feel confortable I should put a syntace extending stem like here (http://www.dahon.com/components/xl/vro.htm).
The bike is really good even if it needed a little learning curve; The bottom braket is higher than the hub. It change the feeling of the ride. I feel much more confident now.
The big improvement of the bike are the tyres. The big apple make all the difference on rugged road. I don't feel the belgian cobelstone with the bike (I'm in Belgium). I just fly over.
It's not so compact as the Bromton when folded but for the price it's unbeatable.
And it's a girl trap; They love it in red ;)
The handlepost is a little bit flexy, but I can manage that;
In conclusion. It's a good commuter bike if you use it with train or car.
The max distance done on it is 40 km on flat land. Great, just a little pain in the back due to the crampled position.
Oh and one important thing, the saddle is horrible. The fist one that make me feel unconfortable.

PS. I'm not english fluent. Sorry for the mistakes.

PS. I'm not english fluent. Sorry for the mistakes.

Perfectly understandable. No problem at all.

Thanks
I have the telescope seat post and then I would not have too many problems riding the bike.
Another question .. in the crowded bus or trains, when the dahon curve is closed, there is a difference of size with the dahon speed d7 or not?

The Dahon site shows you the folded sizes of their bikes so you can compare. I am looking to get a Curve also.
http://www.dahon.com/us/curved3.htm

I'm 185cm, and I found the Curve too small to be comfortable. Definitely would have needed the telescoping seatpost, and still would have felt just too small.

The 20" Dahons were a much better fit - I ended up with the Mu P8, although I still needed a telescoping seatpost (and would have liked a higher handlebar for my upright riding position).

The Birdy I test-rode was also big enough, but the Brompton wasn't.

For very tall riders, the BF Tikit may be your best (only?) way to get a folder that really fits properly.

Hope this helps...

Thanks dmnobrien..according to you, also a brompton with telescope seat post may be a solution for tallest riders?

The Brompton felt like it was mainly for small-to-medium-height riders. A taller rider would definitely need a longer seatpost.

I like an upright riding position for commuting, and I found the riser handlebars a bit low (and not very adjustable for height). If you like a more aggressive riding position, the stock handlebars may be fine.

With both the Curve and the Brompton, I just felt like it was a stretch to make the bike fit me. Even if I managed it, the bike didn't feel quite right. The larger Dahons fit me much better.

There are other folders that fit larger riders. As always, it depends what you value most - folded size, folding speed, ride, gear range, upgradability, etc. With the Brompton you're getting a well-built bike with a decent ride, good commuting options, and tiny folded size. If that's what you want, you can probably tweak one to fit you more or less OK.

Hope this helps!

Thanks dmnobrien..
I don't know if to take a curve or a brompton .. and also what kind of handlebars on brompton for me, maybe the M. in your opinion?
For me is very important the time of unfolding and littel space of the bike in metro e bus.
I would know if the brompton telescopic tube can be closed the same well.

I rode a curve D3 around a parking lot at my LBS, and was totally surprised by how well it fit. I'm 195 cm / 6'4". I was really tempted, as I thought it was a good deal, big apples, and the smaller size on the train would be a good thing.

I've not yet tried a 20" Dahon, and will definitely do so before I make my own choice. My wife is making me save gigging money towards it, so I have a little time yet.

A D7 HG is ~ $200 more, and has pretty much the same highest and lowest gear-inches measurements, something like 44 and 77, I think.

I'm 1'83m, I own a Curve D3 and I agree with the other tall owners: the riding position is not comfortable enough. Fortunately my commuting ride is not long (3km). The handlebar flexibility seems to be a common issue with all Dahons though.