Folding Bikes - First "long" ride on my Speed TT Pro

Managed to bag about a 60 km ride today on the new foldie. Hilly stuff as well. The bike was solid but around the 50 km mark I wished I was closer to home. Not used to the saddle, I guess.

Got one more uncommanded shift or what I thought was an uncommanded shift. What it was was the Dual Drive slipping and slipping right back where it was. Hopped off and sure enough the indicator was a hair off on the click box. Lined it up and end of problem.

Very impressed with the performance of the bike.

One additional observation. Standing up on the TT Pro and cranking uphill seems kind of awkward. Handles much much better from a seated position. Not really a crank uphill and climb like a maniac bike.

But the gearing is good to go for climbing. I hit one long steep ugly stretch and the bike came through with flying colors.

All my Dahons are fun and very practical bikes but this Speed TT Pro is a keeper. A fine fine machine and it JUST about could replace a road bike.

I got a lot of those "Look at that goofy dude" smiles today on the road, especially from road bikers. The one guy I passed wasn't smiling though.

John

http://homepage.mac.com/hagensieker/.Public/kintown.jpg

I've test ridden a Speed Pro TT twice. Dahon have discontinued now and it will become a classic. Even in the limited time I used one I got many comments on how cool it looked from people in the street. Only the most ignorant of road bikers would disrespect or look down on the TT!

60km is a long ride? ;)

One thing about Dahons is that you have to be careful not to pull back on the bars. Due to the design, putting that kind of stress increases the chance that you'll crack the handlepost. So, you're better off staying seated when climbing anyway.

Let us know how it works out for a century, one of these days...

Did a (metric) century today on my XP round the Isle of Wight. The chain drop fairy paid numerous visits, but otherwise it was more than up to the job. 22" gearing is quite handy when you're a weakling faced with steep climbs, and lots of them (only one hill beat me all day, and that was because I couldn't get a run up!). I was actually overtaking quite a few people on those...roadies steamed past, but then it is 50% or more heavier....

The flexzone saddles are much better, i.e., Belair FX instead of SL.
Stand and cranking depends a lot on pedals. Either use platform or clip in pedals.
Also it is easier with wider tires (due to rotation momentum).

What do you think of the brakes? The Pro TT's brakes have been called weak, probably due to cable routing on the bars.

I think the brakes are okay. No issues.

John

Nice loop there John! Wish I coulda joined ya!
Its the Japanese "golden week", so probably more bikes & traffic than usual. - stay safe!


I think the brakes are okay. No issues.

The 2009 Pro TT you have has V-brakes, and not caliper's like the '08, so your stopping power should be very good.

Still gotta checkout your ride!

Ki wo tsukete ne!
Regards,
K'

Dahon have discontinued now and it will become a classic.

Really? Any idea on what Dahon has in the works as a replacement?

Really? Any idea on what Dahon has in the works as a replacement?

Maybe mulleady is referring to the switch from a steel frame to an aluminum frame for '09. Otherwise, it has not been discontinued.

You working this week Kaito? I may ride to work today. Gonna flip a coin between P8 and TT. I want to go to yoga and my P8 has the rack so I can carry my mat. When I come home for lunch I'll ride the TT back. If you're at work I'll swing by and say hello. I can't see Bike Forums from work. It's filtered out for some reason on our awesome NMCI network.

John

Maybe mulleady is referring to the switch from a steel frame to an aluminum frame for '09. Otherwise, it has not been discontinued.

thanks for the clarification.

The TT is sadly not available in the UK for '09, neither is the Speed TR (and the Jetstream XP '08 was, but not the renamed EX). I think that's what mulleady meant.

The TT is sadly not available in the UK for '09, neither is the Speed TR (and the Jetstream XP '08 was, but not the renamed EX). I think that's what mulleady meant.

Ahhh. Gotcha. That's too bad that all three of those aren't being offered. *Shakes fist at Fisher Outdoor*

You working this week Kaito? I may ride to work today. Gonna flip a coin between P8 and TT. I want to go to yoga and my P8 has the rack so I can carry my mat. When I come home for lunch I'll ride the TT back. If you're at work I'll swing by and say hello. I can't see Bike Forums from work. It's filtered out for some reason on our awesome NMCI network.

John

Hi John-san,
No, I'm off for the Japanese 'golden week' & will be back Thurs.
I plan on riding on Thurs & it would be great to meet up w/you.

Have a good day, ne,
K.