Folding Bikes - Avenir, looks like a Dahon Helios

This is a Canada site selling the Avenir folders. Can those who knows bikes better than me check this specs on this bike in general.
Does it look worth the money?

http://www.bayviewcycle.com/NewFiles/bike_specs/003/FOLDING/Avenir_Steel.html

I think it comes in both steel and alum.

Thanks,
John

It is a Dahon Licensed Technology (DLT) - typically older Dahon designs which are legitimately licensed and not rip off\fakes.

I have ridden one at my LBS and it feels like a good bike at that price point. If your needs are not for all out speed but to get around and stay active type of exercise, it will be fine. It is a better built bike than a Canadian Schwinn Tango for sale at Canadian Tire.

It is a Dahon Licensed Technology (DLT) - typically older Dahon designs which are legitimately licensed and not rip off\fakes.

I have ridden one at my LBS and it feels like a good bike at that price point. If your needs are not for all out speed but to get around and stay active type of exercise, it will be fine. It is a better built bike than a Canadian Schwinn Tango for sale at Canadian Tire.

Did you notice if the handlebars were welded to the stem or can be changed if desired ? In your opinion would the steel or Alum. be better other than lighter. Price seems pretty good.
Thanks

Welded one piece - which is my opinion, is a good thing. The handlepost hinge is also the old solid one with none of adjustment problems associated with the newer type of hinge. It's heavier but flexes less than the hinge on my generation of Dahon Helios.

The heft of the assembly also makes the bike feel less twitchy. People trying smaller wheeled folding bikes for the first time often find them twitchy until they adjust. The Avenir rides very smoothly and is a pleasant folding bike with an upright position.

Given a choice between steel or alu., I would always choose steel even if it meant it was heavier by a pound or two. Blind testings indicate that riders are unable to tell material composition based on ride quality alone. However, I think steel is easier to fix, does not suffer from the same kind of sudden catastrophic failure as alu. and all other things being equal, gives a slightly nicer ride than alu. I stress this is my preference only.

Bicycle designers normally take these issues into account and design parts accordingly. So these things are not supposed to happen. However my contact with bike mechanics inform me of snapped alu. cranks and alu. bottom brackets that crack off the frame. I don't hear of such things with steel so I base my opinion on the anecdotal advice from these mechanics I know.

This is not to imply tha alu. is bad. The Helios I ride is alu. but my preference is for steel wherever possible.

Looks to be a pretty good deal at $349.00 and I would echo the sentiments about steel being a better material.

Same same here. Japanese bike labeled "Head" right around $350.

I'm half tempted to buy one and slap some decent components on it.

John

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

Well, I gave the shop a call, they said email them with questions and or quote.
Did that and they got wrote back with all the information within 2 hours.
Answered all questions and sent a Grand Total amount for the bike.

Also asked about prepping or adjustments....their answer....
"The bike does need minor adjustments, but we prep it for you before it leaves"


So at least I know I don't get a bag of parts...:lol::lol:

I can always upgrade later...if it really needs to be.

I think I'm gonna go for it....the steel one...2 lbs difference is no big deal.

John

Just understand that you're not going to be the fastest bike out there and you'll be fine. The Avenir I rode felt solid with good heft. It did not feel twitchy and with the addition of a rack or basket will make a great utility, light touring bike. The gear range will be fine for all but the steepest hills.

If you get it, write us a review and share it with us.

Are these bikes always ridden by midgets? Or guys with really short & stubby legs? Why are the seats always so freakin' low? Turns me off immediately...

If you want to gain some speed on these Dahon licensed bikes, you'd be advised to swap the tires. They are really sluggish with the included Kenda Kwests. The psi run about 40-50 so they really drag. Otherwise, wait til stuff breaks and swap it out.

...I think I'm gonna go for it....the steel one...2 lbs difference is no big deal.

John

Merky/John - Sounds like a good plan to me. Looks like you can change the tires to Big Apples, if necessary, and still be under your budget.