Folding Bikes - Updgrade Dahon Boardwalk

I searched, but didn't find an answer to this - or at least a detailed answer:

I have an old Boardwalk with the one-piece stem/handlebars. Some thread suggested cutting it off and slapping a stem on there, but I'm worried about how that would work as the riser on the Boardwalk is not cylindrical - it tapers in as it rises. If I slap a stem on there, it would only make contact at the bottom. Doesn't seem very secure.

I could go with this adapter:
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=22711
but I have the same question - the riser is not straight. WOuldn't anything I put on there wobble after a while?

thx.

what year was your dahon made in?

what, exactly, do you want to upgrade on it?

I don't know the year. One of the years with the one piece stem-handlebars, I suppose. I want to put some drop bars, and move them forward.

I'd also like to update the hub for a freewheel, but I suppose I can do that with any old hub. Slap a rear derailleur on there. Done.

I guess I'm looking for confirmation that I can either slap a regular stem on there - maybe with some kind of wedge? - or the dohickie linked above on there. I'm looking for a $20 solution.

I don't think the quill-threadless adapter will work in the steerer tube.

is your broadwalk this one? http://www.dahon.com/archive/2005/boardwalkd3d7.htm
04' version seems to have a straight guage T-handlepost and 2006 onwards have the telescoping.

or is it an S1 with track dropouts and no derailer hanger mount?

You got me. I can't see the stem on that page. I know nothing about Dahons. Here's a pic:

It's been discussed here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=80670
Apparently the inside of the post is also tapered, if you're considering the stem adapter.

So then that is a 'yes' then, right? The adapter slides down in the riser part of my handlebars, I tighten it, then I slap the stem onto the adapter. If the adapter angles when I tighten it, I can orientate it to lean forward (rather than to the side...) and I should be set.

If I get a stem that fits drop bars, then I am OK. The stem I have I took of some junk bike my son brought home, so it won't fit road bars.

That would be $20 for the adapter, and another $20 for a stem. Then I could salvage road bars.

Frankly, I'm confused by all these names - quills and whatnot. I know old school, and all these newfangled bike parts confuse me.

I dunno... the fact that the inside is tapered means less contact area. I'd be somewhat afraid.
You could probably get an adjustable (up & down) handlepost instead, and use the official stem to clamp a new bar?

Not for under $50 I couldn't.

I've got a Boardwalk I picked up cheap. It's worth, say, $100 more in TOTAL upgrades if I end up with a form factor I want - a road bike. If I start buying bonifide Dahon parts,
I'll quickly reach the price of something better, ready-to-go.

If I can start using salvage parts, ie a stem/handlebars and a freewheel hub/standard derailler...well...it's a no brainer. I wouldn't mind trying the challenge of building a wheel myself.

I like the Boardwalk; it's a name brand bike, it's black, and it's not too heavy once I strip it down.

well you can try it, I wouldn't go about it that way, but hey, it's your bike and it looks like you can do it, according to that post.

the quill stem adapter has an OD of 22.2mm where the wedge is, so measure the handlebar post where it's 26.2mm in diameter, cut a bit above that, file it down and you should be able to get a nice 22.2mm ID spot to clamp it to.

sciencemonster: I've totally forgotten about these, until I saw them in another thread.
http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/technical/aberhallo.htm

ThorUSA was selling a whole replacement handlepost assembly a few months ago-- the threaded (quill) 1 1/8" version. It had adjustable height and took normal (25.4 or 26.0mm) handlebars. I think it was $40. Perhaps that is an option?

would have been but they are soooo sold out ..... I keep trying to get more
Thor