Folding Bikes - Dahon Classic...should I hate folders now?

Good morning everyone, pardon the long post, but I'm really torn on folders now. I've been intrigued for years and finally bought a 87 Dahon Classic III last week. It was cheap, and I figured it would give me a "feel" of a folder. I spent several hours polishing the chrome, getting the hub tuned, repacking bearings and getting it perfect. I rode it a few times during the week, grinning ear to ear with enjoyment.

This morning I thought I'd take advantage of the nice weather and took it for a ride to the farmers market about 4 miles away. My wife and son were going there in the car, so I figured I'd just pack up the Dahon and get a ride home. I thoroughly enjoyed my ride and had no problems at all.

When we got home my 10yr old son was excited for his chance to ride it, so I let him. 5 minutes later he's trapped in a pile of folded metal on the side of the road. The bike had unlatched in the middle while he went down a small 4" roll curb and collapsed on him. Thankfully he was wearing a helmet and only got a couple scratches.

Now I've applied band aids to my son, I went to survey the Dahon. Nothing is bent, but the latch that is supposed to secure the bike in the open position comes undone WAY too easily. A simple nudge with the toe of my shoe folds the bike in half without pressing the lever. Is there a way to fix this? Or is this the reason these particular models aren't as highly regarded as the new ones? Are most folders (we'll say those under $500) this easily damaged?

I'm not an expert on Dahons, but I know that on at least some current Dahons there is a bolt that you use to adjust the frame hinge - possibly someone else on BF can give you more details.

".......I thoroughly enjoyed my ride and had no problems at all......."

Great start on the folding bike's features and abilities.



When we got home my 10yr old son was excited for his chance to ride it, so I let him. 5 minutes later he's trapped in a pile of folded metal on the side of the road. The bike had unlatched in the middle while he went down a small 4" roll curb and collapsed on him. Thankfully he was wearing a helmet and only got a couple scratches.

Your young son might have confused the bike with a BMX type of bike. I know that most adults have with my own folding bikes with their small wheels & one with the harp shaped handlebars. So he rode it like one. He (like most young ones) forgot about or did not think about the latches that come with the bike. And being an older Dahon, to treat the bike more gently.


Now I've applied band aids to my son, I went to survey the Dahon. Nothing is bent, but the latch that is supposed to secure the bike in the open position comes undone WAY too easily. A simple nudge with the toe of my shoe folds the bike in half without pressing the lever. Is there a way to fix this? Or is this the reason these particular models aren't as highly regarded as the new ones? Are most folders (we'll say those under $500) this easily damaged?

Even today, Dahon Corp. warns it's riders about not riding over curbs. These bikes have been much improved in their design since your old bike's manufacture. The bikes now come with a double latch that prevents almost all folding while in riding position. If you look at my photos below, the first on on your left is the stem latch close-up with it's hook double latch. The second one is the frame latch on a 2003 Dahon model which sold for 200 dollars. It is father from feet that might accidently pop it open plus another double latch which covers over the latch. Still I do exercise some restraint even with these new safety features and a newer model when out on one of my bikes. I have developed a habit of double checking all folding latches and levers after assembly. And I do go over the other parts too even though they don't fold before any trip on the bike. I would not let a child under 18 on one of my bikes. In my opinion, these bikes are for adults only in spite of it's child-like appearance. I am happy to read that your son did not experience anything worse than a couple of scratches.

I hope this experience did not sour you (or him) over cycling in general and folding bikes in particular.

Good morning everyone, pardon the long post, but I'm really torn on folders now. I've been intrigued for years and finally bought a 87 Dahon Classic III last week. It was cheap, and I figured it would give me a "feel" of a folder. I spent several hours polishing the chrome, getting the hub tuned, repacking bearings and getting it perfect. I rode it a few times during the week, grinning ear to ear with enjoyment.

This morning I thought I'd take advantage of the nice weather and took it for a ride to the farmers market about 4 miles away. My wife and son were going there in the car, so I figured I'd just pack up the Dahon and get a ride home. I thoroughly enjoyed my ride and had no problems at all.

When we got home my 10yr old son was excited for his chance to ride it, so I let him. 5 minutes later he's trapped in a pile of folded metal on the side of the road. The bike had unlatched in the middle while he went down a small 4" roll curb and collapsed on him. Thankfully he was wearing a helmet and only got a couple scratches.

Now I've applied band aids to my son, I went to survey the Dahon. Nothing is bent, but the latch that is supposed to secure the bike in the open position comes undone WAY too easily. A simple nudge with the toe of my shoe folds the bike in half without pressing the lever. Is there a way to fix this? Or is this the reason these particular models aren't as highly regarded as the new ones? Are most folders (we'll say those under $500) this easily damaged?

I have two Dahon Classics and have never had a problem with them folding by accident. I am glad that your son is okay. The newer Dahons have a completely different latching mechinism. On the old ones there should be a cam like lever just in front of the crank. There should also be a notched clip that is a safety catch for the lever. It sounds like you may be missing this or you did not have everything latched properly. You can download my circa 1990 Dahon Classic Manual here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?zdoikjw4bon - look on page four for the locking mechanism.

Thanks to all of you! Great info, and I really appreciate the pics and info. I adjusted the latch according to that manual and all is well again.

I know this problem. If you go to the "Craiglist thread" and read my posts from this last week I am ditching mine, this is one of the reasons. Not sure what is wrong with yours, but I suspect it is the same as on mine.

On mine it does not really open as I ride. The problem is it is difficult to lock it properly, and therefor I several times had the bike starting to fold as I am riding. I am sure the mistale is mine, I did not get the right "click" when I open it op and got it ready for riding. Since I do not use it often I forget, and do it again next time.

I suspect it could work better if I properly lubed (oil) it. I did, but I guess not good enough or often enough.

Also before riding the bike, after opening it up and rising the handlebars and put the support to the handlebars in place I stand on the right side of the bike (I think), hold the right side of the handlebar in my right hand, lean the bike away from me, (maybe left hand on the seat- I do not remember) and put my foot on the hinge near the BB where your bike failed. I press (not kick) it away from me, and thereby open it up completely, and I hear and feel the "click" that indicates that the shiny spring/locking mechanism clicks into place.

When I remember to do this before riding the bike It newer opens.

When folding the bike I do the oposite, I open the spring/lock, and put my foot on the other side of the same hinge (left this time) to help it fold. Since I need to do this I guess it is telling me that the hinge needs oil, or maybe some piece in there is slightly bent so extra force is needed.

I find this is the most secure way to do it. Also it saves energy to use the legs instead of the arms since you need strong arms to do this.

Do not give up on folders, just make sure you understand them before you ride them, especially the second hand ones that comes with no "how to" papers.

I do not agree that folders are not for children, but smaller (or wery active children) should not use them alone, and you as an adult must understand and trust the bike before letting them use one.

I noticed that when I was adjusting the hinge latch that even quarter turns have a big effect on the overall adjustment. The "barrel" adjuster on mine was very loose, so while it was fine on my ride this morning, the vibrations from the road probably loosened it, which caused it to fail while my son was riding it. Now that it's adjusted properly, I have it a liberal application of loctite to hold it in place, per the manual's recommendation.

Now that my Dahon is back in action and I have a better understanding of it's functions, I love it again :) I'll keep it on the road as long as I can to see if I can justify adding a new Dahon to the stable.

Thanks again everyone!

those old stainless ones are fast becoming classics and very collectable. However same as with old cars they have not all the features and anemities like newer vintage. Doesnt mean they should open up by themselves ( a watchful eye and good adjustment will take care of it ) but they ride different than todays and need more supervision...

but like old classic cars they have the charme to make up for the shortfalls
( good to hear the kid is ok )

thor

Somewhere on YouTube there was a clip of a kid treating a folding bike like a BMX bike and getting the BMX and the folding experience simultaneously. There was also one of a folding bike breaking at the hinge on a landing. Couldn't find them just now though.

My first Dahon had its wheels wrecked because my then teenage son thought he could play BMX racer on it.