Folding Bikes - Dahon Mu SL as an alternative to a flat bar road bike?

I'm in the market for a Cannondale Quick 2 flat bar road bike.

http://www3.cannondale.com/bikes/09/cusa/model-9QR2.html

I actually was ready to go to the bike shop today and get it until I decided to check out the folding bikes as an alternative.

I'm basically looking for an all purpose bike to ride around the corner, walk my dog and occassionally riding 20 mile rides with friends. I want my bike to last a lot of years so I want good components (~$1,000 bike). Some of my friends have road bikes but they're just recreational riders and don't like riding too fast.

I've been told that I'd get tired of a flat bar in no time and that I'll find myself upgrading to a drop bar road bike in no time. Getting a road bike right now feels a little intimidating since I've never rode drop bars and I feel like I can lose balance more easily while exercising the dog. However, I think there's a chance that I actually might want to get a true road bike in the future, and owning a flat bar and a true road bike does not make much practical sense to me since both serve similar purposes. Owning a folding bike and a road bike I feel should cover a much broader range of utility.

Can a bike like the Mu SL do everything that I want to do?

yes

besides that you should buy what you are comfortable with, not what anybody ( me included) tells you ... drop bars have the advantage that you can change handpositions , but bar ends do the same ..... drop bars have a wind resistance advantage ...but can cramp your style ..meaning you HAVE to go fast ...or your back starts hurting ..... your hands can get numb ... you get my drift

its much more efficint to feel comfortable and go the distance than to sprint like a maniac and be toast after 10 miles ....

the mu SL is a great bike and I say that not only because I sell them
lol

thor

drop bars are highly overrated, unless you're racing. I ride road bikes a lot, and fairly aggressively, too. I estimate I'm in the drop bars about 5% of the time.

From the type of riding you described, the Mu sounds really good. Plus, you get the versatility of transport and storage associated with folding bike.

I say go for it!...

I'm basically looking for an all purpose bike to ride around the corner, walk my dog and occassionally riding 20 mile rides with friends. I want my bike to last a lot of years so I want good components (~$1,000 bike). Some of my friends have road bikes but they're just recreational riders and don't like riding too fast.

I've been told that I'd get tired of a flat bar in no time and that I'll find myself upgrading to a drop bar road bike in no time. Getting a road bike right now feels a little intimidating since I've never rode drop bars and I feel like I can lose balance more easily while exercising the dog. However, I think there's a chance that I actually might want to get a true road bike in the future, and owning a flat bar and a true road bike does not make much practical sense to me since both serve similar purposes. Owning a folding bike and a road bike I feel should cover a much broader range of utility.

Can a bike like the Mu SL do everything that I want to do?

With regards to reliability, I have not found moving up from say Tiagra components to Ultegra to be beneficial. So I wouldn't spend more money if your desire is for more reliable components.

IMO, anything from a Speed/Mu P8 and up would probably work for you well. And I concur with the highlighted opinion.

With regards to reliability, I have not found moving up from say Tiagra components to Ultegra to be beneficial. So I wouldn't spend more money if your desire is for more reliable components.

IMO, anything from a Speed/Mu P8 and up would probably work for you well. And I concur with the highlighted opinion.

What I really mean is that if I decide that this will be my only bike, I want it to be good enough to be able to handle the widest variety of tasks (the tougher ones being riding 20 mile trips with friends at reasonable speed).

yes

besides that you should buy what you are comfortable with, not what anybody ( me included) tells you ... drop bars have the advantage that you can change handpositions , but bar ends do the same ..... drop bars have a wind resistance advantage ...but can cramp your style ..meaning you HAVE to go fast ...or your back starts hurting ..... your hands can get numb ... you get my drift

its much more efficint to feel comfortable and go the distance than to sprint like a maniac and be toast after 10 miles ....

the mu SL is a great bike and I say that not only because I sell them
lol

thor


Why is the 2009 model so much more expensive than the 2008?

08 is a closeout price .....
salaries went up over there for the workers and higher end parts had a 30 % increase in 08 to 09 modelyear.....

thor

What I really mean is that if I decide that this will be my only bike, I want it to be good enough to be able to handle the widest variety of tasks (the tougher ones being riding 20 mile trips with friends at reasonable speed).

OK. FYI, if you are not pacelining, the effect of lighter components will be small. But there will be a difference.

The Mu SL would be able to do what you want without any problems.

The Xootr Swift will feel a little more solid, but doesn't fold as well.

Drop bars are definitely better. ;) However many people use flat bars with no problems for a long time. You can also put bar-ends onto the bike (even a folding bike) for extra hand positions.

One upgrade path you have with the Mu SL and the like is to add bar ends to the existing flat bar instead of going to a full drop bar. My son did it with his Mu p24. It adds hand positions which useful in longer rides and he can still fold the bike.

VIP Service

We will unpack the bike, check it and complete all the initial tune up steps. Then we will repack it and send it to your home address.

This service qualifies for the lifetime warranty, without paying a dealer for tuning up the bike. Our VIP Service costs an additional $50.00 to the purchase price. This service will add an extra week to shipping time.


Does this mean the bike ships already assembled and ready to ride?

yes

Have a look at Dahon Vitesse P18 insteed of MU SL.
Vitesse P18 is cheaper than MU SL. Its have bigger gear range than MU SL.

Especially if you going to have it while walking the dog and its a lot of hills.

Alot of people taking about the MU SL but I think Vitesse P18 is better.
One big downside is the weight Vitesse P18 is 4 kg heavier.
But if you do like me and working out then its no problem :)

So have a look at Vitesse P18 before buying a expensive bike like MU SL

Have a look at Dahon Vitesse P18 insteed of MU SL.
Vitesse P18 is cheaper than MU SL. Its have bigger gear range than MU SL.

Especially if you going to have it while walking the dog and its a lot of hills.

Alot of people taking about the MU SL but I think Vitesse P18 is better.
One big downside is the weight Vitesse P18 is 4 kg heavier.
But if you do like me and working out then its no problem :)

So have a look at Vitesse P18 before buying a expensive bike like MU SL

Yeah, but if anything describes the Mu SL it's "flat bar road bike".

I am a big fan of flat bar roadbikes, and I believe the Mu will be a good fit for your needs. Just make sure you promise yourself you will only buy a road bike (because you want to ride faster, or because your friends are telling you that you should, any reason) after you do 1000 miles on your Mu. You might convince some of your friends to let their lives unfold as well...


Also, I suggest upgrading the saddle to something you are used to do 20 miles on, so you don't blame the bike when the cheeks create awareness of their existance.

Yeah, but if anything describes the Mu SL it's "flat bar road bike".

Maybe you right about this.
But looking at Dahon´s homepage MU SL is under Urban+ Bike
And Vitesse P18 is under Road bike.
Ok thats dosent mean dahon have put the bike under right section.

But still the gears is better suited for road bike with Vitesse P18 than MU SL
Vitesse have higher gear for flat road. OK the lower gear could been higher to be a road bike but still this is a +

but its always possible to change the front crank from 44/55 to something higher.
and then you could have the same low gear as MU SL and ALOT Higher gear range than MU SL.

but then its the distance between the sadlepost and handlepost is a bigger distance on MU SL so you could have a more lying position on the MU SL then Vitesse P18

In my experience 20" wheels are a lot harsher to ride than larger wheels, I'd try to test-ride the Mu first.

As for me, I have both a road bike and a Dahon Mu P8. I rarely use the road bike anymore, because the folding bike easily keeps up with my Tuesday bike group and it is easier on my fingers. It is much easier to quickly shake off any tingling I get. It is also more versatile, in that I can ride it off-road as well, such as on rail to trail and Canal towpath venues.

I just bought a used 2007 MuSl and after taking it for a ride it is the fastest folder I have ridden yet. The components are first class.

Dahon mu series is a very capable folder. With some tuning you can drop the weight down to mid 7kg range, and you can fit drop handlebar if you want to. However due to the folding design, dahon folders are not good for stand up and hammering.

http://cafe.naver.com/dahon/12127 (I hope you can see the page...)
Lots of guys here are modding dahons with bullhorn/drop handlebars. :]

drop bars are highly overrated, unless you're racing. I ride road bikes a lot, and fairly aggressively, too. I estimate I'm in the drop bars about 5% of the time.+1

Bar ends are a big plus for me. I do not go without them.

I feel that without drops or bullbars I do not have a performance bike, I have tried barend but did not like them. However the low forward position I have on my MBT is reasonably fast. I suppose it is what you are used to. I do not mind using drops/bullbars for off road, but they are not for tricks and can be annoying when travelling slowly with children. I have raced BMX bikes,and road bikes, so I prefer straight wide bars for off road and drops or low profile for road use.