Folding Bikes - Got my first folding!

It appears I have recently been bitten by the folding bug. Oh well, what can I do? These things are so small and portable :).

I got the Dahon Eco 1. I have ridden it for only 500m so far, but it handles very differently from my road bike.

First question: How do I know when it's correctly folded? There's no click or anything whatsoever. I carried it for 10 mins and sometimes it would unfold due to the way I was carrying it (what's the best way to carry it anyways?).

I found the stock handlebar to be absolutely abysmal. I prefer drops, but I think it would get in the way of the fold, so bullhorns would be most adequate methinks. There's one issue though: the handlebar and the stem are welded together, and I don't think I can fit a quill stem in it (please correct me if I'm wrong). If so, can I actually change the handlebar?

I understand that threads like these need pictures, but I currently have no access to an image capturing device. Sorry.

This video isn't perfect, but it might help you with the folding part...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkd1t3IyCmA

You can go with drop bars, if you like. Instead of folding the handle bars between the two sides, you just fold them down after you put the two sides together so that the stem and handle bars lay flat on top of the folded bike.

Good luck!
--sam

You can go with drop bars, if you like. Instead of folding the handle bars between the two sides, you just fold them down after you put the two sides together so that the stem and handle bars lay flat on top of the folded bike.


How would I go about replacing the handlebar? This "stem" is unlike anything I've ever seen.

You might get better luck with an answer to that on the Dahon forums on the Dahon site. I don't have any direct experience with the Eco.

--sam

Here are some pics:

http://omploader.org/vMm1kNg

And this is what the handlebars and handlepost look like:

http://omploader.org/vMm03OA
http://omploader.org/vMm03Nw
http://omploader.org/vMm03OQ

To you Dahon owners: Can I replace this handlepost with one that allows me to use a stem with a clamp?

to answer your question
NO
you have a cam type/ stem like in the boardwalk ... which is different than the other clamp style handlestems from Dahon

Interesting eco you got there ? where do you live/ got the bike. This is VERY different than the Ecos which are sold in the US . ( same handlebar though)

thor

to answer your question
NO
you have a cam type/ stem like in the boardwalk ... which is different than the other clamp style handlestems from Dahon

Interesting eco you got there ? where do you live/ got the bike. This is VERY different than the Ecos which are sold in the US . ( same handlebar though)

thor

:(

I live in Brazil, and I ordered it online. It's a singlespeed (43/14 gearing ratio, ~57 gear inches) with a coaster brake. I like it a lot, except for the handlebars/handlepost. There's actually a bit of play in the handlepost, and I would really want to fix it. Is there anything you'd recommend to me? I was thinking about chopping off the handlebars and fitting an Aber Hallo stem so I could use different handlebars. This wouldn't solve the play issue in the handlepost, though.

This guy here http://bikehugger.com/2008/01/how-to-fix-a-folder.html has apparently managed to replace his handlepost with a newer model (which is reportedly the best improvement on his bike), and he owns a Boardwalk S1. From what I've seen in pictures, the handlepost looks extremely similar. The latch appears to be the same, but the handlebar isn't adjustable. I wonder if the connection to the fork is the same as mine's.

He hasn't replaced the main piece of the vertical handle bar post. He has simply found a part to replace the stem riser and and handle bar.

The Eco 1 is definitely similar to my 2005 S1 except for the more modern frame and latch.

I use my S1 as a "market" bike (it has a milk crate mounted on the rear rack), I have done a 20 mile ride on a local rails-to-trails bike path, it's comfortable and folds quickly but it does not come anywhere near my NWT performance-wise.

For the $129. I paid for it (brand new), and it's a good folding bike. However, don't figure you can make the Eco 1 into something it's not - a high-end bike.

He hasn't replaced the main piece of the vertical handle bar post. He has simply found a part to replace the stem riser and and handle bar.


I upgraded to a 2005+ handlepost from Gaerlan, which is the single best improvement I’ve made on the bike.

I also upgraded to the Revolve Stem (from the gaerlan site again). The Revolve stem is designed to use with the new handlepost, and fits it very snugly.
It seems he has done both. Maybe he has a different Boardwalk?


For the $129. I paid for it (brand new), and it's a good folding bike. However, don't figure you can make the Eco 1 into something it's not - a high-end bike.
I am aware of the fact that I won't be winning races with this bike. It's just that I don't like the upright position at all and it feels really uncomfortable after some time. I could also do with a bit more reach (I have relatively long arms).

A bit late but welcome to the club!

Where in brazil are you from? I'm from belo horizonte and there's no way in hell you can ride a single speed around here. Got myself a matrix because of the insane hills we got here.

Try some bar ends and/or ergon grips. Can't live without those! Got myself a pair of calypso rey (an imitation of the ergon) grips for R$ 29 and a pair of generic bar ends. Cheaper and you don't void your warranty.

Are those brake levers any good? They look brittle!

I agree with fonfa. Bar ends and good grips are the way to go. You should be able to get some largish bar ends that will help you stretch out.

By the way, my family is from Salvador... though I was born in the US. I guess we have a lot of brazilians here. ;) :D

--sam

Where in brazil are you from? I'm from belo horizonte and there's no way in hell you can ride a single speed around here. Got myself a matrix because of the insane hills we got here.

Try some bar ends and/or ergon grips. Can't live without those! Got myself a pair of calypso rey (an imitation of the ergon) grips for R$ 29 and a pair of generic bar ends. Cheaper and you don't void your warranty.

Are those brake levers any good? They look brittle!
I live in Campinas - SP. When I began commuting by bike (~1 year ago) I thought it would be impossible to ride a singlespeed here. However, as I built strength, I began to shift less and less. As I didn't like shifting (way too much thinking involved), I removed the shifters from my road bike; I'm much happier now. I just pedal. I never have to think about stuff like optimal gearing for the terrain I'm riding.

I would definitely like to try bar-ends, but I don't think it would solve my problem (it would most likely help though). If I can't replace the handlepost, I'm going to order a stem with a clamp and probably get some bullhorns.

The brake lever is made of plastic and feels a little fragile. I've had no problems with it (I seldom use the front brake because of the coaster brake anyways).

Cheers.

Seems to me your quickest solution is to chop off the top and mount a conventional ahead-type stem with plain handlebars.

Regarding the bit of play, that might be the adjustable vise-grip handlepost hinge latch. Adjust the hexagonal shaft a bit until it is nice and tight when closing that latch. But be careful not to make it too tight - the vise-grip latch can exert such huge force it will easily break that hexagonal shaft if too tight. To prevent it from working loose, apply some mild grade Loctite threadlocker to the thread.

Seems to me your quickest solution is to chop off the top and mount a conventional ahead-type stem with plain handlebars.

Regarding the bit of play, that might be the adjustable vise-grip handlepost hinge latch. Adjust the hexagonal shaft a bit until it is nice and tight when closing that latch. But be careful not to make it too tight - the vise-grip latch can exert such huge force it will easily break that hexagonal shaft if too tight. To prevent it from working loose, apply some mild grade Loctite threadlocker to the thread.

Would it fold normally if I did that? Also, is it going to clamp tightly on the chopped off handlebar (wouldn't it slide down or something like that)?

I had seen that adjustment in a Dahon User Manual, but I'm yet to try it (it requires a 6mm wrench, which I don't have).