Folding Bikes - Changing Gears on Dahon "Speed"

Now that I've had a bombproof rear wheel put on my Dahon "Speed" and am going to put a front rack on it, I'm nearly set to do some short tours. The only problem is the gearing isn't really appropriate for hill climbing.

Have any of you changed the gearing on one of these bikes? I wonder if the best way to go would be to put another, smaller, sprocket on the front or bigger ones on the back.

Any suggestions?

I use a double 38-48 chainring in my Mifa and use one or the other depending on the terrain. Most of the time it's the 48 and shift to the smaller ring using a screwdriver (or whatever is at hand). Of course, it's not as easy or convenient as with a derailleur, but still it widens the range.

I use a double 38-48 chainring in my Mifa and use one or the other depending on the terrain. Most of the time it's the 48 and shift to the smaller ring using a screwdriver (or whatever is at hand). Of course, it's not as easy or convenient as with a derailleur, but still it widens the range.

second that. you dont even need to go full 10 steps smaller ..... just use the Hill climbing gears so to speak when you really need them.

Of course I have nifty clamps which allow a front derrailleur to be placed on a speed, but they are expensive and you need to have a double crank anyhow, so you can start with the cranks and than later think about making it shifting from the handlebar ...

thor

Thor, will the front derailleur clamps work for tubes with a 38-39mm diameter? The Dahon's have an approximate diameter of 40-41mm right?

I have them for Speed and MU models