Folding Bikes - the word on Dahon serviceability

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View Full Version : the word on Dahon serviceability


vwheels
02-10-11, 12:56 AM
So what's the consensus on the ability to repair/upgrade Dahons? From what I gather, it's a YMMV scenario. Either you do great with it for an extended period of time or a part breaks and your out of luck. Thoughts?


fietsbob
02-10-11, 01:43 AM
Do you have a local dealer to buy the bike?, service after the sale is better,
with face time with a dealer.

vwheels
02-10-11, 04:15 AM
Very possible, but would that solve the issue of obtaining replacement parts?


kamtsa
02-10-11, 05:25 AM
Very possible, but would that solve the issue of obtaining replacement parts?

It depends.

There are two kinds of Dahon customers. Those that know about Thor and those that don't.

bored117
02-10-11, 09:37 AM
Fortunately I fall under those that knows about Thor... :)
Most of Dahon parts are easily serviceable. Real Dahon specific things in the bikes are...
fork, hinge parts for folding sections, stems, front hub. Other than that, it is pretty much generic and can be serviced by any shop.

BruceMetras
02-10-11, 11:03 AM
Real Dahon specific things in the bikes are...
fork, hinge parts for folding sections, stems, front hub.

Actually the 74mm front hub is also used on the Brompton and BF Tikit.. if you want to splurge, Phil Woods also has 74mm front hubs..

vmaniqui
02-10-11, 04:42 PM
It depends.

There are two kinds of Dahon customers. Those that know about Thor and those that don't.

yes. this helps a lot. as long as you have a dahon and you know thor, you're in good hands.

vwheels
02-10-11, 06:57 PM
Sounds good to me. Thanks for the replies all!

folder fanatic
02-11-11, 09:54 AM
So what's the consensus on the ability to repair/upgrade Dahons? From what I gather, it's a YMMV scenario. Either you do great with it for an extended period of time or a part breaks and your out of luck. Thoughts?

Dahons are a good lot of bikes that are fine for the most part. They are good recreational bikes and a good choice for that particular market.


It depends.

There are two kinds of Dahon customers. Those that know about Thor and those that don't.



Fortunately I fall under those that knows about Thor... :)
Most of Dahon parts are easily serviceable. Real Dahon specific things in the bikes are...
fork, hinge parts for folding sections, stems, front hub. Other than that, it is pretty much generic and can be serviced by any shop.


yes. this helps a lot. as long as you have a dahon and you know thor, you're in good hands.

What happens if Thor sells his business to someone else? Or retires? Or worse? I don't like to be too dependent on any one thing for anything not just bike repair-even though I also agree that he is tops in that regard. I now like to have plenty of options & alternatives available to me. I learned that the hard way when my own favorite dependable dealer, the Flying Dutchman, went out of business when the proprietor retired. I was thirty years without a good repairman/dealer that I could depend on for the bikes. I have the same problem now with my sewing machines. That is why I don't bother repairing them anymore. I usually buy them at Sears which has a good return policy (mostly 3 months allowed after purchase).