Dahon Boardwalk D7 - yay or nay?
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Dahon Boardwalk D7 - yay or nay?
I've got the option to buy a Dahon Boardwalk D7 for $100. Tires are flat but the seller claims everything else works (and I will test). It's a "few years old" so I'm going to assume a 2010 or so.
Never ridden a folder before. Is this a good starter bike and is the price fair?
Anything special that needs to be checked on a used folder?
Never ridden a folder before. Is this a good starter bike and is the price fair?
Anything special that needs to be checked on a used folder?
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I've got the option to buy a Dahon Boardwalk D7 for $100. Tires are flat but the seller claims everything else works (and I will test). It's a "few years old" so I'm going to assume a 2010 or so.
Never ridden a folder before. Is this a good starter bike and is the price fair?
Anything special that needs to be checked on a used folder?
Never ridden a folder before. Is this a good starter bike and is the price fair?
Anything special that needs to be checked on a used folder?
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I think it is a pretty decent priced offer for a starter, especially if you can do your own tune-up/maintenance. If weight is not a problem, i think a boardwalk would be a little heavier because it is steel instead of the traditional dalloy that dahon uses. I have a 2014 dahon vybe c7a, with a rack and fenders i think it weighs around 26-27lbs. I do enjoy riding my folder, i think even more than my regular bikes hehe One of the downsides of the folders though is upgradeability, especially with the 7spds because of the freewheel hub in the back But at times the 7spd is actually suffice even for some hills Let me know about your decision, just check the frame and the hinges Especially the one in the middle of the frame
This won't be my regular bike, but a trunk bike. I've just picked up an old Cannondale M300 to restore and keep at the office as a beater when I can't commute, but might keep this in the truck instead to use when I don't commute.
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Weight of the bike's not an issue; it's more my weight that's the issue. So steel should be good.
This won't be my regular bike, but a trunk bike. I've just picked up an old Cannondale M300 to restore and keep at the office as a beater when I can't commute, but might keep this in the truck instead to use when I don't commute.
This won't be my regular bike, but a trunk bike. I've just picked up an old Cannondale M300 to restore and keep at the office as a beater when I can't commute, but might keep this in the truck instead to use when I don't commute.
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Thanks for the advice. I'm meeting the seller tomorrow. Hopefully, it's in as good shape as he says.
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Sp pulled the trigger and bought the Boardwalk. I talked him down a little because "might need tubes" meant split tires and no tubes. But brakes and gears worked, no cracks, etc.
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Very good price!
If the handlepost is loose, the hinge can be adjusted for tightness. See Dahon website.
I had one of those. It was a solid bike for moderate around town riding. Thor USA sells all kinds of parts and upgrades.
If the handlepost is loose, the hinge can be adjusted for tightness. See Dahon website.
I had one of those. It was a solid bike for moderate around town riding. Thor USA sells all kinds of parts and upgrades.
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Ended up getting it for $80. One tube was good, but both tires have to be replaced. It also need rim tape.
Haven't had a chance to get the tires yet. I drive through the storm to buy it, but wasn't going to go back out into it for the tires and the LBS is closed Sunday and Monday.
As best I can tell right without riding it, everything else is good. It needs a good bath and some lubing, but I can get that done after work this week now that the weather's cleared up.
I'm planning on a 50+ mile ride this weekend on my other bike, but will toss the Dahon in the truck and pull it out for a pub crawl after the long ride.
Haven't had a chance to get the tires yet. I drive through the storm to buy it, but wasn't going to go back out into it for the tires and the LBS is closed Sunday and Monday.
As best I can tell right without riding it, everything else is good. It needs a good bath and some lubing, but I can get that done after work this week now that the weather's cleared up.
I'm planning on a 50+ mile ride this weekend on my other bike, but will toss the Dahon in the truck and pull it out for a pub crawl after the long ride.
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Based on personal experience, and feedback from customers(I have a rental bike business here in Yokohama), I'd say that is a great buy. Customers often comment on how surprisingly smooth and comfortable the ride and shifting is. I like the strength and robustness of the frame, and how easy it is to maintain. Much of that has to do with the Chromoly frame I think.
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For $80 plus tires, it is a steal. I own a Dahon Vitesse 3 and love it. We are boaters so light weight (26 lbs) is important. I got mine for $200 which was a steal. i have been looking for a 2nd Vitesse for my wife, and I can tell you I have not seen a decent Boatdwalk for less than $200. Good luck and be careful - Those 20" tires are stable, but definitely not as stable as a regular sized bike. I have ridden mine over 8 miles with some hills a few times and it really is a well made foldup.
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Thanks, everyone. I've been scouring Craigslist for a decent folding bike for a while - they're not overly common around here. The few decent ones that have shown (a Brompton here and there, and a couple of other Dahons) were priced at close to the new price. The seller of this one priced this according to the new price of a D1 so it was well under what I'd budgeted.
I was concerned with sizing, since I ride a 20 to 22" mountain bike. But it seems the adjustable handlebar and seat height will work out well. The wheel base is definitely shorter than what I'm used to but I think that will be OK for rides less than 10 miles.
This should be a lot more convenient that keeping an extra bike at the office, at my son's, etc. and having to take the truck on weekend trips. My wife doesn't ride much and has been reluctant to let me put a hitch on her Sonata just to haul my bike with us everywhere.
Since I was well under budget, I'm definitely going to change out the seat = someone put a Huffy cruiser seat on it. I usually like bar ends on my bikes, but I hate to mess with the lines on this bike; not sure I need them if I don't do long rides or climbs.
I was concerned with sizing, since I ride a 20 to 22" mountain bike. But it seems the adjustable handlebar and seat height will work out well. The wheel base is definitely shorter than what I'm used to but I think that will be OK for rides less than 10 miles.
This should be a lot more convenient that keeping an extra bike at the office, at my son's, etc. and having to take the truck on weekend trips. My wife doesn't ride much and has been reluctant to let me put a hitch on her Sonata just to haul my bike with us everywhere.
Since I was well under budget, I'm definitely going to change out the seat = someone put a Huffy cruiser seat on it. I usually like bar ends on my bikes, but I hate to mess with the lines on this bike; not sure I need them if I don't do long rides or climbs.
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Random thought: I am considering pulling off the fenders and installing some 20x1.95 tires I have laying around.
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Since you are putting a huffy cruiser seat on that bike I say also get a set of schwalbe big apples on there. Your ride would be very comfy that way.
only thing is a set of those tires will almost be the price of the bike but they are soooo good for comfort rides and would last 5000km+
20x2 Schwalbe Big Apple Tire
that's the local price from where you are living for a PAIR.
only thing is a set of those tires will almost be the price of the bike but they are soooo good for comfort rides and would last 5000km+
20x2 Schwalbe Big Apple Tire
that's the local price from where you are living for a PAIR.
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-HANK RYAN-
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The standard fenders on most Dahon Boardwalk models are not adjustable and, AFAIK, will not work with 20x2.0 tires. My experience has been that the "adjustable" fenders that come on some models of Dahons and Terns will work most of the time with 20x2.0 Big Apple tires. See: Racks and Mudguards
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not sure what "d7" model he has, but yeah thanks for clearing that up. Also, I'm thinking of getting a pair of BA's too and probably a pair of mountain bike tires for the winter ? maybe this [h=2]Kenda MX K50 BMX Bicycle Tire - 20 x 1.75[/h]
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The 1.95 Kenda tires did not fit without removing the fenders (and forcing them through the brakes). I don't see how a bigger tire would fit. When I pick up new tires, I'll probably go back down to a 1.75 so I can put the fenders back on.
And I am not putting on the huffy cruiser seat! (not a big fan of the seat, as it has a huge "Huffy" splayed across the back of it). It came on the bike; I'm going to replace it but it's a low priority.
Some spokes got broken when I transported the bike from the office home in my wife's trunk (I think I know when and how, but I like being married so I let it go...) so I had to have the LBS replace the spokes. Just got the rear wheel back today. The LBS wanted to repack the bearing, but I think I'm going to give that a try myself.
And I am not putting on the huffy cruiser seat! (not a big fan of the seat, as it has a huge "Huffy" splayed across the back of it). It came on the bike; I'm going to replace it but it's a low priority.
Some spokes got broken when I transported the bike from the office home in my wife's trunk (I think I know when and how, but I like being married so I let it go...) so I had to have the LBS replace the spokes. Just got the rear wheel back today. The LBS wanted to repack the bearing, but I think I'm going to give that a try myself.
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https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...-dahon-d7.html
not sure what "d7" model he has, but yeah thanks for clearing that up. Also, I'm thinking of getting a pair of BA's too and probably a pair of mountain bike tires for the winter ? maybe this Kenda MX K50 BMX Bicycle Tire - 20 x 1.75
not sure what "d7" model he has, but yeah thanks for clearing that up. Also, I'm thinking of getting a pair of BA's too and probably a pair of mountain bike tires for the winter ? maybe this Kenda MX K50 BMX Bicycle Tire - 20 x 1.75
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https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...-dahon-d7.html
not sure what "d7" model he has, but yeah thanks for clearing that up. ...
not sure what "d7" model he has, but yeah thanks for clearing that up. ...
-HANK RYAN-
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Sadly, I haven't ridden it. I commute on my MTB and then weekends have been spent working on my tandem. I planned on riding last weekend but had to wait for the spokes to be fixed. But now that the wheel is repaired, I'll have it all together and take some pics tonight or tomorrow.
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Some shots of the bike.
As I received it.
Fenders pulled and larger tires on. (I confused myself earlier - these aren't the Kendas; I put those on a neighbor kid's bike. These are unnamed tires off a Tony Hawk bike.) I'll get a better pic this weekend when there's actually some sun.
Question for Dahon gurus - handlebar at about a 45 degree angle? Is that where it should be?
Anyway, took it for a short ride this evening. I had some trouble with the rear brake and left it off (the cable nipple's not sliding through the clamp; going to have to replace one or both, I think). But overall really nice to ride. I'm surprised at how comfortable it is.
As I received it.
Fenders pulled and larger tires on. (I confused myself earlier - these aren't the Kendas; I put those on a neighbor kid's bike. These are unnamed tires off a Tony Hawk bike.) I'll get a better pic this weekend when there's actually some sun.
Question for Dahon gurus - handlebar at about a 45 degree angle? Is that where it should be?
Anyway, took it for a short ride this evening. I had some trouble with the rear brake and left it off (the cable nipple's not sliding through the clamp; going to have to replace one or both, I think). But overall really nice to ride. I'm surprised at how comfortable it is.
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$80 was a steal! A very good investment indeed. Adding larger tyres is a good idea, I've done this with multiple folders I've had in the past and never looked back.
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I've done a few 5 mile rides on the Dahon now and it feels really good.
If the weather holds out, I'm going to try a semi-long ride this weekend on one of San Antonio's greenways or the Mission Trail.