Mehow

I ordered a Dahon Boardwalk7 in late September and I have been waiting for it to be delivered to my LBS. Today I called my LBS to ask them if it had come in, they said that it was on back-order and that I was going to recieve the 2006 model. So, does anybody know anything about the 2006 Boardwalk7? Dahon's website only has information about '05 & '04. I'm wondering what improvements they made to the '06, since there are many inprovements between the '05 & '04. BTW my LBS said that it was going to be delivered in a week (which probably means nearly 2 weeks )

Thanks

Huffer

Check these links out:

https://www.dahon.ch/galery/pdf/2006_dahon_1.pdf

https://www.dahon.ch/galery/pdf/2006_dahon_2.pdf

Mehow

The links lead to an error page.

wpflem

Mehow, according to our latest information, current as of this week, the 2005 Boardwalk D7 and 2005 Mariner D7 are due in 10/10 to 10/14. You will wait a mightly long time if you want a 2006 model. Those are months away.

I believe it was Josh Dahon who told me that for 2006 their Speed D7 will be the new Boardwalk D7 since it is overtaking the Boardwalk D7 in popularity and is priced the same I think. The 2006 Boardwalk D7 will be stiffer and will have a gear range increase of 37%.

I would suggest that you go ahead with your 2005 model as planned and be willing to substitute the Mariner D7 if necessary. With its water resistant chain and attractive blue corrosion resist paint, I think it's worth the extra few dollars.

Avatar

Another 37% increase in gear range on top of the already +37%?

From Dahon's site for 2005 Boardwalk D7:
In 2005, the Boardwalk gets its most stunning make-over yet, with new Fusion technology that integrates the fork, frame and handlepost and improves torsional rigidity by over 35%. The D7 model also gets an upgraded drivetrain with a revolutionary new 7 speed Dahon Neos rear derailleur and 11-30T freewheel that increase the gear range by 37%.

Mehow

wpflem,

It's not that I want an '06 Boardwalk, instead I was told by my LBS that I was going to recive a '06, and not a '05 as I had expected. (I ordered the bike a week ago). That's why I was curious as to what the '06 Boardwalk was.

The problem I have with Dahon, although I've already ordered a bike from them, is that the components vary so much depending on where your get your information from. For example, I have a '05 brouchuer showing the Boardwalk 7 with fenders and rack, while there website has them not included. I contacted Dahon and they told me that the Boardwalk doesn't come with a rack and fender. I've also seen the '05 Boardwalk advertised with two different types of derailers! It's confusing.

wpflem

Avatar, excellent point, thank you. The information I found was straight out of the 2006 catalogue brochure I picked up at Interbike so I thought it safe to write, apparently not.

wpflem

Yes, and I have made that point with Dahon more than once. One of the problems is that different countries get their bikes with different configurations. I maintain that at least for the USA we should expect the pictures to reflect what is available in US market. Although, I think at times shortages of components may lead to differing configurations during a given manufacturing year.

I can tell you that all the 2005 Boardwalk 7's we received this year have included fenders, rack, and bungie cord.

Mehow

I guess there's nothing more to say. I'll just wait and see what type of a Boardwalk 7 they send me . I ordered the "deluxe fenders" while buying the bike, since I was told by Dahon (via e-mail) that Boardwalks didn't include fenders. I saved the e-mail from Dahon just incase I need it later on

Thanks for all the comments guys!

wpflem

Be sure to let us know what you get. It may be that the new shipment is without fenders.

Mehow

I got word that I can pick up my Dahon this Saturday! I'll post picture as soon as I can if it is indeed the '06 Boardwalk 7

14R 

Please do so. Since the online 2006 pdf catalog disappeared, I can't wait to see the new stuff that your bike may have if it is the newest one.

Rafael

Mehow

I picked it up today, and it looks like a '05. I'll take pictures and look at it closer when have a little more time to do so. I'll also write down some first impressions.

Mehow

BTW- The fenders and rack were $30 extra (from Dahon), and didn't come with the bike as stock.

It seems to be the standard '05 Boardwalk 7. I've rode on it no more than a 1/4 mile, therefore I'm not ready to write a full blown review. But some of the first things that I noticed was that it felt just like a bike should. Okay let me explain; I thought that the bike would feel loose or wiggly, but it feels just as I would expect a 20" bike to feel. Another thing I noticed was that the handle bars seemed way to high. I'm 6'3" so it's not as though I have short arms, but then again maybe it's just that I've grown use to my road bike's bars. I also miss having clip-less pedals, but maybe I'll put a toe-clip system on these pedals, so my feet don't slide around. Folding and unfolding it is really easy, with there being nothing to muscle into place. The bike seems really well designed. I'll write a longer review in a few weeks, once I get a good feel for the bike.

v1nce

Congrats on your purchase. Nice good value wheels. Hope it works out for you.

14R 

Your bike looks really nice! Congratulations!

Rafael

miner_49

Mehow, I notice that you are in LA/Orange County. Who is your LBS? Do they have experience working on folders? From some of the various forums I've read researching Dahon and folding bikes in general, there seem to be some nightmare stories about getting proper care for these as there are some particular issues with folding bikes over normal ones, and having to deal with an almost condescending attitude about working on a kid bike.

My attempts at finding information out from several Dahon's website listed LBS was pretty bad. They either don't normally stock them and only get them on order or didn't really know anything about them. The price of living somewhere where these type of bikes just aren't popular. I'm hoping to find a LBS in the local area that understands working on these bikes.

I'm in the process of getting a Speed 8 (off the internet) to ride the bike trails by my work in the Valley during lunch as I need one that can fit in the back of my 02 TransAm where the T-tops go and possibly for the light rail/subway lines (I'd have to be able to bring it home this way on Friday Afternoons since I will be commuting this way 2-3 days a week to save gas once the Orange Line opens next week). But finding someone who can keep it fixed up properly is a concern of mine. I don't care if its in Orange County since I live on the county border and grew up down in south county.