crystalspin

Bought two old Dahons from eBay listing... dates (ages) were given as 1983/1986, but on meeting the sellers it was just an estimate based on the memory of the extended-family members *they* had got them from.

The archives on the Dahon site go back just a few years. Any help determining the year/model for red 3-speed and blue single-speed folders?

TIA ~'spin!~

matucanna

Sorry, can't help with your question, but as a very-soon-to-be owner of a Downtube, did you manage to find a way to fold yours down to the dimensions described in the specs?

Anna

crystalspin

Anna:
Well, no, but haven't REALLY tried, either. The pics in the gallery show some with handlebar inside the fold, some out... so there *are* variations to try. It's not crucial as my husband has a large corner desk to stash it under; and I suppose it will end up mostly folded with handlebar outside the folded wheels (as easier to navigate with seat-down/wheels-folded but handlebar up to grab) at least while it's there (when he commutes that is).

The Dahons fold considerably smaller (they have 16" wheels)... but their rides are not so comfy, either.

As DH is not reading the Bike Forums, I will share with you something that is a surprise for HIM -- I ordered the VIIIH yesterday, because it was the last day of the PRE-order sale price... I couldn't help myself! The FS will PROBABLY be mine (same reason you got the internal hub -- cleaner for husband's commute) -- unless he finds the full suspension way more comfortable then I won't get it until he has lost a little babyfat! But his commute is only about four miles each way so front suspension should be plenty once he is adjusted to the ride, i.e. gets some seat-calluses.

He is talking about re-eBaying the Dahons, but I'm for keeping them for tight-packed car or minivan trips.

We should get our H-models within a week or so, I'm thinking! Depending on how much quality-control checking Yan likes to do first...

Tee hee! ~'spin!~

matucanna

Hi Crystal,

I wish Yan had a counter somewhere so we could see how those H's have been selling ... you get curious! I wonder if they'll be numbered 1 to 50? At least you already have your FS - I'm completely without a bike right now and really missing one!

I had just gone back to the beginning of the Downtube thread and noticed more discussion of the folding and putting in the bag there too - Yan mentions something about folding it in a different direction to get a tighter fit and there also seems to be some slight variations depending on the model. Yan has mentioned to me that for 'rolling' it a bit it was good to keep the seat up and didn't mention the handlebars, so I'll experiment with that.

I went through a lot of angst about my decision wrt 16" or 20" Dahon or something else ... so thanks for your comparison - very reassuring coming from someone with both the Dahons and Downtube(s). Which Dahons do you have? I also thought about the IX FS, but decided that I wanted a sturdy rack so I'm upgrading to a Brooks saddle to give some added padding over the many potholes in Montreal.

I figure they should land by next week as well - he got them out of customs on Wednesday, I think, and he's planning to ship them today, and I read elsewhere that someone ebayed one on Sunday and received it on Wednesday, so that bodes well depending on your location somewhat, I guess.

We'll have to meet over at the Downtube thread once they've landed - I'll be interested to hear your comments, as well as your DH's. I'm sure he'll be very pleasantly surprised as long as you manage to keep it a secret!

Anna

crystalspin

Well, maybe a counter for everyone to see wouldn't be very good marketing (if the takers were a little slow at the start say) -- until it got down to just a few left, then the pressure to buy would be increased of course. Yan can always add that to the top of the description when it gets to that point: "Get 'em while they last! Only ten left in stock!"

We know there are only 50 in this shipment, so we are among the few and the bold! (Besides, there is the 30-day satisfaction guarantee, how can you beat that?!!)

The Dahons are 1985-ish (remember that was the purpose of my original post!) -- and without any visible suspension -- so it probably isn't a valid comparison of JUST the wheel-size... but my feeling is that the wheel-size does affect the ride. The 20" wheel (plus the 8 gear-ratios) seems a good choice (or, compromise) for acceptable-folded size with a quite-comfortable ride.

Someone with a modern 16" Dahon (Piccolo?) might tell us how it feels for longer or harder rides...

Maybe it's the seat I'm supposed to leave up to use as a handle for "steering" the part-folded bike. Still need to experiment with it in various configurations.

RE: your/our Downtubes... Yours is shipping to this side of the border, right? VT or NH? Yes, I'm thinking this is the last weekend you'll be without bicycle! I think my first one closed on eBay Thursday night and arrived here the next Wednesday, but remember that's all the way across the continent.

BTW, the new forum (Phorum) is up on the DT website. The "thread" on here is getting a little cumbersome, like a multithread *section* all jumbled into one -- technical/opinion/marketing-critique et al. My mom is here for a visit and I'll get her to get a photo of both of us on both DT's, once second one arrives, for that forum.

~'spin!~ PS, I grew up in the Adirondack Mountains not too far from Montreal!

matucanna

Hi Crystal,

The moment I came back I realized which Dahons you had ... I'm not THAT stupid usually - honest!

Yeah, my comment about the counter for the VIIIH was tongue in cheek. I felt under pressure with that 50 only and I pre-booked quite a while ago, so I can easily imagine how you were feeling! That's a good idea for Yan once he gets to the last 10! All of this forum discussion and being among, as you put it, 'the few and the bold', is making my first new bike purchase in 35 years a surprising amount of fun! I've read elsewhere that the 20" wheel gives a better ride and it was one reason I went in that direction finally (but aren't those Downtube Greens the nicest colour?!).

Yes, I'm having it shipped to Vermont as my Dad lives a 10 minute drive from Richford. Spent all my summers there in Glen Sutton growing up. It's because of the UPS broker fees - they tack on so much extra. I noticed a letter in a weekly rag's sex column a week ago about someone who had ordered a sex toy and ended up paying as much or more in shipping as it was worth. I've gone to great lengths to get my orders from the States sent ANY other way when I can, or sent to friends just over the border, damn the additional waiting time and hassle. Hmmm ... it takes longer to ship to rural areas too, so who knows ... I'll check on Thursday to see if there's any news. Back to what you were saying ... so what part of the Adirondacks did you grow up in? That area is beautiful on both sides of the border - I feel so lucky to have spent so much time out there when I was young and to still be able to go out there to visit my dad. My younger sister the cycle-nut goes out almost every weekend to ride. Olympic cyclist and gold medal speed skater Clara Hughes has settled just further along the old dirt road from my dad. I wonder if any of that enthusiasm will rub off on me now that I'm getting a decent bike?

I don't think there's a real 'supposed to' wrt how to manoeuvre this bicycle folded, but thought I should pass that along for trying out, but it would seem that it's more stable and central than the handle bars.


I wonder why Yan hasn't sent out a mass emailing to all of his customers about that forum (probably on his long list of things-to-do) ... I'd forgotten to check it out, thanks for the reminder!

I'll be looking forward to seeing those pics and will try to post one of my own as well. You might want to try taking a pic of those Dahons at the same time and sending it to them for dating. (Ha, and I bet you'd thought that there was no way I could get back on topic, right?!

Anna

geo8rge

Dahon Co. has a msg board on their site. Posting there w pics might get hlep from a fanatic or Dahon employee.

crystalspin

That's right, they do -- thanks George!

Anna, I'm from a bit further south, other side of the High Peaks -- Old Forge and later Indian Lake (and then back to Old Forge)... but Montreal/Quebec were close enough for French Club weekend fieldtrips from I.L. And my family also visited the maritime provinces (NB/NS, not PEI) for at least one summer vacation...

I didn't consider the UPS fees, but just the [apparent] vagaries of customs' personnel/procedures (based solely on my experience with timing of eBay shipments), as a reason to ship within the country of origin.

The whole "folder" thing has been great fun: researching, buying, riding -- feels like the first NEW thing DH and I have done (and done together) in a long time... didn't even realize we were "in a rut" but this is looking to get us out of it!

If only the heat would break, it would be easier to think about getting into condition, however. Right now at 90F and climbing (with very hot sun), I don't even want to roll the Dahons out to take a photo... maybe when the sun gets lower. But great idea from both you and George, to do that!

~'spin!~

sethrotull

How much was the pre-order price for the VIIIH? I didn't know they released their new line

jordanb

The Sturmey Archer hub will have a two digit year stamped on it, and also a month number. That will tell you when the Stumey was made. The DaHon would have been made at some point after that. If the Sturmey was made early in the year then the DaHon was probably made in that same year. If it was made near the end the DaHon was probably made in the following year.

crystalspin

Thanks Jordon! I'll have a look for that date-code.

Sethro: the pre-price was $30 off... ironically, I PayPal'd (direct transfer) it without checking my balance and incurred 3 internal transfers from my line-of-credit to checking -- nothing 'bounces' but each transfer costs me $10 -- so I overall saved nothing! Ha ha on me.

Anna, My 'H' hadn't come by Friday (out of town on Saturday, so it may be sitting at my mail-drop now, else I will expect it later today) -- but my husband twigged: he is co-signer on my checking account from whence my PayPal is directed, and was checking it on-line Thursday night... "What'd you spend $XXX on?" says he. "I can't tell you," I replied... [pregnant pause, then from him:] "What color did you get?"

Then of course he informed me of the overdraft transfers! Oh well, I *mean* well!

~'spin!~

San Rensho 

Well,I guess if you went to yahoo.personals and set up your profile to show that you're into old Dahons, you might get some responses, but aren't there laws against that sort of thing in many states?

Bad joke. Sorry, I couldn't resist!

james Haury

I would date a nice young woman who wants to get married and have children .A redhead built very solidly would be nice around 24 to 30 years of age.

matucanna

And I thought I was off-topic! But I have to admit I also did a double take when I saw that topic title. And now I'm trying to decide if my VIIIH is male or female ...

Yes, Crystalspin I have it and have had it for a few days now and I love it! You must have received yours as well. I've been very busy with a houseguest for the last week and a half, but he should be leaving tomorrow. I'll write in the Downtube thread soon after and/or then in the downtube forum. And someone should definitely put a link there to the downtube thread(s) that is here. When/where are you going to post?

Anna