Please help me choose a folder
#51
Eschew Obfuscation
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 3,845
Bikes: 2005 Fuji Professional, 2002 Lemond Zurich, Folders - Strida, Merc, Dahon, Downtube, Recumbent folder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by MequonJim
Did I miss anything? Did I get this correct?
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Burbs of Chicago
Posts: 945
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just joined this group and read all posts about the ideal folder to pick. I was leaning on a Citizen but after reading most of the posts here, I didn't find any review on that brand and majority of the discussion seems to focus on Dahon and Downtube. Downtube appears to be available only for purchase on line and the local bike shop in my area is out of Dahon D7. This forum has been very helpful and I am now leaning on a Downtube which I find priced within my budget. I'll post again when I receive mine. Again thanks to all for your posts.
#55
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mequon, WI
Posts: 78
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by kgibbs51
Another item to list as a "Pro" for the Curve (at least the D3) is the tire pump in the seat.
#56
Bromptonaut
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Posts: 1,736
Bikes: 1994 Diamond Back Racing Prevail ti; Miyata 914, Miyata 1000, 2017 Van Nicholas Chinook
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Yes, it is being ditched by most owners.
__________________
Feel free to follow me on Instagram
Feel free to follow me on Instagram
#57
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mequon, WI
Posts: 78
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm leaning towards the Curve D3. Here is what I think I should order:
1. Dahon Curve D3 $360 shipped www.sunrisecyclery.com
2. Thudbuster LT 27.2mm XL $137 shipped. www.thudbuster.com
3. Dahon telescoping seat post (accepts 27.2mm) $30.50 shipped www.thorusa.com
It brings me a bit over budget, but the Thudbuster should be able to be used on other bikes in the future, as it is a standard size.
1. Dahon Curve D3 $360 shipped www.sunrisecyclery.com
2. Thudbuster LT 27.2mm XL $137 shipped. www.thudbuster.com
3. Dahon telescoping seat post (accepts 27.2mm) $30.50 shipped www.thorusa.com
It brings me a bit over budget, but the Thudbuster should be able to be used on other bikes in the future, as it is a standard size.
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 108
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
MequonJim et all: Help me out here. Can you recap why you'd buy the Thudbuster and the Telescoping Seat Post? To protect your butt because the Curve's ride is less forgiving than my mountain bike or due to rider height? I'm 5'9" @ 160 lbs.
I suppose I could order them later.
I suppose I could order them later.
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 1,498
Bikes: Many Downtube Folders :)
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 282 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 24 Times
in
17 Posts
FYI we will begin selling adjustable height stems for the mini in 7-10 days. Cost will be about $49.
Thanks,
Yan
Thanks,
Yan
#60
mini mini joy joy
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 27
Bikes: 2004 Downtube Mini, 2020 Downtube 9FS, 2020 Dahon Boardwalk
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I like the Mini price but the styling is so so and the color is aweful
#61
Bromptonaut
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Posts: 1,736
Bikes: 1994 Diamond Back Racing Prevail ti; Miyata 914, Miyata 1000, 2017 Van Nicholas Chinook
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
MequonJim,
Consider ordering everything from Thor and see if he can give you a discount. Maybe you can save some money on shipping. That's what I did.
Consider ordering everything from Thor and see if he can give you a discount. Maybe you can save some money on shipping. That's what I did.
__________________
Feel free to follow me on Instagram
Feel free to follow me on Instagram
#62
Eschew Obfuscation
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 3,845
Bikes: 2005 Fuji Professional, 2002 Lemond Zurich, Folders - Strida, Merc, Dahon, Downtube, Recumbent folder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by dcoli
I thought the same about the color until it arrived - it's hard to capture the subtle, irridescent quality of the color. Far from being a garish Miami lime green, it's a very soft and sophisticated pearly tone. People comment on it all the time - even when it's folded up at my house.
Totally agree. It's really quite cute.
#63
Eschew Obfuscation
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 3,845
Bikes: 2005 Fuji Professional, 2002 Lemond Zurich, Folders - Strida, Merc, Dahon, Downtube, Recumbent folder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by MequonJim
I'm leaning towards the Curve D3. Here is what I think I should order:
1. Dahon Curve D3 $360 shipped www.sunrisecyclery.com
2. Thudbuster LT 27.2mm XL $137 shipped. www.thudbuster.com
3. Dahon telescoping seat post (accepts 27.2mm) $30.50 shipped www.thorusa.com
It brings me a bit over budget, but the Thudbuster should be able to be used on other bikes in the future, as it is a standard size.
1. Dahon Curve D3 $360 shipped www.sunrisecyclery.com
2. Thudbuster LT 27.2mm XL $137 shipped. www.thudbuster.com
3. Dahon telescoping seat post (accepts 27.2mm) $30.50 shipped www.thorusa.com
It brings me a bit over budget, but the Thudbuster should be able to be used on other bikes in the future, as it is a standard size.
What is it about the Curve that makes you willing to pay such a premium over the Mini?
Thanks,
#64
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mequon, WI
Posts: 78
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by downtube
FYI we will begin selling adjustable height stems for the mini in 7-10 days. Cost will be about $49.
Thanks,
Yan
Thanks,
Yan
#65
Car free since 1995
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,050
Bikes: M5 Carbon High Racer, Trek Emonda SL6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
6 Posts
Hi dcoli--I sent you a reply, but your account email is blocked, so make sure to include a return address. My uni is my username, pm124 if you want to email directly.
I would put in a vote for buying Dahons from J Gaerlan. Though he charges retail, he unpacks the bike and trues the wheels for you before repacking and shipping. If the spoke tension is terrible, he'll send it back to Dahon. You can have your LBS true the wheel for you, but it will cost more than you will save on your internet deal. I bought my used Birdy from him and was very happy with the service. And my wheels are still true after 1000 km of NYC potholes. Thor is a major dealer here on the forum, so maybe he does something similar.
Another consideration is that you should use a reputable dealer like Thor or Gaerlan simply because some of the discount dealers might not take the bike back if there is something wrong. Sunrise is right down the street from Brands Cycle and Fitness, which offers similar prices to Sunrise, but wouldn't take my defective Dahon back. I don't know anything about Sunrise in particular.
Obviously, Yan is more than reputable. He'll even take the bike back just because you don't like the color, so long as you do so within 30 days.
I would put in a vote for buying Dahons from J Gaerlan. Though he charges retail, he unpacks the bike and trues the wheels for you before repacking and shipping. If the spoke tension is terrible, he'll send it back to Dahon. You can have your LBS true the wheel for you, but it will cost more than you will save on your internet deal. I bought my used Birdy from him and was very happy with the service. And my wheels are still true after 1000 km of NYC potholes. Thor is a major dealer here on the forum, so maybe he does something similar.
Another consideration is that you should use a reputable dealer like Thor or Gaerlan simply because some of the discount dealers might not take the bike back if there is something wrong. Sunrise is right down the street from Brands Cycle and Fitness, which offers similar prices to Sunrise, but wouldn't take my defective Dahon back. I don't know anything about Sunrise in particular.
Obviously, Yan is more than reputable. He'll even take the bike back just because you don't like the color, so long as you do so within 30 days.
Last edited by pm124; 04-09-07 at 02:59 PM.
#66
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mequon, WI
Posts: 78
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by kgibbs51
MequonJim et all: Help me out here. Can you recap why you'd buy the Thudbuster and the Telescoping Seat Post? To protect your butt because the Curve's ride is less forgiving than my mountain bike or due to rider height? I'm 5'9" @ 160 lbs.
I suppose I could order them later.
I suppose I could order them later.
However, now I see in the Dahon Curve D3 thread that you tried the Sunrise Cyclery deal and it is out of stock until May. In addition, Yan opened up the adjustable handlebar height solution for the Downtube Mini in 7-10 days.
Now I'm back to being uncertain.
#67
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mequon, WI
Posts: 78
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by SesameCrunch
I'm also curious about your decision (I'm not questioning it, just trying to understand your rationale). The Thudbuster and seatpost adds a 45% premium to the original price of the Curve, and makes the Curve $200 more than the Mini, which has a suspension.
What is it about the Curve that makes you willing to pay such a premium over the Mini?
Thanks,
What is it about the Curve that makes you willing to pay such a premium over the Mini?
Thanks,
I could buy the Downtube Mini and adjustable height stem for around $481 shipped and possibly do the mechanical stuff myself with instructions.
Or I could buy the Dahon Curve D3 for $399 shipped plus the Telescoping Seat Post for $30.50 shipped and get a shim for my suspension seat post. This would probably be for a total of about $450 or so.
It is a tough call.
#68
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mequon, WI
Posts: 78
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 14R
MequonJim,
Consider ordering everything from Thor and see if he can give you a discount. Maybe you can save some money on shipping. That's what I did.
Consider ordering everything from Thor and see if he can give you a discount. Maybe you can save some money on shipping. That's what I did.
#69
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mequon, WI
Posts: 78
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by pm124
I would put in a vote for buying Dahons from J Gaerlan. Though he charges retail, he unpacks the bike and trues the wheels for you before repacking and shipping. If the spoke tension is terrible, he'll send it back to Dahon. You can have your LBS true the wheel for you, but it will cost more than you will save on your internet deal. I bought my used Birdy from him and was very happy with the service. And my wheels are still true after 1000 km of NYC potholes. Thor is a major dealer here on the forum, so maybe he does something similar.
Another consideration is that you should use a reputable dealer like Thor or Gaerlan simply because some of the discount dealers might not take the bike back if there is something wrong. Sunrise is right down the street from Brands Cycle and Fitness, which offers similar prices to Sunrise, but wouldn't take my defective Dahon back. I don't know anything about Sunrise in particular.
Obviously, Yan is more than reputable. He'll even take the bike back just because you don't like the color, so long as you do so within 30 days.
Another consideration is that you should use a reputable dealer like Thor or Gaerlan simply because some of the discount dealers might not take the bike back if there is something wrong. Sunrise is right down the street from Brands Cycle and Fitness, which offers similar prices to Sunrise, but wouldn't take my defective Dahon back. I don't know anything about Sunrise in particular.
Obviously, Yan is more than reputable. He'll even take the bike back just because you don't like the color, so long as you do so within 30 days.
Also, on Thor's site: https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/warranty.htm There is an extra fee to get the bike adjusted.
I wonder how out of whack these things come from Dahon?
I would definitely double check any stores return policy for defective merchandise before ordering. Often you get what you pay for. I did find low prices at both www.brandscycle.com and www.bikesarecool.com on the Curve D3, although I can't say whether either store will stand behind what they sell.
#70
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 108
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
J Gaerlan's doesn't sell the Curve. I just called them and he talked poorly about the 16" wheels saying that he doesn't recommend that short of a wheelbase.
I guess that's what you get in Cali. Alls it has to do if fit in your car trunk. They never have to worry about crowded urban commuter rail.
Thank though.
I guess that's what you get in Cali. Alls it has to do if fit in your car trunk. They never have to worry about crowded urban commuter rail.
Thank though.
#71
Silly Party Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: NH
Posts: 345
Bikes: Rans Stratus XP
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by MequonJim
2. Thudbuster LT 27.2mm XL $137 shipped. www.thudbuster.com
#72
Car free since 1995
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,050
Bikes: M5 Carbon High Racer, Trek Emonda SL6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
6 Posts
If you do get one, make sure it fits beforehand. You need to think about length and width. Also, it will interfere with folding if not thought out right. So, be careful.
Sorry about the Gaerlan advice not working out. He sure was an advocate of the Birdy, which has 355 wheels on it (right between the Curve's 305s and 20" 406s)
Sorry about the Gaerlan advice not working out. He sure was an advocate of the Birdy, which has 355 wheels on it (right between the Curve's 305s and 20" 406s)
#73
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 108
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
pm124: No worries. I'm always willing to take advise when given for free. That's why I called the man. I think there is a local option for me. Might be $40 more but maybe worth it.
#74
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 127
Bikes: Dahon Folder Speed D7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Guys-
I bought my Dahon Speed D6 from brandscycle and have nothing but positive stuff to say about them. I got a great deal on the '06 model ($290 all in, which included tax and shipping). It arrived the next day after ordering and although it was missing one screw for the seat post quick lock, they were very good in contacting Dahon and having them ship and entire new locking mechanism (as an extra) free of charge. Since it was pre-assembled by Brandscycle and then re-packed before being shipped to me, I took the bike immediately to a local bike shop so they could check it out and they said that everything was in order (everything aligned and calibrated properly etc.) . I couldn't be happier with the bike and the service, both from Dahon and Brandscycle.
Hope this helps.
I bought my Dahon Speed D6 from brandscycle and have nothing but positive stuff to say about them. I got a great deal on the '06 model ($290 all in, which included tax and shipping). It arrived the next day after ordering and although it was missing one screw for the seat post quick lock, they were very good in contacting Dahon and having them ship and entire new locking mechanism (as an extra) free of charge. Since it was pre-assembled by Brandscycle and then re-packed before being shipped to me, I took the bike immediately to a local bike shop so they could check it out and they said that everything was in order (everything aligned and calibrated properly etc.) . I couldn't be happier with the bike and the service, both from Dahon and Brandscycle.
Hope this helps.