PerpetualT

My quest for a smaller (or folding) bike with drop bars is over at last. After much online research I placed an order for a Dahon Hammerhead 7.0 (2006 model). The 7.0 is in my opinion a great bike with good specifications, and the 2006 model has the front suspension, which was removed in later versions of the bike, and I prefer a bit of suspension on an aluminium frame bike that is lacking the flex of the steel frame.

The price? £245 - down from £799, which I think is a great deal. They are also selling the Hammerhead 5.0 (2006 model), this is the one with flat bars, for £199 - reduced from £479.

Here is a link to the 2006 Hammerhead page on Dahon's website

I just felt like I should pass this on, as we in the United Kingdom often seem to be starved of good deals, paying far more for things that are cheaper in continental Europe and the US. I bought the bike from Winstanleys Bikes. These bikes are currently in the clearance section under "Folders". I hope it is OK under forum rules to pass this info on.



I think the Hammerhead 7.0 is a great bike, and a worthy compromise to the bike I initially had considered, namely the Pashley Moulton TSR30. But at over £1350 I simply could not justify spending so much many on a bicycle. The only thing I would have wished for is that Dahon would produce their really neat smaller bikes (the Hammerhead and the Smooth Hound) in steel. I was reassured however to learn that Dahon offer a 5 year warranty on such things as the frame, which is upgradable to lifetime warranty when you register online at their website.

I will post some pictures of the bike once it has been delivered. I cannot wait to take it for a spin around the cycletrack of Hyde Park!

LittlePixel

Very tempting - all my bikes are fixies and this is a great deal on a well specced compact roadie... Hmm...

(they appear to have Mezzo's and all manner of other good (but not quite so good!) deals on other Dahons too.

Great tip-off - thanks!

nigelme

I bought a Hammerhead 7.0 a month ago from Winstanley - It's great fun and really encourages speed. Being an internet purchase it did require being set up, including grease in all parts. Unfortunately a small grommet that the front forks sit on was missing - Winstanley were a bit disinterested so I e-mailed Fisher (Dahon importer for England) and Mat Clark sent me the bit post haste - Full marks to him for customer service (I don't say that often)

For me, the highlights of the bike are the shifters and the I-beam saddle which I'd always thought was more of a gimmick but works well. The Schwalbe Stelvio 28-406 are super fast but of course give no cushioning - They are great on good tarmac. The brakes aren't great.

I also have a Pashley Moulton, which is a different beast entirely - Slightly heavier but more solid. I tour with a Moulton but wouldn't on the Hammerhead (it has no braze-ons for a rack). Then again that's not what this machines for. If like me you're totally sold on 20" wheels and want a racer then this is an absolute bargain - The seatpost, wheels and the haddlebar/riser can be removed in no time to reduce the Hammerhead down to more compact than my Downtube IX.

Let's all get one, meet up in Hyde Park and take on the Lycra-Lads!

Fear&Trembling

Cheers for the heads up PT- just ordered one.

I am a little concerned about the sizing (I'm 6" 1' and a half) and hope the large frame has sufficient cock-pit reach. Any views Nigelme?

Have not decided whether I am going to keep the gears or not...

PDR

I have ordered a 2008 version Dahon MU SL from them this morning and it should be in stock at the end of this month.

I have never been to Winstanley’s before but it is highly likely that I will be going to a firearms dealer in Standish on Saturday which is just 2 miles away… at least then I will know where to collect my bike from when it arrives.

msincredible

If you do so the rest of us want pictures!

PerpetualT

Well it arrived today, and I had completely forgotten about having to put it together but it all seems pretty forward. I still have the front break to do.

Nigelme: Is the fork suspension locked out when delivered, my suspension seems pretty stiff for the moment
and I haven't really figured this one out yet. Any suggestions?

Fear&Trembling: I am 5.11 and almost think I could have gotten away with the medium sized frame. The larger sized frame should hopefully be fine.

LittlePixel

When you're putting it together - you wouldn't mind measuring the distance between the rear dropouts would you? I'm guessing it's 130mm but it might be 135 or 125... Might help with a decision is all.

nigelme

The suspension on mine is stiff but gives enough when crossing a 'traffic calming ramp' (calming?).
I haven't found any info on adjustment on the web and have been too busy whizzing about to fiddle with it.
There is a nipple-inlet on the top but I don't know if this is for lube.

I'm 5'8 and got the Medium frame which works for me - there's over an inch to min-insert on the seat-post. The Winstanley spec sheet reckons up to 6'2 for the larger frame so it should be OK for Fear&Trembling.

It doesn't say whether the wheel-base is longer with the large frame; I imagine that would be better for a taller person. The wheel base on mine is 102cm (40inch) - a few inches less than my Moulton and Downtube. Also the handlebar width is 4inches less on the Hammerhead so the ride is different - definitely a workout!

nigelme

Here are some pointless pictures of the Hammerhead just out of the box.

The rear dropout distance is 130mm

4cmd3

Yay unboxing photos!

Fear&Trembling

Glad to hear that the postage was prompt. I am looking forward to my bike arriving now. I was holding out for the new steel Swift, but with no sign of it yet, I will wait 'till next year.

If the top-tube is a bit short, I'll get a carbon post with 35mm of layback. This also means I can use one of my preferred saddles.

I will also swop out the rear Stelvio for a wider Kojak.

The 55/44 chainset and 11/24 cassette should be fine for most conditions, and I am not too fussed about upgrading to 9 or 10 speed.

James H Haury

Ahhh yes compretery pointress imperialist running dog.But still verry nice.I wish I could get that bike here aras it is not sord in the USA.Do you think a smarr one wourd fit Kim Jong IR?

nigelme

Seery iriot! - I'm a capatarist pig

PerpetualT

I've been on my first ride... it is a fast one. I like it!

4cmd3

Nice pic, but so cruel... show the other direction so we can imagine riding it!

LittlePixel

I'm wondering if one could sneak some skinny 451 rims in the space of those 406's...

jur

Why would you - you'd cop a lot of disadvantages and no advantages...? Or do you mean for looks only?

LittlePixel

I'm all about the looks lol...
Bigger rims= slightly faster with same gearing.
And skinny 451's just look that bit more serious and roadie with an aero profile and amber sidewalls...

jur

Amber sidewalls? Which tyres - Comets?

mulleady

Littlepixel has become our first honorary folding POSER lol

Fear&Trembling

Yes, you can. I've checked.

If I fix it further down the line, I may go for the 451 option

LittlePixel

Sweet - I thought they might just fit...
Amber sidewalls? Primo Champs in 451 (19mm wide!)
Poser? Hell yeah. It's all function following form in the LP Bike shed..

Fear&Trembling

Well, my Hammerhead arrived this morning, but summat's up with the Kinetics front hub... Very, very sticky when the QR is tightened. Not sure if the bearings are greased or if there is something else awry.

Looks nice, shame I can't ride it.

nigelme

Have you two of these grommet/washer things in the hub? The front hub seems to be sealed and these are for the front fork to sit on - I went to Dahon local dealers and they had never seen these before.