jimi8

So I purchased a used Dahon III the other night on CL. I'm not quite sure why I decided to get one or what even attracted me to it. I normally ride a road bike and occasionally go for a mountain bike ride. I even road a fixie at one point in time. Lately, I haven't been riding any of these bikes. Something just seems to be missing. I come up with excuses such as work, school, chores, or even just the hassle of putting on a spandex, so I don't have to go for a ride. When I first rode the folding bike the other night, I realized what I've been missing. I've been missing the fun factor of riding a bicycle.
My first folding bike gave me the simplicity and practicality of bike riding I once had. It's like riding a bicycle the very first time without training wheels. I don't think I even cared what kind of bicycle it was (actually, it was my sister's). I couldn't care less how I looked. I'd just hop on the bike and go.
I guess sometimes I forget what bicycle riding should be (at least for me). I've put the joy in riding second to the upgrades and components I put on my other bikes.
The folding bike I purchased was the complete opposite of my other bikes. It's cheap ($40 yippee), old, slow, and heavy... but it did put a smile on my face when I first road it that night.

nekohime

Great! Nice to hear that the foldie brought a smile to your face. Now be careful about getting addicted... folders can get more expensive than upgrading regular bikes.

maranen

I had the same experience. I finally gave my road bike away, after it had been unused for two years.

snafu21

Sitting on Spandex rots the brain, they say.

Welcome to the odd world of the Folderisti. You appear to have found the One Pure Truth - that small wheel bicycling is more fun than large wheel bicycling.

mrbrown

My full-sized Specialized Hardrock now sits sadly in a corner, awaiting a chance to be ridden. This after a major upgrade to it too.

The cause? My two Dahon foldies.

I do try to ride it sometimes, but dang, the foldies ARE too much fun.

invisiblehand

Glad that you are having a good time. Have fun with the Dahon.

Dynocoaster 

The first folder , many more to come as you get deeper into the folder underworld.

Sixty Fiver

I am looking at buying my third folder this summer... I need something more portable than my P20.

My friend is riding my other P20 and is just loving it... she was looking at getting a high dollar hybrid bike but seems to have fallen in love with Twenty.

SesameCrunch

Folders - they're like potato chips, you can't just have one !

invisiblehand

I think you have the pyramid upside down my friend ...

jimi8

My Dahon classic 3 is now a classic 1. It was initially a single speed when I got it as the shifter was already broken. The hub was still fine so I decided to buy a new SA 3 speed shifter. When I started to work on it, I realized that the tiny chain that comes out at the side of the hub that was going to be connected to the shifter cable has disappeared. I think it came loose and fell somewhere during one of my rides.

Any chance that small part can be replaced? Or I'm better off just leaving it a single speed for now?

HHmmm... those Downtube folding bikes do really look good right now. You guys were right! One might not be enough! Gotta grab hold of myself here.

stevegor

Harris Cyclery will have the part you need.

doco

wow!!! talk about deja vu exact same thing happened to me.

I started following this forum last november, and a 3speed dahon exactly like yours(exceprt red) came up on cl for 25.00

I bought it and it brought a joy back into riding again, folders are so much fun, and since january I have ridden my big wheeled bikes maybe 2-3 times

each time I realize how I dislike the ride and handling of the big wheels and if given a choice one of my folders will win every time

I am now selling all my bigs except 1 and using the $ to get a new folders

my original Dahon is now a 1speed like yours, the sturmey control box went out on me

Beware, you are now on a slippery slope.. .. you can fit 2 folders in the same space as 1 big wheel I now have 3 and going on 4

and you can get the chain at Harris, but save your $ and get a newer folder....you will be amazed at the difference between that fun hulking monster you are riding now and a newer, faster one

DLBroox

I read this thread the other day and decided to take my full size single speed out for a ride this morning. I hadn't been on it all week because I've been having so much fun on my Curve.

The full size bike did feel like a monster. It was so much less responsive and it just seemed slow and lumbering. I missed the clown bike. I used to really like the full size better, but now I'm thinking the fast little ride is more fun.

jur

I have sold all my big-wheeled bikes. Plus the shiny singlespeed featured in my commute (see sig) which was in pieces after being cannibalised, I have now put back together, gave it a shine and am putting on ebay soon. My quality XTR MTB (now gone for 6 months), felt like a truck, I almost couldn't get it to steer!

jimi8

Hahaha... man, deep inside me is thinking that that's where I'm headed anyway... better to save the money from trying to fix this classic and put it on a new folder instead. I probably just needed to hear it from someone.
Everyone's great here in these forums. Lot's of infos, opinions, and what not. Thank you!
Having only the Dahon classic 3 (or 1 hehehe) as my folding experience, I am more inclined to buy a 16" as well. I have a very limited budget and money doesn't come too often towards me. It's a little risky for me to go for a 20" right now. I might not enjoy it as much as I'm enjoying the 16" in which I'm familiar with. Maybe down the road..... I guess that's how a lot of people here end up with more than one folder, eh. I'm seeing the bigger picture...

DLBroox

How big a difference in feel is it from a 16" to a 20" anyway? I know the difference between that and my full size is oh so substantial. 700c wheels now feel like I'm always riding in mud! But what about 16 to 20?

doco

for myself, not so much difference between 349 and 406...the big difference in ride, handling, etc is from 406 to 700's

stevegor

This might cause a few "ruffled feathers" but, I still ride all sizes...2x roadies, 1x MTB, 1x 26" tandem, then small wheelers, I've found that each bike excells in it's own particular way.
I love the ride of a 20" bike and I have mine geared to ride similar to a roadie, however when I'm in a bunch riding at 50-65 kmph...going helter-skelter for a sprint, I'd rather be on a full size bike, unless I was riding a BF PRP.

jimi8

to each his own... hahaha... it's great that you are still able to ride those different bicycles. I guess each bike just has it's limitations as to what one can do.

Doco, just curious, what size was the first folder you purchased (aside from the Dahon Classic 3)?

I was looking at the Downtube folders but the site seems to be down at the moment. Probably making some changes. Hope the prices aren't going up.