Scholasticny

Just picked up these 2 bikes for me and the wife, Mini for me and Mu for her.

We took the bikes in for a tune up per the instructions and been riding 3 or 4 times in the last couple of weeks. We're casual riders, I'm 5.8, 175 and she's about 5.5, 120.

I have been in love the ride and feel of the mini, but the wife is not so hot with the Mu. We did a switch last weekend for a while and her thoughts is that the Mini is a "much more comfortable" ride. Now my question for the experts on this board is why she feels this is the case. A couple of things comes to mind:

1) The mini has rear suspension while Mu does not.

2) Stock seat is wider on the mini (she prefers an upright riding position)

3) Tires are fatter on the mini, thus acts as extra suspension.

With these factors in mind, without spending a fortune in upgrading. Maybe we can,

1) upgrade her tires to something fatter (any suggestions)

2) get a wider seat for her (any suggestions)

I know a lot of this is subjective but would appreciate any thoughts or feedbacks.

Or maybe the grass is greener on the other side, in that case, I'm SOL

chagzuki

Have a look at sportourer saddles. I've not ridden one but they look pretty cool to me.

Dynocoaster 

Terry womans saddle. Schwable Marathon larger size 20's. Butt Buddy by Sidetrak. www.sidtrak.com.

Tommy C

I know exactly what you are talking about..... i picked up two 2007 Dahon Mu P8 .... i liked the 2007 better than the 2008 - the saddle is wider, the RD is Sram and the folding mechanism is easier to use IMHO.
My wife feels her saddle should be adjusted and my words to you my friend is first try to understand why and where she feels uncomfortable.... When i first got the bike i felt like the saddle is way to big and wide for me but after a few rides and minor adjustment i have finally found the sweet spot... there are a few adjustment you can make to the saddle so first try to switch seats with her and see if it helps.... maybe it's just the saddle or maybe more than that. You can also put the bike side by side and try to adjust the Mu like the Mini (you know- handlebar, seat post, saddle etc....) if this doesn't work start with some upgrades like Big Apple tires and maybe a new saddle.
After riding my Mu P8 for a few times i feel it is super fast and smooth, i keep up with full side bikes with no sweat at all. It doesn't fold to a tiny package but it is small enough to carry.
Overall i think the Mu P8 is a great bike, keep in mind it does feel more like a sporty touring bike, probably the wheels and frame giving the rider that feel, i am not sure about the Mini but when my wife and i tried the Curve we felt it is more comfortable but after adjusting the Mu like the Curve it was almost perfect... i think the Big Apple tires are great but at the same token they are way slower than the Marathon Racer.

Cheers

jur

It might be the body posture rather than the suspension bits that make the diffs. The Mu is more stretched out than the Mini; see how she sits on those 2 wrt body angles etc.

brakemeister

yeah ... try to raise the handlebar and lower the seat a bit ( not much ....) and switch the seats ... than let her ride the Mu and see what she says

Thor

gringo_gus

could it be the mini is just the better bike? with one minor glitch I am loving my new one...

Sammyboy

Sell the Dahon and buy another Mini? Just a thought..... (and you know what I ride)

Scholasticny

Thanks everyone for your input...

I think we'll get some new tires...should we get the marathon plus, it seems that it's wider than the marathon racer that comes with the bike.

Maybe a wider seat for her as well...

secretly I think the mini is a better bike, more comfortable to ride. But I love mine, so can't chance the fact that she'll claim it as her own.

Tommy C

Sell the Mu and get her a Mini... end of story
I like my Mu and I think the Mini is more comparable to the Dahon Curve.... changing tires might work for you but the frame remains the same..... honestly if she likes the Mini better - get her a new Mini.

rhm

+1. My sense is that if you need to sell a bike, you get more of your money back if it's original and in new condition; so sell it, soon, instead of modifying it to make it into something it isn't.

Of course it may be possible to make it into the bike she likes; you just don't know. But you know she likes the Mini.