Hi, all! <pun>I've just joined the fold</pun> with a new old Dahon Mariner.
 

Introductions, everyone.

I just picked up a bargain of a Dahon Mariner D6 that had never been ridden, or even removed from its box (so it's as perfect as a 4 year old bike can be), for the purposes of going completely car-free for my commute, and I couldn't be more pleased. Armed with this bike, I can take the LA Metrolink (with a stop an eighth of a mile from my home) two stops up, then bike the 2.5 miles from the Metrolink stop to another light-rail system stop (the Green Line, should any of you know Los Angeles), then 22 minutes on it, and then another eighth of a mile from the light-rail stop to my workplace. The whole thing should take less than an hour, which is slightly less than my mixed car/train commute I do now, and WAY faster than driving in to work the whole way.

In the late 80's, I worked though high school and early college as a bike shop mechanic, so I feel qualified to go over my new folder instead of bringing it to a shop for a once-over as the manual recommends. So with that said, is there anything particular about the folder I should know about and look at extra closely, as opposed to a normal mountain or road bike?

Also, the stem clamp seems just a skosh too tight. I assume the brass turnbuckle inside the opened stem tightens and loosens the mechanism? It's a non-adjustable Dahon Integrus.

I'm sure I'll have more maintenance and commuting questions as time passes, but let's just get started with these.

Thanks,
Warr

Yes. please make sure you have the operation of the various hinges and their tightenings well sussed out, as they are safety critical. I'm not fond of Dahon's designs but they do their job if checked regularly.

The brass hex adjuster that you mention is critical as well - too tight and you will snap off the thread quite easily. Get it just right, and use Loctite to keep it in place as these tend to loosen with use. (One of my points of criticism of the design.)

as usual posting pics is the first thing you need to do.

Will do tonight. In a metallic matte blue with silver rack and fenders, she's quite fetching, I think.

-Warr

As requested, here's photos of the first "new" bike I've bought since 1989. The serial numbers start D606...

If you look closely, you can still see the cardboard dust on the top tube.

I'm a real tall guy, so the non-adjustable handlepost is a non-issue. I was disappointed about the nutted wheel axles instead of QRs, but all it really means I need to carry a 15mm wrench in my bag for those flat repairs -- its not like I have to easily take off the wheels to get the bike in the trunk. ;-)

I even love the color.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=193922http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=193923http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=193924http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=193925http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=193926

Warr

This might help with the handlebars http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/technical/aberhallo.htm if needed. The third wheel down is a QR. http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/accessories/wheels.htm

DC:

Ah, you misunderstand me. I *like* the handlebars: they're already the right height for me. And as for nuts on the axles: my life should be so trouble-free that this is the biggest problem in my life. ;-)

-Warr