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Dahon wobble when folded

Old 12-29-11, 01:02 AM
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Dahon wobble when folded

Hi Everyone,

I have a Dahon Speed D7. When I fold it up and try to cart the bike around by pulling and steering with the saddle/seat post, the wheels have a very noticeable wobble where it's clear that the 2 wheels aren't aligned properly.

Is there any secret to get the bike to be more stable? I'm thinking that it should move more like a stroller, etc.

Any adjustments? I can't really tell why it's wobbling by eyeballing it but my guess is that the wheels aren't totally parallel?
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Old 12-29-11, 05:32 AM
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I have the same issue with my Mu Uno when going through the train station. When folded up the wheels aren't symmetrical and lean to the left. I've learned how to steer the folded up bike by the extended seatpost/saddle.
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Old 12-29-11, 08:06 AM
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Is it possible to tilt it just a little to roll it on only one wheel? I have done that on several bikes. If you do it right and do it often it could feel quite "normal". Maybe a strap (welcro) is needed to keep it from unfolding when you do this. We are lucky that both folding and full size bikes can be rolled (and thereby also used as a luggage trolly) in the trainstations as long as you pay atention and keep away from crowds. I am sure this is more difficult in the rush hours on commuter trains.
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Old 12-29-11, 08:11 AM
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My Vitesse will do the same thing, my solution is to push it not pull it, and have it roll on only the rear wheel.

I grasp the seat around the front part and torque it to steer and keep the bike on one wheel.

It does get a bit tiring after a while though.
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Old 12-29-11, 11:05 AM
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yeah, dahons aren't really designed to be carted around when folded.
You may have noticed, but one of the magnets that holds the fold together is spring loaded, while the other is adjustable. These two don't really add up into something solid to cart around.
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Old 12-29-11, 11:35 AM
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I find Dahons pretty easy to push around on one wheel (front wheel) and with the 20" type I can do so with the seat post nearly fully inserted, which means I don't have to adjust anything to make it 'rollable'.
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Old 12-29-11, 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by RVD72
Hi Everyone,

I have a Dahon Speed D7. When I fold it up and try to cart the bike around by pulling and steering with the saddle/seat post, the wheels have a very noticeable wobble where it's clear that the 2 wheels aren't aligned properly.

Is there any secret to get the bike to be more stable? I'm thinking that it should move more like a stroller, etc.

Any adjustments? I can't really tell why it's wobbling by eyeballing it but my guess is that the wheels aren't totally parallel?
Your guess is probably an accurate one.

Originally Posted by rex615
My Vitesse will do the same thing, my solution is to push it not pull it, and have it roll on only the rear wheel.

I grasp the seat around the front part and torque it to steer and keep the bike on one wheel.

It does get a bit tiring after a while though.
It became rather old with my own former Dahons. That is why I used to bring along a luggage cart when I rode one of them and strapped the cart onto the rear rack (both my Dahons came with one rack). It also allowed me to bag the bike completely up if I chose to.

Originally Posted by AEO
yeah, dahons aren't really designed to be carted around when folded.
You may have noticed, but one of the magnets that holds the fold together is spring loaded, while the other is adjustable. These two don't really add up into something solid to cart around.
I think they were designed to fold up and carry about in a limited sense. I did like my Magnetix magnets (they kind of grew on you). I did made it a point to still carry along a Velcro strap for the wheels when I wanted to securely strap the 2 halves together.

Last edited by folder fanatic; 12-29-11 at 06:24 PM.
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