jyl

I pulled our old Dahon Boardwalk D7 out of the basement. This bike was bought used and cheap a few years ago as a "guest bike", and I've not myself ridden it much, neither have guests for that matter.

Well, it rode like crap. But that was not surprising after I inspected it more closely. It needed wheels trued, brakes adjusted, drivetrain adjusted and lubed, clipless pedals and a decent saddle installed, and handlepost hinge tightened up.

After I did all that, the little Dahon rides rather decently after all. So I am thinking about doing the necessary to make this bike a good ride for me, rather than simply a spare bike for Aunt Millie.

There are two main things I think I will need to change. I'm hoping to get suggestions and sources.

First, the handlebar position is all wrong. On my road bike, from center of saddle to tops of drop bar is 27.5" and to brake hoods is 33.0". On this Dahon, from center of saddle to the flat bar is only 24.0". Also, the bar needs to be about 2.0" lower.

What is the best way to accomplish this? I am planning to use bullhorn bars because I have an old one sitting here, and because then the bike will still fold. I need to move the clamp for the bar forward by 3.5" and down by 2.0". Should I get a shorter handlepost, or an adjustable handlepost? What else should I do? Where, in the US, is a good source for folding bike parts?

Second, the gearing is too limited. I did some gearing math and it seems that if I fit a road double crank with 55/39 teeth, and a cassette of 11-24, I could get a good gearing range. On my 700C road bike my highest gear is a 53/12 and I can climb anything I need to using a 39x26. The Dahon is heavy, so maybe the double should be a triple with 55/39/30, then I'd never want for a climbing gear.

I will need the derailleur hanger adapter to use a normal rear derailleur, and the adapter to fit a front braze-on derailleur. I could do a Shimano drivetrain, alternatively I have enough Campy stuff sitting around that I could go that route too. But I haven't found those adapters in the US - is there a source?

As for cable routing, how do you get a down-pull front derailleur to work on this frame? I need to locate a cable stop somewhere aft of the hinge, I think.

My plan is to use integrated brake/shift levers on the bullhorns, with Travel Agents to operate the V-brakes.

As you can tell, I think I have a general idea of what I want to do, but I'm having trouble sourcing the parts - if I were in Taiwan I guess this would be easy - and my ideas are merely that, I've no actual experience upgrading a Dahon - so perhaps I'm missing something important?

freebooter

I am new to Dahons so don't have too much real experience but have been reading up on it recently so will pass on some of what I have picked up.

Firstly you need to decide what you are going to use the bike for. It sounds as if you are trying to replicate the position and performance of your road bike on the Dahon. This is only necessary if your usage of both bikes is going to be the same. For example, perhaps extending the reach a little would be ok and easier to do than matching your road bike exactly, ditto gearing.

If you really do want a folding road bike then perhaps a different bike might be better? I think the Swift folders are easier to get a full bike position. Or a Dahon with Dualdrive rear wheel would give you full gear range without a front derailleur.

From reading these boards it seems that https://www.thorusa.com/ is the best source there for bits.

This is a blog by someone in Singapore who has detailed lots of upgrades to a Boardwalk including many of the things you want to do https://handsonbike.blogspot.co.uk/ Check on the right hand sidebar for the list of Boardwalk articles.

I think Dahon have used the Boardwalk name for several versions so it may be a good idea if you put up a photo.

tim24k

I'd upgrade to a Dahon TR24 my wife and I have both have one and we love them. It's the bike the wife likes for her commutes.

jyl

It is an older seven speed Boardwalk, looks and specs are identical to this 2005, including same latches and handlepost.

https://esvc000119.wic001ss.server-sh...op?idProduct=3

I can't post pics of mine, as I'm headed off on vacation - without a bike! - just a set of pedals in my bag, hoping I can rent an ill-fitting bike somewhere for a not-sadistic price :-(

My handlepost is non-adjustable as shown, with the external latch linkage, and the clamp does not fully open. I see that occasionally newer handleposts (adjustable height, internal latch, fully-opening clamp) show up on eBay or other sites. Will those fit my several-years-old Boardwalk?

kamtsa

If budget is not an issue, Bike Friday has some nice road folders.

https://www.bikefriday.com/bicycles/road

smallwheeler

OP -

if that is the 4130 cromo version of the boardwalk it would be worth it to upgrade and modify it. in my opinion, that sleek and skinny frame is one of dahons better looking machines. however, i wouldnt advise trying to make it something that its not, i.e. a road bike. if you are going to spend 500 bills you would be better off locating a used bike friday. that being said, there is a lot you could do with a boardwalk frame. even dahon agrees:



to determine what type of handlebar stem will be compatible with the version you have, you will need to fold the stem and note which type of assembly you have. if you have a hex-drive lock-nut that threads to the inside of the fork, then you can order a dahon "radius" stem. if your have the older type, you will need to locate a folding stem with the quill type insert.
quill type:



radius v type with hex-drive exterior threaded locknut:

smallwheeler

conceivably, you could keep the current stem. chop the handlbars and attach one of these:



this will give you approx 3" of extension and allow you to lower the added handlebars your desired 2":

fietsbob

want to do the STI thing? Shimano's Caprio freehub /cassette are made for wee wheels .. a 9~26t.

jyl

This is great information, everyone - thanks!

Mine is 4130 and has the newer (non-quill) handlepost.

I see that ThorUSA sells both the adjustable handlepost and the intriguingly short "Jetstream" post. Plus the derailleur adapters.

The Lite-On clamp seems like it would move the bar forward by the desired 3.5" amount or close enough, and the alternative handleposts would let me lower the clamp as much as I want, more than 2" if need be.

The Capreo group is interesting, I'd never heard of it. A 9 tooth cog would be an alternative to the 55 tooth chainring.

Foldable Two

jyl,

Having started our 'folding bike life' with 2 - 2005 Dahon Boardwalks (back in 2005), and been unhappy with both the riding position (I'm 6'3") and the gearing (after doing the 24 mile, 8-bridge, Providence Bridge pedal on mine), we switched to Bike Fridays. The Dahons were good bikes, but for the most part not modifiable with standard parts.

With Bike Friday about 100 miles down I5, bikes, parts and expert service (when needed) are readily available.

Actually, if you ride the SE Sunday Parkways next Sunday (8/25) you'll likely find their booth at one of the parks along the route. You can not only see the bikes, but test ride several models, too.

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transp...article/459347

Look for the Green NWT, Sapphire Blue Crusoe and Black Pocket 8, as we will be doing the ride with our grandson.

Lou

jyl

If I were buying a folder from new, and had an ample budget, I'm not sure I'd have bought this Boardwalk. But I have it, and after doing the sums I think I can do the changes mentioned (position, gearing) for $350-450 in new and used parts . . .