keyven

Obviously, every review would bring up the weight differences (which going by ratio is pretty significant).

What I'm really curious about is what makes the Jifo a "dedicated" short-distance bike? I mean, most Bromptons are 16 inchers as well but they're considered on par with 20" Dahons performance-wise, aren't they?

Is the difference in performance of the MU Uno and Jifo significant? I plan to use it for basic transport to nearby malls (20 to 30 mins) or trips down to the city (likely 45 mins to an hour ride).

Considering the lusciously low weight, I'm looking at the Jifo to complement my MTB. Of course the price difference here in Australia between the MU Uno and and the Jifo is about A$200 (roughly US$200).

I can get the MU Uno within 1 to 2 days, but probably have to wait for a few weeks for the Jifo ><

Any tips would help greatly. Thanks in advance.


,.

smallwheeler

perhaps you could scrumptiously consider this instead:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/251361603566...84.m1423.l2649

its a premium machine. but, you only have 12 minutes to think about it....

keyven

Thanks for the heads-up, but I'll get the Speed Uno if I was considering 13kg, even though that's really light for what you get.

So it seems that the Jifo and MU Uno are the same price in Singapore. That's going to give me an even bigger headache now ><

smallwheeler

hey. surely there are other bikes to consider? the jifo has 305mm wheels (brompton has 349mm and many gear options) and a very short wheelbase. the jifo is actually a take-off (buy-out) of a japanese bike called the bipod mint.





if you are going to order a bike from singapore (or better, if you are going to singapore) why not do a little research to see if there are some options you might enjoy? there are lots of high quality folding bikes being made in taiwan and japan these days by small boutique companies. look around.



edit: if you are really set on getting a dahon (why?) then do yourself a big favor and try to find one used on gumtree. save yourself a lot of cash and you won't feel so bad about selling it on in 6 months when you've grown tired it. pro tip: you will grow tired of it in 6 months.

bhkyte

Personally I would look at a flamingo. Brompton clone.
I know its available with V brakes and more speeds. I think there is a 135mm axle version with dralier gears, and a Nexus 8 speed.

Get used to a good package,
then ultimately get a dahon androes stem externder for simular. Add bullbars and road race sti lever (brifters). You need a specialist versa verion if it has a nexus ihg.
You would also need to fit travel agents adapters on the V brakes if fitted.

You would end up with one of the world best compact folders. See my brompton with with dahon androes stem extender thread.

Else small wheeler advise seems sound, consider other choices. The jifo is afaik a commuting bike that's very easy for short distances. If you don't need a idot proof fast fold and you are going further than a couple of miles it seems an odd choice. Can't you get a birdie,ori, ryne,or something really wounderful from the "bikes we like thread" that are exclusive to asia.

bhkyte

Re 20 inch wheels.
In my opion a 20 inch wheel folder will handle signifately better than a 16 inch all things being equal. Particully in the cushioning of bigger tyres. But a 16 inch folder is much more compact folded, hense their populatity for commuting. Top 16" folders can handle well enough. I have 4 16" folders and one 20". The 20" downtube is a hudge unweildly package compaired to my other bikes.

keyven

Thanks for all the advice. I understand there is a vast variety of options out there, but I'm pretty new to this.

The last thing I need is to buy a lesser known brand of folder which has limited support and is a headache to service in Australia or Singapore. I'm just looking for the folding bike equivalent of a Toyota. The MU Uno fits my needs nicely, even though it is on the expensive side.

bhkyte

Many folders take very generic parts. Brompton less so.
Ori has most parts that can not be replaced by something general or a non ori replacement. Same for birdie and a bike friday is virtually a frame.
If back up concerns you then a jifo might not be the bike as as far as I can see it uses a lot of decideacated parts. Dahon spares have a mixed reputaion, so goinf for a rare bike like a jifo may not offer great support. Although I have rarely had a problem sourcing parts, I would not be confident getting jifo spares in 5 years time.
The mu uni should be supported for a long time as its a fairly generic dahon.

dynaryder

Brompton have options. You can get them in,or convert them to,single speed,two speed,3 speed,or 6 speed. Jifos are single speed only,and with the fold and non-standard parts,converting them would require significant mods. Bromptons also come in four handlebar options;Jifos only have one,and changing the bars could possibly interfere with the fold.

Basically,the Jifo was specifically designed for short trips and a small fold.

Joe Remi

edit: if you are really set on getting a dahon (why?) then do yourself a big favor and try to find one used on gumtree. save yourself a lot of cash and you won't feel so bad about selling it on in 6 months when you've grown tired it. pro tip: you will grow tired of it in 6 months.

This is a patently ridiculous comment barely worth reading. I own a Dahon Speed TR and UNO, and they're both awesome bikes. But thanks for playing.

bhkyte

Getting bored with any bike is possible. Personally I find dahon standard models and brompton dull to ride. Lots of people are very happy with them so its a case of personal choice. Perhapes a lot of us are too priecious about our preference. I have been very happy with cheap folders that have meet a particular niche well.

If its your first folder it may not suit your needs or expectations, and it may need to be swap at a later date to get a better suit to what to want from a folding bike.

This is where test rides are very important. But sometimes personal use is the only real way of find out.

Ie my Mezzo folding stem sticks up more compared to some folders. On some trains this catches the top of the luggage shelf lip. I tilt the bike and slide it under. This does not bother me.the same stem is a very tight fit in coupe car. Other people may find this annoying and look at a different model of bike.

I think many forum users would say often the only route to real satisfaction is upgrading a standard bike to how you want it.

keyven

All very useful information, particularly the Jifo using Jifo-specific parts. That is good to know and will definitely influence my decision.

I'm looking at performance from a general point of view: AFAIK the Uno is quite fast for an SS, easy to ride and low maintenance with a light+small footprint when folded. It can be used to carry stuff on the back. It also has relatively strong support in Singapore and Australia.

The downside would probably be the price. I've looked at the Tern Link Uno and Speed Uno but they're all in the 11-12kg range. I will definitely have to try them out at the local bike shop to see if the difference in kg is worth the price.

pacificcyclist

The Dahon Jifo folds smaller and weigh llgther than either the Mu Uno or the Speed Uno. Incidentally, you can hardly feel the weight difference the Mu Uno and Speed Uno. Most of the time though, I just fold my Uno and roll it into the train. Performance wise, the Uno with the bigger wheels will roll faster and provide a smoother ride than the Jifo. I tested it thoroughly and finally decided against selling the Uno and going Jifo. And depending on your commuting route and how bumpy it is, the Jifo is mostly meant to be the last mile bike.

I chose the Speed Uno because it was cheap, folds well and rolls well while folded PLUS it can be modded to accept 2 speed and up to 5 speed internal hubs giving you the flexibility of a usable bike for long distance riding. I have both the Uno and the Mu SL and for commuting purposes, the Uno works great. Currently I have the Speed Uno or shall I call it a Speed Duo with a 2 speed kickback hub. It is so fun to ride and practically little maintenance to do except with my Sachs 2 speed kickback which needs more than often TLC. The single normal hub does not.

brakemeister

very good advice as usual....
well smallwheeler ... a little grumpy today ? Lol

Anyhow the Jiffo is surprisingly good to ride, even longer than the last mile stuff... whoever came up with that must be a marketing genius ... well ... But as others said it has a lot of parts which I dont like ...

The Mu Uno Link Uno Speed Uno are cool bikes .... I actually try to built me some Link Duos which I think would be the sweetspot ...
in any way uncomplictad, simple, plenty of go fast stuff to mod them later ....

Best Thor

ttakata73

Based on your plans, I would say get a 20" bike because of the gearing options.
I have a 16" Mantis with a 60t/12t combo and it tops out pretty slow.
It would only be fast if I had a 65/70t chainring which gets expensive.
A 20" bike with a 55/60t chainring can get up to speeds where wind resistance will be your limit.
Also the smaller tired Dahons have shorter wheelbases so you don't want to ride fast.
With the distances you plan to ride, get a 20" tire bike.
The Jifo will take longer to ride the same distance and I doubt you could ever get a 65/70t chainring on it.