Scheelings

Anyone seen this before?

I'm really lucky I was only doing ~10kph. A failure like this could get someone killed.

Was it a lack of maintenance?

atombikes

Sorry, can you explain a little more about the failure and what I'm looking at in the pic? Did that joint feel loose prior to the break?

tdong

sorry but it has been recalled for a long time. i had mine replace with the letter R imprinted

https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/technical/recall.pdf

Scheelings

The failure was sudden. If you look at the picture I provided you can see that part of the aluminum has sheared off. The joint never felt loose (aluminium failures are usually sudden - it doesn't get loose).

Don't get distracted by the bracket - that just holds the pin in place.

Scheelings

Thanks very much tdong. Assuming that my bike was part of the replacement recall, even though the part has now failed, do you think I'll still be eligible for a free replacement?

Scheelings

tdong, I don't think my bike is covered under this - and I don't think this is the failure subject to recall:

Velo Vision:ahon recall some 2008 folding bikes

Dahon are currently conducting a voluntary recall for handlebar posts fitted to certain numbers of selected 2008 model year bikes. Listed below is an outline of the models affected.

Models affected:
Speed TR - 2008 model
Speed D7 - 2008 model
Jetstream P8 - 2008 model

Scheelings

Also, the following website appears to be no longer available:

https://www.dahon.com/support/recall

The serial number of the bicycle is D809723225

tdong

why don't you just send an email to dahon with picture and see what they can do. also contact thorusa i think he can help you out

Northwestrider

IMO it there was no lack of maintenance at all. I have the Mu P 24 and was lucky. I happened to be reading an on line article about folders and noticed there was a recall regarding this problem. There was no notification from my LBS I had purchased my bike from. Having said that, I have no idea if your problem is the same that was addressed in the recall I experienced, but it sure looks like it is. Good luck

Scheelings

I've emailed Dahon. I'm not sure that thorusa can help as I'm currently based in Istanbul and the bike was purchased in the UK

RichBarber

Hi, did you get any response on this from Dahon?
I've also got a UK Dahon MU SL and have also just 'enjoyed' a handlepost joint failure as you described above. In mine the 'lip' on the handlebar side of the joint just sheared off (shown below) when I was trying to pull away from the lights.

I can see that foldingbike.biz does a replacement - Dahon Radius Handlepost VRO Type Silver MuSL 08 11/8" - Detailed item view - www.foldingbike.biz - if you've got the "VRO headset" (which I gather from the recall PDF that was mentioned earlier in the thread - https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/technical/recall.pdf - is the fully adjustable one), and the Radius V handlepost. Now, the Radius V is specifically NOT covered by the 2008 recall, but if turns out to be an endemic problem with this version of the MuSL, maybe they SHOULD be recalling it.

Certainly, with all the excellent engineering of the MuSL, it seems odd that so much strain exists on such a small (welded?) component of the handlebar assembly and would expect Dahon to look into this with some urgency before a similar incident leads to serious injury!



thanks
Rich

RichBarber

ps: looking online, judging by the paintwork, I think mine's a 2009 MuSl ("Dahon" under a 'nike' swoosh) rather than 2008 ("Dahon", then 3x 'Adidas' stripes).

ThorUSA

ok ... the radius 5 Handlepost was and is not recalled. There are many sols with this type of handlepost. Like any movable part and especially hinges and handlepost they need to be looked at from time to time and adjusted properly. The little clip is just holding the piston in place and there should be no strain on it .... aslong as the tension is somewhat correct. Only if the tension is completely off , than there is tension on it, when you unfold or fold the bike, and maybe even if you pull on the handlebars more than usual. The other issue this system has, if the grab on the outside clamp is not lined up when closing and it grips the edge ..wearing it down and eventually shears that grabhold off ... this is not easy to do and is a no brainer ... one doesnt open a door just a little bit and than tries to walk through ...

In other words... no warranty no recall just whats considered wear and tear or missuse or whatever...

Now... I do have handleposts in radius 5 and 3 in stock and can usually help out. I also have the handlepost internals available seperately as a kit. Freight is always a problem from the US to foreign countries but than its not much more expensive than 1/4 of a tank filling your car with gas.

Now if you bought the bike from me.... first of all you we would have tired very hard to contact you if and when there is a recal, thats time consuming and a lot of work, but thats what a dealer is supposed to do . If yours not ... shame on him ..this referes to the other poster.

Also if my customer would have problems with a bike, I am known to twist ( break at times ) some arms from suppliers and usually ( not always ) get things done. One could assume at least 50 % the offort from other dealers, so I would write them a nice letter asking for help.
Obviously I have to reserve the armtwisting for my customers, meaning I am happy to sell you whatever you need, but sorry no freebies.

Best of luck Thor

atombikes

That looks like a casting failure to me.

jur

That looks like a tiiiiny bit of metal to perform such a vital safety task. That section of metal is like 1mm? No wonder it is coming away. To me it looks like Dahon have done it again.

badrad

This was from my '09 SL. I replaced it a couple years ago when during my weekly maintenance found the aluminum piece broken off. I was lucky, as the other side was already cracked and probably would have had pretty bad accident if it gave way during a ride.

The post was not on the recall list, but I managed to buy a replacement handlepost at the local Dahon shop. But this discovery did not instill too much confidence for any long term life of the MuSL, so I just take it one ride at a time.