Originally Posted by
illiterateabc
I've gotten my fiancee interested in biking with me (not riding in traffic or anything--just casual weekend jaunts over on the bike trail next to the Bay), and I'm looking at bikes for her.
...
Or actually, I'm thinking of upgrading
my ride, as I ride 3-5 times a week to work for a 14 mile round trip on my Dahon Boardwalk S1. I love this bike and the single-speed hasn't discouraged me from biking all the way home (which is a constant 2-3% incline). However, I think I could use something with a bit more speed to keep me from spinning out on the flats, and for maybe tackling some hillier areas on an alternate commute. I've also realized that the fold isn't as essential as I thought, but I'd still like to have a smaller-than-full-size package for the rare vehicular transport I might do.
So that brings me to mini velos. The main reason they're attractive is actually how I'm hearing that the lack of fold results in a more solid-feeling ride than what I've been getting on my Boardwalk. I'm currently comparing the Mercier Nano at bikesdirect for $300 (
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/nano.htm) vs. the Dahon Bullhead (
http://www.dahon.com/bikes/2011/bullhead) which are still available online for ~$750.
I've read forum threads and some external reviews for each bike, and it seems like it comes down to whether or not I want to spend time and money tweaking the Nano, or being fairly sure that I'd be content with the Bullhead out of the box. Things like the IGH, fat apple tires, and nice color are all gravy. I'm not sure if that's worth over 2x what I'd pay for the Nano, though, and maybe I'd be okay with stock parts on the Nano to start (my Boardwalk S1 is all stock still after 2 months of commuting; that may not seem like much, but I usually have a short attention span!
).
Does anyone with experience with one or both of these bikes care to share their perspectives, one way or the other? Thanks.
It's a myth that folding bikes are flexy and that diamond shaped mini bikes are better than monotube versions. As Tern and Bike Friday had demonstrated, you can always build a better monotube folding bike that is stiff, responsive and rides relatively well.
Let me comment on the Boardwalk S1. It is a heavy and flexy bike. The Speed Uno bike is a more superior bike than the Boardwalk. The Speed Uno is still slightly flexy on the handlepost, but it is good. My Mu SL is better. I am not sure why you are looking into the folding mini velo concept as it is passe (our past tense). There is good REASON why Dahon no longer makes it and has been superceeded by the IOS or the Tern Eclipse bikes, both 24" folding wheels.
Sure, 20" wheels are ok on smooth roads, but take it on bike paths like in Arizona or in Oregon on I-205 Multi-Use and they eventually beat you up unless you're running on a pair Big Apples which are fat but FAST tires. While IGH is maintenance free, changing a flat requires a wrench to undo the nuts is not. Unless you ride in pristine clean roads, you'll be changing lots of flats if you ride in Arizona's bike path (they've got nasty tiny thorns strewn on the road) or in industrial sites where nails and staples are common and you will wish you had a QR type rear wheel which does not require a wrench to undo.
I have ridden all 3 Dahons mini bikes, the Smooth Hound, Bullhead and the Silvertip and I am like non-IGH type drivetrain more. And I live in the wettest part of Vancouver and normal drivetrains, if kept well, will last just as long and well as IGH with no drag on the drivetrain like those IGH, unless you are riding the Alpine 11 or Rohloff versions, which I consider to be the best of the best. But they are mucho moola!
Like Bruce said, you can upgrade your Boardwalk to 2 speeds; either using SRAM A2 or the kickback version depending on your riding terrain. I use the Speed Uno for city commutes and it is reliable and it is simple to use. It's relatively stiff and responsive. And then when you have the money, I would strongly recommend that you look into the Terns, especially the Link or the 24" Eclipse version. They ride really nice -- was really impressed with the improvements in folder technology Tern managed to crank out.