Originally Posted by
7PointOh
So what do I do now?
I've owned this bike since October of last year. I've mostly ridden this during lunch when I have to drive to work and weekends on flats with 5-8 miles per ride. I am thinking of making this my primary commuter which means 35 miles round trip to work and back with 500 ft elevation change. Downhill to work, up hill home (no steep grades but uphill none the less).
I'm moving from a KHS TC hybrid. For some reason I prefer riding the Dahon over the KHS because it feels more fun. I know that's a subjective phrase, but I like the nimbleness it has over the 26". But I like to keep the same comfort and durability that I have on the KHS frame to be present on the Dahon.
So back to my original question. What do I do now?... to make it close the comfort my KHS has. The KHS has mid rise bars, Odesa fork, seat suspension, 7 speed rear, 26x1.9 wheels with Kenda hybrid tires.
Any ideas, or am I crazy to ride a folder that far?
My My N360 is the folder I own that I ride the least, mainly because of the weight and drag of the NuVinci hub.
Having said that, if I were going to make that my main commuter, I would add:
1. Ergon grips as Hank suggested above
2. Saddle upgrade to saddle of your choice
3. Fenders and rack (probably go with the Tern Cargo Rack)
4. Big Apple tires -- these balloon tires will effectively give you a "suspension" ride
5. Head and taillights
6. Water bottle holder mounted on the stem -- the default water bottle screws are right on the "top tube," resulting the the bottle or cage getting kicked every time I get off or onto the bike, not a great location. Also pretty far to reach down to grab a water bottle while moving.
It's not at all crazy to ride a folder for a 35 mile trip, I've done the entire Springwater Corridor and I-295 trails in Portland with my Mu N360 and it did fine in the Red Rocks Canyon outside Vegas as well.
But keep the KHS around for a change of pace is my advice, because you will get a little tired of lugging the boat anchor that is the NuVinci hub up 500 feet of elevation gain every day.