Originally Posted by
kiwijunglist
Is there any updates on the performance of the gen2 hinge.
I'm looking at buying a folding bike.
Deciding between
Dahon Mariner D8 = $800 NZD RRP (500 USD) - older style hinge
Dahon Launch D8 = $1000 NZD RRP (620 USD) - gen 2 jaws hinge
Tern Link C8 = $900 NZD display model (~550 USD)
Unfortunately no one sells the bike in my part of NZ so I have to get it shipped, these are shipped prices.
Thanks for your thoughts.
As noted in my previous post, I think the new Launch is a significant advance over the last, in addition to the new hinge (which I don't know if is better); Front derailleur mount and 2X crank and I think I saw 10 speed rear, so 20 speeds, nicely dressed welds. That blows away the Mariner, for only USD$120 more. If I didn't already have an old Dahon Speed retrofit with a 2X crank, I'd buy one. But I still would like disc brakes. $1000? (current Launch D8 price), no. $620, I might be tempted.
EDIT: In the past, I would not have wanted 10-speed rear, I had preferred 8-speed as more durable, and at one time it was. But now it seems, all 8-speed chains are crap material (either worse than before, or not as good as they needed to develop for 10+ speeds), so 10+ speed chains are more durable, so I would now favor that.