Originally Posted by
Duragrouch
And another folder bites the dust before its time. Others on here have replaced that pin with slightly oversize and drilled the holes to match, but that's too much effort for most folks, it's difficult to just get the old pin out.
Deltech is weird, Dahon is running hot and cold on it. None, then they rolled it out on nearly everything, now gone again on nearly everything. It really works. My only guess is perhaps the small welded attachment tabs on an aluminum frame were fatiguing and coming loose, don't know. They seem to have backtracked on Deltech increasing the capacity to 300 lbs from 231, it's back to 231, and perhaps they also want to backtrack on the warranty doubling to 10 years with it. The "add on Deltech" looks more sound, metal loops around the head tube and bottom bracket shell, but that kit, while hyped by Dahon online, seems to be vaporware and not actually available. If you have not already seen, I retrofit my Speed frame with a cable like that from ultra-high-strength and low-stretch line, and it's worked wonders, tightened the hinge right up and completely eliminating wear it seems.
I'd recommend saving the old Speed for parts, here's why: The Mariner will come with a telescoping handlepost, a nice feature, but it is a bit less laterally rigid when climbing standing. Some have also gotten fatigue cracks on the lower part at the adjustment joint. That one-piece tapered steel handlepost on the speed is quite rigid, and a bit higher than the telescoping post, however it requires a bit taller steer tube on the fork than comes on the Mariner, so to use that post on a later Speed, I had to retain the fork from the old Speed. You also have a spare set of wheels, seatpost, brakes, and all the other parts, nearly everything fits the Mariner, though you would need to change the freehub body on the old wheels as a 7-speed one is a bit shorter than 8-speeds require. I don't know if the rear outer locknut distance is different, it's 130mm on the 7-speed, it could be that or 135mm on the 8-speed.
When I needed a new Speed frame because my old one cracked, I kept the old one to use as a truing jig for wheels, just clamped in one of those portable work tables.
i do intend to keep the speed its a great bike and in good nick. i might also attempt the repair but i dont know how/where to start. then things like how/where to get a pin? would it be strong enough etc. do i need to know how to weld? i put money into it and changed certain parts, like the brakes to Shimano, the freewheel to shimano, new tyres etc. if i cant fix the hinge then i have the spares you talk about. and can use the freewheel on a minivelo i built up.
regarding the mariner, the model they've sent me was manufactured in 2021. first impressions are its nice, but feels cheap compared to the speed. my front wheel is quite out of true for a new bike. ill be taking it to halfords where i ordered it online from and asking them to true it.
the plastic clip that holds the handlepost latch was all bent and wouldnt retain the latch so ive had to bend it back. it works but still looks damaged so ill be asking for a replacement one of those.
the handlepost itself twists left and right when i undo the middle telescopic latch meaning i have to make sure its pointing the right way before latching again. bit surprised at that. its also more awkward to fold as you have to make sure the height of the handlepost is right before u do so.
ive changed the tyres from the cheap no-name things on it to some green marathons i had lying round from my minivelo. ive taken the mudguards off for now, they where rubbing against the hight profile marathons.
the gears advertised as shimano altus in reviews are actually suntour ones. same for the trigger shifter. a bit disappointed but they work fine. u pay a bit more for a slightly better model and expect a bit more. brake levers arent as nice as the speeds.
positive is the silver looks great and when all latches together it seels a lot more rigid/solid. its slightly lighter and has more gears for climbing.
i do find it strange that dahon have so many little variations of components on the same models. not sure whether they changed things cos 2021 manufacture and pandemic etc? but u feel like ur paying for something else than arrives. u feel a bit conned but everywhere you look dahon variations exist. seems a bit unprofessional.
also worryingly they only sell new here (uk) at halfords and they dont sell many parts or spares anywhere. its obviously not much of a popular make over here. for instance this quote from ch white and sons (the only uk carrier of dahon spares etc) regarding the selling of a quick coupler but not the valet truss it attaches to (which you can get anywhere here, same for the little quick wheel you can attach to the bottom). they seem to care about sellings the biks over here but not any aftermarket or add ons)
This item is only suitable for use with the Dahon Valet Truss. The Valet Truss was not sold in the UK by the official UK distributer or by ourselves as a retailer. Please be careful that you know what you are ordering. THE VALET TRUSS IS NOT INCLUDED.