wow ..........
it seems that i dont post enough ...otherwise you guys would have found me ???? than on the Dahon website I have my name all over the place .... in any case what I mean is that I am a Dahon dealer and if you have a problem I dont really give a rats behind where you bought your bike ,,I will try to help ...

If the hinge is way to tight, than you should ask your dealer what he is going to do about it.
I would suggest to have it nicely oiled and moved back and forth a couple times , if that doesnt help you need to ask your dealer to get in contact with Dahon and ask them for a fix ( or replacement)
If it is really way too stiff, than you will receive a better bike, ie. the dealer should have never given to you as this would have been clearly found during inspection ....

I dont know where your assumprtion comes from that there is no service. I find that the service I receive from Dahon is one of the best in the industry . No.... not everything is always perfect, but the guys are trying hard ... no doubt .

pedals, you can use regular pedals if the toeclips dont fit your pedals , or use MKS pedals which are nicer anyhow, and those will work with straps.. or powergrips by that matter

Jim Beans :
what so difficult to understand with pounds ... it takes 10 pounds or 50 pounds or whatever PRESSURE to close the hinge ( see manual which came with your bike, or all manuals which are posted on the dahon website ) what tool ? your hand maybe ? no tools needed. you can " calibrate " your hand in pushing against a bathroom scale, than you have a good idea what X amount of pounds feels...

what design flaw ... c'mon .... who is damaging the mated surfaces .. clamp ? On my Dahons they are all adjustable by the way, so even if they loosen up over the years you give it a half turn to the adjuster rod and you are going good again .... if you jump curbs and maybe are a little more agressive that the bicycle is designed for than a little drop of locktite will help to keep the adjustment in check ... and if you have totally overtightned the hinge and bend something that you can purchase a new hinge mechanism no problem,,, cost is under 20 bucks

small forum over at Dahon ? that is a very cool forum , totally not moderated, and everybody with a specific problem will get help fast .... show me ONE manufacturer forum which works the same way .... I havent found one yet ...

thor
biased,, but I earned it ...lol