Dahon Folding Bicycle Stem Modification
 

I'm thinking of changing out the stock riser stem on my Dahon Speed P8 (I got a nice deal from @BruceMetras). When I ride it, since I'm a bit aggressive, I can feel it flex a bit. It's my only gripe about my new ride. Well,...this and the horrible weird latch when it's folded (it doesn't work).

Here's a video of a different bike being modded, but I'm guessing it's a pretty much identical job.


I also do understand the handlebar will fold to the OUTSIDE instead of the INSIDE after the mod. Anyone having done this please give me some input!!!:thumb:

I've replaced Mu handleposts with shorter Jetstream-length handleposts a couple times and have been very satisfied with the extra stiffness and sportier rider position. The only negative is that there is no handlepost catch piece, the handlepost is somewhat free to swing open in the folded state unless you velcro strap it to the frame.

Thanks for the info. I have a Velcro strap I use to keep the bike closed anyway. I'm just happy to hear it's a sportier, stiffer ride.

I ordered the stem from [MENTION=361187]ThorUSA[/MENTION] last night. I'm anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

I just watched that Video,,LoL

Ok for a 5 foot tall rider I guess.

That shorter stem would make my 5'11" body look like a circus clown riding a tiny bike,
Did you notice he lowered the seat to help hide the shorter stem position ,, no thanks.

If mine ever develops flex I'll replace with the stock height stem..

I'm about 5'9",...maybe 5'10". I'll see how it goes. Especially since I'm going to have it eventually confiscated by my 5' tall wife. The stock riser stem is too tall for her.

Now,...if I could only get the damn gears to stop slipping/skipping. The derrailer is so bloody annoying.

If the handlebar riding position is not perfect after the swap you can get a LitePro stem extender which gives you a lot of flexibility to position your handlebars slightly higher/lower/forward/backward. They are only 95g and on ebay or aliexpress. The aber hallo stem works too but is heavier.

I might go aber hallo, as the quality (IMO, YMMV) is better.

I ordered the Pake Ukiah Handlebars

Yup mine was like that Its fine now,,

Adjust It to where It shifts down the cassette best/upshifting,,from big to small etc,,
Remove, clean then re-lube the cable..
I hung my cable up on the wall with about 10 pounds of weight at the bottom to stretch it in,,for a few days I think,,maybe longer..It helped...

Most Importantly shift the snot out of it,,,shift and shift up and down,,click click click the more you shift the better It gets......

Am about to get a narrower chain,,the stock chain on my 8 speed, the links are as fat as a single speed chain from walmart...
It's some anti rust chain,, way over built,, I measured the link dimensions, was about 20% larger than my mountain bike chain...

Mine will stay stock, for now, needs no mods at all....It's a folder,, not a race bike or a trail bike....

I hate the shifter,,,, P.O.S. It iz... Terrible Indexing...

Love Riding the Little bike tho..

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=466406

Those fat little tires, accelerate like a rocket and stick like glue. I tend to scare onlookers If I pitch it down under me like my mountain bike and rail It around a tight turn..

I like the chain, but the shifter is crap. I'm contemplating a Nexus igh in the future. It'll weigh more, but it'll be damn reliable. Plus no more skipping gears - period. I'm so used to an igh I ALWAYS stop pedaling when I shift. I'm willing to deal with the extra weight,...and having it custom will really excited meh!

You might want to check out the way I set up my Downtube 8H. I explained it briefly here.

Very useful mods. I'm utilitarian myself,... And a Sturmey-Archer 8 Speed hub just might be the route I take myself. Easy to set up, easy to maintain, and built to last! Thanks for the info! :thumb:

I have the stem installed, and I'm waiting for my handlebar to arrive. It looks fantastic, and I'll go for a test ride tomorrow after work. WooHoo! Lovely bike!

Here we go:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=468319http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=468320http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=468321http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=468322

Looks great! What handlebar are you using?

Thanks,
Yan

Thanks! I'm using the Pake Ukiah Handlebars I spotted in another thread. They're just about perfect!

Reminds Me of the Cafe Racer Handlebars I used to have on my R60 Beemer , though the angles of them were all different,
the U center was Horizontal forward and the ends came back and down

I'm dying to give it a test ride on Monday. Work has been keeping me from riding,...

Well, tell us how it went.

Sorry,...slipped my mind to give an update.

So, the handlebar stem and new handlebar are perfect. I did a short (about 6 mile) ride, and a few store runs. The stem flex is completely eliminated. And my riding position is aggressive enough to give me speed, but upright enough to not cause me any rotator cuff aggravation. Wonderful, fast, stable ride. And I even had room for my little handlebar bag. No more cellphone on my hip or in my pocket.

I must add that I will be changing the shifter cable, as it's a nightmare. I have so many issues with it, it isn't funny. I even pulled the cable out of the housing and applied industrial lubricant - didn't do much. I'll just get a nice kevlar silicon lubed one as a replacement.

I looked up those handlebars and the price gave my credit card a seizure.

I paid $60 USD. I do agree, they are overpriced. But they DO look fantastic!!! :D