urbanescapee

On a trip round the world my wife and I opted to buy folding bikes for our stint through Europe to enable us to see more and be less dependent on public transit. We purchased a couple of Dahons on clearance, used them for a few months, and then sold them upon our departure from Europe. We had a 2014 Vitesse D8 and a 2014 Mu P9. Overall we were both very happy with our decision and all the things that having our own bikes enabled us to see/do. We could not bring them back to the states with us because we had several flights to return home on different carriers so the cost to send them home would have been prohibitive. Now we are moving into a small apartment in LA and will need to keep bikes inside. We each have full sized MT and Road Bikes but will not be taking them with us for our short stay in LA. So we are once again looking at the possibility of buying folding bikes to keep inside and use more easily on trains busses to get around LA. In shopping around on CL, I am finding that there are many Dahons available from a range of eras. I definitely want at least a 6sp to manage hills, but beyond that I'm wondering if some of the older Dahons aren't better built than the newer ones...sort of a consideration on the idea that maybe "they don't make 'em like they used to". The newer Dahons we had seemed pretty good but the frame hinge on the Mu seemed better than the one on the Vitesse, the opposite seemed true for the stem hinge. We also had some issues with the hinge clamp tension going out of adjustment for stems and handlebars. If I can save a bit of money and get a more robust but older bike I'd call that a win. Just to throw it out there; I'm currently eyeing a 6sp Boardwalk that I'd guess is from the 90's (forest green, 4130 steel frame). In any case, I'd probably be upgrading pedals and grips and other little stuff, just looking for a solid base to improve upon. Any input from experts on the various generations of Dahons would be greatly appreciated.

bargainguy

I don't think there's a golden age for Dahons. Others may disagree. My Classic III is not built any better than my Speed Pro TT or my Helios SL, for example.

All folders will need care and feeding above and beyond rigid bikes. More moving parts = more opportunities for wear and going out of adjustment. Having to constantly twiddle with folding bits is par for the course. Higher quality parts help lessen the need for ongoing adjustment, but they don't eliminate adjustment issues entirely.

A Boardwalk would be a reasonable choice for a short stay. Upgrades to contact points - where your body physically touches the bike - tend to be the best upgrades: saddle, bars, grips, pedals. I'd leave most other parts original unless you absolutely can't live with what you've got, say an old rear derailleur that doesn't play nice or at all.

zebede

I have restored at least a half dozen Dahons from the 1980's. These are comparatively well built especially when compared to other folders from the same era (look at a Raleigh Twenty welds) , and still fetch a decent price used.

The older ones (80s) are prolific and fetch s$100+ easy. IMO it depresses the re-sell of a later models. I will occasionally see some really nice late model used Dahons in the under $300 or under $200 that may have cost upwards of $600 new. And as with most used bikes, they are garage queens, very low miles. One of my favorites is a Dahon TR 2010 for $450. This is $1200 bike. There was another on on my local CL recently for nearly the same price and the owner had a hard time getting decent money for it.

As cool, fun and cute the older ones are, the newer generation is far superior in terms of quality, ride, reliability etc... What do they want for that 4130 Boardwalk from the Nineties? I think your on the right track.

Here is a pic of my most recent 80s rehab. I paid $10 dollars for it but it was missing a front wheel and I had to fashion some brackets. for the steer tube reinforcement. These are great bikes and I love them, but the newer ones are the best they have ever been. However for occasional light use I consider the older ones quite adequate.

urbanescapee

I think I'm in a buyers market right now with the Dahons on CL in my area. There seem to be many available, new and old, and I'm sure I could talk down the price on most of them. As you said, most of them seem to have lived in the garage and might have seen only a couple short rides before they were effectively retired. The Boardwalks I've been seeing are priced at around $200-$350. But I think some of those sellers are being a little unrealistic about their pricing given that you can buy a new multi speed Dahon on Amazon for a similar price. I realize it may not be the same level quality but some times new is new and old is old; especially when buying second hand...

tudorowen1

I do think if you can find a Dahon Boardwalk or Speed 8 without the Neos derailleurs you will be on the right track..With a normal derailleur you will be able to change cassettes quite easily and get the right gear range for your area...plus replacement derailleurs are easy to find..
I do think the steel Dahons felt better to ride especially with big apple tires on...
As for the hinge fold adjusters coming loose ...since I have used loctite never had to adjust any..Without loctite it seemed to be once a week..

bhkyte

2016 will be Dahons golden year as the curl sells by the thousands at local bike shops.
Well you never know..............