Handling - Mu compared to Speed?
 

Hello everyone,

I'm eyeing this Mu...

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...psy8ighynh.jpg

... which is nearly 4,000 riyals (not that I'm anywhere near having this much cash to burn, but still...)

So, for those who know both bikes, I was wondering how it handles compared to the Speed D8 (which I already have.) I love the Speed's handling: nimble, stable, with decisive turn-in, and largely unfazed by mid-turn imperfections - it just feels planted at all times.

In comparison, my other Dahon - a Vybe D7, with its admittedly more "relaxed" geometry - just isn't given to outright, zippy speed; it's slightly rear-heavy nature precludes thoughtless tossability.

So, before I throw caution to the wind and lay down whatever cash I might obtain in the near future on that Mu, I'd like to get some input on what it is I'm actually getting! Thanks in advance, people!

Shady

Adding weight on the front improves the handling on small wheel, low trail bikes.

... as I have experienced.. Using the front bag on the Brompton, or front panniers on my Bike Friday.

Speed a goal? get whatever one uses 451 rims and high pressure skinny tires, for 20".

and 349 for a 16" wheel.. 100psi tires.

" thoughtless tossability, " is precluded by having a rear derailleur , to knock out of adjustment.






...

I had a 2008 Dahon Speed P8 that was replaced by a 2010 Dahon Mu XL Sport that was replaced by a 2015 Brompton H6L-X. For me, both Dahons were nimble and sure-footed. (FWIW, since 1964 my primary bicycle has had small wheels. I had an original Moulton 4-Speed for 40 years. Also, I am a bicycle rider, not a "cyclist". ;)) The Speed had Schwalbe Big Apple tires while the Mu had Schwalbe Kojak tires. My Speed was a softer ride than my Mu. I'm not sure how much was due to the tires and how much might be attributable to the steel frame on the Speed versus the aluminum frame on the Mu. Also, my Speed did not have the front luggage block. It had a rear rack with a "trunk" bag. My Mu had a Kanga rack on the front that carried my Brompton S Bag. As noted elsewhere, front luggage is usually preferable to rear luggage on many small-wheeled bikes. Have you test-ridden the Mu D8?

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

We are talking a lot of money and a lot of bikes here.. I suspect the difference in the frame is not the biggest change if getting the MU.

What about starting with different tyres for the Speed, or even a different set of wheels so you can leave the tyres on the wheels and just change from one wheel set to the other if you want different ride caracteristics?

Double chainring up front or dual drive wheel if you want more gears?

Or go to 10 speed on your current bike if you want.

I guess I am saying this becouse I am trying to downsize my own stable of bikes ;)

I'm not even sure if that was an actual P8 - "Mu" is all it says anywhere on the frame - but I was only allowed to try out this bike around the store, among racks of sporting goods and clothing, on mirror-smooth flooring, at barely-walking speeds. Hardly enough to have it stretch its... wheels, if you will, so I couldn't gauge just how well it rides/handles out in the real world (fun fact: I rode out to the store on my Speed that day! :D)

Now, it is a well specced bike: SRAM X7 1:1 groupset (if one could call a single derailleur with a matching shifter a "groupset"); double-wall rims, Schwalbe Marathon tires... all bolted to an aluminum frame - all of which would suggest a high "performance" bike.

Judging by looks alone, though, its seatpost/headset configuration appears to be more laid-back compared to that of my Speed D8, the sporting nature of which I'm enjoying very much. Hence the purpose of this thread - to decide whether I should put that Mu up next on my shopping list, or just get it out of my system completely and hold out for something better (i.e. something I'd actually enjoy - a newer Speed, perhaps? If they ever happen to offer one.)

We just got hold of a lightly used (kept in a mobile home for several years) MU 8 speedfor my friend. It is a snazy bike, I like the ride and the look of it and I had a hard time stopping myself from buying a similar bike shortly after that.

If I keep my head cool i think I would prefer a Speed to a MU myself but that is me. Stem on the Speed can be changed or AberHallo thingy added for more reach. You can search this forum for info.

Not quite the same but maybe it applies:
https://www.bikefolded.com/dahon-mu-...g-bike-review/

Let me just clear up a few things:

I'd love nothing more than 451 rims and tires. But the last time I needed 451 tires, they were nowhere to be found in Jeddah, and buying a pair of Primo Comets online cost me more than the bike they were going onto was worth. So there's that.

Not that quality 406 tires are any easier to find locally, but still, in an emergency, I can just walk to the nearest cheap bike shop and get a temporary replacement. Not so if I were running 451s. This is strictly a 406 country.

By "thoughtless tossability" I meant leaning into any corner at any time, without feeling the need to plan ahead, not throwing my bike across the sidewalk!

But did the Speed feel like a Miata and the Mu like a an old Benz? Did the Speed feel like a Benz that handled like a Miata? A 190 with the Sportline option, maybe? I'd love to have more feedback, please!

It actually might be; everything else between the Mu I'm eying and the Speed D8 I already have is the same or very similar: 52T/11-32 (8-speed) gearing - check. SRAM X7 1:1 with matching shifter - check. Double-wall rims - check. Schwalbe Marathon Racer 20x1.50 vs. Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 20x1.60 on the Speed - let's call it a check. Hence my original question: for those who have experience with both bikes, is the Mu closer to the Speed end of the spectrum, or does it lean more towards that of, say, the Vybe? (I've never tried other Dahons, such as as the Boardwalk, Vitesse, Route... etc.)

I've already thought of this, but I don't see it happening in this economy. I've already started a thread about running a pair of 20x2.10 Primos on the Speed's narrow rims. I'm thinking of buying wider wheels just to be able to use those on the Speed (I already ran them on the Vybe for a while and they're awesome.)

See above. Plus, Jeddah is more or less flat. Aside from the occasional parking lot exit ramp, I hardly ever use 1st and 2nd.

It's actually interesting that you should say this - I've been thinking the same thing. I've got four bikes (six, if you count my wife's trike and my 30-year-old Raleigh Flyer that I've got stored back home in Amman.) Since I bought the Dahons last year, I've all but abandoned my 7.3FX and 7.6FX. I'm actually thinking of selling off both bikes, instead of having them sit around, taking up space and gathering dust. For the money I expect to get for them, I could probably afford that Mu and have some left over. :foo:

You just made the whole point of my original post - I absolutely love my Speed; it's perfect in every way: it fits me like a glove, with just-right handlebar reach; it corners with aplomb, rolls like it's on butter, stops on a dime, and it's reasonably comfortable to boot - so much so that the suspension seatpost that I've been testing did little to improve the ride quality. So, what I want to know is whether or not I'd be missing out on something even better (in terms of handling/fun-to-ride factor) if I don't buy that Mu.

No need; it's just about perfect for me. My Vybe is a bit of a stretch in comparison.

Interesting, but just not enough. I guess I'll just hop over to the store again and see if I can get them to let me test the bike around the mall's underground parking lot.

N+1 It is always greener on the other side of the fence...

That is so very true! I have been debating adding another to my stable just because...
Meanwhile the bikes I have are amazing to me. A 16" SteelMaster (40+ year-old) converted from crappy derailleur 5-speed to an SA 3 speed. A Dahon Classic III (27 year-old) from the frame up with new wheels, an SA 3-speed coaster hub, two Dahon Boardwalks (3 year-old) one of which was converted to a Nexus 3-speed coaster hub, the other is stock.

I would really like to have a Downtube MiniB because of the belt drive and quick fold. I constantly vacillate, driving my wife nuts, order one (for my 70th birthday next month) and then don't order one because I don't need another bike... back and forth... Sheeshhh. It's only money. Do I want to leave an inheritance of money or a stable of bikes that I got to enjoy before being found dead on the side of the road? I'm thinking bikes... maybe I'll buy two or three more.

Anyway back to the original thread topic. If you can comfortably afford the new one, buy it; and, if necessary, sell the one you like least.