hans.meu

I see different nfo everywhere; does the new Curl have 16, 17 or 18 inch wheels?

Blackstrida_A_

Dahon Curl i3 Monday's edition

Suggestion: Think twice...

MJBikes99

you saw different information is because it has several different versions. like Curl on Kickstarter and Curl limited edition etc. I do not know if Dahon finalized the specifications. I think the wheel size all are the same 16 inches, actually It is a little bit bigger than normal 16 inch wheel size. maybe 16.5 inch. One of my customer bought one Curl and seems he is very happy with the quality and design. Personally, I think it is sturdier than Brompton, no too much difference on the folded size, in terms of the weight, I do not weigh both but I think Brompton is heavier as it is made of steel.

Bonzo Banana

I had a quick look and it looks like the Brompton is slightly smaller when folded, lighter, more comfortable ride (possibly not as efficient to ride due to the rear suspension), higher rider weight capacity and likely longer lasting both in frame strength (reduced metal fatigue) and ongoing supply of components. There may be better options than the Brompton but I don't think the Curl is it for most riders.

Winfried

It's only a matter of time before someone comes up with a Better Brompton™… which the Curl isn't (at least now).

For about the same money, just stick a Nexus/Alfine in the rear and a disk brake in the front…

MJBikes99

I will compare Curl and Brompton thoroughly when I get a Curl. It is not so good to make judges without real research and comparison and just based on reasoning.Myself also ride Brompton, to be honest, I would like to try something else that is better, Curl maybe is the one, maybe not, who knows.

Xavierz

I would like to take a test ride of Curl...... It looks very cool. I am thinking maybe the frame is sturdier as it looks stronger than Brompton.

NJcycles

Is it really so important that which bike is slightly smaller? 2-3cm difference we can't even tell in real life. What I care is the durability, folding mechanisms,folding convenience, speeds. In terms of these features, I prefer Curl than Brompton.

tds101 

You may prefer a Dahon, and the pricing might be better in most instances, but build quality, longevity, durability, reliability, etc,...that's the domain of the Brompton. You may prefer the Curl (I own 2 Dahon's myself, but not a Brompton), and I prefer dahon for it's affordability, but the Brompton is the bike that stands the test of time.

The Curl, at a much more reasonable price point, would definitely have gotten me to purchase it. Priced almost equally against a Brompton, the Brompton is the clear cut winner. I'll wait to eventually purchase a Brommie instead.

linberl

Another consideration - does the Curl use proprietary parts or is it more adaptable to standard aftermarket options? And, does it have more options in terms of fit (ability to change handlebars) without issues with cabling and folding?
Just curious...these are areas where the Curl could separate itself from the brompton.

tds101 

A Brompton is so well known that parts are no longer so hard to find for most of us. The Curl, considering it's quite different build, is definitely proprietary as well. I will admit though, finding handlebars, & other swappable parts, for a Dahon is quite easy. Almost any part fits a Dahon. This will probably be the same for the Curl,...

The concern I'd have is Dahon's so-so track record with support, and the frequency of which they discontinue bikes not deemed successful. The Curl is a gamble with Dahon,...and the Brompton will be serviceable well into the future. Even if some parts are a bit difficult to aquire for some. And aluminum is not as durable as steel,... especially when it comes to a Dahon folding bike. Their como frames are really tough!

NJcycles

I don't think Dahon will discontinue Curl even if Curl sells not so well in following years as Dahon took so many years and money to launch Curl. Curl is a newly launched bike, Dahon can easily lower the price and change the specifications as per market response. Steel frame is durable as steel is stronger than aluminum, I really can't agree with that!! Even a plan is mostly made of aluminum. In my past years selling aluminum made bikes, I have never saw anyone had it broken. Don't forget it ,steel is heavier and cheaper than aluminum, Brompton is much much more expensive than other aluminum bikes, why???

tds101 

You've never seen an aluminum framed bike break??? Go look at this thread,...enjoy the education.

Tern Link - Catastrophic failure of Frame Hinge Bolt

Now, this may not be for a Dahon bike, but it definitely shows the fact that aluminum breaks,... Steel will bend,....

NJcycles

I mean see it by myself. If you mean see it on the Internet. I saw a lot more stuff broken. Steel, Aluminum , .......

Bonzo Banana

Different materials though, chromoly steel vs aluminium. You can get chromoly steel frames with thin tubing that are stronger than aluminium frames that have thick tubing and reinforcing in comparison and the steel frame could actually be heavier. You also have the issue that these are bikes for commuting possible in heavy traffic in cities and the steel frame may give lots of indicators, creaks, cracks, flexy/wobbly ride before failure but the aluminium frame may collapse or break in an instant at high speed with buses and heavy goods vehicles all around you that have little time to stop.

Also maximum rider weight for the Curl is 105kg and Brompton is 110kg, not a huge difference but the advantage is with the Brompton. I suspect though that the Dahon will start off stronger than the Brompton. Aluminium always reduces in strength as you ride it so probably for the first year or so I'd expect the Curl to be stronger but then in later years become significantly weaker. In ten years I would expect the Brompton to still be safe to ride but I doubt that will be true of the Dahon. It really depends on rider weight and how the bike has been treated and where it has cycled though.

If you are a frequent bike buyer who likes to change bikes every 2 years or so then I doubt it makes any difference with regard frame strength. If you like to keep a bike a long time, adapt it to exactly the way you want it and then just keep riding it then the case for the Brompton is stronger.

tcs

From 2007 to 2016 Dahon's communications stated the bike used ISO355mm (a.k.a. 18") wheels, but every picture they ever released showed ISO349mm (a.k.a. 16") hoops. The bikes released so far have 349s; there'd be room for 355s under the brakes (but not ISO355x50 Big Apples). I've never seen anything official from Dahon about the use of rare ISO369mm (a.k.a. 17") sized wheels.

Otherwise, so much misinformation about Dahon, the Curl and bicycles in general on this thread, all of which has been set right in the past on other threads yet still repeated. Sigh. I can only advise interested parties to not come to Bike Forums - Folding Bikes for accurate information about this bike.

L Arnold

Confirming
The Curl is a ISO 349 Wheel which is considered a 16" wheel as a ISO 305 also is considered. Brompton is a ISO 349 in my understanding as well.

Dahon built, Ford SST is a ISO 355 wheel which I have seen considered a 18" wheel. Very little difference size wise between 349 and 355 vis a vis the 305 to 349 16" relation.

Similar spread on 20" wheels. Most are ISO 406. ISO 451 still are referred to as 20/451, while ISO 406 are normally referred to as 20".

Always watch the ISO number. Its critical.

Winfried

For information : Regular 16" wheels = 305, Brompton = 349, Birdy = 355

BruceMetras

Additionally, AM series Moultons have run on 17" wheels for 30+ years .. ISO = 369mm