SesameCrunch

Congrats!! I would love to see a picture of the DT in a Miata trunk. That's a smaaall space. Which model did she get?

pm124

Sorry folks, one last question. Does anyone know the size of the crown race and stack height of the headset on the NS? (The others are probably the same, so feel free to pitch in!)

Yan, it would be great to have this info in one spot. Also, I find these forums nearly impossible to search, and tend to simply use Google on the larger web. So, sorry if this info exists elsewhere.

LuckyLyndy

I'm with PM that we should pool some of the basic info on the bike models.

I am double checking with the guys who used the Thudbuster. Would the correct one be 27.2 LT with at least 400mm post for the IX NS???? I plan to copy Wav with my Brooks B17 saddle on that.

I would like to buy that today if possible.

And anybody have a good deal on a Isis BB 68X113??? I have the old TruVativ triple, so I might as well buy a BB and use that this coming week.
Lyndon

Loch

Okay, Here's mine.

I was going for as light as possible so it could be easily carried and ridden, without going too overboard on the cost.

I was fairly disappointed with one thing, unless my scale is way off (which I'm pretty sure it is not), the published weight of the IXNS is very underestimated. With all of my modifications I was only able to get it down to 23.5 lbs. If the published weight would have been correct the weight should have been around 20 lbs.

Anyway, the frame is very nice and I don't think I could have found a lighter one for the price, so I decided to just go with it.

Here the mods I made:

carbon handlebar (performance bike)- 135g- $40
SRAM x7 shifter (ebay) -95g- $18
Profile vario stem (got it off an older bike)- ??- ~$20
Dahon quill folding stem (much lighter than original and a better angle) ~638g- $58
Bolt on type skewers, lighter and more theft-proof (nashbar) $8
The seat will eventually be a Forte' fusion from performace, now its a T1-tri (very similar)- 215g- $30

Crank FSA energy 53/39 (ebay) -600g -$70

Nashbar ISIS BB 68/108mm (chain-line looks great, perfect for the outer ring which I will use the most. A 113 would also probably work but the 53/32 position might not be as happy. Right now I get a little rub with 39/11 but I will rarely use this gear.- 245g- $20

Shimano XT rear cassette 11-32 (ebay)- 264g- $55

Shimano XTR rear hub 28H (ebay) -310g -$66

Nashbar el-cheapo clipless pedals - ~350g -$20

SRAM x.9 rear derailluer (ww.bikeisland.com -these guys are awesome!)- 210g- $65

I swapped out the brake levers to some shorties I had on an older dahon, they were a little lighter.

Almost forgot to mention, I put a marathon on the rear wheel it was a bit lighter than the kenda and a higher pressure tire. Got it from nashbar a while back for like $15 on clearance.


You can add it up, but I think I've got about $720 total into this bike. I wonder how I might have done compared to a dahon mu for $550 and adding $170 to lighten it up? Don't think I've finding out any time soon.


Observations.

Things I like about the DT IXNS
-Frame seems well made.
-Love the color.
-most of the lower grade components that come with it aren't bad at all.
-Rides well
-Easy to work on
-The rear rack that comes with it is very nice. Fenders aren't bad either, the rear needs to be a bit longer.
-The adjustable stem is cool.
-The wheels seem pretty nice.
-The brakes work well.
-edit to add: the mini bar ends are awesome.

Things I don't like
-The bottom bracket that came with my bike is useless, mine was wobbly and had bearings on only one side.
-The front crank (especially the chainring) is a boat anchor, but it is nice that it is removable.
-The front folding section of the stem is also VERY heavy and the lack of angle makes for a very cramped riding position, for me.
-The bike needs to be longer from the seat to the handlbars. Installing a longer stem helps a little.
-Personally I don't like the 27.2 seatpost. I think a 34 mm is a better choice. I think it would be stiffer, the frame could be made smaller, and it would be much easier to find a replacement or upgrade. Even though the 27.2 is a standard size, good luck finding a 500mm seatpost. I'm a little worried about the integrity of the seatpost and how difficult it might be finding a replacement in the future.
-I feel the headtube (headset tube) can be much shorter, if this was the correct length ,with the right stem, it would allow a more compact fold with the handle bars on the inside.
-the main hinge seems very sturdy, but mine also wobbles when open, as a previous poster pointed out.
-I'd love to see an aluminum folding stem section.
-NOT HAPPY About the published weight. I hope my scale is wrong.

Anyway I hope this was interesting and constructive, overall I'm very pleased and don't think I could have done much better for the price and also been able to upgrade to such quality components.


Here are the PICS

jasong

You can pull another pound off the bike by going with Schwalbe Stelvios / small tubes. I think the savings per tire over the shipped tires with the IXNS was around 250g (150g tube, 460g tire vs. 100g + 200g). PS - you've already seen some of the detailed weights someone else had posted?

pm124

Stelvios will give you a very harsh ride, though. They feel like steel on 20" wheels. The Dahon Mu SL rides very hard and has an I-beam saddle that can't be changed, so it's a painful bike on longer rides. The Marathon Racers are only marginally heavier.

Also, if it makes you feel any better, the Mu SL can't be made any lighter. It's stock full of American Classic and SRAM parts that are among the lightest on the market. It also has some of the flimsiest parts on the market. And with pedals and the seat on board, it's only a touch lighter than your Loch-ness monster.

Where did you find a Mu SL for $550??? Used, they usually go for $850.

Baldone

Loch several questions.
Where did you get your Dahon quill? (model number? on doing a search I saw a few different available.)
Is it any shorter or taller than the stem it replaced?
Is the top diameter the same size?
How much more reach do you think it gave you (because of the angle) over the stock stem?
Thanks.

EriktheFish

The IXFrontSusp. has a longer frame.
(Thanks for posting info & fotos!)

pm124

Baldone, I found the specs on the Egg Beaters. They protrude 5.7cm from the crank arm.

teutonictrio

Yan and others who have this Downtube IXNS, can you tell me if the bike will fit in one of the trunks of my Boxster S? I am an avid club racer and on track day I have discovered that it is SO convenient to have a folding bike with me, as I borrowed a great Dahon Speed from a friend for the weekend (this past at Cal Speedway).

It seems that Downtube is a great value, and I like the direct-to-consumer model as I have one of those companies myself in the retail industry, so I can understand the value that the customer can get through such a model.

I REALLY need it to fit in one of my trunks, and the dimensions given are, what I would guess, maximum dimensions, not actual, as it's not a perfect square/cube when folded.

The Boxster S has two trunks - one front, one rear, and the rear trunk is almost always empty on the way to the track, while the front trunk holds tools, gear, etc. The rear trunk is almost a square, but still more of an upside down trapezoid with rounded corners. Golf clubs fit in there, but only because they have a section that is wider than the opening. It measures roughly 38 inches wide and 23 inches deep, but the height (this is where I might have a problem) is 14 inches near the cabin and only 8 inches high toward the rear end.

Alternatively, the front trunk is a bit more oddly shaped, so imagine that upside down trapezoid with another narrowed section at the top, like a flattened out diamond shape. Here I'm looking at 30.5 inches at the widest point, with top and bottom width at 25 inches. It is 16.5 inches long (available space) and depth is 23 inches at the deepest and 16.5 at the shallowest.

Anyone who has the Downtube, can you check the next time your bike is folded up to see if it would fit in my car?? Many, many thanks...

Polaris43

I think a DT Mini will fit. If I can remember, I'll check this evening.

teutonictrio

I was hoping a 20" bike would fit, as it provides a better ride for someone my size, at 6'2", 209lbs. I did also look at the Dahon Curve, though, for that reason - portability. Still don't know what will fit, but I can check the Dahons at a local dealer - I can't check the Downtubes.

teutonictrio

Loch, by the way, your bike is awesome - great mods! Looks fantastic.

pm124

A Birdy will fit. The wheels are 355s, but it performs closer to a full size bike than most 20" bikes. It can accomodate 6'4" riders and will load up to 280 pounds.

teutonictrio

I'm sure a Birdy will fit, but the price is rather extreme, with the least expensive starting at $1050...

makeinu

I think if the 20" Dahons will fit then the 20" downtubes will also fit.

BigMacFU

Get the Thudbuster XL with 27.2 mm seat post (it's 450mm). Ebikestop.com typically has the best price at around $106.

Baldone

(EDITED for clarity)
So from the crank to the end of the pedal

Eggs are 86 mm
The Wellgo pedals are 80mm
Speed play 74mm - 76mm
Crankbrother Mallets are 94mm
My SPD Nasbar pedals 77mm
Several generic platform type pedals came in somewhere between 100mm -110mm.

I just called Speedplay, I specified just the length just coming out of the crank. The rep said they were 74mm from the shoulder for X2 and the Zero Stainless the X5 comes in at 76mm.
(Got great and fast customer service, by the way.)


Fred

pm124

The price of the Birdy is extreme. In the US, Black Dog has them for $900. In the UK, they go for 800 pounds. In Japan, they start at under $600. For this, you get the full price frame with the middling Alivio grupo. They go up to over $3000 for the high end models. Some Japanese Birdies are equipped with Dura Ace components, and probably even more pricey. Regardless of the groupo, the build quality is very high. You can even get a Bike Friday for less.

But, it's all relative. If a Dahon or Downtube wheel fails because the build quality is low, bikes like the Brompton, Bike Friday, or Birdy start to look like bargains (especially if you pay your medical bills in the US).

Besides, it looks like you are stuck with either a Brompton (easy fit), Curve, Birdy (closer fit at 34" X 22" X 11," but actually less if you use clip-ons), or possibly, a mini.

spambait11

You know, I think this too when I think of Porsche.

teutonictrio

It's a great point, of course, but this bike will have very little use, so while my Porsche is enjoyed all the time, both street and track, the bike will be more utilitarian, so the finest is not as necessary in my mind.

pm124

The other problem is that the only >16" wheel comfortable bike that will fit is the Birdy (full suspension to boot), and will even fit with the narrowing. The Brommie rides fine, though, so maybe you should consider it. As far as the even smaller wheels, the curve and mini are contenders (each have 305s). Anyone with the dimensions of the mini?

SesameCrunch

From the Downtube website:

NS: Folded size: approx 30 x 60 x 81 cm (12" x 23.6" x 33")
Mini: Folded size: approx 10" x 20" x 29"
Full Susension: Folded size: approx 30 x 60 x 81 cm (12" x 23.6" x 33") rear swingarm is removable for super compact folding (used on airplanes and boats)

Keep in mind these are probably the optimal folding sizes and will require some careful figdeting to get to those dimensions (e.g. play with the handlebar orientation, brake lever position, etc.)

I put the FS in the mix because IMO it's the only one that'll suit a guy 6'2" comfortably.

PS: There's a Birdy on Craigslist in the SF Bay Area going for $600
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/298441510.html

teutonictrio

On your last statement, why?? I wanted to buy the no suspension one, as it folds the smallest and is the lightest...

SesameCrunch

I'm 6' tall and have owned/ridden 5 of the DT models. I'm talking about riding comfort (for rides over, say, 5 miles). If you're not planning to ride that far, then disregard my comments about fit and comfort.

The FS has a taller frame, so you'll have adequate leg extension. None of the other bikes comes close for someone your size. The IXNS is smaller AND 3" shorter in wheelbase, so you'll probably feel squeezed in it.

Going to the other extreme, if you're just going to ride this around the race track and not long distance, the Mini is a really nice, small and clean package. I bought it for my mother in law to fit her VW Beetle convertible, and I had fun riding around my neighborhood. You may have to buy different handlebars to give you a little more height up front, that's all.