spambait11

Hookworms. They can be a bit sluggish if they fall below max pressure (110psi), but I put them on for puncture resistance. As far as ride goes, they're fun for cruising, but I've stopped using them for commuting; for me, it's too hard to maintain a fast pace on these tires.

The only caveat I've had with these tires is that I've blown at least 4 tubes, all internal punctures - 3 rear, 1 front; I'm still not sure why, but keeping them at a constant 110 on the stock rims (as well as on some Alex DA-19 rims) does not seem to sit well with the tubes. Rim tape looks fine; spoke ends are not sharp. The worse bit is that I was present during two of the punctures - a fairly loud bang followed by the hiss of leaking air. I've since switched to Marathons, but am not riding the bike much anymore so I don't have any long-term data there.

Jinks

A question about the stems: What part do I buy, or what modifications do I have to make to be able to run a standard stem to adjust my effective top tube length? I also figure that stem length should help with ride stability. I read on the forum of someone cutting their stock post and then using a stem. Is that the way to go? Is there another way to run a standard stem? Is there a replacement part that I can simply buy? thanks!

spambait11

This really depends on your handlebar post. Nowadays, the S1 handlebar post is fixed (i.e. not adjustable), so people with that post have to cut it to size to fit a stem.

My 2005 model has an adjustable handlebar post, so all I had to do was cut off the handlebars and attach a stem to the inner part of post, the part that can slide up and down (adjustable height).

A pic of a fixed handlebar post:
https://www.gaerlan.com/dahon/upgrade/dhnstem1.gif

A pic of an adjustable handlebar post:
https://www.gaerlan.com/dahon/upgrade/dhnt5aj.gif

A pic of the inner post of an adjustable handlebar post:
https://www.gaerlan.com/dahon/upgrade/dhnrvstem.gif

All pics from Gaerlan's website.

Bixid

I'm thinking of ordering this from Performance, would you guys recommend taking it in for adjustment for a beginner or is it pretty much usable out of box?

spambait11

If you buy it from Performance, they better do a shake down for you gratis - demand it if they don't openly offer it. Buying from a brick and mortar also gives you a better warranty claim, as your lbs is responsible for assuring its state of rideability.

If you do your own wrenching, buying online can be cost-effective; your warranty is only five years though. (At least that was how things worked as of a couple years ago. Dahon may have changed their policies since then.) In my case, the S1 was pretty rideable out of the box.

One of the things you should make Performance check for are loose spokes. Also ask them to make sure the hubs are tightened properly; I had a loose front hub which I had to adjust and fix myself.

Bixid

Thanks for the pointers, now I know what to watch out for when they adjust it.

mobiusness

mobius has been riding his web purchased S1 Boardwalk for about a month now, with Lime green Oury grips replacing the stock ones. Sometimes I lash a green milk crate on the rack and use it as a grocery getter if I don't feel like a full shopping trip with the Burley Trailer and a Jamis MTB, but mostly I have used it for more "opportunistic" cycling: Today I put it in the back of our hatchback, rode along with my two kids and spouse to the YMCA, then rode home on the Boardwalk for another 4 miles or so of hilly riding. Added to the trail-a-ride journey this am with my son, and I did a nice ten hilly miles, all without having to schedule any "workout" time. I took the kids into the pool while the spouse got her daily and much needed Gym Fix. And each time I ride, my case to make the whole household car-free gets stronger and more persuasive to the rest of my crew. You can build your Gym FIx into a much more enjoyable day, and after a while you start to feel downright allergic to cars.

In short: This is a great way to get started with a folder so that you can see how it fits into your life and your cycling. Most of my riding is on a fixed 1970's french steel conversion ( Thanks Freeze Thaw wizards!), and I will eventually get a 406 wheel built so that I can get that fixed feel with the Boardwalk. Thanks for the inspiration CRM! But even stock the simplicity of the bike is its greatest strength. Folding and stashing the bike is extremely easy, though I have not yet tried to pack it into a Samsonite 29 inch Oyster. That's the next project!

The downsides to the bike have been noted: The handlepost is not adjustable. For me it is (luckily enough) the perfect height, but I am a little under 6 ft 1 " ( 185 cm) and 170 lbs (77 kg). And I will be honest: I stand when pedaling up the steep ones in central PA, and the flex is no big deal. I know - I am a very bad man for standing and pedaling on this folder. Maybe mobius needs to read the Gearing Down thread about this bike.

I am interested in the stem/bullhorm upgrade via a hacked seatpost, but I like to let my projects slowly evolve. ( i.e. mobius works slowly at many things as worker bee) and I am wondering if the bullhorns will ruin the simple Right now the S1 is feeling perfect. I won't be making any airline trips for at least another month, so that gives me time to find an Oyster and learn how to pack it. I will post accordingly.

Note: The bike did need some out of the box tweaking, especially on the handlepost. Be sure to read the instructions and adjust the handlepost latch. This makes a huge difference!

spambait11

mobius must stop referring to mobius in the third person. It's kind of creepy.

James H Haury

Sort of like Jimmy from seinfeld.

folder fanatic

I think Mobius is simply trying to distance himself from the review. He might want to be more objective using that writing style and gain credibility.

fbagatelleblack

Hope it's OK for me to resurrect this old thread. I am thinking of buying a Boardwalk S1, but I am 6'6" and 240lbs. Now, I know that no folder is going to fit me perfectly, but I am just looking for one for short jaunts of under 5 miles. A Raleigh 20 would not even work for me for really short rides like that. Would the Boardwalk S1 be any better? Would it fall apart under my weight? Any input would be appreciated.

Many thanks,

Forbes

folder fanatic

Hello Forbes and Welcome,



I am an owner of a 2003 Boardwalk S1 which I have customize it to something I enjoy using over the years. I choose this bike over an old used Raleigh 20 because I like the far more compact folding and the technological improvements done since the 60s and the 70s. I think your height is fine to use it with the stock seat post even without having to replace it with a new one. It is your weight that concerns me (I hope you don't take it the wrong way). While it is not too much over Dahon's official suggested weight, I feel that if you don't take it curb hopping or trail riding, it should be fine. Anyway, you will probably drop the weight require very quickly and without pain!

Please see my photos on Flickr on my own Boardwalk-plus be the first to see a new photo of it not available anywhere else-yet:

Foldable Two

Folder Fanatic - good picture of your S1 - nicely staged. Your 2003 actually has a bracket to which a kickstand can be mounted, and a very good kickstand at that. My 2005 S1 came with it mounted to the left side of the rear axle - very poor. I had to purchase on that just bolted to the chain stays (more correctly "squeezes" the chain stays). Works, but not as nice as yours.

Being 6'6" - This will likely be a problem - due to leg length, unless the person is all torso. At 6'3", I have my Thudbuster seat post at MAX height.

folder fanatic

Good point. My own seat posts on each of my bikes are extended quite far up even though I am well under 6 foot at 5 foot 2 inches. Thank you for the kind compliment. This photo was actually taken on the day I brought it out of the bike shop for it's year 5 annual tune-up. I cannot believe I had it for so long. I am glad I bought this particular model as Dahon seemed to somewhat neglect it or not designed it as well after it took it off it's formal model line-up after 2003. I have more photos of this bike on a short trip to Lake Balboa and some other activities which I will release soon. I have set up a new Web site-World Of Folding Bicycles Too-in my ever expanding series with this and other photos. You can take a sneak peek at the completed Introductory page here:

https://www.flickr.com/people/world-of-folding-bicycles-too/

I hope to have this site with completed photos and captions completed by Thanksgiving (end of Nov.).

632GT

This is an old thread but I hope to get some info to do my S1. Where can I buy one of this hub?

Shimano Nexus SG-3C41 Gear Hub Coaster Brake 3-Speed 36H

Can I use a 36H I think this model Dahon Boardwalk S1 uses a 28H?

rhenning

It is not a S1 if it has gears but Dahon makes similar bike with gears. Most are not internal gear hubs but are derailluer drive trains. The picture is one of my 2 Boardwalk a D7s. Roger

GeezyRider 

Modern Bike sells this but it is currently sold out:

https://www.modernbike.com/shimano-3...ake-36h-cb-sil

An available but also more expensive option on Amazon:

https://smile.amazon.com/Speed-Coast...2C1009&sr=8-28