Dahon Piccolo P3
 

Anybody have one of these? Test ride one? If so how do you use it? Likes and dislikes? Also does anyone have a Dahon with the generator hub?

Thanks
Aaron:)

Also I KNOW that it is a D3 but the freakin' 'puter posted this before I could fix it.:crash:

I bought one just to see what it is like, and i like it. I ride iton the bike trail near my house adn the 3 speeds give me a workout. I was a bike cop at the National Insistutes of Health and a lot of folks use them there to geyt around the complex and to use the subway or i guess its called the metro.

The Piccolo was my first bicycle that I ever owned. I used up that bike so much and sold it recently for $30 bucks it was in that bad condition. However, it's a well made bicycle and that Sturmey Archer shifted worked like a charm for over 4 years of hard labor. I only replaced the shifter but the hub still shifted like new even after being used as a commuter bike for four years in rain and snow.

I like the Piccolo but if I were to do it again, I would have gotton a folder with 20 inch wheels. The only reason you would go to a 16 inch wheel is to board the inside of a bus. Otherwise, anywhere you can take a 16 inch wheel, a 20 inch wheel will have no problem.

I like the Piccolo but if I were to do it again, I would have gotton a folder with 20 inch wheels. The only reason you would go to a 16 inch wheel is to board the inside of a bus. Otherwise, anywhere you can take a 16 inch wheel, a 20 inch wheel will have no problem. -Dahon Steve

I partially disagree with you, Dahon Steve. I first bought a Boardwalk with 20 inch wheels since I did not actually see the bike when it was ordered and I had to assume that 20 and 16 inchers were very close in size when folded. I bought a Brompton when I discovered that the Dahon was far too heavy at 29 pounds and too close to my maximun carrying capacity (30 pounds is my lifting limit) and not compact enough when folded to be brought inside with ease restaurants, classrooms, bus cabins, etc. for storage or transport. The Brompton (and probably the Piccolo) is far more suited for these activities.

Thanks! That was the type of input I was looking for. I really need the 16" wheels for the compactness. Weight is not as much of an issue at the moment. The Piccolo is a compromise for me between price, availability and size. I like the idea of the "dyno" hub in that I don't have to a)worry about being caught out after dark and b) have to mess with battery lights, they always seem to go dead right before you need them.

Aaron:)

These are the specs between the Dahon Piccolo, Brompton and Speed 8

Brompton Piccolo Speed 8
Height 22.2" 25" 25"
Length 21.5" 27" 32"
Width 9.8" 11" 13"

Brompton Piccolo Speed 8
Weight 25' lbs 25.7 25.5

Price $1,065.00 $399.00 $499.00

I took the time to put these figures in a spreadsheet and was surprised at the slight difference in size between all three folding bikes. The Piccolo is barely 10 inches bigger (all around) than the Brompton but is $666.00 less expensive than Brompton. The Speed 8 is only 17 inches bigger all around than the Brompton but costs $566.00 dollars less than the Brompton. Incredible. Furthermore, all three bicycles weight about 25 lbs making this insignificant according to the specs. Unless you intend on spending $1,800.00 for the most expensive Brompton, all three bikes weight basically the same.

If the OP wants to spend an additional $700.00 dollars for 10 inches in overall savings which I doubt anyone will be able to notice, be my guest. What he's really paying for are high labor and transportation costs of the Brompton to the U.S.A.

I once thought long ago that size was most important factor in purchasing a folder but found this not to be the case. Every place I was able to take my 16' inch folder, the 20' inch wheeler was accepted too! What I did discover was how much efficient and confortable the 20' inch wheel was compared to it's 16' inch cousin.

Below are a small list of places I took my 20' inch Dahon Speed 7 with no problems.

1. MTA Bus
2. Metro North Commuter Rail Road
3. NJ Transit Rail road
4. Mc Donalds
5. NJ Trains Bus
6. Grayhound Bus Lines
7. Staten Island Ferry
8. LIRR - Long Island Railroad
9. Amtrak
10. Coach USA - Bus Line

Well, I need to fit three bikes in the trunk of our car, sometimes along with luggage. Earlier this year, I had two 16"-wheeled bikes and wanted one more bike so my family could ride the trails around DC. I bought a 20"-wheeled one, but found it difficult to fit all three in the trunk, and impossible with luggage. I am also an internal-hub man, so the next day, I traded the bike for a Piccolo. I am happy with my decision. The Piccolo was mainly for my wife and son, so simplicity and adjustability (down to an 8-year old - the Piccolo has a telescoping seat post and steering tube), were key factors. 16" wheels allow the bikes to sit upright in the trunk. I could probably put at least four of them in there comfortably. BTW, John at Bikes at Vienna was very polite and accommodating with the purchase/trade, and he gave me a good deal on the Piccolo.

Using your numbers, Steve, and assuming hexahedrons, the Piccolo is 59% larger and the Speed 8 is 122% larger by volume compared to the Brompton. These difference are significant, whether size is or is not an issue for you (does size matter?).

If I were buying now, I would seriously consider the Downtube Mini, especially because of its 8-speed internal hub and Wav's positive review. Heck, I am considering it now because one of my folders is an ancient POS that a friend gave me.

I will own a more performance-oriented bike one day, most likely with larger wheels. I'm getting inspired by Wav, Bruce, and others here.

Your point is well-taken, Steve. But there can be other reasons to choose a more compact bike.

-Paul

Paul:

I've seen both Piccolo and Brompton side by size and the difference is not significant. I doubt the average bus or train conductor will be able to determine the difference in size and his/her opinion on allowing you to board will be based on other factors other than the 10 inch difference. The Piccolo is not 60% larger than the Brompton and this is obvious upon looking at them placed side by side. I happen to think Brompton and Dahon measured the size of their bikes based on the metal that sticks out the furtherest and not the actual size. Where the point is located from which they made their measurement is really unknown.

Steve,

I agree with you. I was just showing how playing with the numbers can sway the comparison in the other direction. Yes, I'm sure the dimensions are overall, and making a box out of them does not accurately depict the bikes' sizes. On the other hand, adding the differences in each dimension does not accurately depict the differences between the sizes of the bikes. A Piccolo does not look much bigger than a Brompton, but these look considerably smaller than a Speed 8.

In my case, the 20" wheel size did not let me stand the bike upright in my trunk, so I could not fit three in, at least without mangling them and especially when carrying anything else. This one dimension did mess it up for me. Yes, I should get a station wagon. Maybe later. Then I can get that Swift, or Jetstream, or ...

BTW, your list of places/transportation you have taken your Speed 7 is impressive. Any place you tried that did not let it in/on?

I was not in the bike market looking for a bargain when I was looking for another more manageable (16") bike since I tend to keep my bikes for a very long time. I chose the Brompton because it is far more balanced and compact in the folded position than anything else since it is more square in shape when folded and far more compact than either 16 or 20 inch Dahons I either own or tried. Another thing I noticed is most people assumed that others are as big as they are. I am probably not at only 5'2" and smaller hands and less upper body strength than a compatible man. When a bus driver sees me coming, struggling with my bigger, far more heavier Boardwalk at 29-30 lbs vs. just about 25 lbs. for the Brompton, the driver might turn me away (and I might lose a day's pay). That is the biggest factor for me when I have to use public transportation like buses or taxis. I don't call attention to myself and my covered bike can slip by if it not too noticeable as in when I struggle with a heavy bike. And in a private car or not crowded train, it does not matter what bike I use since I am not dependent on someone else's idea of a possible problem on board. And both bikes fit all areas that I place it in.

I can't really remember where I was denied when the bike was folded. I sold my both Dahon folders (Speed 7 and Piccolo) a while back but recently acquired a Vitesse and will once again start riding the bus lines without any trouble. I can't remember but there were a couple of times it happened. Unfortunately, I did not have a cover or it wouldn't have been a problem.

I would like Dahon to build a soft cover bag with wheels on the bottom so you can roll the bike. The Brompton wouldn't need it but there are times you still need to cover the bike and the wheels will makes things a lot easier than carrying it on your back!

You could have a slip cover made up for it. Find a boat cover shop or awning shop and have it made up out of light canvas. I have had covers made up out of vinyl coated materials for all kinds of equipment over the years.

Aaron:)

I prefer to keep the little bottom wheels completely separate from the bag. My mother has a bag with little wheels and those things keep getting ripped off the bottom or jam and refuse to turn even after lubercating them.