Tron87

Well, I recently got into looking at folders. I will start at a college next fall(decided to take cheaper classes at a cheaper school this year), and I need something to get from point A to point B, fold and unfold as needed. I was hoping to fold it and take into class with me(I have a really bad phobia of things being stolen).

I since found that there is cult following of folders.

I found the Aerlite magnesium folder. for only $200-something. It seemed like it had all the things I was looking for. But the more I read, the more I found that in the world of folders, you get what you pay for.

So I decided that I will spend the extra cash and spring for a higher brand. I like the compactness of a 16 incher. And I found the Dahon Curve D3. It fits everything Im looking for, but it doesnt have fenders. I was wondering if I would be able to purchase some after market ones?

I would go for the Curve SL, but fenders and 4lbs, is not worth the extra $240.

I would also like to thank you guys. Ive been lurking the forums for awhile now, and Ive gotten some great information.

spambait11

https://www.dahon.com/us/accessories/others/mini20.htm

Tron87

HA! I read that thing like 5 times before. But every time I read it, I thought it just meant those little plastic end pieces.

Dahon.Steve

Here's the problem.

You want to bring a folding bike to school but how much walking you're going to do? You're probably going to carry about 25 pounds worth of books on top of a 26 pound folding bike. If you have to walk up lots of stairs and hall ways, this can get old real fast. On the other hand, if you can roll the bike into class, that's another story but be prepaired for the stares!

I would suggest buying an older beater bike and locking it away from the college campus in a hidden location. Don't use the bike rack.

DaFriMon

Actually, it probably does. I just bought a Curve D3, and it came with SKS fenders and a rear rack. The photo on the Dahon web page doesn't show it, but from what I've been hearing, they arrive from the factory this way. If you look on the "Accessories" tab on Dahon's description of the bike, you'll see that the rack and fenders are listed as standard accessories, which makes me think that all the Curve D3s should come with them. You should double-check with the dealer you buy from though. It's not unheard of for there to be differences in the way some models are shipped.

I like it so far, although I've only had it a few days.

Tron87

I whole heartedly agree with you about the poundage. But the only rolling folders are pretty expensive. Plus Im not too shy from the gym. I do realize it may get old quick, I need to try it out first though.

Thanks again for all the help. I hope to get it, and stick around the forums.

folder fanatic

"... I will start at a college next fall(decided to take cheaper classes at a cheaper school this year), and I need something to get from point A to point B, fold and unfold as needed. I was hoping to fold it and take into class with me(I have a really bad phobia of things being stolen...I since found that there is cult following of folders...I found the Aerlite magnesium folder. for only $200-something. It seemed like it had all the things I was looking for. But the more I read, the more I found that in the world of folders, you get what you pay for.

So I decided that I will spend the extra cash and spring for a higher brand. I like the compactness of a 16 incher. And I found the Dahon Curve D3. It fits everything Im looking for, but it doesnt have fenders. I was wondering if I would be able to purchase some after market ones?

I would go for the Curve SL, but fenders and 4lbs, is not worth the extra $240." -Tron87

"...You're probably going to carry about 25 pounds worth of books on top of a 26 pound folding bike. If you have to walk up lots of stairs and hall ways, this can get old real fast. On the other hand, if you can roll the bike into class, that's another story but be prepaired for the stares!...I would suggest buying an older beater bike and locking it away from the college campus in a hidden location. Don't use the bike rack. " -Dahon.Steve

Hello Tron87 and Welcome!

I live in the toughest end of town and converted from using beater bikes to using folding ones exclusively now. I am female and walking down the street might cause alot of stares (even at my age because the majority ethnic group around here does not approve of females riding bikes), so my folding bikes don't always cause the stares. As for theft, the people around here does steal anything (especially bikes-no matter how old or condition it is) that is even locked anywhere if the owner leaves it even for a short period of time. Yet I manage quite nicely with these bikes for over three years without major trouble. My first one was an inexpensive Dahon and I have used it in many different situations. But I always make it a point to take it with me at all times. I have a rear rack on both Dahons (a 20" Boardwalk plus a 16" Piccolo) which came with the bikes and use it to take books and other supplies on occaision. You are quite right about bike theft on campus. Thieves do visit these places and make off with a load of bikes easy without worry. And I learn not to take my text books or (if I attend class today) computer with me as those things would disappear as well. I carry a old fashioned notebook and as few supplies as possible when I was in college-I biked to school with a full sized bike back in the 1970s and 1980s. If you live around here, hiding bikes would not work either-thieves are not stupid.

The Curve D3 would be a great first choice for you if you decide on a folding bike purchase. I have two 16 inch bikes and they are great on crowded places such as buses, classrooms, or campus walkways. Mine have three speeds and they are geared nicely for the varied hills and flats that surround my residence. For more information on how the bikes look (Flickr photos) and a complete text orientated guide to selecting, securing, and enjoying your bike (Geocites traditional web pages), check out my web sites below.

makeinu

The Curve D3 comes with fenders and rear rack. It doesn't show it in the picture, but it says it right here in the specs:
https://www.dahon.com/us/curved3.htm

Every shop I've been to is selling it with fenders and rack included.

brakemeister

mine have racks and fenders :-)
( this is a little missleading as all of them will be with fenders and racks )

Anyhow,,interestingly the Curve can be folded with the seat sticking out and than pretty easy rolled ...not like a brompton or a couple others... but with relative easy ( much better than most other bikes from Dahon anyhow ...

Its a very cool bike and I dont say that cause I sell them

:-)

Thor

Speedo

The Dahon website lists the rack and fenders as standard on the Curve D3, but the picture doesn't show them.

In a bizarre twist, the Curve SL picture shows the bike with fenders, but they are only a suggested accessory.

Weird.

makeinu

What makes you say it can be rolled while folded than any of the other Dahon bikes? Almost all the Dahon bikes fold exactly the same way, the only difference being the size of the actual bike.

14R 

I would love to see pictures of the Curve with a human next to it (lol). I'm considering one since I always have a guest and no bike to let them use...

Does it fit without disassembly inside an internationally accepted, conventional luggage once folded?

DaFriMon

Note also the disclaimer that these setups represent standard specs, but may not be exactly what you will get, depending on what country you're in. Maybe the SLs will include fenders, or fenders and rack, or neither; we won't know for sure until they hit the stores. I'm sure the official 9.9 kg weight doesn't include these accessories, though.

Light weight or not, the SL is a commuting bike, and fenders just make sense.

Right now, the rear rack on my D3 is important, as I do need to carry stuff. I imagine that SL owners could use it too.

makeinu

How much does your D3 weigh in total (including rack,fenders,pedals, etc)?

flyingwolf

Could one of you with a D3 do a couple of measurements for me? I've found that the measurements given on manufacturer's web pages don't always match the real world.

So, about what size is the D3 folded?

Also, I'm 5'8" with short arms and legs. If you're taller could you lower the seat a bit and measure the distance from the center of the seatpost to the center of the handlebar post? I've had some back injuries and can't take a bike with too long a reach, and some of the Dahons with their 'biologic II' frame geometry are just too long in the top tube for me. I don't know any easy fix for that.

The last thing, are the Curves aluminum? I think instead of getting the light weight one it would be neat to get the D3 and have an 8-seed hub put in, but I don't think an aluminum frame could be widened enough for a Shimano Nexus 8 so maybe a Sturmey-Archer 8 would fit. It would be nice to have that little bit of increased gear range over the S-A five-speed on the SL model. I never seem to have too many low gears for the hills around here, but I dont' like to give up all the top to get them. Maybe Thor would know about conversions like that.

Thanks
Blaine/Flyingwolf

Bacciagalupe

For what it's worth.... I wouldn't worry too much about it getting stolen at school, unless your school has an above-average bike theft problem. However, the folder will be more secure for stashing the bike at home, when visiting friends, trips to the coffee shop etc.

I'd also go for the less expensive 20" folders, like the Speed D7 or Mariner D7. It will ride a little better, the difference in the weight and folded size is small, and it's less expensive.

Last but not least, if you live in a fairly flat area you could go for the 20" Boardwalk, not officially listed but iirc still available. It's a single-speed bike so it would kind of suck on hills, but only costs $200.


Does Dahon no longer offer a super-light folding bike?

brakemeister

hhehe Blaine .... i have something on order ...lol
will try to make pics next week ... awfull busy right now

somehow it pushes easier than the 20 incher ,, it might just be in my head .... lol have t try both next to eachother I guess ....

lightweight bikes would be the mu sl for example ... but you are right BAccia its all a little heavier these days ...But I rather have a lot stiffer frame than a super doopa lighweight wet noodle . I love my Helios XX ( sl limted edition ) but I can see that especially new comers to the fold could feel that it is somewhat flexible ... also sometimes a heavier bike feels pounds lighter than an actual lighter weight one... lots of different small differences make a bike good or really bad ...
The other thing is the bigger absence of SDG saddles ... some folks didnt like the fact that they couldnt just use any saddle with the seatpost and Dahon listens to their customers ( or this board by the matter ) so here we have a few more grams .... OR the adjustable handlebars extensions .... same as SDG saddles, this change is totally customer driven ( but also raises the weight just a bit )

Thor

folder fanatic

"...I've had some back injuries and can't take a bike with too long a reach, and some of the Dahons with their 'biologic II' frame geometry are just too long in the top tube for me. I don't know any easy fix for that.

The last thing, are the Curves aluminum? I think instead of getting the light weight one it would be neat to get the D3 and have an 8-seed hub put in, but I don't think an aluminum frame could be widened enough for a Shimano Nexus 8 so maybe a Sturmey-Archer 8 would fit. It would be nice to have that little bit of increased gear range over the S-A five-speed on the SL model. I never seem to have too many low gears for the hills around here, but I dont' like to give up all the top to get them. Maybe Thor would know about conversions like that. " -flyingwolf

Hello Flyingwolf and Welcome!

I don't own a Curve D3, but I do own last year's Piccolo. I bought my Piccolo instead because I prefer the steel frame to the aluminum one-in case I decide to modify the dropouts of the frame to place a new hub of any size if I choose to later on. The Curve is aluminum and that means that you or your bike shop won't be able to do this. If you think you want a Piccolo, you might still be able to order one, providing you do so soon. As for fit (and I must go by my Piccolo's) I am female, which means that I too tend to be shorter in the torso, arm, area, but longer in the legs. The reach is quite satisfactory to me in spite of being a Biologic II frame. It feels like my old road bike with a slight reach foward, tilting my torso off center of my lower back which helps me lessen the pressure on my back even riding 15+ miles. I just make sure I fit a saddle with springs to offset road bumps and vibrations. When I raise my seatpost up, it is almost to the top of the stem.

I recommend you try one or both out before you buy (or actually see one). Sometimes measurements might not tell the whole story of if these bikes are actually for you and your medical needs. It is like buying clothes or shoes. Even if the size stated is yours, it may not actually match you in the real world for various reasons. See my Flickr web site below for photos of all my bikes (including the Piccolo) in use.

Tron87

I was looking into those. But they are only $20 cheaper. And Ive heard of a crack problem with the boardwalk.

Bacciagalupe

What, like... if you ride a Boardwalk, you'll end up doing crack?

DaFriMon

Answering makeinu's and Flyingwolf's questions.

The difference between me on the bathroom scale without the bike and with it is 26 lbs. That's the bike with everything that originally came on it, rack, fenders, pedals and saddle, and without any added accessories. Allow for the possible inaccuracy of bathroom scales, and the impossibility of judging fractions of a pound on an analog scale.
I measured the folded dimensions as 26 inches long, by 24 high, by 13 wide. I then checked that against the specs on Dahon's page, and was disconcerted to find that it was exactly the same. Truth in advertising? What's up with that?
The frame material for the Curve D3 is aluminum. The fork is steel; a magnet sticks to it. There's no label, so I'd guess it's not chromoly, but that's just a guess. The fork on the SL is supposed to be aluminum.
The handlebar to center of saddle measurement on my bike as I have it is just under 25 inches, with the saddle almost as far back as it will go. This makes the reach a little short by my standards, I have it at 27 inches on my Bike Friday Pocket Tourist, for example. It's fine for around town riding, though. I'm 5' 7". If you like a really short reach, it looks like the saddle could come forward another 1 to 1.5 inches, at least.
I'd be skeptical of any rear hub change on this bike that involved a wider hub. If you want lower gears, you might look at changing the rear cog or the chain ring. If you want both lower and higher gears, you might consider a different bike.

flyingwolf

Thanks for the info. I agree with not trying to stuff a Shimano 8 in there. If Dahon did one like that, they'd add the seatpost that wouldn't let me use my favorite saddle, a front generator hub, a light working from the generator, an aluminum fork, then they'd charge 900 bucks for it. I'd rather do upgrades on a D3 and not have the things I don't want like a generator.

The Sturmey-Archer 8-speed is supposed to fit anything from an OLD of 115mm to 135mm, so it should fit OK. Not quite as nice as the Shimano premium, but a lot cheaper. Or I could just buy a Downtube Mini with the S-A 8 and hope I could find some way to put good-coverage fenders on it--it gets wet here north of Seattle.

Found out I need an operation to have my thyroid removed so when the surgeon has all my money I'll have to talk him into getting the bike and loaning it to me. Maybe the hospital will have a special--This Week Only--Free Dahon with each operation!