I had a thudbuster seatpost so I ended up buying just an extension seat from Thor.

I think all folding pedals feel weak, so all my bikes (folders and non-folders) have the campus pedal (one side plataform, one side clipless).

If you have to stand up to get up a hill, the curve will handle it ok. Just keep in mind that the bike was not designed for that, and some stress will take place specially on stem joints. I would rather work on your legs and lungs so you can stay seated, spin like a circus monkey and pass everybody on their carbon-fiber bikes and beer bellies. There is no better feeling than passing someone on an expensive bike while you ride a 16" wheeled. Oh yes, there is...when they try to catch and and cannot, yes, that's even better. :)

Regarding a cover, I use the $20 slip cover, which works great. There's also a higher quality Birdy dust cover for $23 that's smaller and would better fit the Curve than the Dahon bag ( http://blackdogbicycles.com/birdyfoldingtravelbike.html ). There's also a picture of it here: http://www.rad-innovations.com/Acces...essories.htmll, but it costs more.

Do you believe that all three are equally as effective, or is one better than the other? Have you ever tried putting your Brooks Champion Flyer on top of your Biologic suspension seat post or Thudbuster? Would that be too much of a good thing?

Thank you for your help.

pm124: Can you or anyone else confirm that the Birdy cover will really work for the Curve?

14R: Hum let me get this straight. Even with only 3 gears the Curve will beat full size bikes in a hill climb? I don't know if I follow because I usually set gearing to a high speed peddle and go monkey crazy when ascending hills but if the Curve doesn't have a hill climb gear how is this possible?

Or is the gearing such that 1 is low, 2 is around town, and 3 is for ascending hills and maintaining higher speeds (15mph tops from what I hear)?

So how is it that you claim the Curve will blow by full size bikes in a hill climb gear? I'd think this is where the Curve SL 5 speed would be a better choice, right? But I'm new to smaller tires so maybe this is why you claim that the Curve will slip by "expensive bikes" on a hill climb.

It's good to know that the bike should hold up under that type of stress.

I prefer to stay seated and spin. I was imagining a scenario where my lowest gear just wasn't low enough, so I couldn't sit and spin. I suppose I could always get off and walk up a steep hill if need be. I don't have too many steep hills where I normally ride.

Thanks for your help.

This is a complicated question because people will feel differently about all three devices.

Here's what I would do.

If you have the money and like your saddle, buy the Thudbuster. It's a better quality suspension seat post than the Dahon unit. The Dahon suspension post will bottom out depending on your weight and should only be considered if you're short on funds. It's not great but adequate but some will feel differently.

If you don't like your current saddle and want suspension, get a Brooks Champion Flyer with springs. The Brooks is a hard saddle but the springs allow you to ride long distances. Some people don't like a hard saddle but the springs really make a difference. It seems hard to believe that a hard saddle with springs will be more comfortable than a cushy saddle saddle but that is the case.

So what to get, the Flyer or Thudbuster. Buy one from a retailer (that will take returns) and if it works for you, then you're set.

I happen to think the Biologic suspension seat post with the Flyer is redundant.

Thank you Dahon.Steve

Rather than buying the Dahon Thudbuster version, I would rather buy a regular Thudbuster I can use on other brands of bikes (not 34mm). Do you know the part # that you ordered from Thor to make yours work? Which size Thudbuster would be most usable on the widest range of bikes?

Found this site which lists sizes: http://www.thudbuster.com/products.html

Maybe the XL version? Does that mean extra long? That might be good for a folder.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

I have the "conventional", standard size thudbuster that would fit my Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra (made in USA). I can measure when I get home if you want, but I never got the size since I had it installed at a local bike shop.

When I order the extension seatpost from Thor, all I mentioned was the same thing that I did on this post, and he knew which extension to send me, so I hope this helps.

14R

14R, I found it on his website, thanks. It holds 27.2mm seat posts.

With the thudbuster seatpost, I believe the only thing my Curve needs to become the ultimate folder for me is a bigger chainring. Sometimes (and only sometimes) I feel it is a little undergeared. But that's nothing that I can't fix by riding more/doing some spinning training/getting in better shape before considering changing it.

Just bought the Curve D3 from Sun Rise Cyclery for $359 plus the $18 Dahon Slip Cover. Free Delivery (2 day UPS Ground) and no tax.

I'll assess the seat and post mods after I test her out. Looks like that will be Thursday or Friday weather permiting.

Update: Darn, sold out until May says their email.

Kgibbs51, check out the posting at http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=284493&page=3 for alternate buying advice.

[QUOTE=kgibbs51]pm124: Can you or anyone else confirm that the Birdy cover will really work for the Curve?

Nope. Just conjecture. The Birdy is slightly larger than the Curve, and smaller than the 20" Dahons. It definitely won't be too small, and will probably be smaller than the Dahon slip cover and better quality. The other problem with the Dahon cover I have is that it's a bright red color. In other words, it's red with black grease splotches all over it.

If you are looking for the same price, www.brandscycle.com appears to be $360 shipped. Or, www.bikesarecool.com is $370 shipped. I have not dealt with either of them before.

If you can meet the folks there, definitely. As I mentioned in the other post, Brands Cycle refused to take a bike back that was damaged, so I wouldn't recommend them.

Well I ordered from Brands anyway. My local shop would have to charge me tax and then I wouldn't even be able to get over there until after the Brands bike arrives anyway.

The Brands return policy is that the product will be refunded if it is not assembled. So I'm looking for weld defects and other non correctables. Any bearing problems, bent cables, loose spokes I'll just have to work through. I don't think that'll be the problem but I do have a full price Dahon dealer across the street so I'll just have to order parts and use the manufacturers warranty.

Oh and then Dahon responded to my email regarding the actual NA release of the the SL (10 April 2007):

Hello, and thanks for contacting Dahon California. The Curve SL will arrive
June 1. If you can't wait, the Curve D3 is available at dealers now. To find
a dealer, go here - http://www.dahon.com/locator/nadealers.htm There
are 2 options to buy. Input your zip code, to find a local dealer. Click the
"Buy Now" button to order online. These orders are filled by US stocking
dealers, and are subjesct to shipping and assembly fees. Sincerely, The
Dahon California Team

Do you think the Curve D3's handlebar adjustment will allow a 5'5" tall person to ride upright?

Quick question:

What is the Curve's wheelbase?

What is the Downtube Mini's wheelbase?

Thanks.

-G

Awesome! 2 days and its here. I've assembled it and taken pictures along the way in case anyone else cares to have one shipped to them and wants to know what they are in for.

Basically, unpack, discard zip tabs/cardboard wrap, screw on petal, and hit road.

I had to adjust the tranny a bit. The critical trick here is that the pull chain to the tranny is very exposed in the box and could be damaged. Mine had poked a hole through the box but only required adjustment. The mechanism is also protected with a plastic end cap but mine was cracked. No real harm done.

Can I ask others, is your tranny noisy? Mine click clicks away as you petal.

Also, I see what people mean about the rims. The sidewall joint isn't perfect and causes the bike to stamper a bit when braking. I imagine this will disappear as I use it. If not I'll take the grinding wheel to it and finish the seam up a bit nicer.

Ditched the rack and the kickstand. If I strip the fenders I'll be close to the SL weight.

Pictures to follow this weekend.

Invisiblehand: Wheelbase from axle to axle is 37" on the Curve D3.

Nice kqibbs51. I'm still waiting for mine. UPS tracking says that my Brooks B67 will be here on Monday. I hope my Curve D3 will be here too! At the www.bikesarecool.com website, my order status has changed from New to In Progress. I wonder if they really are inspecting it before shipping it to me?

Congratulations on your new bike!

Thanks for showing the pictures - really good !.

It is fascinating to see the curve and the Merc/brommie folded together. Although the Merc seems slightly smaller, It seems to be the long Seat post that makes up the size. Do you think its possible to replace the seat post on the curve with a telescopic version ? .. If so would the sizes be more even ?

You are lucky to have got that Merc from Wav, he spent a lot to time and money on it ...... pity not in UK or i'd be tempted... did it sell ok ?

Well I made my 1st commute this morning. Going to work is the harder leg as it is really crowded and especially slow exiting the train station. The return trip is easy since I have just enough time to board the earlier train which is nearly empty.

So my 1st impressions: Easy & fun. I have to lug it up 1 flight of stairs before I board and then fold it up while waiting for the train. I haven't received my cover yet so I used a 39 gal garbage bag so I wouldn't have conductor problems. I found pleanty of space on the train's handicap car.

Exiting the train is the longest stretch where I have to carry it. The handicap car is the 3rd car and the platform is narrow so its slow going. Then I hit 2 escalators and I'm out. I unfolded the bike and road it easily to work.

It really only saved me about 3 minutes but time savings wasn't the reason for the purchase as much as it was ease of mobility. Now I don't have to nearly run to clock in on time so I don't break a sweat.

Lots of positive comments made while I road in. Even a few bums were impressed. It's a sharp looking ride.

Since I work at the Health Dept everyone crowding around the front desk of my office were asking questions. I guess I'm likely to become a poster child of health or something.

In any event, I'm really happy with this bike. It handles the curb cuts well enough and is narrow enough to weave around slower traffic in tight spots.

Of course my wife thinks I'm crazy but then she never had to walk my route.