Oh and the gearing, well its 100% what I need for what I do. Flat riding, starts and stops from traffic lights, and hills with only slight grades (bridges and river embankments).

I'm glad I didn't spend more just to get more gearing because its not necessary. The 3 speed has everything I need for 98% of my riding. If I want to do more challenging stuff I'd take my other bike.

iI didn't make any money out of it, but I didn't lose any after 7 or 8 months with the bike, so I assume it sold OK.

The only reason I sold it was because I was very frustrated with the entire swing arm/chain tensioner for travelling. If I can have a brompton-looking bike without a chain tensioner (impossible with current design) I wouldn't have the Curve. Well, so far I'm very happy with the Curve, so, my next bike maybe another Dahon.

You could probably get a new one from Anita at Merc.

pm124: To confirm, the Birdy light dust cover fits the Dahon Curve D3. I purchased mine from Don at https://blackdogbicycles.com/birdyfoldingtravelbike.html and it arrived w/in 2 days. Don was a great person to do business with and responded to my emails immediately. He measured the cover prior to shipping to ensure a proper fit.

The cover is colored silver on the exterior and black on the inside. It is more durable than the nylon Dahon cover but perhaps less packable. It does come with a drawstring and a cut-out in the top so that you can reach in and grab onto the bike with the cover on.

Of course it says Birdy on it but I didn't mind.

Gracias ...

That is pretty short. Brompton/Merc is quite a bit longer.

It is. And it does impact your riding. I used to get my mail using my Merc/Brompton and ride down a 3 step stair with confidence. On my first day using the Curve (already using my clipless pedals) I almost went over my handlebars...

Not a big deal while riding flat though...

[QUOTE=14R]The only reason I sold it was because I was very frustrated with the entire swing arm/chain tensioner for travelling. If I can have a brompton-looking bike without a chain tensioner (impossible with current design) QUOTE]

I totally agree with you - thats one of the things I'd change on my Brommie too. Thanks very much for your reports - it what makes this forum good.

[QUOTE=Invisible Hand]You could probably get a new one from Anita at Merc. QUOTE]

I think this particular bike was rather special - it was hand re-built by Wav, who shared the process and upgrade details on this forum. I'm glad 14R got good use from it and that it sold OK.

B*gger - how do you get multiples of those nice little quotation boxes ? ... I've only been on this forum for nearly 3 years and still screw it up !! .... durrrrr

You need an open bracket and forward slash in front of the end quote ... with some extra spaces such that the html code is not invoked

[ QUOTE = me ] blah blah blah [ / QUOTE]

The search database is down at the moment. I can recall WAV replacing the GT6 brake pads. I always assumed that he did regular maintenance and recall a discussion of making a Merc--Titanium Brommie hybrid.

You can get a GT6 from Anita/Merc with 105 crank/hub, front derailer, v-brakes, extended seat post and front suspension post. When I inquired it would have cost around $1200 with the exchange rate of the day. I think that WAV bought it from Anita with this setup.

What else was done on the bike?

Great to hear it!

I'm going to buy one from him this week. I like small, helpful bike shops.

I'm still waiting for my bike from www.bikesarecool.com While I was waiting, I sold two of my bikes to help finance the new bike. I think this week I will sell my last remaining bike too. Then all I will have is the Curve D3 (if it ever arrives).

Now the weather has turned nice, and I am getting impatient. I'm glad everyone else is enjoying their Curve.

It'll show. If you need any help setting it up let me know. There are no dealer setup instructions in the package but I've run down my own list and don't mind sharing it. Also, and a good thing its there, is the Sturmey Archer set up guide. It'll help you fine tune the gearing. I found it very helpful.

I finally emailed www.bikesarecool.com yesterday asking where my order is. I ordered on the morning of the 11th. A day later they send me a reply saying the bike is not in stock. Nothing was on their website about being out of stock, nor was it mentioned in their order confirmation email. These guys should be ashamed of themselves. How can they run a business like this?

Now they say they are expecting a shipment next week. I don't know if I trust them or should cancel my order and get it elsewhere.

I always make a phone call and speak with someone I can write down the name (not an answering service) before making any orders online. That's why Thor is my online-based seller for Dahon related stuff. Again, I still recommend him, even if it's not the cheapest around (and again, ask for a discount).

Good luck man, I know how frustrating that can be!

That is crap. What is the price difference of ordering elsewhere?

Well the fact is that nearly everyone is sold out. Brands, Bikes are Cool, Sun Rise.

Well, then it seem like you have an easy decision if you want the bike. I would not be happy, however, with someone taking my order without telling me that they are out of stock.

-G

If it means anything to you Sun Rise did the same to me. These bike shops don't really have the most robust websites. Certainly nothing that's linked to actual inventory.

FWIW, I bought from ThorUSA, and he shipped the next day, but I can't guarantee that he has them in stock at this point either. 14R gave the best advice. Speak with an actual person, get a name. Get a definite statement that they do or do not have them in stock at the time you order.

Call Dahon USA and ask them (1) when the next batch of containers coming from Asia will arrive, (2) if the model you want is in the batch, and if not, (3) to check inventory on what dealer might already have the desired model in stock, since you have been told "out of stock" by every dealer. You basically have a choice: wait for a discount dealer to receive inventory, or buy at or near MSRP from a dealer with inventory. Dahon USA distributes directly to retailers, rather than through intermediaries, so they know who received a given model from a previous batch of containers. You can always offer to buy at a discount price from a dealer who has a model in stock.

as far as I know, ThorUSA still has the Curve D3 and they usually ship out the same day. I do not work for them and I do not make a dime from any referrals, but I do like to advertise for those that take good care of me, and Thor was one of them (so is Downtube.com)

I will consider my options.

The truly sad part about www.bikesarecool.com is that they were NEVER planning to tell me it was out of stock. I think that is pathetic. If I hadn't emailed a week after my order, I would have never known.

Earlier in this thread, I posted a picture of my Curve with a small Klickfix wire basket. Here is somebody else's picture of it with the large willow basket. Evidently a lot more carrying capacity. My concerns would be how it would hold up in bad weather, and how easy it would be to fasten a cargo net, to keep stuff from bouncing out.

The Curve D3 is available here at a staggering $999Au, more than the Speed P8 and other better bikes! Importers here are really gouging the buyers, it's not the LBSs by and large.

Had to convert that to USD to get the idea. I agree that $831 is way too much, more than double the US price. I like my Curve, but for that money I would have bought a Brompton. If you get any insight as to why the Australian importers think they can get away with this, I'd be curious to read it.