I'm looking for some decent fenders (read: not chrome, not small) for my DT Mini.

I like the fenders that come on the Curve. If any of you Curve owners have removed your fenders, are you interested in parting with them? If so, PM me.

Thanks!

Polaris, you can get them, or something similar, new:
https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/14886/
Mine (same merchant, same price) are silver plastic; see the photo. I can't see any brand name on mine; I suspect they're Dahon fenders. They are not quite as long as I'd like, but they're long enough; I've ridden in the rain several times, and there's no splatter to speak of.

I'm getting a knocking noise when pedaling under load. I think its coming from the rear axel. I've had it looked at before at a bike shop and they fixed it really quick saying that the hub was loosening up.

Well for the life of me I can't get the noise to stop no matter how much I tighten the bolts. Am I missing something?

I can easily access the hub bolt on the non-gear side so I assume that's tight enough but I haven't figured out how to tighten the side with the gearing chain. I thought that perhaps I could use a wrench to tighten the bolt between the frame and the hub (as opposed to the bolt on the outside of the frame towards the shift chain) but I can't find a metric wrench that's narrow enough to fit between the frame and the hub (I'm using a standard Craftsman open end).

Anyone have any idea how to resolve this? The noise is a straight up knock or slip even. I might be trying to fix it the wrong way. I'm pretty sure its not the crank although it feels like it when I ride because the bike shop who fixed it pointed to the rear axel when they fixed it. I should have asked more questions then but they did the work on the fly for free.

Hi, this is my Dahon Curve D3, after a few additions.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2236/...bdb1a06d_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2108/...2ae5bbe6_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/...40d74a02_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2097/...71e048aa_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2335/...9fc7fe7a_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2375/...c75755a4_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2044/...60911553_m.jpg

I upgraded it with a Pazzaz carbon seat post, Rido Glow-in-the-dark saddle, Radius VRO handle post, Syntace VRO clamps, AL carbon handle bar, and Ergon R2M magnesium grips.

Loving the new ride, and the improved handling from the new parts! I ride 14km round trip every day to work and I've been doing this for 6 months. Very addictive, commuting by bike.

I am now eyeing other Dahons, like the MU-XL and the Speed Pro TT. The wife will get the Curve if I upgrade, of course, haha!

I've almost stopped riding my full-sized mountain bike for work now. The Curve is much more portable, agile and convenient. Sometimes, I take the Mass Rapid Transit with it if I am going for a meeting, and the train station is 2km away so the bicycle took care of that part of the commute. In the past, I'd have to waste 20 minutes waiting and taking the bus to the station.

OK I figured out how to tighten that rear axel but anyone have any good ideas on chain tension when doing this? For the life of me I couldn't pull the rear wheel back and tighten both axel nuts at the same time.

Any tips?

You can install a chain tensioner like the Surly Tuggnut ...

http://lh6.google.com/geofgee/RvxkOi...h%20apples.jpg

^^ Yup. Using those ugly chain tensioners is the best way to maintain tension and lock your axle down at the same time.

That's exactly what I'm looking for. Do you put them on both sides? Looks like they run $20 each.

My thinking is that the rear wheel on the Curve gets pushed forward over time due to "wheeled folding" or pushing the bike in the folded position. I've tried to be careful but every day I'm lifting the bike onto and off of trains and up curb cuts.

Thanks!!!

Wow, great mods. I assume one can't get that seatpost in the USA? Great job.

Eventually, I'll probably end up getting one of those tensioners too. Should allow very presice chain tension. For now I set the tension and tighten down the chainside nut first until it is just locked down. Then I tighten the nut on the other side. When it is set, I go back and snug the chain side nut down. It works fairly well for me.

You only need one. And it doubles as a bottle opener.

You are most welcome.

-G

Thanks! I am so enjoying my ride! Not sure about the US though. I got it in Singapore. Nice and light. 300 grams I think.

Yeah the Curve rear wheel does shift! It goes off centre.

Today I had to send it to my LBS to have the rear wheel realigned. And the chain got slack too, but that may be a new bike breaking in the chain.

Drove me nuts, because I had to pedal harder and the gear kept slipping.

After it was fixed, the ride went back to normal. Nice and nippy. In celebration, I changed the brakes too, and replaced them with Kool Stop All Weather pads. Now it brakes even better!

Hello.

I've tried both the Brompton and the Curve D3, and I'd like to share my thoughts, and see what everyone else thinks too.

Here in the UK, the Brompton and the Curve D3 are more equally priced -

Brompton M3L - £514
Curve D3 - £350
Curve SL - £550

We also have a 'Cycle2Work' scheme which takes about 50% off the price of bicycles. It isn't going to happen again for my employer until the spring 2008, so I've got some time to think about what I want to do.

I found problems with each bicycle.

The Brompton has poor brakes, which seems to correspond to the general opinion. That's with dual-pivot brakes (the meanest they do) front and back. The Curve D3 has V-brakes, which are much better - more what I'm used to. It rode well, though, being stable at all speeds.


The Curve D3 seemed like a good idea, on paper, with more modern components. When I tried the one in shop, it was twitchy at low speeds, and the gear change was very stiff. I don't think anything can be done about the twitchy nature (short wheelbase and aluminium frame), but should the gear change be that stiff? The Brompton's old-school gear changer was very easy to use.

Does anyone know where I can get the VRO handle post like Mr Browns in the US?

Thanks

Weight and fitting info.
 

Has anyone actually got a real world weight on a curve D3?
Is the rack and pedals included in the Dahons quoted 25lbs?
Anyone put one in a Samsonite F'lite yet?
(I would guess that if you removed the post and pedals it might fit.)

Anyone do a slim down job on their D3?
If so, do you have any weights on what you have accomplished?
What parts weigh a lot, that is replaceable?

When do the 08 models come out?
What changes will there be besides the hub on the SL?

THX.

Dahons response to the relevent questions above, questions adjusted for Dahon.

1)Is the rack and pedals included in the Dahons D3
quoted 25lbs? Yes, actually it's 25.52 as pictured. Remember weight can vary from the listed weight. The weights are determined with samples, and finished product may vary up or down.
2)When do the 08 models come out? Spring
3)What changes will there be besides the hub on the SL? none
4)What changes will there be on the D3 if any? None

Sincerely, The Dahon California Team

If I end up getting the D3 I will post true weights. Right now I am most troubled by if I can get the thing in a Samsonite F'lite without a hacksaw.

One thing Dahon didn't point out is the difference in price of the Curve models between the 2007 & 2008.

There our other differences as well, The frame hinge looks different in the pictures from the 2007 model and I think the stem is supposed to be stiffer from what I have read online. If you could live with those differences you may want to consider the 2007 models while they are still available for the lower cost.

- Peter

Yes those are some really odd responses.

the 08 curve has a new frame hindge and handlepost, the 08 SL has a different seat and seatpost (KORE), a larger chainwheel to compensate for the 16T rear cog. And there is a huge increase in price for both models.

I guess they're popular. Over here the best price I found was about $600 for the D3 (SL not available).

Prices are going up all over, at least here in the US. I commute on a 2006 Bianchi San Jose. It was $579. The 2008 models is $699, with no real component changes. (2007 price was $599.) Blame the weak dollar.

Back to lurking while I learn about folders....

I really like the looks of those Ergon R2M magnesium grips. But I have two really stupid questions.

Do you have to flip the handlebars up so that you can fold the bike? Seems like a pain.

And the really silly question: You can lean on the part that sticks out right? I like the idea of being able to lean over a bit more on a grip like that. Sort of like riding on the hoods of my ss. Are there any other good ones out there to look at?

Yes you have to flip the handlebar to fold the bike, but you have to do that whether you use the stock grips or the Ergon R2M grips. It's not that big a hassle once you get use to it, really. :)

However, I do not have to flip the handlebar for my modded Curve, because my VRO handlepost folds OUTWARDS, not inwards like the original. I can't rotate my handlebar anyway because I also changed the clamps holding the handlebar to Syntace VRO clamps. You can kinda see it in this photo:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2167/...c8272ed296.jpg

This mod makes my Curve wider since the handlepost and grips are now pointing outwards. It does have many advantages. First of all, I can put bulkier accessories on the handlebar now since I don't have to worry about stuff hitting the wheels. When the original handlebar folded inwards and was between the wheels, I had to keep removing my lights before folding. Now I don't need to do that anymore.

Second advantage of having a handlepost that folds outwards, is I can now wheel the Curve with BOTH wheels touching the ground. Like so:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2100/...963c8f3f5d.jpg

On my Vitesse, I need to balance on one wheel.

As for your second question, you can most certainly lean on the Ergon R2M grips. You can even adjust the angle of it to suit your style of riding. I love my R2Ms for the comfort and hand positions. My only complaint is that you cannot mount a bar end mirror anymore.

Curve inital impression next to my Downtube NS
 

My new Curve D3 initial impression.

I weighed this thing in on a fairly dubious scale along with myself.
I am guessing it weighed in at around 26.5 maybe 27 if you want to be pessimistic.
The rack, forks and chain ring is steel. Bottom bracket looks to be square tapered not sure how proprietary it is. Kickstand is easily removable I might saw off the kickstand portion of the frame as it seems to serve no purpose other than for the kickstand.

What I likeThe tires nice they happen to be and large enough to make the 16" wheels seem quite larger. Everything said about these tires is true they are great. I would not mind them in a 1.25 and I could give up some comfort.

Seat post is long and wide, the pump does work well, it has no gauge and I could see that if I was not careful with it I could wear a hole in the hose. It appears to be for schrader mount only.

Seat is decent, not some heavy beast and not some racing saddle, very similar to what came on my co-motion speedster tandem.

Included touch up paint.

It rides well but not as well as my upgraded Downtube NS


What I dislike

Fold - while better than my 20" Downtube in size and holding together with its magnet system it's not all that much smaller, its still an ungainly thing to lug around. My guess is that I am not going to be happy until these things are 15lbs and about half the folded size that they currently are. I dream of being able to go to places and restaurants with the bike being a convenience only and not a liability! As it stands now its still looks like a pile of trash that you are caring into the restaurant. Waiters on high alert! Bags are a pain, I do need to try using a slip cover.

Gears - The gears change but I feel such a slight difference that I'd almost rather have it single speed.

Folds so that the chain is on the outside, I am sure there is a reason mechanically this has to be so, I "spray in wash" my pants because of it. It is the same on the Downtube.


I have not spent much time with it but look forward to doing more with it and reporting something back.
I have some f'lite suitcase supposedly coming in I will try and get some photo's posted.

Another comment.
 

Pumped up the front tire to max (70psi) so now I know what another poster was talking about as far as being twitchy. Very twitchy!!
I have another "Front" tire and wheel I bought for my bob trailer I am going to give that a try. Looks as if the front wheel is bolt on and not quick release. If this other wheel works I'll upgrade to quick release on the front, I'll report back on how that is working.

I took off the rack and kickstand. Taking off the rack does improve folding size a bit. The rack is a beast as far as weight is concerned. The kick stand is very light. I still need to locate my gram scale. I would like to post some accurate numbers.