I have two ofthe Dahon Classic III bikes are they are built pretty well. The price on that one is resonable (you can probably get it from them cheaper). One warning is that even though these have 3 speeds, the low gear is not geared for much of a hill. When compared ot my Dahon Jetstream I would say that 1st on the Classic III is about the same as 4th on my Jetstream. Good luck.

You could have mine for free (but shipping would cost a lot). This is maybe a fun old bike but it is H E A V Y and not something you want to fold and unfold twice a day or more. The folding cranks is solid steel, I swapped mine out for a alu crank from an old 10 speed with a bigger chainwheel.

The long stem and its hinges is flexing.

It has got steel rims. I put alu on mine but it is still heavy. I suggest you go for a lighter more modern bike if you want to use it regularly. This one could be a fun bike to have if you really like it, or a good bike to keep at your folks place and use when you visit them. Mine is going into the dumpster.

If you do trash it, at least just leave it out next to your trash so someone else will take it and enjoy it. I agree, you wouldn't want this to be your daily rider, but I actually used mine to ride laps around our park every day and it helped me lose 41 pounds in 65 days.

Of course now I have upgraded to a Dahon Jetstream.

Jesus Christ... People hunt Old Dahon at my place. Some spend some money to rebuild rusty old Dahon.
Those become adorable.
I guess the saying is true, "someone trash is someone else treasure".

They regularily sell for $150 plus shipping on ebay.

Are you sure you did not CARRY the bike around the park to loose that much weight? :D Wish it was that easy for all of us.

It wasn't easy and the bike was only half of my exercise. It had to look funny seeing a 250 pound guy pedalling his ass off in first gear on 16" wheels.

"Bear on a bike". :D

Exactly!

I kept expecting to hear circus music.

But no longer since I got my Jetstream.

http://bellingham.craigslist.org/bik/1307393919.html

Reach Road Bike

I bought a Classic III last year for $60 on CL - real good condition. After selling the fenders and rack on ebay (for $53), and replacing the crank, BB and pedals with lighter components, the weight came in at 28 lbs even. Look around, this is not heavy by folder standards. Add an aluminum seatpost, $42.50 shipped, and a reasonably light seat, say 1/2 lb, and you're below 27 lbs.

I wouldn't recommended the bike for big-mileage commuting, but the fold is very compact, and most of the ones you find for sale have virtually no mileage on them.

Check out this folder posting. The dumba$$ doesn't even realize that he has the front wheel pointing backwards.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CADDIEUP-FOL...d=p3286.c0.m14

HERE IS A VINTAGE FOLDING TRAVEL BIKE BY -EDDARDO BIANCHI

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINT-FOLDING-BIK...d=p3286.c0.m14

HERE IS A VINTAGE FOLDING TRAVEL BIKE BY -PONY
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINT-FOLDING-TRA...d=p3286.c0.m14

Here is a great deal on a 2005 Dahon Helios in the San Diego area. They are only asking $150

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/bik/1316203015.html

Possibly stainless Dahon Classic only $150

SF Bay

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/1314390300.html

Has anyone ever heard of a Bickerton? I can't say that I am very impressed with the design. Very basic construction materials. Odd look with the 20" rear wheel and 16" up front.

RARE Vintage Bickerton Portable Folding Bike Bicycle UK

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Vintage-Bic...d=p3286.c0.m14

There's 3 of them for sale on CL in the SF bay area.. the rear is 16", the front is 14" .. new 14" tires available in UK ... rich history... reported common ride characteristic = "wet noodle".. nice vid available on utube .. many posts on BF..

Here's a great quote from a David Henshaw.

"With its unusual geometry, twistable frame, and tall flexible handlebars, even the Bickerton's best friends were initially put off by its riding characteristics, but with time, most grew to accomodate the bike's wayward behaviour. The key to understanding the Bickerton, it seemed, was to bear its origins in mind, and imagine you were flying an aircraft rather than riding a bike. If you rode fiercely, the frame flexed beneath you like a jelly, but with gentle handling, the Bickerton floated and banked like a plane.. That, at least, was the theory.."

Check out the Quaker State Dahon Classic III

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=120460021496

in Los Angeles looks like a Moulton
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...331423849.html

and a Raleigh Twenty
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...328861866.html

2008 Dahon Speed Pro TT in Ohio for $600. See
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/bik/1341488261.html


08/26/2009
Now the listing says "Flagged for removal." Not sure what that means. Hope I wasn't facilitating a scam. :)

Nice deal on a Downtube 8H in the San Francisco area. $250.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik/1348383225.html

Dahon Speed (P8?) in Vermont for $125.
http://burlington.craigslist.org/bik/1350181804.html

KHS Mocha $150 in Seattle
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/1346593648.html

Russian Folder near Seattle http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/1364272887.html