ncscott

Now that I know I will have to do some major city and trafic riding and commuting, a small folding bike looks less apealing than a full size commuter. While I'm at it, a folding/take apart bike sounds better than one that doesn't fold/take apart. My question about the cadenza is how capable is the geometry at taking a drop handlebar? The price is good and it should take more handle bar abuse than a traditional folding bike.
Scott

maunakea

If you're not folding often, go for it, but I predict you will be changing the headset, fork, BB, crank, and pedals in addition to the bars. If the same "quality" level obtains in the 07 Cadenza compared to the '06 Cadenza, the headset and BB are loose bearing Chinese grade Z. The BB has a plastic cup on the L side. And wait 'til you hit a road full of bad expansion joints and tar snakes... you'll dial PB or NB from your mobile phone as soon as your hand function returns to order a Cane Creek headset and a CF fork.

Has anyone on the forum rebuilt an 07 Cadenza?

keithnyc

As maunokea also noted, this is doable but you may need to also change the brake levers (and the brakes themselves). Also, this will most likely affect the fold as well. I got this information from another post on Dahon's site:

Drop-bar Workarounds
If you want to use Ergo or STI brifters with direct-pull cantis, there are two workarounds available:
* You can use a pulley-device, such as the QBP Travel Agent. These are a bit of a hassle to set up, but do work.
* If you have a bike with skinny tires and no fenders, there are "shorty" direct-pull cantis that are more-or-less compatible with drop bar levers.
Neither of these systems is ideal, and neither is really any better than traditional center-pull cantilevers.

keithnyc

ncs..., you may want to check out this thread re: your last question

https://www.dahon.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=3815

ncscott

I am aware of the other things needed to replace handle bars. I have a pair of Avid canti's and would put bar end shifters anyway, so I could buy the brake levers that can handle the current brakes. I was more interested in the geomety. Is the geometry of flat bar road bikes similar to drop bar road bikes? After I put the drop bar on, will it feel like a road bike? I know manaukea mentioned rebulding one. Did you put drop bars on it and if so, how do they work on the frame?
Scott

maunakea

The M.K'denza has TT bars.
see https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...hlight=cadenza

The cockpit on the 06 frame is short (I am 6'2"), so I added a loooong stem. The spec for the 07 should be on the Dahon site.