DVC45

DT's uses a lot of standard parts not like Dahon. DT's are more "serviceable" design, IMO.
Being able to work on it myself, is a big plus to me. I got the '06 DT VIIIH and ' really happy with it. The only Dahon I have my eyes on is the Cadenza. But I'm waiting for more reviews before I take the plunge.

jasong

But using non-standard parts doesn't make it non serviceable- you're just constrained on where you can get your parts. Having the market they do helps with spares. The Cadenza looks like a nice frame. It's supposed to become available as a frame kit, too.

arrasmithf

Speaking of bike requests, can i request(beg, plead, grovel?) again that you offer to sell just the frameset. I've seen so many awesome modifications that i am dying to build one, but I want to conserve funds for components of my choosing. Am I the only one looking to do a custom DT build from scratch. bueller ... beuller...

p.s. I was going to say hell with it and buy the no suspension, but none this year**********???

DVC45

' never said its non-serviceable. Having standard parts makes the DT easier to service, is what I'm saying (also by your own admission).

Yeah, the Cadenza is nice. ' hope the frame kit won't cost as much as the whole bike itself.

SesameCrunch

Dude, are you sure you're talking about the Downtube Mini? It's got the 8 speed SA internal hub, as compared to a 3 speed SA hub on the Dahon Curve. That's a major advantage in my opinion.

SesameCrunch

Sorry - I feel the need to react to a few more points in your original post:

2) On the FS, I am 6' tall and have a 34" inseam. My 2006 FS accomodated my leg extension just fine. I understand the newer models are even taller.

3) DT handlebars can fold either way - between or outside. You just have to rotate them 180 degrees depending on which way you want it to fold.

4) Color choice is a matter of personal opinion. Do we care what colors your wife hates?

8) The hinges you call "clunky" offer me a huge sense of security because they're solid. On my converted recumbent DT, I actually sit my 190 lbs directly on top of the frame hinge. On my converted FS model which I used for some time as a portable roadie, I was very confident in standing out of the saddle and pulling on the handlebars when climbing. If that's clunky - I like it. This is in contrast to the many problems people have cited with Dahon's "integrated" hinges breaking prematurely.

9) Downtube's lower marketing profile is actually refreshing to me. I distrust high gloss marketing because I know I eventually pay for it. I've found Downtube to be a small, accessible and very honest company and they offer products with very competitive value proposition. What do you prefer - a slick web site or direct access to the owner of the company?

EvilV

Well said Sesamecrunch. I don't have a Downtube, but I've carefully examined one and seen the prices. It strikes me that it was a properly engineered and very good value folder. The accessibility of the owner Yan on here is exceptional as is the oft stated personal chat he is prepared to give new owners. How many people get to speak to Mr Hon or Andrew Ritchie as a matter of course in buying their product.

And - how many Downtubes have we heard of breaking in two? None - can't say that for Dahon can we. What we can say is that it is to be expected if you ride a Dahon seriously, keep it for more than a year, or are at all on the heavy side. Give me a 'clunky' hinge any day, over a bike that snaps in half as I'm riding along at twenty miles an hour.

downtube

I am glad someone finally mentioned this. Our bikes are not perfect, however they are never the ones with dangerous failures.

Thanks,
Yan

invisiblehand

framesets would be nice ... but just to let you know, I think certain parts like the 28 hole SA 8 internal hub are pretty difficult to find.

ontheroadagain

well, this thread is certainly of interest; becoming one of the most viewed Downtube threads on the forum.
we eagerly await....

rhm

Yeah, me too. The Curve comes with fenders, a rack, a pump in the seatpost, and adjustable stem; and there's that magnetics gizmo to hold the folded bike together. These are big pluses. And then there's the three-speed hub. Well, I like three-speed hubs as well as the next guy, but if you like three-speed hubs, you're going to love the eight-speed hub! I bought the Mini, put fenders on it, tied a bungie cord around the stem to keep it folded, and carry the pump in my bag.

supton

But why twist-grip shifting? On a 3 speed, I probably wouldn't mind--not many selections!--but one of the things I hate about my wifes Fuji is the twist shifting. It just doesn't feel natural when shifting. Maybe I shift too much--I'm used to using all 7 gears while on the middle chainring while riding my MTB usually.

rhm

Why? Because that's all that's offered; which is a terrible answer, of course. Yes, you make a good point. I too wish the Sturmey-Archer eight-speed hub had other shifter options, especially since that would translate to other handlebar options. I hope Sturmey-Archer does something about this.

Shifting too much? There's no such thing. That's what they make shifters for, after all!

JeremyZ

I didn't know they made a 9 speed hub gear. This page talks about a cassette & derailleur. Doesn't that mean external gears? Forgive my ignorance...

It could be that Dahon sells 10X as many bikes as Downtube, couldn't it? 10X as many bikes sold = 10X as many failures.

Good to know.

Also good to know, thanks.

Do you care? No. But I do, a bit. Of course this is personal opinion, but I bet more people find bright red attractive than turquoise.

See above. There are also more failures & breakdowns on Toyotas than Ferraris, even though Toyotas are the more reliable car.

A little of both. The only real turn-off of the Downtube website was the photos, and I did mention Yan's appearance here as a plus. I do like to see some good detailed photos of a bike before buying it. I'd prefer a better warranty to direct access to a company owner who only posts to talk about his company's products.

makeinu

The standard version of the mini comes with the 8 speed hub. This disappeared a few weeks ago when Yan rolled out the 2008 models. No one here has ever posted about owning the Capreo derailleur geared model (probably because it's not worth the extra $100).

In defense of Downtube, there are very high rez photos available at https://downtube.com/images/ and Yan doesn't only post to talk about his company's products. Hang out for a while and you will see that Yan joins in many discussions about other bikes and even compliments them on occasion.

nickbtoo

Originally Posted by JeremyZ
A little of both. The only real turn-off of the Downtube website was the photos, and I did mention Yan's appearance here as a plus. I do like to see some good detailed photos of a bike before buying it. I'd prefer a better warranty to direct access to a company owner who only posts to talk about his company's products.


Actually Yan goes a lot further than posting on this site. I called him about a problem while he was out of town. He called me back upon his returned and we discussed my options and some of his future plans.. A few days later the part in question showed up. Direct access to the company owner is about as good a warranty as a person could ask for.

Nick

JeremyZ

But the one I'm talking about is the discounted 2007 model. Was there another '07 model that is no longer available?



Will do. I may have been hasty...

makeinu

Yup. The one that still has stock is the $499 9 speed Capreo version, but popular version of the mini is the $399 8 speed internal hub version.

ontheroadagain

Bought a Dahon Speed D7 for $319. Nice, but makes me wonder if the adjustable handlebar stem angle would suit me better on a Downtube.

If that front suspension model does eventually come down to nearer last years price, I will spring for one. Didn't Yan say August?

How about a coupon for us forum members, downtube?

recumbenteer

I don't want to get into a Dahon vs. Downtube slugfest; I really don't care that much. However, wll point out that the DT webpage comparison has errors. The Dahon MU P8 has waterbottle braze ons and a replaceable derailleur hanger. Let's just get the facts straight, then y'all can argue.

Yes, I have an MU P8 and don't care what anyone thinks of it, and I dont care what bike you bought. These arguments are misplaced as cars and poor infratsructure planning are the problems whether one rides a DT, Dahon, Brompton or whatever.

mbnz230

yeah, i think you should do a group buy for the forum members, that would be awesome. i cant wait till the 08's come down in price...

SesameCrunch

???

ontheroadagain

There is a coupon, but it is old and that model is no longer offered. A group buy would be a good thing. Yan did say that in August the price should come down, and now that summer is almost over, it is getting easier to wait.

My Dahon is nice, but I keep thinking the DT would be better. Once that front suspension model is nearer the $300 price point. Am I being too optimistic?

photoassign

well, i got a new 2007 FS for a very reasonable price on Ebay, and from my experience so far i wouldn't mind being a DT return customer.

SesameCrunch

Those eBay FS's were going at VERY good prices! I was almost tempted, even though I have too many bikes already.

Enjoy your bike!