Lord_Darkclaw

I'm on a very tight budget and I was going to buy a Ridgeback Envoy for £269 ($553) because a local bicycle shop is offering 0% credit, but the paint-finish looks poor and I suspect it will get scratched all to hell after a while; Halfords are selling the Apollo Transition for £219 ($450) and the finish looks a lot tougher, but it only has very basic features (no adjustability on the handlebar stem) .

So should I buy the Dahon Curve? I've read that here in the UK, Dahons are overpriced and only mediocre value - I want to get the BEST value I can for my money.

A Google Product search (why don't they call it Froogle anymore?) came up with the following results:

https://www.google.co.uk/products?hl=...=1&sa=N&tab=wf

The cheapest, which I presume is a basic version, is £319 ($656) including delivery and it does look very nice (it does come in red or white, not just pink!) so is it worth my money?


...come to think of it, maybe pink isn't such a bad color.

tcs

And I've also read in "CyclingPlus" magazine that Dahons are a great value for the money.

TCS

geo8rge

The curve weights about 2-3 kg less. If you plan a carrying up stairs, around train stations ect you will notice the difference.

The Envoy uses a derailer system, vs the internally geared dahon. IGs are much easier to maintain and command a much higher price. See numerous discussions of the subject.

Also note that curve is 16" and Envoy is 20". See numerous discussions for the implications.

see sheldonbrown.com for general cycling discussion.

If you do not like it, I would think the dahon will have a higher resale value.

pm124

Do you know anyone travelling to the US? Just ask them to pick a Curve up for you. Or order one from the US. They are about 170 pounds, I'd think.

JeremyZ

In the US, Dahon Curve D3s go for $360 - $400. ( £175-195) That difference in cost would easily pay for shipping, but I don't know if there are any import duties imposed by your government. You'd have to look into that.

Dahon itself charges only $400 (see the ad post in this thread) so if they have a UK location, you might be able to get it right from them without paying import duties.

If it does turn out that there are stiff import duties, you could send money to one of us to buy it and ship it to you as a "gift", which is probably taxed less.

Other things to note is that there are two Curve models, the D3 and the SL. The D3 is the basic one, with a 3 speed hub. The SL is slightly lighter, due mostly to the fact that it doesn't have a luggage rack. But it has a 5 speed internal hub and I think slightly nicer hardware elsewhere too.

I hear that there are a ton of used Raleigh 20s in the UK, which a lot of people here seem to like. Not as much for carrying around, as they're old & heavy, but good for riding.

Dynocoaster 

https://london.craigslist.org/bik/346863414.html I know this is an old ad but they may still have it. Check out all the cities in GB on Craigslist.

Lord_Darkclaw

Thanks everyone, that really helped me out
If I buy the Dahon I think I'll go for the more expensive one. Buying from the USA is an interesting idea; folding bikes are quite light so shipping wouldn't be hugely expensive, but then there are customs charges.. I don't think I'd have much luck with that, I know small companies will often send an item as a "gift" or "sample" to reduce tax but with a bicycle I'd probably have to pay the full price (30% -50%).

I've sent an email to the guy selling the Piccolo - I'll have to wait and see if it has been sold or not.

Two more bikes have caught my eye and they both look promising:

This one looks a lot like a Dahon and I'm wondering if it's a low-spec Dahon that has been re-badged:
https://german.sterling-power.com/b4u-7-2007/

And this one looks so cool I'm just as tempted by it as the Dahon Curve:
https://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=60000

simsles

Try www.jejamescycles.co.uk
for good prices on Dahon folders.

JeremyZ

I'd avoid that first one. It is the kind that is being sold on ebay by the hundreds, and under several different names too. It has a rear shock, which is going to absorb a lot of your pedaling power. It's disturbing on a small bike, where you're already going slower than you'd be going on a full size bike. You pedal, and your butt just sinks down as the shock absorbs your energy. It is doubtless a mainland Chinese bike. I guess you could try one and defeat the shock by replacing the spring with a piece of PVC pipe...

The second one looks pretty interesting. It looks like it has an easy fold and that maybe you could roll it around on the front wheel when it's folded. I don't know if I'd buy one sight unseen though.