brooklyncyclist

That's exactly what happened, Silver. Before I left work I checked the brakes to find that they were making contact heel-in instead of toe-in. I made the correction and they were fine for the ride home.

I took a detour from my usual route to test the Vitesse in rush-hour Midtown traffic. Now I really appreciate the short wheelbase which facilitates weaving through the parking lot that is 45th St at 5:30 pm. I'm getting much more comfortable with it and was able to keep up with 5th Ave traffic, too. On the Hudson River Greenway I was able to cruise at 18 mph (okay, so there was a little tailwind).

A couple miles from home it started raining again and a little squeal returned, though not the howling of the morning ride.

Silverexpress

Here are some pics of my Vitesse....

I was on a business trip, and these were taken before I biked over to an MUP that went thru the city of Marion, Indiana.

brooklyncyclist

I like the trunk bag, Silver. It's obviously a Topeak, but what model? The side compartments are part of it? And are you using the original rack or a Topeak rack?

oakknicks

What's up again...

Just bought a Brooks B17 saddle for my D7HG. I confess that I am not the most mechanically inclined individual. I took a look under the seat to see what I would need to loosen in order to take off the "stock" D7HG seat. I am assuming that I have to get myself a set of allen keys to loosen the grip of the post against the seat. I don't think that I will have to loosen it completely...just enough to slide the current seat out and the new seat in. Any suggestions on a specific set/size of allen keys? Or, is there another/easier way to accomplish this task?

oakknicks

brooklyncyclist

You should get a set of metric allen keys anyway, oak; you'll need them for plenty of other adjustments over time. Invest in a multi-tool such as Topeak's or Pedro's--never leave home without it. I keep mine in an under-saddle pack along with a patch kit.

Yes, you'll have to remove the clamp to remove the saddle, and pay attention to how the pieces fit together. The clamp allows adjustment fore and aft as well as nose-up and nose-down.

Silverexpress

See attached. I'm on a very slow ethernet connection. arrrgh...

It's a "Topeak RX Trunkbag DXP". The built in panniers can be folded and zipped up when not in use. The Dahon Arc rear rack has a curved bar in the back that prevents this bag from slipping off. Also the panniers have bungies built in that prevent the bag from "popping" off when going over rough pavement. The width and length is just perfect for this little rack. I purchased it from www.rei.com

mjw

I picked up the Vitesse D7HG recently and I really like it (disclaimer: I'm no bike expert). I rode it around the bumpy streets of DC and it performed well. The shifters are very smooth and have a good range, though hills can be a bit tough.

I'm still trying to decide about the seat though- it's not the most comfortable in the world as other people have mentioned. The included seat is Dahon's lowest end. I'm also trying to get used to the grips and will maybe replace those.

The LBS weighed the bike and it was 29 pounds.

Questions:
Is the magnetic thing supposed to be bent slightly? I think it actually makes the fold better but I wasn't sure.

Also there is a safety on the stem in other dahon models that keeps the latch in place. My bike did not come with this. Is this on purpose or am I missing a piece?

brooklyncyclist

My Vitesse has it; sounds like yours is missing.

Silverexpress

Mjw,

You should take it back to the LBS if you bought it locally and demand that item. It's a safety feature, and if something unthinkable happens they'll be liable for your injuries, and a few new bikes.

At the same time, call Dahon tech support and demand they provide you one too.

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Silverexpress

I broke down too this weekend and purchased a B17. I found a place in Michigan that has them for sale at $69.95. That's a good deal (pm me if you want the url to their on-line store).

Two things I've learned about saddles in general...make sure its wide enough for your "sit" bones, and specific to Brooks...don't ever get them wet when still new (they'll blister and sag - so get a good cover for them).

I was eager to get some miles in today with the B17, but the area I'm at this week is expecting 3" of rain this afternoon (it just started....oh hum). Guess I'll just have to hoof it down to a couple local bike shops to pass time away before I start work this evening.

oakknicks

Good luck with your saddle. I finally attached the seat the the post. I have yet to officially test it out but am very excited. Enjoy.

mjw

I'm trying to figure out the best way to lock my Vitesse. The LBS guy noted that the wheels are pretty solidly attached to the bike so a U-lock only (as opposed to u-lock with cable for wheels) would be the way to go. What say you?

Silverexpress

Ok, my Dahon has exhibited an issue after 250 miles. I'll post my finding in a new thread...

https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/428616-dahon-potential-safety-issue.html

Silverexpress

Found a fix on the twisting handlebar issue : See link above.

Fibber

Relocate the clamp slightly further up the post. I believe this will fix the twisting handlebar issue.

Silverexpress

Made a few more mods to the the D7HG. Pics tomorrow. They should give this bike a more fitting name since "Vitesse" sounds like a health drink - per the web it was a Dutch football team from the 1800's.

Something sinister and dark.

snafu21

"They should give this bike a more fitting name since "Vitesse" sounds like a health drink "

Only in Michigan, perhaps.

'Vitesse' is French for speed, and synonymous with swift elegance. Unlike Dutch football teams.

mjw

I tried the DXP at the store and there was noticeable heel strike with the side panniers. How do you deal with this issue?

Mooo

I've a D5 that's a couple years old. I quit counting at 1000 miles. I guess it has a couple hundred folds.

Am using a Brooks B67 (in black, thanks), which is a screaming improvement.

My gripes:
The mudflap on the front fender isn't long enough.

Yes I have to watch the chain tension and yes I have to adjust the cable tension every once in a while. It bothered me at first, but not so much anymore. Gives it character.

I carry a shorty 15mm wrench, a tube, a patch kit, a couple of tire levers and a 6mm hex wrench in a seat bag. Using an old fashioned anti-rotation washer with "meh" results.

Decent bike. Was about 1/2 a Brompton's price when I bought it, and I can live with the fiddly bits as a result.

Silverexpress

Here are some pics. I can think of two possible differences in my setup...

1. My shoe size is 9.5
2. There is a Kryptonite Lock inbetween the rack and the bag.

Dahon offers a taller rack that allows you to ride with full size panniers.

Silverexpress

Well, it's been a few weeks since I purchased the Vitesse, and I must say that it has added another dimension to my cycling.

In the past, business trips meant long hours, good fattening food, a long drive, and at times long meetings.
I grew tired and bored of treadmills, those awkward stationary cycling machines, and steppers fairly quickly. My evenings after work usually meant a short jog or a walk, or just bumming around on the internet while eating more bad food.
All this has changed with a folding bike, and I'm kicking myself for not investing in one sooner. Now I can again ride, and explore. That's really the fun part...exploring. I again look towards business trips, cuz now I can ride after work....ahem...not mow a lawn, or paint a bathroom, or do groceries, or watch the son, or a thousand other things my krazy wife thinks up. LOL. But I still put up an act, by coming home looking dreary, and worn out instead of lively, and refreshed from an evening ride the night before.

With the exception of the handlebars going wonky, I'm real happy with the Vitesse. Here are a few things I've modded....

1. Brooks B17 standard - Ah yes, once the bottom is spoiled on a Brooks, it will always want a Brooks.
2. Schwalbe Stelvio - Having ridden road bikes for a good part of my life, I now what to expect with these tires....fast, fast, fast. Longevity, durability...hmmm....I know how to repair a flat or change out a tube if need be.

Here is a good blog on folding bikes (Gonna check out the actual bike store this weekend)

https://www.chicagobikeblog.com/folding_bikes/index.html

Ok, on a near final note: Got on my full size 700c hybrid (Bridgestone XO-4), and was it ever a surprise. This bike which normally feels agile and fast somehow felt big, and slow to accelerate after riding the Vitesse. I kept looking down at my rear wheel to make sure it wasn't going flat!

Here are some more pics....

brooklyncyclist

I'm lovin' my Vitesse, too. Very agile in traffic, and I'm getting faster on it. In one of my first posts following my first ride I speculated that speeds of 15mph on it seemed unlikely--well, that's tasty crow. 15mph has been the low range lately.

Had a sweet commute last evening. I was less than a mile into my 11-mile return trip when I was passed by five roadies in team gear. Of course I joined them, they on their $4K bikes and me in a T-shirt and sandals on a folder. What a blast! It took me back about 30 years, back to my racing days. I had almost forgotten how much fun riding in a peloton could be. Our routes diverged after about 9 miles. My wife was surprised to see me home so soon; I had shaved almost 15 minutes off my ride.

mjw

Be careful about riding in sandals. I was riding in sandals and took a spill and almost ripped up my toes. I was lucky and am fine but won't do that again. There are a number of posts on this forum of people damaging their toes when cycling in sandals. I might be buying sandals with enclosed toes though.

brooklyncyclist

Thanks for the warning, but cycling for me is about freedom. Closed shoes in 70+ degree F weather? Not if I can help it. I've been riding in sandals for many years without a problem, and I see dozens of other like-minded souls each day.

There are inherent risks in cycling; we all know that and do it anyway, with whatever protections each of us feels comfortable with. I wear a helmet, as the situation warrants--that is to say, most of the time, but not when moseying to the store for a loaf of bread and a jug of wine, not when cruising around the boardwalk at the beach. I really throw caution to the wind, however, by wearing shorts, knowing full well I could take a spill and rip up my legs. And the dangers posed by cleats have been discussed fully: stopping unexpectedly, falling over, chewing up elbows, bruising egos. I still ride in cleats--again, as the situation warrants, when I want to ride far and fast, when autumn arrives--but it's back to street soles when winter's here and ice can sneak up on me. Let me also point out that if a rainshower should hit while you're riding the sandals will allow your feet to dry quickly. Shoes? Not so much.

In my younger days I raced. I wasn't great, but I had fun. Lycra hadn't been invented yet; my shorts were wool, my "helmet" was a leather hairnet. Google that if you must. I don't race anymore, but I do centuries and I have a closet full of event jerseys and team jerseys. But to me the real soul of cycling is hopping on a bike without stopping to make sure I've got the right clothes (am I color coordinated?) and riding, knowing I can go anywhere, knowing that I can stop at my favorite bar alongside my favorite MUP and fit right in with the ferry captains as we inhale shrimp and beer (me, not the captains--unless they're finished their shifts) while the sun sets.

I'm not bustin' on you--I appreciate your concern, but it was unnecessary. Summer means sandals to me; I've got my sport sandals (which I ride in), my flip-flops, my "dress" sandals (evening wear). Winters can be brutal here; I like to give my feet freedom while I can.

This post went way off topic and maybe it needs its own thread in the future, but you inspired me to share some of my riding philosophy. Have fun out there. Be safe, but don't forget to have fun.

oakknicks

I saw the recommended range of PSI on the tires for the D7HG. What PSI do you guys tend to keep your bikes at? The max says 65psi; I have mine at about 60psi. The bumps are a little more noticeable, however, I am able to gain a lot more speed.