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Dahon Vitesse D7HG

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Dahon Vitesse D7HG

Old 07-10-08, 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by 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.
55-60 psi; higher on dry roads, lower on wet for better traction.
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Old 07-12-08, 07:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Silverexpress
However, I've found the handlebar grips to be too flat and hard. I'll be swapping them out for cushy thick foam type grips.
Anyone end up replacing the grips? Mine keep slipping around and it's getting annoying. I'm looking at the Ergon grips recommended and they look good but I'm confused about what type to get. I'm thinking the large GP1 is good- the bar end looks unnecessary but, then again, I've never used one.

Also because the Vitesse has a nexus hub, do I get the "GP1 Rohloff®/Nexus® compatible"? Or is the one to get the "Gripshift® compatible"? Or just the regular?
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Old 07-12-08, 08:12 AM
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I would think you'd want the Nexus set. Whom are you getting it from?
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Old 07-12-08, 02:59 PM
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I picked up the GP1 at REI for my D7HG. They are a huge improvement over stock. I didn't get the Nexus compatible (weren't in stock), but the right grip was easily shortened to fit.
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Old 07-14-08, 06:33 AM
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Originally Posted by brooklyncyclist
55-60 psi; higher on dry roads, lower on wet for better traction.
I replaced the stock (Kenda Kwest) tyres with Schwalbe Big Apple "Balloon" tyres. They are a big improvement in terms of comfort and yet have very low rolling resistance. They are rated up to 70 psi. I use them at 65 on the back and 45 on the front.

Note that these tyres come in 2" (406-50) and 2.5" (406-60) sizes. I have the 2", which are compatible with the black SKS mudguards. I am told that they are not compatible with the silver mudguards fitted to some Dahons and that the larger 2.5" Big Apples are not compatible with either mudguard.

Last edited by Karlgw; 07-15-08 at 02:12 AM.
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Old 07-14-08, 07:16 AM
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Originally Posted by old_school_dave
I picked up the GP1 at REI for my D7HG. They are a huge improvement over stock. I didn't get the Nexus compatible (weren't in stock), but the right grip was easily shortened to fit.
Do the GP1 grips include bar ends, and if so do these interfere with folding?
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Old 07-14-08, 08:23 AM
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No, they don't include bar ends, just the grips and caps for the ends. That's what I was looking for, as I have a mirror on the end.
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Old 07-15-08, 02:08 AM
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Originally Posted by mjw
Also because the Vitesse has a nexus hub, do I get the "GP1 Rohloff®/Nexus® compatible"? Or is the one to get the "Gripshift® compatible"? Or just the regular?
The difference is that only the right hand grip is shortened on the Rohloff/Nexus-compatible version, whereas both right and left are shortened on the Gripshift-compatible version and neither are shortened on the regular version.

Last edited by Karlgw; 07-15-08 at 02:14 AM.
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Old 08-05-08, 10:41 AM
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So I've ridden the Vitesse more than 500 miles now and I'm having problems with the saddle clamp. I've kept it pretty tight (I've swapped the factory saddle for a Specialized and now a Selle Italia) but the teeth on the clamp seem to have worn down and now it won't grip. Yet another slippage point.

Anyone else having this problem?
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Old 08-06-08, 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by brooklyncyclist
So I've ridden the Vitesse more than 500 miles now and I'm having problems with the saddle clamp. I've kept it pretty tight (I've swapped the factory saddle for a Specialized and now a Selle Italia) but the teeth on the clamp seem to have worn down and now it won't grip. Yet another slippage point.

Anyone else having this problem?
When I first got my Vitesse, I stupidly hopped off a curb only to have the saddle slip from its clamp. Luckily I was near a bike shop and they were nice enough to fix it right up for me. I haven't had a problem since, but I use the stock saddle.
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Old 08-06-08, 01:59 PM
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I weight 180 lbs, and haven't had any issues with the seat yet. I'll be taking the Vitesse out for a group ride tonight, and I'll report back if anything unusual happens.
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Old 08-06-08, 04:57 PM
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I've had a 2007 Vitesse D5 for about 8 months now, which has been my first foray into the world of folders. I like it a lot, though I'm still not sure it's the correct compromise for me. It sits somewhere between being a little too big and heavy to be easy to take on public transport and a bit too minimal to be really comfortable on less than smooth roads. At the moment I'm feeling I'd probably be in a better position with 2 bikes, something like the downtube FS for longer rides at the weekend, and the Dahon Curve SL for short distance rides involving public transport.

I've replaced the stock pedals for MKS quick release ones, saving 300 grams or so, and I'm currently using a really minimal lightweight saddle (again the stock one is unnecessarily heavy). I've removed the front mudguard, seat post pump, and rear rack and the bike is now almost light enough to be comfortable lugging around stations. I wish the bike would roll more easily when folded but it requires some effort to keep it balanced. Getting through ticket barriers isn't too much trouble, but I wish I could shave another kilo off the weight and get closer to about 9 kg. Instead I'm going to increase the weight a little by adding a suspension seatpost (totally overpriced like all Dahon goods) as road surfaces in London are pretty bad.
I'll look into Schwalbe big apple tires too and softer grips to try to reduce judder.

So yeah, nice bike, great accelleration on smooth roads, very nippy. But without suspension I find I'm having to concentrate hard to avoid any craters in the road which the bike really doesn't cope with well, and I'd rather be able relax more when riding.
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Old 08-06-08, 04:59 PM
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Factoring price into the equation I'd certainly go Downtube in the future.
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Old 08-07-08, 12:22 AM
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I also find the rear rack fairly useless- The heel strike issue is ever present.
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Old 08-07-08, 06:29 AM
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The rack on my model was so heavy there was no way I was going to be using it.

I've just realised that should I change the tyres I don't know how to get the back wheel off with the internal gear hub. Do I need to split the chain?
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Old 08-07-08, 07:16 AM
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No issues so far with the seat.

In regards to removing the rear wheel...you just need to remove the cable end at the hub. The cable terminates into a little round nub - I don't know what else to call it. Use a fine pair of needle nose pliers to get a hold of the nub and pop it out. Take note of how the cable is routed around the hub before you do this.

Once the cable is free, loosen both nuts and carefully remove the rear wheel after you release the brake cable. YOu want to be careful by not bending the chain.

To install do the reverse. Just make sure the chain is not to taught - it should have some play in it. Go to Shimano's website and download the instructions for this hub to get the specifications of how much play.
It pays to have a torque wrench also so you do not under or over tighten the nuts.
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Old 08-07-08, 07:25 AM
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Mine's the 5 speed Sturmey Archer model; are these hubs essentially the same across brands?
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Old 08-11-08, 02:12 AM
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Originally Posted by mjw
I also find the rear rack fairly useless- The heel strike issue is ever present.
I find the rack is quite useful - not for panniers but you can fit a rack pack or use the bungie to secure odd items. I mostly use it to carry the 'el bolso' bike bag, which I have to use to persuade my building manager to let me bring the bike into my office (there's a blanket ban on bikes in the building but my argument is that, once bagged, it's just a piece of luggage). For carrying other stuff, including my laptop and other work stuff, I use the excellent Carradice SQR seatpost bag ('Slim' version). This clips on and off in a second or two.
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Old 08-11-08, 06:18 AM
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Originally Posted by chagzuki
Mine's the 5 speed Sturmey Archer model; are these hubs essentially the same across brands?
I'm not familiar with the 5 speed SA. My Vitesse has the Shimano Nexus 7 spd. Have you checked out SA's website for maybe a pdf of a maintenance or installation manual? Also, checkout the forum "Bicycle Mechanics".
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Old 08-13-08, 09:56 AM
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I'd appreciate it if those of you who have a 2007 D5 Vitesse would check my post here about gearing (8 posts down) and let me know how the gear setup is working for them:

https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/453341-chagzuki-s-vitesse-continued.html
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