Unfortunately, I'd like to get the Curve SL, whch doesn't have a guard.

https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/35767/

I've ridden the D3, it's an awesome bike.

I believe the 2007 Curve d3s come with fenders. At least the one I rode. Ask Thor.

I just got in an accident - I'm okay, see this thread in the Clydesdale forum - and need a new bike fast. I'm not sure how long it will take to get a full-frame bike to replace my main axe. I'm gonna pick up a Downtube Mini.

I ordered a downtube 8HN and I hate it. The handlebars feel wobbly, the shifting is rough, and the bike feels cheap. Weird since the Mini is such a good bike.

The bast way for me to proceed here might be to just buy the Curve D3 I fell in live with; in retrospect, the 8HN was a mistake. I'll try to return it or, failing that, sell it.

Shouldn't be a problem since Downtube offers a moneyback guarantee. It's certainly hard to settle for a bike after you've fallen in love with another.

Although I never bought one for me it's the Dahon Mu SL. My Downtube VIIIH is like the redheaded step child I wish I never had, but the price is right.

I can't speak for the handlepost, but the 8HN has the same hub as the Mini, so sorting the shifting should just be a matter of adjustment.

I imagine so, and in fact that's why I risked buying it to begin with. I don't expect perfection right out of the box, but this was clunkier than I had thought it would be. And the wobblyness is very, very distracting. A shame, because it's very comfortable and it's a good-looking bike.

The messy fold also doesn't help; it doesn't stay together when fodled like Bromptons or Dahons.

Yeah, agree about the staying together. I would contact Yan about the handlepost though; he'll for sure refund you if you want, but he might alternately replace the handlepost - they're not normally wobbly. My IXFS is as rock steady as a post that long could be, and better than most Dahons I've tried in that respect. Adjusting the hub is supposed to be relatively easy - certainly a DIY job. Lots of people here have done it.

Downtube has told me that returnign the bike won't be a problem. Now I need to get it to the post office to ship it to them.

Did I get this right? The reason the Brompton was excluded was because it doesn't stay together when folded?

Is there a bike that stays together once folder in a better way than a Brompton?

I am puzzled as well. Putting the seat in the 'down' position pretty much locks up everything, except for the handlebar which has its own locking latch that works well. My Brompton folds more securely than any of my friends' folding bikes (except other Bromptons of course), besting Dahons, Swifts, etc, certainly besting my Strida too. Folding compactly and securely is Brompton's strength.

That's one reason, the other is cost. The Brompton I rode didn't stay together when folded when I picked it up.

Downtube told me to send them the bike and they'd refund the purchase price. No fuss.

What is the difference between the 2007 and 2008 curve D3?

Either the Bromotpn you tried wasn't folder properly or it was a faulty demo bike!

If found that once properly tuned the SR8 hub works very nicely. I'm surprised about the wobly handlebars too, I've never experienced that with either my Downtube 8H or FS. I think the bike rides great myself. For me only the pedals ans cranks were components that could be upgraded but were adequate to start off with.