Raxel

I've just heard this very interesting info that dahon is going to release a new ultracompact folder.


-It will be named 'Curl'
-It will have 18" wheel
-It will fold like brompton. (Rear swingarm folds downwards, not sideways like current dahons)
-It will have aluminium frame that look like current Curve model.


And I guess it will have V-brakes, internal gear hub (3 speed/8 speed), Klickfix mount as such.
At last, modernized brompton from dahon... I can't wait to get one.


[pic]http://img2.dcinside.com/viewimage.p...84e2419f2e2df9[/pic]

Lalato

Link?

Lalato

Actually, a while back there was a post about a new Dahon patent application. I'll see if I can dig it up.

--sam

LittlePixel

There was some discussion about some patents filed by Dahon that sound like this bike a while ago. I think it does a few things differently to avoid infringement - one of which is that the chain doesn't end up on the inside of the fold which is a shame.

Old thread

Raxel

I cannot find the link on the web, but the bike is introduced in japanese smallewheer book named 'minivelo bible' published in this may. I'm going to get the book soon and scan the pictures.

LittlePixel

jinx!

Lalato

LittlePixel to the rescue.

Anyway... glad to hear that this design may actually go to market. I agree though, that it would have been better for the chain to be inside. In other news... I will postpone my plans on a new bike until I see more info on this one.

--sam

invisiblehand

18" wheels? Interesting ... especially if it can fit the ERTO 355 Big Apples.

makeinu

Sounds good, I would be interested in a Brompton substitute if it were affordable. Plus with Dahon's upgraded technology (low spoke wheels, aluminum frame, etc) it actually has the potential to be mass produced at under 20 pounds.

With it's magnesium frame the Mu XXV is almost 15 pounds and although I think $3000, is a bit too much for that particular bike, $3000 would be a steal if Dahon could pull off a Brompton clone at the same weight.

P.S. Reviewing the patent it looks like Dahon is claiming that their bike will actually fold smaller than the Brompton because the frame tube will go between the wheels instead of on top and consequently the saddle does not protrude vertically like it does on a folded Brompton. Their also claiming that their use of an offset hinge will make the prototype thinner than the Brompton.

PhotoByBike

I don't know that I could ever consider a $3000 bike a steal.

I gave $369 for my DT, plus another $350 or so for accessories and upgrades, and I still feel like I spent about $600 more than I wanted to for a bike.

Urbanis

It's a steal... from your wallet!

Raxel

Just found a pic. I can see V brakes, hub gears, 355 marathon racer tires, integrated rear carrier, a new folding pedal, curious linkage at the seatpost etc..

bangkok

Pics of the prototype have been circulating since late last year, when Dahon displayed a bike at an exhibition in China.

It is this patent:
http://v3.espacenet.com/origdoc?DB=E...N=US2007210556

from this Oct '07 thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...7071&highlight

randyprice

Damn!
I so wanted to by a Curve Sl. But, I would like a bike to quick fold Into a suitcase.
I have Bike Friday, but what a pain to break down. That is a sweet picture. Anyone want to venture a quess to the size of theCurl?

jur

Looks ready for release. Let's hope there are no booby traps like the inside-lock handlepost hinge latch.

Caaah

So much for me only having one folder.

Then again, with their jump up in prices this year, I wonder if it will be any cheaper than a Brompton. If its the same price, and only has the three speed hub, I'll pass.

jur

Looks like it has a Nexus (8sp).

You can bet money that it will be premium priced. Very similar to Brommie. They have the advantage of much greater manufacturing power and distribution in the US. Despite a similar price to the Brommie, they'll be much more available and people will buy them. In fact the current group of loyal Dahon owners will snap up the first wave.

PS If anyone wants to know the winning lottery numbers, contact me offline.

LittlePixel

Intriguing how the rear triangle seems to fold on the outside of the chainwheel

Caaah

Ooooh, 8 speed. If its $800-$1000 I could live with that. Its only a few hundred more than my Curve with the 8 speed upgrade. I smell early christmas present!

folder fanatic

Nice, but is it a good predessessor to the Brompton? I see aluminium frame, more fussier parts (like a derailluer and other tiny parts), and a probable rather high price. Even at that price, I rather go for a true high price luxury folding bikes like a real genuine steel frame Brompton or a Bike Friday tikit. Not a imitation-even if it is a clever design and improves upon the originals.

pismocycleguy

I think that the derailleur that you see is actually a chain tensioner?
Better wait for more and clearer photos before critique-ing
I'm willing to wait to see the finished product.

bangkok

2 pics from a trade show last year.

bykerouac

Aluminum main frame would make it really lighter. I'd like to see it before I pass a verdict.

jur

Not sure what you are trying to put accross here... it seems you are saying if bikes are made from anything other than "genuine steel", they are imitations...?

I certainly don't wish to ignite a rather pointless "one material is better than another" debate, but you seem very prejudiced with no apparant good reason.

Firstly, modern materials including steel have moved far beyond "genuine steel." My personal favourite is stainless steel. But not because a frame made from it would superiour in its fundamental bike-related qualities. No, just because I like the idea.

Secondly, bikes made from steel can be terrible, far worse than aluminium. Quality doesn't depend on the material from which they are made. But a bad steel bike is usually worse than a bad aluminium bike.

Thirdly, the new Dahon is a patented design, so it has been accepted by the patent office that it is different significantly enough to a Brompton to warrant a separate patent. These people have therefore pored over the details and compared it to the Brompton, unlike you who seem to have made a snap judgment based on one photo and some prejudice. There a very limited number of ways a bike can be folded, the frame fold is one, the back wheels swivelling forward is another, both ideas are used by a large number of different manufacturers. Now Dahon decides to implement it, and they are imitating? Why not the others, such as Bike Friday or Birdy?

Raxel

I have seen numerous crack cases of bike fridays and a couple of cases of bromptons.
In fact bromptons have the same weight restriction (105kg AFIAK) as dahons. So if you think steel is inherently more durable/strong than aluminium, it is not true.

And I don't think bromptons and tikits are luxurious either. They use very cheap components, and their high costs are mainly due to how and where they are manufactured. If they are mass produced in asia their price can go down as low as low-end dahon models.

BTW there are some stainless steel bikes around... some moultons and some reynold 953 bikes. Unfortunately they are more expensive than titanium ones :]