caseyclan

with replacement parts? i have been following this site for sveral weeks and I have read comments regarding how Dahon uses proprietary parts. Can someone enlighten me as to which parts?

LittlePixel

Dahon use a proprietary seatpost fitting on some bikes, called the 'I-Beam' that's lighter but harder to find replacement saddles for. Also they have skinnier-than-usual front hubs if you are wheelbuilder. Um.. I suppose their stemposts and headsets come under this umbrella too. Beyond that - I'd say most other stuff is pretty standard.

brakemeister

the I beam seastposts ( SDG or KORE ) which are used on some top of the line products from Dahon are not Proprietary, they are sold on the open market and every bike manufacturer can buy the seatpost and the fitting saddles for those ....
Some people do NOT like the seats which are coming with the Dahon bikes ( with those I Beam seatposts) most of them find them rather good....
for the few who cannot live with those seats there are 2 options, take the seat you like and purchase a KORE I beam adapter .... Or buy a different seatpost from Dahon....
I currently have silver and black Suspension seatposts, regular seatposts, extension seatposts ( silver only) , Zorin pump seatpost ( silver and black ) And thudbuster LT and ST seatposts ( custom made, black only) Kore adapters, and Kore Seatposts are on order ...

obviously these seatposts are NOT that hard to find, as you now already have a source where to buy them ( hours after your initial post ...lol)

yes the front hub is indeed a Dahon part, Dahon however does not make hubs, therefire you could buy a hub from American Classic or Formula hubs or other manufacturer.... being readily available also negates the Proprietary fame .....

It is indeed a Proprietary item when you look at the folding handlepost , or the frame by itself .. but thats the same with any other bike ........

One more item comes to mind....tahts the neos rear derrailleur.... all bikes which came with the indeed Proprietary rear derailleur used to have a seperate regular derrailleur hanger in the box ( to use regular derrailleurs) I understand that only 0.02 % ( lets say very few instead) have changed the derailleur ( as the neos has real advantages) and therefore the efree extra hanger is no longer included. BUT available if you need one ( for a small fee )

popcorn ready
thor

mroli

The I-Beam isn't a problem really - your seat is pretty unlikely to break and if you want to you can get non I-Beam seat posts or get a Kore I-Beam post and an "adaptor" and use normal seats.

I think you're right with stemposts and headsets, I guess also frame latches too. THe front hub is skinnier than usual (I think the rear is the same?) but that's about it. I also think there is a big drive at Fisher (the UK importer) to provide better customer service (historically this was said to be poor) - certainly the couple of times I have contacted them, they have been quick to respond.

Dynocoaster 

I have a new Dahon and I can replace components like the saddle, handlebars, tires, and brakes without having to get a proprietary part. Older Dahons are harder to modify in my opinion. Thor carries some nice parts on his site www.thorusa.com

4cmd3

Bottom bracket??
Mine sure seem standard when I upgraded it to an external bearing BB.

caseyclan

thanks for the input. Unfortunately, there are no bike shops that carry folders where i live. In fcat, one shop told me that he didn't think folding bikes were being manufactured anymore! So, I hve to go online to get something. I like the Dahons (in fact, I like a few of the models discussed on this forum - downtube, swift), but we have a few Dahons we purchased at Camping World (Boardwalk D7s) and we enjoy riding them. Not sure if one could use it as a commuter, though.

Chessbored

Anyone know about the clip on the handlepost of a D7? The one that adjusts the vertical height? Mine has bent a few times now and, although back in shape, I worry about metal fatigue and see it snapping clean off one day in the medium term.

So how will I get a new one? I know I could close the snapped off portion with a vice or some tools but I don't want it permanently shut so a new one will be needed... but where from? How much? Delivery times?

I too will likely have to go online as the people in my local bike shop point and stare when I cycle past, in the manner of primitive tribal people spotting their first aeroplane.