Tommy C

Man, I hate this situation... most of you probably know that I am returning my Dahon Mu P8, My wife has issues with her bike as well, including slipping seatpost, so we will probably have to return both bikes... Too bad, I really liked the bike but the slipping seatpost is unacceptable, I can't stop after every 10 minutes of light riding to raise the seat, it's ridiculous. It's a $600 bike and a solid seatpost isn't too much to ask.
My biggest concern is that I am not the only Dahon owner with this problem, this issue seems to be with the Speed, the Mu SL and the Curve. I have tried to clean the seat tube the shim and the seatpost, I have applied grease between the shim and the frame, I have tried 4 different seatposts, 5 shims and 2 QR clamps- I am so worn out from trying to fix this and generally speaking, I just had enough.

Basically, I really like the Mu SL, but what if I will have this problem with the seatpost, I really feel that maybe it's time to checkout a Brompton....although more expensive but maybe will be hassle free...

I have checked Bike Friday, I don't like the concept... I don't care if it takes 5 second or 30 second to fold the bike. I want it to be light, small and manageable, the Brompton looks like my only choice here.
Original budget was $600 but I guess I will have to invest some more in order to get something better.
Any suggestions ?

TC

jur

But you haven't tried liquid torque which is very likely to solve you problems?

Tommy C

No I have not. One of the Dahon dealers in the area suggested me to ship back the bikes to Dahon because they are only a month old.

Where do you put the liquid torque ? Between the shim and the frame, or the shim and the seatpost ?

joseff

I also had slipping seatpost problems when the Mu was new, no matter how tight I clamped it. Now (6 months later) I can get away with very little clamping force and the seatpost stays put.

I say give it some time, your $600 isn't going to buy a better bike. A tikit and/or brompton would be way over that.

OTOH if you're not after a small fold... I'm looking at the steel swift... seems a nice bike for the ocassional car/taxi ride (but not bus).

geo8rge

Will Liquid Torque rub off on your hands? Seat posts get 'handled' allot more than headsets.

somnatash

Hi, I never had slippage on my new brompton - but am not heavy. In the brompton talk group there is seatpost-slippage reported for older bromptons with the old clamp style - so if you consider a used brompton, be sure to upgrade it with the new clamp. What also is reported that the slippage normally stops after a few month, so perhaps also on your bike it needs more braking in time?

Sorry for off topic: where to look at the steel swift?

joseff

Swift: Here's a nice place to start
https://james.architectureburger.com/swift.html
I think the owner is here on BF as well?

somnatash

thanks for the link, hmhm okay, maybe misunderstanding, I thought you proposed the OP to get a steel swift and was curious if that could be bought somewhere.

gringo_gus

If I lived in N America I would be tempted by Xootr, but maybe the fold isn't small enough for you ? Am getting some liquid torque to try on both merc and DT mini slippage, will report back. Thanks for the tip Jur (SJS cycles in UK sell it at a fair comparison to US price.)

Carlos71

And what about rubbing some garlic to the tube.

(No, I'm not kidding.)

Tommy C

Thanx for the tip, I am not planning to get a used Brompton unless it's a bargain.
A few months ago I have tried a Brompton, I was a little annoyed by the way the cables are and the way they are just hanging there.

Generally speaking I think I like the Mu SL but the slipping seat post is a big concern. I am only 60kg and I usually use my bike for long rides so stopping every 10 min to raise the seat is not an option.

Tommy C

The Xootr looks nice but it's not small enough for my needs..... Thanks anyway.

Tommy C

It sure sounds like a new fetish to me

folder fanatic

I do not much care for the aluminum frame Dahons or Downtubes. I prefer steel as I don't have much problems with slippage of the seat tubes or anything else on steel frames. Try out the Speed model series if you can before moving on to other brands. Perhaps you might be suprised. If not, I would go for quality over price savings when it comes to folding bikes. Go for the brands that are not traded in at a high rate. That indicates quality as well as a good match to the user.

vincentnyc

boy am i glad i didn't get a dahon...no seat slippage on my japanese folding bike so far.

how about the downtubes mini by any chance? did u get a chance to check them out? maybe someone here who owns one can answer ur question. how much do u weight any if u dont mind me asking?

Tommy C

I am from Toronto and there are no DT dealers here.
I weigh 130lbs (60kg) so I don't think that's the problem.
I will consider Brompton or Dahon Speed which is a still frame.... I guess.

dschwarz

Try the Downtube Mini if you can. I am pretty happy with mine. It lists at 25lbs. Have had some initial break in issues with shimming up the handlebar stem and getting the quick releases set right, but I haven't had serious seat post slippage issues - and I weigh more than you. Good luck.

Tommy C

The steel is a very good point, years ago I had a still frame, no problems whatsoever, although last week I got a chance to ride a Speed TR for 45 min and same thing happened, the seatpost was sinking pretty bad after a few minutes, mind you i didn't care because it was a bike I borrowed from the lbs while they worked on my bike. I am only 130lbs (60kg) and I refuse to believe that I am so unfortunate to come across with 3 defective Dahons.
I have checked Dahon forum and it seems like a lot of owners have this problem with the seatpost.
Maybe we will get a chance to hear from ThorUSA, I am sure he got some tips.

Tommy C

Thanx !

jur

Perhaps you have very weak hands, too weak for doing up QRs...?

mkchiu

I'm 77kg on a Speed P8..typically wearing a ~2lb "tool" vest under my safety vest. I have tools, and lights on a seat post bag, +~1.5kg.

I don't remember slipping when I originally bought the bike, but if so I likely tightened the seat clamp ~1/4 turn at a time until it stayed put. I definitely didn't slip/sink on the 2006 Mu XL the LBS had for demo rides.

I also commute on Oakland, CA roads, that is the roads are potholed, speed-bumped, and generally bouncing enough to increase slippage.

Tommy C

Dude, I was a wrestler when I was younger..... Now seriously, I come from mountain biking, I sure know how to deal with QRs but with our Dahons it's ridiculously difficult.
Two lbs could not find what's wrong with the bike, like I have posted before, we have tried to replace shims, seatposts and QR clamps but it didn't cure the seatpost slippage.

Tommy C

Maybe it's the steel frame, like someone posted here earlier.... I don't know what to tell you.....

Dynocoaster 

There are some older Dahon 16" wheel bikes that are lite and have small folds. Helios, Presto.

Dynocoaster 

https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/840568337.html Cool bike, great to upgrade
https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/835172999.html a favorite to upgrade here on the forum
https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/835172999.html cheap