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-   -   Dahon Jetstream, Birdy or Brompton? ? ? (https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/488932-dahon-jetstream-birdy-brompton.html)

mr_chambo 11-23-08 05:46 PM

Dahon Jetstream, Birdy or Brompton? ? ?
 
I'm thinking of getting one of the above, but don't know which. I love the fold on the Brompton and there are lots about, like the design of the Birdy, but I like the Jetstream as it looks to be a little more solid. I cycle a mixture of cycle track and a bit of roughish road. Or any other recommendations in the UK?

jur 11-23-08 06:23 PM

These aren't in the same price range, are they? What are you looking at price-wise for these?

It would be good if you could arrange a test ride, but getting hold of anything but a brommie may be difficult... have you contacted Avon Valley Cyclery (http://www.foldingbikes.co.uk/index.html)?

mr_chambo 11-23-08 06:31 PM

Dahon and Brompton in same price bracket, but looking at the Brompton, don't think it's designed for what I want. Is there anything else worth considering?

jur 11-23-08 07:21 PM

Pacific Reach - full suspension, but not a very compact fold unless you remove both wheels.

There is a recent thread where a Dahon Jetstream is used for MTB'ing on singletrack in the Colorado Rockies. I think a Birdy would be equal to that task.

Stormclad 11-23-08 07:54 PM


Originally Posted by jur (Post 7905539)
Pacific Reach - full suspension, but not a very compact fold unless you remove both wheels.

There is a recent thread where a Dahon Jetstream is used for MTB'ing on singletrack in the Colorado Rockies. I think a Birdy would be equal to that task.

Just a quick heads-up, the IF Reach is already available (at least in Singapore). So you could consider that too. It's a side folding version of the normal Reach, which is classifield more as a seperable bike than a folder.

bobinski 11-24-08 07:03 AM

I got the xp jetstream over the cheapest birdy. Could not justify another £700 for a bike that might not be £700 better.
The Jeststream is a joy, and i mean that, a joy to ride.On road and light offroad.
The Jetstream Jur is referring to is the more expensive version which can be bought via Ebay from Dutch and German sites. looks a blast to ride seriously off road.Look at the thread on the next page.
Anyway Jetstream currently available for £499 from Winstanleys!

mr_chambo 11-24-08 10:33 AM

Jetstream it is then, I think that the standard one will do for what I want

mr_chambo 12-01-08 04:22 AM

Got the standard Jetsream, fantastically well made. Excellent for what I want it for. Reading through the comments, I don't think that the Birdy would really last if you went over those trails, after looking at one, I don't think that they are designed with that in mind. Probably a tiny bit smaller, but I have and estate (station wagon). No problems at all so far - suspension is just right.

pm124 12-01-08 01:27 PM


Originally Posted by mr_chambo (Post 7943054)
Got the standard Jetsream, fantastically well made. Excellent for what I want it for. Reading through the comments, I don't think that the Birdy would really last if you went over those trails, after looking at one, I don't think that they are designed with that in mind. Probably a tiny bit smaller, but I have and estate (station wagon). No problems at all so far - suspension is just right.

Glad you got the right one for you. I think the Jetstream's bigger wheels are advantageous for off road riding, and you are better off with the higher spoke count cheap Jetsteam model. (One stick in the low spoke count wheels and that is the end of your wheel.) However, the Birdy is significantly stronger from my n = 3 experience. My friend has the high end Jetstream and it is in shambles after 15,000 miles of city riding (he is about 125 pounds). My Birdy has 12-14,000 miles, a lot of it off road, and it is in as good of shape as the day I got it used (paint is destroyed, though, along with my cyclocomputer). I'm about 180 pounds. But as you point out, you can put 8K off road and if it starts to come apart, you can get an entirely new bike and you still will have saved money relative to one Birdy.

Just wanted to correct the misperception about build differences. If you just take a peek at the stem of the Dahon and the stem of the Birdy, you will immediately see what I mean.

makeinu 12-01-08 08:09 PM


Originally Posted by pm124 (Post 7945024)
My friend has the high end Jetstream and it is in shambles after 15,000 miles of city riding (he is about 125 pounds).

What do you mean by this?

mr_chambo 12-02-08 08:48 AM

"the Jetstream's bigger wheels are advantageous for off road riding, and you are better off with the higher spoke count cheap Jetsteam model"

Yer I agree the ride is much more comfortable, I tried a couple of other bikes, Birdy, Brompton and Downtube, but there felt like a bit more space for me to stretch out on the Dahon. I did look at an 07 model, but like you say it's not as solid as the 08 models. If I get 15k out of it I'll be well pleased.

Suspension is great, I like the way you can vary the rear suspension. I'm not sure about the Kore Ibeam seat stem etc, but its comfortable. I'll get an adaptor for my brooks. Very easy bike to ride. You even get a little pot of touch up paint, good that you can fit mudguards and rack (on post). I like the fold on the Brompton and the fact that its made in the UK (mostly), but I would have liked something that can take more abuse and weight.

Very happy for the price :) - thanks for the input.

pm124 12-02-08 09:00 PM


Originally Posted by makeinu (Post 7947226)
What do you mean by this?

I think that they are much better now. His is a 2005/6(?) model. But here is the run down:

~20 broken spokes, all professionally replaced
~5 new hinges, all done by a Dahon dealer
Broken shock
Sounds like chitty chitty bang bang--lots of creaks and groans from scary places, such as the stem.

But in all fairness, the frame is intact, and that is what matters.

Also in fairness, I have had a broken old style seat post on my Birdy.

bobinski 12-03-08 05:24 AM


Originally Posted by mr_chambo (Post 7949546)
"the Jetstream's bigger wheels are advantageous for off road riding, and you are better off with the higher spoke count cheap Jetsteam model"

Yer I agree the ride is much more comfortable, I tried a couple of other bikes, Birdy, Brompton and Downtube, but there felt like a bit more space for me to stretch out on the Dahon. I did look at an 07 model, but like you say it's not as solid as the 08 models. If I get 15k out of it I'll be well pleased.

Suspension is great, I like the way you can vary the rear suspension. I'm not sure about the Kore Ibeam seat stem etc, but its comfortable. I'll get an adaptor for my brooks. Very easy bike to ride. You even get a little pot of touch up paint, good that you can fit mudguards and rack (on post). I like the fold on the Brompton and the fact that its made in the UK (mostly), but I would have liked something that can take more abuse and weight.

Very happy for the price :) - thanks for the input.

Glad you are enjoying your bike.
I have not played around with the suspension yet. How do you adjust the rear?
As an aside, i live in London and have counted 5 other xp users in the last 3 weeks.Its proving to be a popular bike.

StuAff 12-03-08 06:50 AM


Originally Posted by bobinski (Post 7954943)
Glad you are enjoying your bike.
I have not played around with the suspension yet. How do you adjust the rear?
As an aside, i live in London and have counted 5 other xp users in the last 3 weeks.Its proving to be a popular bike.

XPs? Sure they weren't P8s? I've seen a few of the latter in London when I've been up there (and one in Portsmouth as well!) but the only XP I've seen anywhere, ever, is mine.

mr_chambo 12-03-08 07:16 AM

I pumped it up a little yesterday as it seamed a bit soft for me - is there a recommended psi? I didn't go for the XP as I don't want to off road. I suppose you could just buy the XP front fork if you wanted that.

I want anther seatpost - I'm not bothered if its I-beam or not, but that saddle isnt suitable for my partner. Does anyone know the best place to pick up a cheapy that would fit, I've not yet looked if it would take a standard size.

bobinski 12-04-08 06:40 AM


Originally Posted by StuAff (Post 7955104)
XPs? Sure they weren't P8s? I've seen a few of the latter in London when I've been up there (and one in Portsmouth as well!) but the only XP I've seen anywhere, ever, is mine.

Oops!
my bad-i meant the Jetstream...

daibutsu 12-06-08 04:08 PM

I have a Birdy and don't really like it. Rides kinda weird, bounces around alot, makes lots of noise, needs unique sized tires, has crappy support (here in DC (Vienna VA)). Overpriced for what it is. I've ridden other folders and just generally like all of them more.


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