New Dahon Eco 3; how to set up?
10-02-09, 10:35 PM
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New Dahon Eco 3; how to set up?
Hi all,
New convert to folding bikes, figured I'd start entry-level with one of the scratched Eco 3's from ThorUSA. Now, after a bit of conversation, he said that he'd set it up best he could, but that shipping would obviously screw some things up. So what I'm wondering is:
How good is ThorUSA's rep? Has anyone else heard of them? From his correspondence, he seemed like a good guy, but I don't know what that means about quality of product
What can I do to "finish" the set up of the bike? Is there any basic thing I could look for? I have some basic ratcheting tools and their ilk, would I be able to do this on my own? I'd rather not have to take it to my local LBS, I have a feeling they'd berate me for getting a cheaper bike (last time I tried to go there, they tried to pressure me to get a more expensive bike, which quite frankly I wouldn't have been able to afford. And I don't know if they'd be too enthusiastic about fixing up my internet bought one).
Thanks guys,
Ben
New convert to folding bikes, figured I'd start entry-level with one of the scratched Eco 3's from ThorUSA. Now, after a bit of conversation, he said that he'd set it up best he could, but that shipping would obviously screw some things up. So what I'm wondering is:
How good is ThorUSA's rep? Has anyone else heard of them? From his correspondence, he seemed like a good guy, but I don't know what that means about quality of product
What can I do to "finish" the set up of the bike? Is there any basic thing I could look for? I have some basic ratcheting tools and their ilk, would I be able to do this on my own? I'd rather not have to take it to my local LBS, I have a feeling they'd berate me for getting a cheaper bike (last time I tried to go there, they tried to pressure me to get a more expensive bike, which quite frankly I wouldn't have been able to afford. And I don't know if they'd be too enthusiastic about fixing up my internet bought one).
Thanks guys,
Ben
10-03-09, 12:20 AM
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Hi all,
New convert to folding bikes, figured I'd start entry-level with one of the scratched Eco 3's from ThorUSA. Now, after a bit of conversation, he said that he'd set it up best he could, but that shipping would obviously screw some things up. So what I'm wondering is:
How good is ThorUSA's rep? Has anyone else heard of them? From his correspondence, he seemed like a good guy, but I don't know what that means about quality of product
What can I do to "finish" the set up of the bike? Is there any basic thing I could look for? I have some basic ratcheting tools and their ilk, would I be able to do this on my own? I'd rather not have to take it to my local LBS, I have a feeling they'd berate me for getting a cheaper bike (last time I tried to go there, they tried to pressure me to get a more expensive bike, which quite frankly I wouldn't have been able to afford. And I don't know if they'd be too enthusiastic about fixing up my internet bought one).
Thanks guys,
Ben
New convert to folding bikes, figured I'd start entry-level with one of the scratched Eco 3's from ThorUSA. Now, after a bit of conversation, he said that he'd set it up best he could, but that shipping would obviously screw some things up. So what I'm wondering is:
How good is ThorUSA's rep? Has anyone else heard of them? From his correspondence, he seemed like a good guy, but I don't know what that means about quality of product
What can I do to "finish" the set up of the bike? Is there any basic thing I could look for? I have some basic ratcheting tools and their ilk, would I be able to do this on my own? I'd rather not have to take it to my local LBS, I have a feeling they'd berate me for getting a cheaper bike (last time I tried to go there, they tried to pressure me to get a more expensive bike, which quite frankly I wouldn't have been able to afford. And I don't know if they'd be too enthusiastic about fixing up my internet bought one).
Thanks guys,
Ben
10-03-09, 07:54 AM
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Thor has a good rep and every time I've dealt with him he has been friendly and helpful. If your LBS is "berating" you, it's time to find a new LBS.
Keep in mind that if you buy a Dahon from a local dealer, it will come assembled and tuned up, warranty activated, ready to ride. Most of the LBS'es in my area offer free lifetime tuneups (minor adjustments only) if you bought the bike there. They won't offer this free for a bike you bought from Thor.
If I bought a bike from Thor, I'd spring for the $50 "VIP" service, then bring it down to a local Dahon dealer for a safety check before riding. Might be free, might be $30. The LBS would be stupid to "berate" you, when they could gain you as a customer for repairs and accessories down the road. Good luck!
Keep in mind that if you buy a Dahon from a local dealer, it will come assembled and tuned up, warranty activated, ready to ride. Most of the LBS'es in my area offer free lifetime tuneups (minor adjustments only) if you bought the bike there. They won't offer this free for a bike you bought from Thor.
If I bought a bike from Thor, I'd spring for the $50 "VIP" service, then bring it down to a local Dahon dealer for a safety check before riding. Might be free, might be $30. The LBS would be stupid to "berate" you, when they could gain you as a customer for repairs and accessories down the road. Good luck!
10-03-09, 10:13 AM
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From what I've read on this forum and the Dahon forum, no Dahon Internet dealer has a better reputation than ThorUSA. I have purchased tires and accessories from ThorUSA over the past six months. Thor's service has been excellent, and, IMHO, his advice has been excellent and objective.
Be careful when tightening things. 
The light weight components of modern bikes can be easily mangled. Start every bolt, nut and screw by hand, if possible.
If they are a Dahon dealer with a scratched Eco 3 in stock, then they might be a little peaved. But they should still welcome your service business. Whether they are a Dahon dealer or not, if they berate your bike choice, don't do business with them.
... I have some basic ratcheting tools and their ilk, would I be able to do this on my own? ...
The light weight components of modern bikes can be easily mangled. Start every bolt, nut and screw by hand, if possible.
I'd rather not have to take it to my local LBS, I have a feeling they'd berate me for getting a cheaper bike ... And I don't know if they'd be too enthusiastic about fixing up my internet bought one ...
10-03-09, 12:13 PM
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I bought a book on how to service my bikes. Learn to do the checks ourself. I would buy from Thor. The prices for his scratched Eco 3's are close to what a Boardwalk goes for. Great buy on the Eco 3.
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10-05-09, 07:35 AM
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blush
what I ment with saying ..i check the bike here, but I can not be sure if it arrives the same way ..is simply that in 99.9 % of the cases the bike will be fine, once in a blue moon a derailleur gets a whack during shipping and than one has to maybe turn the cable adjuster one turn. to make shifting crisp and to get away with a noisy chain....
same as one has to do when a new bike has been ridden for a while ...
I can only not guarantee always with 100 % that the bike can be rolled out of the box without taking a good look at it.... if i would say that I open myself up for lawsuits...
It is however a good idea to look for a dealer and have the spokes checked after a couple hundred miles ... thats money well spend regardless and will make the wheels last almost forever ...
Thanks Thor
what I ment with saying ..i check the bike here, but I can not be sure if it arrives the same way ..is simply that in 99.9 % of the cases the bike will be fine, once in a blue moon a derailleur gets a whack during shipping and than one has to maybe turn the cable adjuster one turn. to make shifting crisp and to get away with a noisy chain....
same as one has to do when a new bike has been ridden for a while ...
I can only not guarantee always with 100 % that the bike can be rolled out of the box without taking a good look at it.... if i would say that I open myself up for lawsuits...
It is however a good idea to look for a dealer and have the spokes checked after a couple hundred miles ... thats money well spend regardless and will make the wheels last almost forever ...
Thanks Thor
