Derailed

Below is a photo of my totally derivative Dahon Mu Duo, albeit with the Sturmey Archer S2C. The Mu Uno arrived yesterday, but I had already built up the two-speed S2C wheel in anticipation, which I described previously in this Bike Forums post.

I've only ridden it a couple of miles so far and, accordingly, I don't have much of an opinion about the hub at this point. That said, I am noticing lots of clicks and some funny shifting, but even over the brief riding I've done it seems to be settling down. I chose the S2C over the SRAM Automatix for three reasons:

1) I want to control when I shift. (At least I think so... if I don't get more used to the kick-back shifting, I may revisit this dictum.)

2) I couldn't find a source for the 28-hole version of the SRAM Automatix hub, only the 36-hole version, and (perhaps foolishly) I was set on no more than 32 spokes.

3) This one is the least rational: despite my setup being derivative of what Bruce and others have done, I wanted to do something different than the Tern Verge Duo to help justify my choice of not just getting a Verge Duo

As others have pointed out, the S2C hub really is quite heavy! The new wheel added well over a pound to the bike. And, had I read the most-recent posts in this thread before committing to the S2C, I probably would have gone with the SRAM Automatix... That said, I am committed at this point, so I'll make the best of it.

Derailed

Brief update on my copy-cat Mu Duo:

I've added fenders, a rack, and luggage truss (to hold my Ortlieb handlebar bag). The weight for the complete bike is a surprising, at least to me, 27 lbs.

That's five lbs over Dahon's quoted weight of 22 lbs. About 1.3 lbs comes from the S2C-based wheel, and that implies 3.7 lbs for the fenders, rack and luggage truss. Perhaps Dahon also doesn't include the kickstand in their stated weight but, still, it doesn't seem to add up. I didn't think to weigh the complete bike before making my changes, but the 22 lbs number seems suspect to me.

Although I'm a little disappointed in the weight, I love this bike. Even though it isn't as light as I had hoped, it is 5 lbs lighter than my Boardwalk S1, which is enough (for me) to justify the upgrade -- I think that will make it significantly easier to place on overhead luggage racks when I travel on my local commuter train to Chicago. And, of course, I know have twice the number of gears!

The total cost for everything, including all parts for the S2C-based wheel, shipping, and the other accessories listed above was $930. (I got the base bike on sale from a nearby shop in MI for $630.) That's getting pretty close to the Tern Verge Duo, and purely based on value I wouldn't try to justify going this route. But, I felt a strong attraction the the Dahon Mu frame, and it has been a fun project.

Anyway, I've put a few tens of miles on it now, and the S2C hub is working very well. The funny shifts have gone away, and the gear range is pretty good. (I'm using a 19t rear cog.)

Having not ridden an automatic-shift two-speed hub I can't make a comparison, but I am indeed very happy with the S2C so far.

Finally, thanks for showing the way, Bruce!

Dynocoaster 

I was checking on the cranks and they came with Sugino or Kenetix. Hve you thought of a lighter saddle, lighter quick release pedals or small quick release fenders to save weight? I have the Speed Uno and I am deciding on the Sram2 speed ( I have the non coaster version but will not work on mine) or the 5 speed.

Dynocoaster 

Te FSA is mentioned under extreme performance https://www.dahon.com/components/fsa-crankset

Derailed

Thanks for the information Dynocaster.

(Also, I'm sorry for creating confusion, but I removed the bit in my post about my Mu Uno coming with FSA Tempo cranks, apparently at the same time you were writing your replies. I decided to take it out to avoid getting off topic, but again, thanks for the information!)

SesameCrunch

It's not wise to believe manufacturer's claims about weight. It's marketing, ya know. Most of them don't include pedals, and some don't even count the saddles.

Taipei Tony

Dahon's listed weights are definitely a bit "creative" to say the least.

I checked out a couple of Dahons at the Taipei Cycle Show and they for sure felt much heavier than stated. The Curve D3 is listed at ~25lbs but it felt way heavier. Same thing with the Mu Uno, it definitely didn't feel like 22lbs.

ezerivas

helloooooooo i finally finished my project

Look: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...7412336&type=1


Thanks to BruceMetras for the inspiration.


Greetings from Argentina.

Ezequiel

Derailed

Nice job, Ezequiel!

How are you liking the shifting so far? Is your hub of the automatic variety?

Having not ridden an automatic-shifting hub, I can't make a comparison, but I've come to really like the kick-back shifting of the S2C. That said, I'm not sure the ability to control when I shift justifies the weight premium. In any event, I'm very happy with the Mu Duo, and find the extra gear to be quite useful, and I'm impressed with the gear range.

ezerivas

Hello! and thanks. My hub is like yours, a kick back hub. I buy it because i like take control of the shifts. Dont like automatics hubs.

Derailed

I'm not always happy with the shifting of my S2C hub, but overall I've come to really like it, and I am glad to have control of the shifts.

Yesterday was my first real test of my Mu Duo: I took it for a 75 mile ride from South Bend, IN to Kalamazoo, MI (just one way -- I had a ride back). Granted, there aren't any major hills around here, but there certainly were some ups and downs, and the bike was great! The two speeds were sufficient for the terrain I encountered, and although I was definitely tired at the end, I genuinely enjoyed riding it.

It was especially satisfying to just fold it up to fit in my friend's trunk for the drive back.

I'll be using this bike for the GAP / C&O Canal trails from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. in a couple of weeks, and this test was to make sure I'll be reasonably comfortable riding the Mu Duo for 70+-mile days. I hope these aren't "famous last words," but I'm feeling quite confident in the bike.

Ms. Bibendum

Nice looking bike. What kind of rear rack pack do you have?

Derailed

That's a Lone Peak RP-700, and here's a link to it at LonePeak.com.