Ekdog

Blew out the original 20" back wheel on my Dahon Speed. Would like to replace it with something stronger. Any suggestions?

HGR3inOK

Which Speed model --- D3/D7, P8, TR, TT, etc.?

invisiblehand

Call J. Gaerlan -- gaerlan.com -- for a hand-built 32 spoke rear wheel. Hmmmm, I see that you are in Spain. Well, I am sure that you have some local -- on your side of the Atlantic -- wheel builders that can help you.

How many miles/kilometers did you have on the old wheel?

Ekdog

@ HGR3inOK and invisiblehand:

I'm ashamed to say I can't answer any of your questions!

Is the model number written on the frame somewhere? I bought the bike about five years ago and have only used it for riding around town--no long trips. No idea, really, how many miles/k's I've put on it.

So, a hand-made wheel is the way to go, eh?

Ekdog

@ HGR3inOK and invisiblehand:

I'm ashamed to say I can't answer any of your questions!

Is the model number stamped on the frame somewhere? I bought the bike about five years ago and have only used it for riding around town--no long trips. No idea, really, how many miles/k's I've put on it.

So, a hand-made wheel is the way to go, eh?

HGR3inOK

I don't think so. But if you go to the Dahon website (www.dahon.com) you should be able to find your bike. How many gears/rear cogs do you have? In the U.S.A., replacement wheels from Dahon seem to be very reasonably priced.

Ekdog

Okay, thanks for your patience. That's the D7. I'd rather get something a bit sturdier that the original wheel.

invisiblehand

For something durable, yes.

I think you could get away with buying a standard Dahon wheel as long as your local shop trues it by hand afterwards.

To be honest, I am pretty surprised that you managed to break the original wheel unless it was out of true, you put on a lot of miles, or you carry heavy loads. Small wheels are incredibly strong. But if your wheel had uneven spoke tension in the first place, then their durability would be severely compromised.

Ekdog

I haven't really put that many miles on it over the years. I do use it for shopping sometimes. I have a Carradice SQR Slim on it that I like to fill up with groceries, including heavy items like bottles of wine and cans of beer, plus I weigh nearly 200 lbs. myself and I'll often be carrying a rucksack full of stuff, too, so I guess the weight is pretty substantial once you add everything up.

invisiblehand

Hmmmmm ... I can't recall what the original Dahon D7 wheel is like, but a handbuilt 32 spoke wheel should be overkill and extremely robust.