Brompton L5 vs 2008 Dahon Curve SL
01-02-10, 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by EastBiker
FF is that you? Happy New Year!
Last edited by folder fanatic; 01-02-10 at 03:28 PM.
01-02-10, 09:47 PM
#27
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Originally Posted by Dahon.Steve
I liked the original Curve SL with the 8 speed hub and came close to buying one over my Brompton 3 speed. The extra gears were smooth as butter and as another posted stated, a very underrated bike. However, I really wanted the Brompton this time around after all these years just decided to buy one. I still have my two Dahons, both working very well.
Now that the Curve has a derailluer, I have no desire in getting an SL. I suspect Dahon dropped the Nexus Red Band 8 speed to keep the price below $1,200.00 US dollars.
Now that the Curve has a derailluer, I have no desire in getting an SL. I suspect Dahon dropped the Nexus Red Band 8 speed to keep the price below $1,200.00 US dollars.
The SA 5 speed internal hub on the '07 was OK but extremely finicky, requiring a very precise adjustment way too often. It also was noisier and would skip gears from time to time. I couldn't stand on the 2007 with confidence. No problem on the 2009 SL.
I realize the 8 speed Nexus Red band and Alfine hubs are supposed to be great, but I really don't see any big enough reason to choose them over the 9 speed Capreo derailleur which has worked so flawlessly.
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01-03-10, 05:45 AM
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Originally Posted by folder fanatic
Naw, that's my family. I am here right now-at least until Tuesday.
01-03-10, 06:59 AM
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Originally Posted by owenfinn
I realize the 8 speed Nexus Red band and Alfine hubs are supposed to be great, but I really don't see any big enough reason to choose them over the 9 speed Capreo derailleur which has worked so flawlessly.
01-03-10, 07:39 AM
#30
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Having said that, I am becoming more and more intrigued by beltdrive systems. If I could fit an Alfine IGH with a Gates Carbon beltdrive to the Curve, I would definitely be tempted to ditch the Capreo - but only that.
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01-03-10, 04:43 PM
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Originally Posted by owenfinn
I measured the wheelbase at 995mm and rear axle to BB at 400mm.
The 2007 Curve SL, according to a Folding Society review, had a 960mm wheelbase.
A Brompton's wheelbase, I believe, is 1045mm.
The 2007 Curve SL, according to a Folding Society review, had a 960mm wheelbase.
A Brompton's wheelbase, I believe, is 1045mm.
01-04-10, 11:05 PM
#32
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What the hell is going on here?
01-05-10, 01:42 AM
#34
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Originally Posted by DFTR
What was it about the curve that led to you going over the handlebars vs. any other bike?
Were the brakes too strong? Or was it bad luck?
Were the brakes too strong? Or was it bad luck?
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01-05-10, 08:15 AM
#35
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Originally Posted by owenfinn
Having said that, I am becoming more and more intrigued by beltdrive systems. If I could fit an Alfine IGH with a Gates Carbon beltdrive to the Curve, I would definitely be tempted to ditch the Capreo - but only that.
Made some fun modifications recently that I'll be posting up too.
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01-07-10, 02:36 AM
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Originally Posted by folder fanatic
Meet my family (They have been on my Flickr Website since 2006 and because the only old photos I have of Hollywood of the 1960s & 1970s has them, now you can see them for yourselves that they are real, some are alive and some are not):
My Father On His Harley-Davidson circa 1954 or 1955: https://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/289494502/in/set-72157594325178229/
My Brother At Around Age 14 1964 or 1965: https://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/289494499/in/set-72157594325178229/
Yes, Me Around 1965-(Or How I Participated In The "Swinging Sixites": https://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/289494505/in/set-72157594325178229[/B]/
With My Mother (Same Time Period): https://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/289494506/in/set-72157594325178229/
My Best Friend Who Paid The Ultimate Price For Fame: https://www.flickr.com/photos/world-o...7594325178229/
And Her Post Death Story Via The Internet:
Brief Pretty Accurate Account:
https://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/predators/stranglers/6.html
Her Car & Crime Scene:
https://gallery.skcentral.com/displayimage.php?album=64&pos=22
Her Final Resting Place:
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg...=gr&GRid=19461
Trust me, I am not making this up. I obviously posted this and the other photos long before "Find-A Grave" used that same photo (without my permission-Pickles might be a college student, but he does practice Internet plagiarism). So in a way, thank you East Biker, I would not have Googled Cindy's name (it still upsets me even after over 30 years) & found that illegal usage or "borrowing" of my photo of her. And I will always be proud to have been her friend, no matter the price like dodging the newshounds (now called the "Paparazzi"), living in fear of strangers for almost a year and other horrible things I tried to forget until this brought it back. And this extends to the rest of my both living (you have met them already) and my lost loved ones (Cindy September, 1957- February, 1978) (My Father, August, 2005).
I will "see" all of you I hope soon perhaps here or on Foo. My Brompton has now joined the Dahons and even the sewing machines in storage. This computer might go with them too for a little rest (We'll see).
My Father On His Harley-Davidson circa 1954 or 1955: https://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/289494502/in/set-72157594325178229/
My Brother At Around Age 14 1964 or 1965: https://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/289494499/in/set-72157594325178229/
Yes, Me Around 1965-(Or How I Participated In The "Swinging Sixites": https://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/289494505/in/set-72157594325178229[/B]/
With My Mother (Same Time Period): https://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/289494506/in/set-72157594325178229/
My Best Friend Who Paid The Ultimate Price For Fame: https://www.flickr.com/photos/world-o...7594325178229/
And Her Post Death Story Via The Internet:
Brief Pretty Accurate Account:
https://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/predators/stranglers/6.html
Her Car & Crime Scene:
https://gallery.skcentral.com/displayimage.php?album=64&pos=22
Her Final Resting Place:
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg...=gr&GRid=19461
Trust me, I am not making this up. I obviously posted this and the other photos long before "Find-A Grave" used that same photo (without my permission-Pickles might be a college student, but he does practice Internet plagiarism). So in a way, thank you East Biker, I would not have Googled Cindy's name (it still upsets me even after over 30 years) & found that illegal usage or "borrowing" of my photo of her. And I will always be proud to have been her friend, no matter the price like dodging the newshounds (now called the "Paparazzi"), living in fear of strangers for almost a year and other horrible things I tried to forget until this brought it back. And this extends to the rest of my both living (you have met them already) and my lost loved ones (Cindy September, 1957- February, 1978) (My Father, August, 2005).
I will "see" all of you I hope soon perhaps here or on Foo. My Brompton has now joined the Dahons and even the sewing machines in storage. This computer might go with them too for a little rest (We'll see).
To OP, I think you won't go wrong with either. The Dahon might be better handling though because of the longer wheelbase. I think the L5 has a shorter one and that the current Bromptons have a longer wheelbase, but I am not sure.
01-07-10, 06:21 AM
#37
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I created this post in order to provide people a comparison of the folded/unfolded size of both bikes since this topic has been asked before, but I haven't seen a side by side picture. Not sure what all the fuzz that happened on the previous post was about.
01-07-10, 07:30 AM
#38
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Originally Posted by EastBiker
To OP, I think you won't go wrong with either. The Dahon might be better handling though because of the longer wheelbase. I think the L5 has a shorter one and that the current Bromptons have a longer wheelbase, but I am not sure.
1. The OP already owns both and was providing us with a comparison, not asking a question.
2. The Brompton still has a longer wheelbase, not the Curve.
3. IIRC the Brompton had it's wheelbase extended at some point. So I agree on that.
However, I don't think <100mm difference in wheelbase can possibly be enough to make any significant difference in endoing. Sure, it might change the handling of the bike and you might be able to feel it, but realistically we're talk about such a small percentage change in dimensions that I find it unlikely that the rider shouldn't be able to adjust.
Last edited by chucky; 01-07-10 at 07:38 AM.
01-07-10, 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by chucky
1. The OP already owns both and was providing us with a comparison, not asking a question.
2. The Brompton still has a longer wheelbase, not the Curve.
3. IIRC the Brompton had it's wheelbase extended at some point. So I agree on that.
However, I don't think <100mm difference in wheelbase can possibly be enough to make any significant difference in endoing. Sure, it might change the handling of the bike and you might be able to feel it, but realistically we're talk about such a small percentage change in dimensions that I find it unlikely that the rider shouldn't be able to adjust.
see ..I have a big head ..therefore I use my beer gut to balance the center of gravity somehow...lol ..
there are hundreds of differences between each bike and each rider, therefore there is never gonna be one best ...
Thor
best bike ever ?
the one which is used and gives the owner pleasure in doing so
01-07-10, 10:26 AM
#40
Part-time epistemologist
Originally Posted by chucky
However, I don't think <100mm difference in wheelbase can possibly be enough to make any significant difference in endoing. Sure, it might change the handling of the bike and you might be able to feel it, but realistically we're talk about such a small percentage change in dimensions that I find it unlikely that the rider shouldn't be able to adjust.
More generally, handling, comfort, and such is due to a combination of a lot of things. But in all likelihood -- speculating here -- having an extreme value in one aspect of geometry can only be partially accomodated by other factors.
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01-07-10, 07:12 PM
#41
Schwinnasaur
Originally Posted by 14R
Short wheelbase making the center of gravity to be ahead of the front wheel while going down stairs or doing any other urban aggressive maneuver.
01-07-10, 09:13 PM
#42
Part-time epistemologist
Originally Posted by Schwinnsta
Since wheel base is roughly the same as a road bike and your the tires are smaller you have lower center of gravity on a folder. So your less likely to rotate over the top of the bars when you stop then if you riding a road bike. And you will have less height to fall from. Always a consideration when purchasing a bike to ride down stairs with.
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01-07-10, 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by invisiblehand
Personally, I have not experimented enough with wheelbase to make strong conclusions. But people seem to make a big deal over 2 inches. So it might make a difference in the satisfaction with a bike.
Satisfaction is another question entirely because some people (perhaps most) won't be satisfied no matter how good the product is if it doesn't fit into their narrow view of how a good product should function.
Originally Posted by invisiblehand
But wouldn't the location of the person relative to that front axis be the most important factor?
Last edited by chucky; 01-07-10 at 09:31 PM.
01-07-10, 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by kamtsa
That's great! I sent you a personal email.
Thanks,
Kam
Thanks,
Kam
Thor
01-07-10, 10:42 PM
#45
Senior Member
Is it just my imagination, or are you guys debating the relative merits of different wheelbase-dimensions as it relates to riding down stairs on small-wheel bicycles?
01-08-10, 04:39 AM
#46
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Gee, my eyes are sore after reading the whole thread. I have a Brompton M5R & M3L and 5 other Dahons (Roo El, Helios SL, Speed Pro, Cadenza). All I can say is every single bike was created possibly by different designers & engineers in difference time frame. Therefore, the characteristic & their business models change accordingly. The only thing we as the customer can do after you bought their products is to try to find ways to utilize them as much as possible. I would also be nice if we can share information here to other owners on making their bikes better. This is what human race is all about at least in the folding bikes world. 
01-08-10, 08:55 AM
#47
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lol its reallt easy ... Joako started out with a very nice biased free comparison about the Brompton and Curve folded size.
Than all kinds of " VS " started ..... with tidbits of actual information thrown in for good measure ....
Than we had a meltdown , which resulted in a "challenge to get spare parts" another even greater meltdown, the challenge resolved, more good tidbits to the original thread, a new thread about sizes and so on ... more or less three threads wraped into one ...
its complicated ....lol
Thor
Than all kinds of " VS " started ..... with tidbits of actual information thrown in for good measure ....
Than we had a meltdown , which resulted in a "challenge to get spare parts" another even greater meltdown, the challenge resolved, more good tidbits to the original thread, a new thread about sizes and so on ... more or less three threads wraped into one ...
its complicated ....lol
Thor
01-08-10, 10:32 AM
#48
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And then somebody started falling over the handlebars while riding down stairs. I think..
01-14-10, 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted by brakemeister
sure ... how many you need ?
They have longer levers ('4 fingers') compared to the stock ones I have and the bell is easy to reach and sounds well (at least in our living room). They are slightly heavier (about 100g extra per pair) but the longer levers and the integrated bell justify it for me.
Thanks again Thor.
Kam
IMG_0211.JPGIMG_0209.JPGIMG_0212.JPG
Last edited by kamtsa; 01-14-10 at 10:45 PM.
01-15-10, 07:35 AM
#50
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Thor made a good review of the thread.
and that would be me!
Originally Posted by Joe Remi
And then somebody started falling over the handlebars while riding down stairs. I think..
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