Now that I know my folder is here to stay, I'm thinking of essential upgrades like: a bike mirror, lights, pedals & a basket.

However, it seems like I have to consider foldability whenever I add something like:

Bike Mirror

Which types should I consider that won't interfere with the fold, if any?

Lights

To blinky or not to blinky?...That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the bings and dings of riding in the dark or to take arms against a sea of cars
by having front and back lights... and in so doing...avoid them. Yep, you guess it. It's another question except it has to do with either getting a static light or blinking one.

Normally I don't go riding at night but as the days get shorter, I can see riding home a little after dusk from work.

Pedals

Pedals, pedals everywhere but few will fit my bike.

I am thinking of the MKS FD-6 to replace the clunky suntour ones I now have. Not sure if the MKS FD-6 will be just as thick as the ones I have now. Yes, the few nano cm I don't have to adjust to, via the seat height, does matter.

Does anyone know for certain then if the MKS FD-6 is thinner in profile than the suntour pedals that came with the bike? I can't find measurements anywhere on the web on this.

Basket

Thinking of getting the seat post or frame adapter to put a klixfix wire basket in the back or front. However, something tells me that the seatpost or frame adapter would interfere with the fold. Am I correct on that?

Not crazy about handlebar baskets. I've got too much crap and I find them a little too distracting.

Sorry for all the questions. If the bike was just a regular bike, I wouldn't have to ask the above. However, since the key feature of the bike is the fold, I'm trying to keep this feature intact but not at the cost of overall safety (bike mirror) or basic convenience (basket).

Oh dear. Something tells me I'm asking far too much here. Not even one nibble.

Oh well, no problem. I went through a search of the forum and found three makers I can look up re folding bike rearview mirrors (Cyclops, Zefal and Mirrycle).

As far as the basket goes, I think it's going to be the classic ole milk crate, with the bungee cord wrapped around it, look. May not look pretty but at least I know it won't interfere with the fold.

As far as the lights go, I think I'll just get a light that gives me the option of a steady or blinking light for the rear. I think I'll get a steady light for the front.

Probably the only thing I really wanted feedback on were the pedals. Before I plop down 40 plus bucks for it, does the folding MKS FD-6 have a thinner profile than the suntour pedals? If someone can give me feedback on this item, I'd appreciate it.

https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/accessories.htm Y. ou will find lots of stuff on Thors site and he can tell you what will work and what wont. I would get a mirror for your bike helmet or glasses if you wear them.
Planey Bike has nice lights.

MKS FD-6 very nice pedals highly recommended.

Highly recommended light set and you can set to constant or blinking. This Cateye front light is very bright and powerful but efficient enough to have great battery life.

https://cgi.ebay.com/Cat-Eye-Headligh...#ht_1360wt_911

Thanks Dyno. and Mulleady for the feedback.

For a D7 I would consider Schwalbe Big Apples and Egron Grips essential upgrades.

Planet Bike Blinky SuperFlash. Keep it on, and blinking, when riding.

Don't worry about it, Sunny. I had to think about your list and compare it to what I do on my bikes first before replying. Now to your list!

With folding bikes, you always must remember that unless you keep the items pretty much attached to the bike like a regular bike, they must have a Quick Release option and be able to detach very easily and quickly at folding. For that reason, I only carry bike parts that are used on the bike, mandatory for bagging the bike itself, or arranging and attaching items to the bike. Plus (very important here) mandatory use by local, state, or federal law. Anything else fall under "need not take with me."

Now for your list.

Milk Crates: I like to attach one to my rear rack for a load from a trip to the grocery or hardware store. But if I have to carry the bike as a load itself (i.e. carrying it aboard a bus or something), I don't bring one with me on that trip.

Traditional Handlebar Mounted Basket: I think they are cute and I had one when I was little. But now I make my own handlebar mounted bag for my Dahons (see the photo below) and soon for the Twenty. It is far cheaper than anything sold at even Wally World. Another big plus is you can roll it up when not in use.

Front & Rear Lights: Up to now I have been using simple battery powered lights. I rarely ride at night and try to avoid it if at all possible. When I am forced to, I use 2 front headlights-one pointed straight ahead-for maximum sighting ahead plus allowing others to see me & one angled down to avoid potholes & road debris. These are white lights and have the option to blink or stay on all the time. The rear ones are simple clip on ones that I scatter all over me and the bike. These rear lights are red and can be set to blink or stay on all the time.

Pedals: I use the cheapo plastic folding ones for now that came stock with the Dahons. The Brompton's are fine for now too. My Twenty has been designated as my "experimental bike" and I have been adding new parts to it to see how they work out on a folding bike. My Twenty will be getting the 9/16 size MKS Sylvan Road Pedals after I finish paying the bike shop to overhaul it. If I like them, the Dahons & even the Brompton might get their own pairs too if it works well on the Twenty.

Bike Mirror: Unless required by law to attach one on the bike, I turn my head or listen to the traffic to get a sense of what is going on in traffic all around me. I tried one and it did not work for me.

Just remember that any folding or separating bike is just that-a bike first. The ability to fold or separate makes these bikes more portable & compact. So....plan accordingly about what is used with them. And don't clutter it up with unnecessary accessories that you have to carry around too.

Thanks vik, Geroge Paul and FF for the feedback.

vik - Why the Big Apples and which one? According to the Dahon specs, the tires on the Speed D7 is 20 x 1.75. Shouldn't I be looking for a 20 x 1.75 tire?

While we're on tires, what about tubes? Is there one that would also provide more puncture prevention or should I just put slime in them for that? Again, I'm assuming I pick a tube size based on the tire. Would that be 20 x 1.50 since they go inside the tire then?

GeorgePaul - Again, thanks for the feedback on this and on another other thread you've thoughtfully responded too.

Folderfanatic - Thanks for the thorough response. Bike mirrors seem to work for me it seems. It saves me a whole lot of neck twisting but they definitely do not replace the neck twisting I automatically do before I cross the street or intersection.

FolderFanatic - how did you make that front bag? What did you do or how did you adapt whatever it is you started with?

I would love to make one for myself.

Thanks,
Red Rock

The stock tires on the D7 are crap...by adding the BAs 20" x 2.0" you get a much more comfortable ride with no speed loss. I put them on my D7 and everyone I know who has a D7 did that upgrade and has been really happy about it.

I went from Marathon Racers to Schwalbe Kojaks and picked up a lot of speed and reduced rolling resistance. The Kojaks are recommend for street\pavement use only.

I like narrow handlebars - they fit me better and reduce wind resistance. So I grabbed a hacksaw and sliced off liberal amounts of handlebars on either side. Last week I fitted BBB Ergo Sticks (kinda like Cane Creek Ergo Bar Ends) and now feel like I have the perfect combination for my vehicle. Multiple hand positions, enough to go down low, enough to climb and able to achieve a tuck position with any hand position. If you find a discarded drop bar, you can chop that to make a bullhorn bar which also works well.

I converted my Dahon Helios to a 66 gear inch single speed after having experimented with 62 and 72 gear inches. As I ride several bicycles, I use a cheap helmet mirror so I have one practiced move for checking traffic behind me regardless of which bicycle I am on. I also mounted a large multiple LED light which has flash modes and a flashing red Planet Bike Blinky on my helmet so I have the same setup from bike to bike.

I use a standard rear bike rack on the Dahon mated to an expandable trunk bag. This preserves the narrow profile of the bike for city riding and does not pose additional wind drag on the bike since the bag is directly behind me. Some Dahon rear racks are so low they are unusable for side panniers due to heel strike issues and road clearance.

vik - Thanks for coming back to the thread and clarifying this a little. When I'm ready I'll talk to Thor to double check the sizing re the Big Apple's

puppy. - Wow!!!! Talk about customizing. I'll look up the Kojaks too.

BTW, I'm still breaking in my D7 or whather the D7 is breaking me in.

I adapted a bought-from-the-store tote or shopping bag. I added some straps (hidden from the camera) to attach it to the bike. I am developing, and in the process of writing right now, sewing patterns & instructions on how to make or adapt your own bags. I will be offering these patterns (not the actual bags themselves) at my online store located at my Website series listed below coming very soon. It takes some time to not only write but to test the process to make sure it is as accurate and simple as possible for the home sewer. For that particular bag idea, I already completed the photos and most of the instructions. I have yet to make about 2 or so more bags and then they will be ready for offering online (I hope next month before the end-of-the-year holidays rush starts). I can assure you right now that I will keep the prices inexpensive just like a fabric store does.

Just keep coming back to this forum for further updates.

No problemo - the only size that will fit your bike is the 406 x 50mm....you'll have to play with the fenders a bit, but it will fit. There nothing narrower than 50mm in the BAs and I don't think the wider tires will fit your fork - definitely not with fenders.