Putting crusier handle bars on Dahon ?
 

I wanted to put some crusier handlebars on a Dahon or Downtube I've got my eye on to help with my health issues and allow me to lean back a bit .

My idea then was to put something llike electras bullhorn handlebars on one of the above , but was advised against by one of the uk stores , because they said it would " throw of the whole geometry of your bike "

Does any one here have any idea what they mean by that i.e. are they talking something to do with the balance of the bike / ride or more the cosmetics , as Im relatively a newbie , I cant tell.

Also , if this is indeed a bad idea i'd be interested to hear any alternative i.e. other handlebars that might be more economical for using.

thanks

fw

Hi fw. That would depend on the bike. Which models of the Dahon and Downtube are you considering or already have?

Also was that the of one UK bike shop? Do you have faith in the expertise? some of the chain stores have sales people and mechanics of variable knowledge and quality. There are even a lot of independent bike shops who make a lot of throwaway comments. I would have thought it was possible with the right folder.

You can put what you like on the bike. On a folder several things will happen:

The fold may no longer fold. Most of the Dahons have the bars on the inside of the fold. Anything you add will foobar this.

The flat bars on the D7 etc are designed not only for use, but for the fold. This may not matter to you.

If you fit bars that move the hands back, (or move the saddle forward) the riding position becomes more upright as the cockpit length decreases.

A bike with a telescopic handlebar post aids fitting.

As the riding position becomes more upright, more weight goes on the saddle. This occasionally prompts grumbles.

The 'one size fits most' ethos of the folding world is just that. You can fiddle with it to get the bike you want. The option on my Dahon was to fit MTB riser bars, which give a light 5 degree backsweep and a 1" lift. The bike is now a perfect fit. But it doesn't fold fully.

The usual method is to get the saddle position correct, and then spend weeks agonising over the bars. You'll get there eventually.

But first decide if you must have a folder that folds. If yes - you may not get it with a h/bar-ecotomy

Hi,

The guy who made that comment was from ChainReactionCycles.

In fact he just responded to my last email and elaboratd more on what he meant by the comment ,

"Yeah it with the folding bike your handlebars would be considerable shorter, although with the longer bars your steering would be more responsive than the shorter bars. In terms of geometry, I have discussed this with a number of colleagues and we have came to the conclusion that the seating position etc. would mean that you could be sitting a lot higher on the bike to feel comfortable.


As I mention if you feel like these are obstacles that you can overcome you are more than welcome to purchase the bars. However we would all love to see a picture of the bike if you decided to purchase the bars. "


FW

Sorry heres a link to the bike I had my eye on.

Im not so bothered about it being a folder, the main reason I looked at this bike was because I wanted something lighter for an e-kit ,and also because it doesnt have the high cross bar that makes nearly every bike a problem for me.

Ive been looking at all kinds of options , including recumbents but its not an easy choice when theres so few here in the uk to try - let alone with the e-kit , thats why i thought a budget bike like this with e-kit and bars would be a good compromise i.e. in the sense i can still use the kit im after (the ezee ) if the bike ( which is only £150 odd ) doesnt work out.

fw

One of the recumbents styles ( the crank forward ) caught my eye because i really need something for the hills , slopes round here , and I'd heard something good- and bad things ( In fact I posted about this here )

At 24 lbs then Zenetik looks like another possible option , although cross bar would admittedly make it an akward one .

The problem is I would need to either assemble it myself ( I am total newbie ) or find someone to do it ( Im way up North so not easy ) in addition to getting hold of the parts .

If you look at the Rans site here , you will see 3 version for Zenetik , but no parts or fully assembled bikes .


fw

Recumbents are generally less effective at climbing. That's pretty well universally accepted. I can personally attest to that as well.

The Nova is a very good option at the $ price but if you have shipped or buy from http://www.velochocolate.co.uk/ you're talking in the region of £400.

I'd give Fudge Cycles in Paddington London a ring on 0208 969 5991. They are very knowledgeable and helpful and technically very capable. I had my Brompton customised there and they did a greart job.

try the Electra Townie handlebars. When you fold turn them to where the bike will fold. Lets you sit in more of a cruiser style. The Aber Hallo may also help to bring the bars back further if needed. http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/technical/aberhallo.htm

I've got a set of SOMA Sparrow bars on my folder
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...i/th_flyby.jpg

http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/accessories/handlebar.htm

It still folds with the bars on the inside
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...th_sparrow.jpg http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...h_sparrow2.jpg

if your talking for your typical person with no health issues Id agree, but if you cant stand or even semi stand ( as is my case ) then I would imagine crankforwards like Zenetik are surely best option ?

I mean , i like folders but uphill sitting is struggle for me , the kit would help though its just that I would like the option of trying to assist more myself than relying on kit , which is exactly what Im afraid of happening if I stick with folder.

If only there were crank forward folders and not the Etta , that looks more like the sort of thing youd expect to see a Ompallumps riding or something.

I cant imagine being a guy riding that thing unless you were one of those repressed transexuals who hated themselves :O

FW

Great pics and nice rig you got there, i like the rustic leather looking seat - its very steam punk.

Are your arms quite relaxed riding this though , that bars look a little wide , or maybe it just me ? :(

yes, I got one reserved for £170 inlcuding shipping from the US brand new , Im very tempted to take it , as it looks very nice .

Yes , I think this would probably work best of all the options perhaps .

I like the sparrow bars too , its just that seem qutie wide in the pics, I gues I better just the stats to be sure though.

fw

Hmm I just checked those sparrows and their actually not that wide at all at 20 inches , the fact the bike can still fold is a nice option too.

Hmmmmm

Do you think Id have a problem selling one of these Downtubes , if the worst came to the worst and things didnt work out ?

it looks the sorta thing that would do well on ebay .

fw

This is a bit off-topic I suppose , but do you think something like the B & M Dynamo charger here is capable of recharging an e-kit i.e. like regen braking ?

fw

The Downtube I have reserved is the Nova 7 sp with the 21 spd derailer dahon / brompton components , its direct fromt the owner ( Jan Yansky sp ? ) whose selling them on ebay right now and going for $250 - $300 or so per auction.

I have an account with package forwarding service in the US that allows me to get things sent at very good prices - nothing against the uk but its a massive savings.

fw

During the day yes when you aren't using the lights. In the long run putting a Son 20 hub built into the front wheel is much nicer but isn't cheap at £170. It's a real investment though and much more efficient for charging and running lights at low speeds with little drag.

Good luck with your Downtube Nova. It's an easy bike to upgrade and has a lovely frame and is nice and light.

forestwolf, are you in the right forum?

http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...Electric-Bikes may be better able to help you put together the right bike.

(never hung out there myself :-) )

Perhaps it belongs in both forums?

wouldnt the the comfort handlepost comfort from the ThorUSA site give me more options to bring the bars further back if I wanted ?

Although its expensive Im thinking that maybe be a better idea to help me stay more upright , Im just nto entirely sure it will fit the Nova thats all.

fw

Possibly. But I noticed he hadn't posted there yet

I'm also thinking of purchasing the comfort handlepost to put on my new Dahon Speed D7. I already know this will fit my bike. Not sure at all if it would fit another maker's folder. Thor (Brakemeister) can definitely answer that one. Give him a call or do a p.m.

Or maybe....because his ears are ringing now because I'm mentioning his name... he'll answer your question via this thread.

I'm hoping the comfort handle post will bring the handlebar closer to me too, which will possible eliminate the need for a Soma Sparrow type handlebar. I just don't know by how much the Comfort handlepost will bring me closer to the handlebars. Would it give me an additional inch or two?

I don't want to get new handlebars to replace the new t-bar that came with the bike, if I can avoid it. If I have to, it would probably be a Soma Sparrow type handlebar so I can maintain, somewhat, the integrity of the fold.

My overall arm reach (in an upright position) is about 17-18 inches. (Yeah I'm short). Even with the Aber Hallo I now have on the handlebar pointing all the way towards me, my reach is only measuring 20-21 inches. This mean that when I'm riding I'm leaning over, more than I wish too.

BTW, As far as I know, the Comfort handlebars are not yet in. Some mixup in the shipment I think, unless that has changed recently

I bought the Sparrow bars to get a different hand position. I prefer the swept bars. The width of the bars on my bike is 520, but they also make a 490.
http://store.somafab.com/sosp490bar.html
I really like the brooks flyer saddle.