Samo's 2009 Curve SL
 

While waiting for my ultimate badass folding bike to be delivered to me, I needed something to keep my interest alive and occupied.. So, having being inspired by an older couple and their little bikes, I took the bite by ordering a 16" foldie.

This also partly because larger foldies are not allowed on Komuter train anymore (some ****heads brought their bikes to the train and created a stir recently, prompting KTM to charge RM10 for bikes that are considered as 'oversized' luggage).

That said, my journey to 'downsizing' began with an inquiry to my Dahon dealer. I was told that all high-end 2011 models for the 16" wheelers are delayed in the production line. *ouch!*

But I was lucky as there was a NIB bike in the company's inventory from their Indonesian counterpart. And it would take about two week for it to be delivered to KL and after a brief wait, it arrived...

So, here are some photos of my new ride:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5019/...f23a7674_b.jpg

My boy, keeping an eye on the precious bike in the box..

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/...3999f0a7_b.jpg

Ergon grips

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/...e1d69552_b.jpg

Shimano Capreo hub and cassette

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/...516e6a3c_b.jpg

The shifter

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/...61236ff1_b.jpg

FSA Crankset

Sam

Hey samo...we've got the same box. i got one too (ha, ha, ha). NICE bike and love the CAPREO. i was also looking at that 9 speed capreo but they are all soldout here in USA so i ended up getting the 8 speed nexus. haven't had the time to work on it though. mine is still folded with all these paper protections all over the frame.we'll see this weekend.

You're collecting folding bikes aren't you? hahaha! yeah we all just need another excuse for one more bike. I'm not one to judge since between my wife and I we have like 4 bikes for 2 people. 2 mtn bikes and 2 folders.

Very nice pics. Good looking dog too!

The 8-speed Nexus is cool! Love the black Curve SL!

That's really cool buddy!

Thanks for your kind words..

Here's more pix of my ride..

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/...c11be320_b.jpg

A closer look at the Capreo rear derailleur..

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/...df15d465_b.jpg

MKS MT-E quick release pedals

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5091/...9462e3d7_b.jpg

I didn't really like the frame colour, guess I'll have to get used to it..

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5019/...b3f0e111_b.jpg

A family photo of our 16" bikes.. They are so cute!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5293/...be44b729_b.jpg

My bike with a set of Ortlieb frontroller panniers

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/...ee64bff0_b.jpg

You can go anywhere with these babies!

Sam

your SL comes with the fenders and rear rack ?

nice bike.

Congratulations! Nice pair of Curves!

Is it an optical illusion, or does the SL have a longer wheelbase than the D3? :twitchy:

You're right now that you mention it I remember this was one of the changes made to the later ones.

Beautiful bikes. While Brompton and Tikit get all the attention, the Curve is still my favorite 16" folder.

Nice folder.

I'm a bit worried about the unsupported left side spokes though. The extra length of spoke before the bend may lead to premature failure at the elbow. See here. Use of spoke washers may be called for here.

Its been two weeks or more since I got my Dahon Curve SL and boy! This lil bike can really fly!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/...6ca66125_b.jpg

Well, it would be unreal to say that this small bike handles like a regular bicycle. To be frank, its fast and nippy!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/...3eb0b30b_b.jpg

The Samos and their Dahon Curves

Sam

March 28 update


Ahh.. Another good day! I've added a Minoura Space Bar to double the lighting intensity on my evil little foldie.. Meet the Dahon Curve SLBE (Brutal Edition). Now, its ready to take on the streets of Kuala Lumpur!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/...7323599d_b.jpg

The bike, with an extended bar to house two flashlights..

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/...b2ac3467_b.jpg

Meet the twins!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/...b1a7ea30_b.jpg

Since the water bottle cage space was taken up by my biologic airhorn's reserviour, I use a Minoura bottle cage adaptor on the handlepost and integrated a Topeak two-timer pump..

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/...823263a2_b.jpg

Meet the twins..

Sam

was wondering the carrier is that a 20 incher ? Looks like its a little high and tilted backwards a bit....
which might just be a real cool idea to get a little more heel clearance ...
let us know will ya
awesome
thor

Awesome stuff. Thanks for sharing.

Hey Thor - Yeah, it was an Arclite rack for my Speed P8. I bent it a bit to fit the Curve SL, plenty of clearance including space for my Ortlieb frontroller panniers..

Much obliged buddy! ;)

Sam :D

Congratulations on your choices! Both bikes look really neat!

There's something wrong with that dog's...hmm...private part.

17 posts and no one's pointed that out.

Just sayin...

I do concur on the nice bikes.

Thanks buddy! ;)

Hhahah!!!! My boy's modesty is showing in the pix.. Sorry! :p

Sam

Congrats! My first folder would have been a Curve if I was a wee bit shorter. I liked the folded size, cost and the 16" x 2.0" tires. Looks like you guys are having a great time riding yours...enjoy...:thumb:

Great photos and congrats on your new Curve SL! IMO it is a very underrated folder, combining great ride performance with a very compact fold.

Now I'm thinking I need that 20" inch rack and panniers. Combined with a Klickfix backpack attached to the seatpost(or handlepost) the bike should be capable of hauling a pretty decent load for short tours. You say heel strike isn't a problem?

One upgrade you might want to consider is the Ergon GC3 grips. Since I added them I feel like I can comfortably ride much longer distances.

BTW - Vik the newer Curve SL's have 1.5" Marathon Racers(to fit the fenders? plus lighter and maybe faster). I don't notice too much of a difference as the roads where I ride in Yokohama are smooth - If I lived in the states I would change to 2.0 Big Apples.

Thanks for your kind words buddy!

Yeah Owen, you should give the 20" rack a try.. Plenty of legroom!

And your flickr photos are really inspiring.. ;)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/...c5bf4deb_b.jpg

My lil bike takes me places!

Sam

samo,

i have this bike light on my speed TR. runtime may just be around 1-2 hours but it's so bright. it is s cree led. check it out. http://www.dealextreme.com/p/flood-t...nt-3-aaa-26800