Hey all, this is my first post here so please bear with me.

I have a Dahon Eco 3 with what appears to be a DAHONSTAJ1 stem. Anyway, the stem is welded to the handlebars. I want to put drops on the bike, but can't with this set up. I do a bit of long distance riding, not overly far (100km - 400km each time) and usually use my steel cx bike for this purpose. I got to thinking my folder would probably put up well with the right adjustments. Plus it's lighter than my cx bike and stores easier on trains and buses when I finish those rides as they are my transportation back home.

My questions are:

(I) Can I maybe cut the stem with a pipe cutter (this guy looks like he did it https://theeverydaycyclist.wordpress....0%93-stem-mod/) and throw some drops on there, or is there a stem for purchase that may be easier? I saw a DAHONREVSTEM online, but I live in South Korea, not sure I can find a correct dealer.

(II) I have a complete drive train with 52x39x25 crankset and 11/32 cassette with brifters, fd and rd I just took off the cx bike. Can I get a shop to put this on the Dahon? Will it even work? Currently it's a 7-speed little monster. I ask here because my Korean is limited, and sometimes I find the mechanics here won't think outside the box when it comes to modifying bicycles.

Cheers for any input. Greatly appreciate any before I go trying to mangle my bike since I don't quite know what I'm doing to even attempt it.

First off, welcome aboard!

I'd recommend not chopping up your Dahon stem in the hopes of a drop bar + STI conversion. If you cut your stem and it doesn't work for whatever reason, you've pretty much destroyed any value of your bike, which is now a pile of parts.

I have no idea what the folding market in S. Korea is like, but I'd try and start with a different folding frame if drops + STI is your goal. Someone recently posted the Nashbar $99 deal on the Fuji Marlboro folding frame here in the US. I have one of those original folders and have toyed with the idea of an STI/drop bar combo. Others here have done it.

And as far as asking a shop to do this for you, I think it would be a better learning experience to see if you can do it yourself. Find a mentor, watch free youtube videos online, take a class or two. It's not as difficult as you might think, and it's a skill you will never lose.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.

Thanks for the info. I should say I have four bikes, and buying another (no matter how cheap) is not really possible. I've just got no room for it with my wife's bike, kids' bikes and my four. Thanks for the idea though. Frame prices here? Expensive for good stuff, not so expensive for crappy stuff. Same as other places I guess. When (rather if!) I do something to it, I'll be sure to post back. Still sorting out ideas at present.

for clarification, which stem do you have? the single-piece stem or the two-part telescopic stem? the part number you provided is for the single-piece 1" quill steerer tube type.

https://www.gaerlan.com/dahon/stem.htm

the link for the everyday cyclist shows his modification to his newer, 1 1/8" telescopic type stem.


either way, what you want to do can be done. with the single piece stem you CAN cut it. I've seen it done. however, you will have to cut that stem just below the point at which it begins to taper, otherwise, it will not work. the best way to determine if that will actually work for your desired riding position is to do exactly as everyday cyclist did; buy a MTB stem and attach it to your stem and test ride it. if it works and attaches securely, then you can mark it and cut it.

if your stem is the telescopic type, you can simply remove and measure the diameter of the top section. once you have accurately measured that tubes diameter, you can obtain a length of tubing the same diameter and gauge from a local hardware or plumbing supply store. this way, you will have a new stem while preserving the original.

Thanks again for the info. I have the single-piece steerer tube type. Though I don't know the size. I suppose I should have measured that before posting. I have a stem I took off my cx bike or I could use my MTB stem, thanks for that. I'll need to look into it. I thought about the Dahon Revolve (on the same site you linked, left hand side) and have emailed the site with some questions.

I guess my main thing is will the drive train I mentioned work on this folder? Proably not anyone can answer without trying it, right? I figure it will unless there is something screwy with an odd-sized bb. If it won't fit, I've no need to tinker with the stem because I like the bike just fine as is for a commuter and riding with the family, but was thinking it could also make a good long-distance ride as well.