How long to get used to the steering?
 

I bought a Dahon Boardwalk S1 earlier this week from a local bike shop. I haven't been on a bike in 7 years. I used to ride my mountain bike all the time, but it was always a struggle to get it on the bike rack and riding around the neighborhood got boring. The Dahon Boardwalk was the right price for my first folding bike, and it fits into the back of my Honda Fit without even folding the rear seats down!

The first two days I just rode the Dahon up and down the street a few times to get my bike legs back without making my over-50 self crippled. Today I took it for a mile ride along my neighborhood sidewalks, which required many turns. I felt like a kid learning to balance while steering again! I tried making a sharp right turn and ended up missing the sidewalk and getting stuck in grass. :eek: Fortunately, no one can recognize me with my helmet and sunglasses on. :D

Is there a trick to steering, or do I just need more practice? Maybe I was too tense? Any advice?

it should be an easy transition since you've been riding a bike before. it took me about 20 minutes to get used to it's twitchy handle and after that it's been a smooth ride for me. did you buy your boardwalk brand new ? i am guessing maybe there's something you need to adjust on the handlepost/bar that's making it hard for you to handle. as you know smaller folding bikes are even better to ride on a tight road or busy street as you can turn it easily. if not then obviously, more practice is needed.

Hi welcome to the fold. Check the tyres are correctly inflated. And (silly point I know) , sometimes forks are the wring way around! Seen it sevral times on new bikes. Else pratice, don't over steer,just lean around corners.

I bought it brand new from a bike shop that had every type of bike imaginable, the kind of shop where the work area is huge and right out in the open, with the smell of rubber and oil and...well, bike! The owner inflated the tires before I test-rode it, and he handed it off to one of the shop guys to do some kind of prep work (don't know what; I was too busy yapping) while we did the paperwork and payment.

I'm sure the forks were turned the right way. The front reflector prevents it from turning backwards (don't ask how I discovered that :lol:).

I'll check the tire pressure.

I did definitely over-steer and I certainly didn't lean! I was too busy trying to stay upright! I definitely need more practice.

Thanks! I absolutely adore this bike and I can tell it won't be my last!

I went from a bog standard mountain bike to a Dahon Mu. 20 inch wheels. Everything on the bike was firm and you really feel the power going down. Steering wasnt a big issue though. The tip I got was look ahead and steer accordingly. You will soon get comfortable. Welcome to the fold.

Yep what you are feeling is exactly what my wife also described when I got her a folder. She was very unsure but got used to it very quickly. So I would call perhaps a week, riding a bit every day. She got so used to it that she is now going shopping on it, loading it heavily. :thumb:

Hi,

Small wheeled bikes are twitchy if you try steering
them, better to just lean and let the steering go
with the flow, sometimes easier said than done.

Tense is bad - you will wobble at low speed.

rgds, sreten.

Moderate the steering with a light touch and practice, keep riding.

Im riding with stuff on the front of my quick steering, low-trail bikes..

Mass steadies the steering at all but the slowest speeds..

I'm doing much better now, thanks to everyone's advice. I realized that I was, indeed, looking down when I turned instead of following my nose. :) And way too tense, holding the handlebars in a vice grip.

I have a new problem, but I'll start a different thread on that.

Hi,

Find a car park / open area. Do big figure of eights pedalling all
the time. Knock it down in size just pedalling through the centre.
Ramp up your speed with experience. Look where you are going.

rgds, sreten.