Dahon Folding Bicycle, reviews and suggestions?
I haven’t ridden a bike in 15 years. I’m 23. Anyway, I saw a Dahon bike and thought it was perfect for me because of my size.
I am 5′4″ and before I knew of this brand, I was thinking of getting myself a kids bike or a bmx bike. I don’t feel comfortable being on a bike where I’m barely touching the ground from where I’m sitting, like an adult bike..
Anyway, I went a local bike shop and the have one that I was looking at online. It looks good to me, but I don’t want to buy something that’s not good for me.
The guy at the store basically said it’s not a good bike because of it’s shakiness but my friend and I came to the conclusion that this guy is a professional bike rider so going from a very expensive bike to this would be a very drastic stepdown. I don’t plan on doing any serious riding. The bike path is paved and is quite a distance long going from where i live to the next town over and I think to the town of the other side of me..
What are your personal reviews and suggestions for me?
Related Blogs
- Presenting The All New High Tech “Hornet” Bike From Liam Ferguson …
- EcoVelo » Blog Archive » Dahon Mu Uno
- EcoVelo » Blog Archive » Thor USA Custom Belt Drive Dahon
- Dahon unveils new folding bike bags – China Post | Bike Seats …
- BMX Boys Have A Lot Of Fun: This Saturday in Ryde | Isle of Wight …
- Ben Lewis and Bengo give us the lowdown on the new Fit Benny L frame
- Ride BMX UK Magazine – Issue 138
- Creative Kid Mobility: Bike to Baby Stroller in Seconds | A Green …
Tags: Bicycle, Dahon, folding, Reviews, suggestions
If you don’t need the folding feature don’t get a folding bike. They are heavy and inefficient. At 5 ‘ 4″ you want to get an adult bike. You should not be able to touch the ground while you are in the saddle, if you can it is not adjusted properly. For bike paths look for a bike like this, you will be much happier.
http://www.forgebikes.com/athenav.asp
Well, I don’t know what the guy is talking about on the shakiness. You’re right these bikes are not racers they are utilitarian to get from point A to point B then back to A with ease. It’s a folding bike intended for quick on and off public transportation or in and out of a trunk of a car.
It’s not the fastest out there as far as the world of folding bikes is concerned, but it is a very good bike with good components. I’ve see this bike in a folding bike competition and it did very well.
A lot of the road bike manufacturers are catering to the female consumer with woman specific bikes nowadays and it could be the guy at the shop was trying to steer you in that direction. Terry is a company that only makes bikes for women. Other companies with expensive female road bikes are: Marin, Kona, Giant, Trek, Orbea, Cannondale, Fuji and BH. I’ve seen the Giant and it’s expensive for a reason.
Now I don’t know if you’ve considered cruisers, but they make a new version of them that have pedals forward from where you sit so that the seat can be lower and your feet can go flat on the ground while still seated. The Electra Townie is one a friend of mine bought and rides the hills and dales of Portland on.
But, the Dahon is good don’t get me wrong! Good luck in your choice!
My experience building Dahons are that they are junk. The wheels were very hard to true and I recall that it was also unnecessarily hard to adjust (It’s been a couple years since I worked at that shop). To be honest Dahon bicycles have negatively affected my opinion on korean quality.
Listen if the guy who sells Dahons was trying to steer you away from purchasing the bicycle then heed his advice!
Is there any reason you need a folding bicycle? I think the B.M.X route might be a good for you – if you spend the same amount of money you can get a quality B.M.X bicycle, that is fun to ride, and probably improve your balancing.
Everyone here has made valid points. I’ll add that buying a folder is spending money on a problem (transport) that doesn’t exist. In exchange for the convenience of a folding bike, Dahon is outfitting the bike with cheaper components.
If you’re so concerned about your ability to put your foot on the ground with your tush remaining seated, consider a semi-recumbent bike. The Townie (by Electra) and the Pure (by Trek) are two such bikes.
Folding bikes are for specific purposes such as being in an environment with no security -so the bike has to go with you, (apartment dwellers) or where the bus/trains do not have bike racks.
Making a bike fold well is expensive; to hold the price point, other compromises have to be made.
There is NO WAY anyone can make a folding bike as rigid as its non-folding counterpart . Close, but not as rigid long term.
I have been involved in the testing and assembly of quite a few folding bikes. Yes I one one.To get a good one costs some significant money. they do exist (Brompton, Montague, Swiss, and higher end Dahon).
However, As you approach the $1000 mark for a good folder, ask yourself why do I have to have a folder?
There are better ways to get small frame bikes, and ‘feet forward’ bikes such as the Giant Suede and Electra Townies and others, that allow you to be adjusted correctly but still let you be flat footed when stopped. Don’t get your feet TOO far forward, you lose the ability to stand/put weight on the pedals.
Go to a FAMILY not a RACING bike shop. they will have more of what you are looking for.
Ask/search for flat footed, crank forward, feet forward bikes.