No, you can keep the FD on hold first. You need to get the shifters which comes in a pair, both L + R. So , you just use the right hand side first and keep the L for later upgrade for the FD. I suggest going for 9 speed first. So, Accera RD , 9 speed cassette, Accera 9 speed shifters, a set of cable and housing, 9 speed chain and the wheelset off course. That's about RM400 and add another RM350 for the wheelset, it's RM750.

Can be done. Maybe they never did it before. You need to change the V-brakes to C-brakes (road bike brakes). Also needs some slight mods regarding the brake mountings. Either that or get the V-brake extensions which ironically Jimmy has stock.

For folding bikes, most if not all try to minimize their selling price by cutting cost on the OEM components. Needless to say, most are already made in China. As for your question, YES, it does make a difference but quite minimal. The hubs and of your Route is the basic cone bearings and uses hubs with freewheel on the cogs. These kind tends to wobble a bit and at times gear shifting are not crisp. That's why they can only go to 7 speed and there are 8 speed cogs, that's the maximum I have seen. Because the tolerance level of the 8,9,10 and now 11 speed are so minimal, these old freewheel at the cogs system can't be used. That's why the cassette type was invented. SO, in other words, the cassette type hubs performs way better than the old system in terms of gear shifting. Your basic rims are single walled, they are light but not strong and after a few hard knocks , the alignments goes out of line and it wobbles. The Speed P8 uses double walled rims, hence, they are better and as they keep their shaped better, they rolls better.

Riders are lucky now as the after market components are getting cheaper and easier to get. 3 years ago, you need to order online just to get some parts and those days, to change a wheelset will set you thousands. The price was higher than the bike itself!

I know, it's hard to justify changing to better components so, just consider carefully your interest in the activity. Will you use it a lot? If not, stay with the present and if you want to mod, go all out ( at least till the major improvements), don't just change a few minor items and this doesn't affect the riding comfort at all. One thing I do notice is, if you don't upgrade, the money seems to flow in other direction and you still spend it and if you did, the major improvements will be there year after year.

Depends on which model. Sora groupset is not expensive. Furthermore, the most expensive component of the road bike group set is the brifters (shifter and brake levers) and most probably the said Sora don't use one. You can easily get a Dahon Route or a Dahon Boardwalk and change to 9 speed with the same amount of money used to ship one in. In fact some components could be better and another few hundred can get 18 speed already. How much is the shipping charges anyway?

Once I wanted to order the Dahon Cheetah (same as Dash) frame and they quoted RM400 just to ship in.

You can change sides if you so wish. Some wants it the other way some wants it as what the shifters are. Right shifters shifts the back gears and so does the brakes and same goes with the left shifters for front gears and also the brakes. Once you get used to it, make sure you stick to the same side because in my case, I use the rear brakes more. Rear brakes to slow down and front brakes to stop. Before stopping you have to slow down. Too much front brakes or only front brakes will bring your tail up and your head down onto the tarmac! Also when you brake front and it skids........... nothing you can do to correct it and you will fall and if rear wheels skids, you can still control.

As a guide , usually the right is for the rear brakes.

There are 2 types of inner tubes and one of them are made of butyl rubber and the other .............well, normal lah. Butyl rubber is synthetic but it non air permeable or lesser. So this inner can last longer but also it's more expensive. Then at times, I see those bicycle shops sells normal price regardless whether it's butyl or not. As a guide, buy inner tubes that are in a box and branded. Usually ranging from RM12 to RM18 per piece. I also noted that presta heads seems to last longer after filling.

This post has been edited by etigge: Jul 5 2015, 12:27 PM

The Dahon Dash P18 is actually a foldable mini velo, mini velo means 'mini racing bike'. From the description you know it means a faster bike than the usual foldies. The Dahon Dash is quite peculiar when it was sold here because they were shodded with a broader tires than most mini velos. But most of the users usually changed to thinner tires to minimize rolling resistance and to maximize speed. Another advantage of the Dash is the conventional triangle frame which is stronger than the dolphin design or the one toptube design. So the strength of the frame gives a better ride.

In this case, the main criteria for the Dash is the speed and stability of a folding bike. The fold although cannot fold more compactly than the usual folding bike is also quite useful for carrying in the car boot. It's mainly for those who desire conventional frame geometry and speed but with the convenience of folding. If compactness is ultimate, then the Dash is not suitable. There is a few Dahon Dash users who can actually tail usual road bikers in Kesas. Actually they want to 'kacau' them. More accurately they use another version of Dash (non folding type)

Mine was actually a 2013 Dahon Dash P18 (the white with blue stripes). Originally 'Made in Taiwan' version. I was trying to sell it when I wanted to buy a mountain bike but I modded it to 20 speed and users won't pay 3K to 4K for a used bike. So I went further and modded it to Dahon Dash X20. But nowadays it is just hanging on the wall, hahahaa Seldom use. Here's the picture of mine.

I am using the 'L' size although the 'M' suits me better. Anyway , it's still OK. The latest Dash that are coming has reverted to V-brakes again. Many dis-approved of the disc brakes. Anyway, for 406 or 451 front wheels, it's better to have hubs that are 73mm width to strengthen the spokes angle and this cannot be acheived with disc brakes as with disc brakes the minimum width has to be 100mm. That off course can be aountered with more spokes.

"new bike price?" The Dahon Dash X20 cost S$2200 when it was sold but has been discontinued already. Even that uses 406 rims but the new Dash 2015 is 451 already. New price for Malaysian Dash is 2.8K already.

Basically all that you mentioned falls under the same category. Boardwalk, Speed are chromoly steel, an alloy of a few metals which makes the frame lighter with smaller and thinner tubes. Also the shock absorbing properties of the alloy makes riding comfortable. Drawback is it needs proper care. It doesn't rust easily but it will if not taken care. The rest are aluminium which is harsher when riding as it is very rigid. Some designs are bulky due to the thickness and bigger size needed for strength.

The Boardwalk is already D8 locally unless you see the Akibo ( The japanese local market Boardwalk which is maroon colour). The MU, Tern Links are dolphin design, the most copied designs for folding bikes. The Speed is a classic workhorse. Actually very nice to ride long distance. Dahon even made a model tourer with the frame. I think whichever model you choose is quality assured. Except that , just like I mentioned again and again, the higher price does not justify the performance as it is basically just the same as the other Dahons. Also there are many Dahon patented technology that Terns are not allowed to use, like Dahons folding handle post, Dahons folding hinges.

Folded size is almost the same but the Terns folds slightly bulkier. I think you should go for either the Dahon Speed or the Dahon MU. It's just a matter of which frame metal. Why don't you visit Kimbell Jaya in Bdr. Hussein Onn adn ask Jimmy to put both bikes on a trainer and ride and see. Maybe you can ride around beside the shop if there are no cars parked there. That's the sure way of choosing which you liked as you have shortlisted most of the same catergory.

Regardless of which frame materials you choose, our riding doesn't demand the or rather we won't notice the speciality of it. That's because we will never, as recreational riders ever max out the use. So, I don't see any worries over which materials choosen. Dalloy is just some fancy mancy name for butted aluminum. Yes maybe, some different properties which we can't dispute as Dr.Hon WAS an aerospace engineer before. But it is still butted aluminium where the ends are thicker for stronger welding. Other bike manufacturers also uses butted tubes and many others also hydroformed them into special shapes for extra rigidity. Sonus tubing is supposed to be oversized tubes for stronger frame but anything oversize will have increase in strength , doesn't it? Hi-Ten steel in Dahon terms maybe means their 4130 chromoly. Other types of chromoly are Reynolds 530 which is more popular and also Raleigh have their 501 tubing which is also chrome-moly. Like I mentioned before, we won't max out the capability of the bikes so I prefer to choose the aesthetical properties of the mentioned bikes.

But as a consideration, I will explain why I sold the Vigor in favour of keeping my Speed . The Dahon Speed rides very quiet and not so bumpy over gravel roads. Then I got the Dahon Vigor when it was launched! I like the design but upon riding, I find it too light because the usage of the said Dalloy aluminum. Because of this, the bike rides harsher and also the rear jumps higher over bumps making riding really uncomfortable. To be fair, I changed the original Schwalbe Big Apple for Schwalbe Marathon Supreme and even with smaller width tires, the ride is better than the Vigor. Also because of the strength of Dalloy, the tubes are thinner in nature and this creates a 'clack, clack clack' sound when the bike flexes. It's similar to carbon fibre bikes. Too irritating for my preference. I like my bike to be super silenced. Only the rear hubs which I usually add grease to mute it out also, is heard.

As for Vitesse or also known as Formula in US, I can't comment. Never tried it before. I never like the extra bracing on the top tube welded to the seat tube.

This post has been edited by etigge: Jul 6 2015, 08:07 PM

Are those for lights? Why don't you just use regular O-rings of the same size. Can be found on most hardware shops. Only don't have an elongated part to pull that's all.

If taking currency exchange into account, then the selling price will be over 3K, my guess. Before this the estimated price was RM2899 already. From what I heard, the container has already landed on our shores months ago but there's some misunderstanding on the description on invoice.

Garmin GPS holders are also fixed onto handlebars the same way and their rubbers are also without the handle section and it works just fine. No problems. They are stretchable anyway, I don't think it is hard to take off or put on.

This is a China made unit, at least that's my guess. Only brought in by GS Bikes in Kota Kemuning. Careful of Gary though, he's not very honest. Dealt with him once and he sold me a faulty product which he did not want to replace. Also a fellow rider bought a Dorcus mini velo from him and he didn't do the final inspection and the left side crank came off when she did the first ride. Most of these importers ordered their products from Taobao.

Here's the link. Only Renmibi 1600. How much is he selling?

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r....bucket=8#detail

There are a few reasons or it can be a few of the reasons mentioned below.

01. Loose seat post clamp 02. Loose saddle mounting 03. Cranks not tightened enough 04. There's a kink in the chain ( but this can be isolated easily) 05. Plainly like I described, it's the Dalloy. Thinner aluminum which flexes.

For reason no.5, you can do much about it. As for tire pressure wise, check the range on the tire sidewalls. Usually about 20% to 25% less than the maximum stated should be fine. But it also depends on your weight though. If your weight is average , 50 to 75 kilos, then the mentioned pressure is OK. If you are overweight , like I am, I usually go maximum.

Wah! this guy even carry an electric fan for bike camping!

You mentioned the worst commented bike shop ! Actually Dahon has many dealers. GW Cycle in Kota Kemuning, My Bike Shop in Bandar Utama (although this shop prefers to sell Terns) , Tat Seng in Taman Anggerik, Cheras, TBFS in Sungei Way, Joo Ngan Son in Uptown, Samy near Batu Caves and many many more. But please do check with Kimbell Jaya in Bdr Tun Hussein Onn as the last place to visit. Then you can compare if Kimbell Jaya is the cheapest.

Did you actually check with other bike shops?

Tat seng is the most exspensive bike shop in Klang Valley. MBS also kalah! You are so near to Kimbell Jaya. It's near the Cheras Saga Highway. 10th mile just before the second toll. Junction to Bdr Mahkota and Bdr Tun Hussein Onn. Take the right turn to Cheras Perdana after just opposite the Petron petrol Station (along the row of shops lah, not directly opposite)

If the rims were shodded with the same tires, I say the difference is minimal. for 22inch or 451 , the tire choice is limited to thinner tires only, the widest is 1.3 inch. the wider the tires, the more resistance, meaning it needs more effort to pedal, especially uphill. But on the other side of the coin, smaller diameter makes pedaling easier. So, there are pros and cons. So this means it is actually easier to pedal a 20 inch foldie than a 22 inch unit. Why don't you change the existing tires with smaller width tires, like the Kenda Kontender. It will ease the pedaling but it will be bumpy as narrower tires needs more air pressure and will be hard on your bump.

Changing to bigger rims makes pedaling harder, Adding another chainring will definitely help. This will add more lower gears, thus making pedaling much easier BUT it will be slower. Riding uphill needs practice and you need to build your stamina over time. You did not mention what kind of bike nor what size the front chain ring is. It will be easier to suggest if you did. Check the number of teeths your chainring have, if it has 53 or 52, you can change to 48 teeth unit and this might help.

Summary

smaller diameter rims easier to pedal than bigger
narrower tire width easier to pedal but harsh ride because high pressure
the more gears you have, gets more choice on ratios, more lower gears means each gear drop, gets easier and easier to pedal but slower speed.

This post has been edited by etigge: Jul 14 2015, 03:55 PM

Many are quite wrong about smaller wheeled bikes. Every size is compensated by gearings in limited situations. A 20 inch folding bike can be ridden 18/20kmh cruising easily( for us I mean). A Brompton is a 16 inch bike and so are many more. It all comes to gearings. As I mentioned earlier,the smaller the wheel,the easier to pedal but not necessary faster, just pedaling effort s lighter. I think it is not worthy to add another RM400 to add another chainring but consolation though is the better added components can be transferred to the new bike if you changed bike later. I doubt she can be pedaling like hamster when going uphill,that means she is strong. Furthermore, one can go higher gear if pedaling is too light.

Bigger wheels does not equal to better efficiency. You need energy to turn them. Every inch the tires grips the terrain, there will be friction. That's why road bikes uses the narrowest tires for less resistance and the bigger diameter for more distance per turn of the crank. But this needs energy just like a smaller wheels. If you see mountain bikes, their cranks goes to 44 teeth only as opposed to road bike's 53 teeth ,because mountain bike tires are wide and resistance is high. Off course in a race, speed is required but you also need to be able to finish the race. To tackle over rough terrains, you need many low gears and that's why mtb have the widest range.

15km/h is not that hard actually. I think just change to 1.5 inch tires or 1.3 tires like Kojak and if that still dn't help, change to 48 teeth cranks. That will make pedaling much easier but you will have to be slower to accompany her.