Don't think too much. 1.5k only get you so far.
Sora no good for RB. Hmmmm… u gotta raise your budget liao… say 3.5k maybe…
Really, it's all about how big a budget you have…
Its very normal to set a budget and demand more with the same money. I lagi worst，I want a 2kg bike for 150ringgit.

This post has been edited by KenC: Aug 6 2017, 06:00 PM

Haha okok, thanks bro.

i know sometime brand do make some different interms of quality and riding feel. dahon quality are different than java. for me, i had ride java before, the only different is the wobble and folding mechanisme different on both brand.

dahon have been into folding industry for more than 35years. the rnd do have improvement from time to time. u pay some premium price for a good frame compare to gearing and other component. and off coz, all can be upgraded accept the frame.

here is some proof of it.


this afternoon my friend rb had a spoke broken and flat tyre. it happens 3km before we reach our rv point to end the ride. so i had to carry him in oder to save time.

my weight is 80kg
my friend weight is 80kg
the bike weight with accessories is more than 12kg

the total load on my dahon speed p8 is 160kg and still rocks without any problem 😉

Haaa… see u die or not… brand/no brand/brand/no brand… how you choose oso wrong LOL

If you got hooked on cycling, you will eventually buy more bicycle than you have space to keep. So really the 1st bike is not important.
If you don't get hook, you will just throw away give away or sell away. You won't care what happen o your 1st bike…
If you buy because ppl have you also must have… you have lor, doesn't matter how it rides…
Just close your eye and buy any bike la, either way You won't keep it as family heirloom wan la.

This post has been edited by KenC: Aug 6 2017, 11:37 PM

wow ur rear rack really power la.. can withstand 80kg

i have both bikes. Dahon speed and TRS (probably the same frame as Java). i somehow share the same view with you zam.

that rear rack looks like a tern rear rack. but the rack, it shouldnt be something that we should be worrying at. a damaged rack would only cost you rm250, while a damaged frame would cost you, well, almost the whole bike. but seems like the dahon frame was able to take such a load. now, that's quality! i wouldnt dare to test that on my bike though

This post has been edited by fatani: Aug 7 2017, 08:43 AM

From my observation/research, frame is not that expensive (non fiber lah), the expensive are the other parts like a good groupset can cost 2-3x more than the frame itself. Light wheels are costly.

Though it may be true to some extents, dahon do not sell the frame alone, at least not to my knowledge. In the end, either have to buy a new bike (or a used one), or get a fnhon frame.

and there are really a shortage of choices readily available for folding bike frames (and probably minivelos too), compared to their MTB and RB cousins.

This post has been edited by fatani: Aug 7 2017, 10:14 AM

before this i tested with 50kg man with 5km ride. also no problemo!

before i had tern, or any bike u've seen here,.. i was a mongoose user. modified it till the max, change everything accept handlepost and frame.later i bought dahon vybe @ or JDM name is route for my wife use. that time (3 years ago i think, that time rodalink is malaysia dahon distributor) the cheapest dahon is dahon vybe with 7speed freewheel..

after a few ride,
i felt dahon got good riding feel. i feel more stable, solid and can handle many situation and road condition. i sold mongoose and get the verge p9 (the lowest model for verge that time). modified it until what it is now before later getting more bike

its dahon rear rack. the same version as dahon speed TR rack. not the new version of dahon rear rack..


i bought used groupset (complete), much cheaper than new one.

Hey, that thing in the head tube, what is it called? Valet truss or something. Mind sharing where did you get it and how much?

The red Dahon speed frame, i donno la, but i never get tired of looking at it..

Here's mine.

oh,that one is light adapter. supposedly to fit at fork.since dahon got those hole i put there..later i put front rack without any disturbance

See even Sifu Zam got rid of his 1st bike eventually. Until he know what he want.

depends on ur needs ken, feel and pocket also

And usually the better bike we buy for wife… who usually don't ride… LOL

Which we have no idea when we buy the 1st bike.

oh ya, i gave my vybe to my sister for free after modding it to 18speed and get the speed p8 for my wife..

of coz,
thats why we have a topic here. as a reference for newcomers. my 1st impression on buying my 1st bike "my new bike must have many gears" and later check for the folding mechanism..

after riding few bikes, few ride and ride with friend also,
u will know what u want. and if pocket permits, can change new bike or get a used one...its never ending upgrades when friends do keep spraying poison for u

i am now considering ditching my tern p9 20" wheel and get instead a fnhon 16".
i want to go all way for portability instead on a good balance.