i would buy this dahon curl if it is below 5k

But the bent frame is too ugly wor....... and three speed? Remember to consider resale value.

I am still waiting They launched once but failed because it was too expensive. They used the highly advanced internal geared crank called Schlumpf system and internal gearings at the rear. This makes the bike hyper expensive. They retracted the launch and went back to the drawing boards. Now they have announced that the re-launching is in Spring this year. Keeping my finger crossed. I too, budget about 5K too for the bike.

I am not worried about the 3 speed of the bike. As long as the rear hubs width is the standard 135mm as opposed to Brompton's 128mm , it's fine. I can fit in the Shimano Alfine 11 speed or the Rohloff 14 speed into it without modifications to the frame. Also it is a full 18 inch bike, bigger than a B, lighter than a B, folds smaller than a B and most important, modificatiosn are possible.

Looks like the Curl may be also what I'm looking for. I need a bike that fit in those Samsonite/Delsey XL size hard case around 81 x 55 x 35cm. The B and Eezz didn't cut it. Currently putting a Tern Link D8 detached with Flight-Suit.

I've lift up this IVE, it doesn't have movement like the "B", it's using a internal clamp that can be release from the handle bar. Even there's no suspension block, the ride is still consider good for a 18" wheels.

i can afford a brompton, however i keep questioning myself on a value proposition of it.
within malaysia, my tern p9 will always be the first choice,chunk into car reach and unfold it.
brompton sized is more for overseas travel, where i can just put into my luggage without much problem and carry it along with me whenever i am on public transport.
At cheapest 6sp at RM6700 for a brompton, i am thinking if i should spend that kind of money. Arguably brompton is a different league by its own, but i am not fanboy nor die hard fan.

I need to balance between the price i paid and the utility it provide me with.

having said so if a reasonably priced used B came along before Curl is available, i guess i will still make the jump.

You buy Brompton for its legacy not functionality. It's not a fast nor it can climb hill easily.
Your tern p9 can out ride a Brompton in speed and comfort easily. 😄😄😄

That's why if there is an alternative, i wouldn't think twice to get it.

Having said all that, I would like to have a Brompton one day. 😁😁😁

But sifu, by the time you add Rohloff or Alfine, it is no longer $5k and then the weight goes up.

It's not so much that the B can't go fast. It is more of an effort as the gear ratios are far apart. In ideal conditions, ie wind behind you and flat road, the top gear is pretty quick. But why got ideal condition one, right? More gears simply let you maintain momentum, not necessary any faster or climb higher.

Comfort? The B is not bad with the rear suspension block.

Don't forget there's also the Bike Friday Tikit. Mine goes into a Samsonite.

I would also think twice if I had to pay full new price for one. Both of mine were second hand. I can easily sell them at the same price when time to sell. While is B has very good resale, it has fantastic resale if bought secondhand. I suspect Dahon bought new not so much, but once again secondhand would be ok.

I come across a B for sale once in a while and they get snapped up very quick, even over here in Oz where riding a folding bike is not, errr macho First comment usually, hey that's cute!

Actually I wrote to Dahon to sell me 2 Curl's frame but no response from them...hahahaa My main criteria is the wide range of gears and a Rohloff's 14 speed is equivalent to a 3 x 9 speed and the Alfine slightly less. The Alfine is about 1.5K here with the shifters and chain tensioner and the Rohloff about 3K. That adds up to 8K IF....that's a big IF , the Curl is going for 5K. It still beats the price of a Brompton which is almost 13K if I want to use a Rohloff! The rear triangle itself cost almost 3K and plus the Rohloff another 3K and plus the cost of the Brompton itself that's too much already.

The Bromptons are manufacture in such a way to forbid modifications unless done by them. That's selfish and also they wanted it for a main purpose only, short commuting rides. Off course there are exceptions where others takes it for long tours. It's more of an exception than a norm. That's why they made the rear triangle 115mm wide only. If it was 135mm, me and wife would have been riding it long ago.

Oh ya! Akmal Basikal in Bangsar (agent for Rohloff) did try to expand the rear triangle and fit in a Rohloff. He did it but the lock nuts can't sit properly as he widen each side by 10mm and the hanger plate is at an angle.

This post has been edited by etigge: Feb 18 2016, 09:28 PM

I've had two Alfine bikes before. I sold the first one and immediately regretted the decision. Luck was with me and I had the opportunity to buy another identical bike in better condition and cheaper! Thought I wouldn't ever sell but after a year, I couldn't live with that gap in the ratio, which was at my usual speed, meaning as soon as theres a slight headwind, one ratio down was too low and one up was too high......sigh

Never tried Rohloff or NuVinci but these guys are over 2 kilos, just the hub, no joke! Make the back wheel crash through every slightest imperfection on the road. There's a NuVinci hub for sale here and I was considering it for my single speed bike, but the weight put me off.

A 10mm spread each side is doable, but as you said the dropouts needs to be angled back in....tricky. I guess the B was never intended to go touring or be ridden at high speed. It is just that it feels capable that made people want to do more with it. With demand that high, they won't be coming out with a new frame anytime soon!

Sometimes I wonder why we bother modifying foldies. Some of you would have had ridden single speed BMX or regular bikes and I dont recall having missed not having more gears. You would ride to the capability of the bike and accepted the top speed or you get off and push up that hill. The way I ride my single speed is the same. I ride up to the maximum speed, or speed that I'm comfortable at that moment to stick to it, if my legs start to go too fast, I freewheel for a bit, then crank again. If I start pushing it, I'd soon be wishing I had more gears.

Would like to ask around,
Is it possible to get a 31.6mm seatpost with a length >410mm?

doesn't cut it, I can't just fold it and throw into the bag.

That's why brompton has the best package now.
Until dahon curl comes n kick its arse...
The nearest model to it is the jifo n eezz but with cramped cockpit.

Guys, I am looking for a new 33.9mm seatpost for my dahon bike (max load 100kg and above), any recommendation ? Thanks in advance.

Kimbell JAya has stocks of Lite pro 33.9 x 600mm. But light as it is, Lite pros are rated for riders up to 75 kgs only. If you are heavier but not as tall, so the seat post is not adjusted very high you can still use it. Other brands I have seen is Duccas which I used formerly but it is over RM230. Cheaper ones are from GUB but I don't know if Kimbell has it.