The Curl has been around even before the Qix folding mechanism of the EEzz is invented. At that time, Brompton's 30 years patent haven't expire yet and also when the first launch was done, they made a mistake of pricing the Curl way too high as they had the Schlumpf Drive ( front internal crank gears) and also a rear internal gear incorporated. Although very ideal gear systems, it was too expensive for an unproven model. That's why it failed and over the years they display it in every bicycle exhibitions but fail to launch. Even now, they launched first with kick starter program and later the limited edition series.

I would have bought two if it was launched a few years ago and even after requesting through email for special 2 units (it was sold in US then) , they ignored my email without reply. The hump, some say 'UGLY' is subjective la. The hump is needed to accommodate the wheels (18 inch, bigger than the Bs) under the frame when folded. It folds more compact than the Brompton worr! But look at their other innovation, the stronger and lighter square top tube and especially the rear triangular latch connector which is like a non fold when unfolded. The Curl is guaranteed for riders till 150 KGS. That's an improvement in rigidity!

It would be a better commuting bike compared to Bromptons (that's what they were striving for, I think ). Lighter, folds smaller, 18 inch wheels (not 16inch), proven Shimano Nexus internal hub gears..........all this features are already an advantage over the Bromptons. But then, Bromptons will be Bromptons in popularity. It will take some time to dislodge their fan loyalty.

If only they sell the Curl cheaper with less specs, so it can be afforded easily.

The Curl i8 is their limited edition and I think after the 500 units, they will turn back to Curl i3. Else they will disappoint their first 500 buyers. Also I don't know if the rear triangle uses 127 mm or 135 mm hub width. Nexus can be used on both length but the Shimano Alfine and Rohloff can only fit in 135mm. If it is 127 mm , then it's a pity! Same as the Brompton.

As good as Bromptons are, or as many riders thinks they are (to me I don't think so) , nothing is permanent. Just five years ago, folding bikes are not a craze as it is now. During those days, Bromptons are the king and people would pay premium for the pedigree. Now with most if not all major bike brands are into it, more research and funds are allocated to folding bikes. Just google and see all the concept folding ways there are. Bromptons depends on the brand, the classical pedigree and loyal die hards, apart from that nothing else in their products is actually worth the bucks you pay for it. Their patent on the folding has expired and there are no new technology that Bromptons will offer. In fact Brompton has been trying hard to maintain their popularity with new colors, new events, new etc. but their bikes stays the same. That's because of their image of tradition and classic.

Avid riders can differentiate the good and bad of the replicas from China but a new rider can't. To them, the replicas looks the same as the original. Just imagine, if a new rider goes to Kepong or Billyshop here in Taiping, look at the 360s. They fold the same and cost 2.3K then he walks over to Eng Hern and looks at the Brompton. Then he get the shock of his life, the cost almost 7K Then he carries it, Wah! it's even heavier than the former one. You can't ride because most shops don't have a test bike, so you can't judge. See the scenario?

Even now, I can see the replicas in FB page on the rides my friends are doing. It's easy to spot actually, the handle post is straight unlike the original 'B' which curves to the front. The tubes are larger in replicas as they are aluminum. The sales are going up! I now know of 3 different brands of these replicas.

Nobody in the heydays will think that Raleigh will become what they are today, just rebadging bikes from other sources. Brands like Carlton, Simplex, Sachs (internal hub dept. first sold to SRAM and now to a Taiwanese firm) are all gone. Even the mighty Santa Cruz bikes is sold to Taiwanese now.

If you are the classical riders, just like Mini Club, Volkswagon Club etc, you will still buy a Brompton but if you are a normal commuter or someone who approves of newer technology , you won't pay the price of the Brompton. The classical clubs will be there in the end but the numbers won't maintain.

Once the Dahon Curl reaches their sales target, the price will come down with cheaper options. They finish targeting the cream of the market, then slowly they will go for the ones who cannot afford the initial offering. After all, all the manufacturing facilities of the Curl is already in place. They need to run it 24/7. They have to market it fast too.

Still Brompton will hold their prestige and classical values but their sales won't.

This post has been edited by etigge: Aug 23 2017, 11:12 AM

I am doing leather crafting nowadays apart from riding off course. Here's a project I have made for cycling. Anyone interested in getting one can PM me. It's all manually hand stitched and genuine leather with suede lining. No expense is spared. Edges are fully burnished. Cheap too! Made such that it can be mounted on saddle rails or Brooks saddle eyelets and even front handle bar mounting

I am actually going to start a leather craft store. Just going slow now, designing stuffs while making the different templates before going full fledge.

I gave up the idea of getting the i8 or i7 already. I am eyeing the Chedech actually. Need to wait for a while first as price is quite steep. Also when I get a bike, I have to get 2, if you understand what I mean.

We have mountain bikes for off roads.

Yeah, you went off the radar a while ago. I am in Taiping now, my wife retired as well and so we wanted to move somewhere more quiet.

In Cheras area you can try Kimbell Jaya opposite the Petron station in Cheras Perdana. For your budget the best bet is Raleigh which is about 800 bucks and 8 speed too. Off course there are cheaper ones like Oscar Imagine or the Vogue but Raleigh is a better bike. Sadly, Dahon's cheapest isnow about 1.5K compared to then , it was less than 1K for the Eco C7 or what they call Dahon Route now. Just visit Kimbell Jaya and the boss can advise you better.

At least the Btwin from Decathons ( I think they are sold at 700 plus) are a better bet than those 'capalangs' Reebok and another brand I can't recall, sold by Fitness store.

This post has been edited by etigge: Aug 30 2017, 12:29 AM

It depends on where you place your 'ding dong' when you ride. Hahaha , no larr! just joking.

It is supposed to be level. I usually level it with a bubble gauge, you know those used by construction fellas. I lay it over the saddle and then adjust till it levels. But many can just go by the eye guess-timation. But beware, do it when the bike is upright and not on it's kick stand.

Even after this, try out and if the saddle feels like poking you, you need to lower the front a bit and if it is vice versa and you feel like sliding down, you need to get the rear lower. Some saddles are designed with a higher rear so that your rear end pushes or rather leans on it for support so that you can pedal stronger.

This post has been edited by etigge: Sep 4 2017, 03:29 PM

The XDS K3 looks good. They do build solid frames but because of human's chase for branding, they are not popular compared to the Terns or Dahons. The XDS K3 is more than enough for the job that you described. Like I said, if branding is not an issue, or the size of the fold isn't, it is more than enough.

BUT !

If you, one day will to join a biking group, riding here and there weekly, that's where the problem comes in. This is a big IF lah! Peer pressure will make you want to change bikes, not the performance of the bike or the quality but usually it is the peer pressure!

Square tapered cranks and BB, they are actually very torque critical when tighten. Last time, I did not have a torque wrench and instinct made me lock tighter and when once over doing, gone. When you enlarge the taper square hole on the cranks, it will loosen a bit after hard pedalling and that's when the clak-clak clak sound comes. I need to carry a number 10 allen key last time as a precaution.

Just buy the 55T or 56T chainring from BBS and then change it. See if the existing chain can accommodate. If cannot , tukar lagi.

That's probably true according to the spec sheet. This is because the front derailleurs can shift maximum 16 teeth difference on shifting, like 53/39 is a 14 teeth difference. So, it's OK. So if you have 56/39T , that's 17 teeth difference which is one teeth too many already. It might work but maybe not as smooth la. So, if it is 56 teeth chainring, it is better to pair with 42 teeth smaller chianring which is quite common as the older triples uses it.

Second project completed for s rider friend. Looks nice huh? Goat leather.

I will catalogue them soon and post it in FB page. Will PM you when done.

Tern got their original bike bag or more aptly described as a bike cover. It's functional and good too and it folds back into a small bag that attaches to the bike when not in use. It's actually a shoulder strap which has two mounting points (wrap around the tubes of the folded bike) and then the cover shroud over the whole folded bike to cover it. When you carry over your shoulder, you are actually carrying the bike itself rather than the bag holding the bike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F2IEQ3RjQ0

Usually those small triangular bags holstered under the saddle. Can be found in any sizes and some waterproof too. But avoid Topeak ones...... if you want the waterproof ones. The waterproof Topeak, those plastic ones or PU types, the interior liner peels off after some use and certain parts the glue or the heating process part, they separate.

But I like to use those that hangs on your handle bars as you can see the bag when riding. Feels more secure when I can see the bag. Also some tend to get those quite big handlebar bags , especially those from Topeak with special mountings. They tend to get heavy as it is big and when you put the bike on side kick stand, the handlebar sways to the left and ...Kaboom ! your bikes tilts over. So, for handlebar types, get small ones.

If the bag is mounted on the headset tube mounting (like those Dahons, Terns or Bromptons) it OK to get big ones as the load is NOT on a turning part of the bike. It's mounted onto the mainframe.

This post has been edited by etigge: Sep 12 2017, 09:23 AM

I am in the process of making a small leather bag just enough for Mycard/driviing licence and some cash(no coins) and a small space for car keys without the chain ring though and snap under the saddle. Was actually thinking of the road bike market. But mobile phone, a bit susah!

This post has been edited by etigge: Sep 13 2017, 03:45 PM

Except for Dahon Dash, most if not all foldies are one size fits all. Variations and suitability is just adjusting the front handlebar height (some newbies rides like using monkey bar ) , adjusting the height of the seat post (foldies seat post are extra long, most of them 600mm long and bigger diameter for strength). Foldies are not meant for stability, therefore the base length is not long. For bicycles, the longer the wheel base the more stable the ride. But foldies is good for 40km/h or so though. The problem with foldies is the maximum weight limitations. Most of them are limited to han dle105 kilos rider, except the new Dahon Curl which is rated 130 kilos maximum. Then again, this is the guaranteed limits and usually the manufacturer under rate their limits for safety factors. Not that you going to downhill with the foldie anyway.