I have the original Biologic grips, the microshift (7 speed), the freewheel 7 sp. cogs and the Shimano Tourney RD. Are you interested, I have 2 sets.
From 2 Eco C7s and also 2 sets of mudguards.

This post has been edited by etigge: Jan 25 2013, 01:12 PM

Nope, they are black.

Of the brands you mentioned, Dahon has the cheapest and the cheapest now is RM880 Dr.Hon 7 speed and then the Boardwalk 7 speed for RM1200 and the 8 speed for RM1300. Ironically the cheapest one looks sturdier for your weight and height compared to the Boardwalk. Birdies are specialised folding bikes and it's expensive but a smaller wheel but it folds smaller. I don't really trust Java though, especially bikes which gives full specs components at a cheaper price. Dahon is a good quality bike if that's the only important criteria. Look for an older model Dahons like Speed 8s or the ECo C7s.

The usual weight of a folding bike is 12 kgs. give and take a kg. Off course fuel consumption will increase with the extra weight but then it's negligible but why leave it in the car?

Most 20 inch wheeler folding bikes are almost the same size, that's why the seat post is long to adjust to higher riders. The Speed 8 is good as the handle bar can be extended too for higher riders.

Both the Tern P9 and the Dahon MU8 are good foldies and basically both has the same specs except the Tern has 9 speed and the Dahon 8 speed but the final gear is still 32T on both bikes with the crank 52T. So, the gear ratio is the same at the lowest gear! The more I looked at it, the more the Tern's frame looks like a Dahon Speed 8 except for their own patented folding mechanism while the MU8 looks more solid. I think the choice is really up to your own personal choice as performance is almost the same.

One advantage of the Tern is that the handlebar folds to the outside which I think is better because as time goes on, you will add more items onto your handlebar and in Dahon's case (folds between the folded frame) too much will obstruct the closeness the fold can go. I have to take out the whole handlebar when I fold but if it was folded out, it won't be a problem. Likewise, the other day I modified a U-bolt (2 1/2 ") to the handlebar post to hold my water bottle cage. It was a nice place to put the water bottle but the post folds inside between the frame and the cage was obstructing a full fold! So, I have to clamp it onto the seat post!

Funnily though, Terns are sold more cheaper than Dahons abroad. The Dahons cost more but here in Malaysia they are more expensive. There's a RM500 difference though between the cost of the compared bikes! Dahon is cheaper. If you can find a Dahon Speed 8, it's cheaper by almost RM800 with the same design frame and geometry. My advise, try to look at the Dahon Speed 8 as well.

I take them out, lessen the weight as well. If it rains, you still get wet with the water spraying onto you with the mudguards on anyway.

LeRun Xeon is a 20 inch wheeler right? The Dahon Expresso is a 26 inch wheel folding bike. The Xeon will be much more compact when folded obviously. If you want a normal sized bike with folding capabilities, the Expresso is the one. If you just want to cycle by your dog's side, I think the Xeon is good enough. By the way both the bikes are also available in Subang's Sports Direct with a small discount. The outlet stocks the Dahons, LeRuns and also Terns.

Because the wheel is smaller and handlebar seems twitchy initially. You will get use to it later as you ride on. No worries.

I am quite dissapointed with LeRun as they don't stock spares. I broke a metal linkage in the Eco C7's folding mechanism and tried getting it from Rodalink and LeRun itself. They don't stock spares, not even a spare little metal linkage. They think these parts don't break or they think it's not worthwhile stocking. What made it worse was, it was only a small little part and I have to fabricate the linkage with screws now! I wonder if it is the same with Terns, Polygons and LeRuns. They are from the same company!

Just to be on the safe side, I will also tread two small screws to hold the folding part and carry an alan key when I ride to fold! Really dissapointed with Dahon's agent here not Dahon but their sales here.

Actually it not the bike's defect but my fault. The adjustment was loose and I adjusted the linkage without folding fully, thereby the linkage was not in a straight line and initially I bent it and then it broke at the tread part. If you adjust the linkage (which tightens the fold) when fully folded, the whole link will be in a straight line and it will not stress the link but I did it during a ride and it was done not fully folded! I am just dissapointed that such a common and simple part is not stocked by either the main dealers (Rodalink) or LeRun themself.

The part can be fabricated easily but you know Malaysia lah! If you ask the foundry to do some major jobs, they love you but a small metal linkage, a bit susah!

I think yours is similar to Dahon Speed . I have one of it too but the broken one is from the old version of Eco C7 as shown above. If the linkage is not at the proper adjustment, the fold will not be tight and at times wobbly like I experienced. That's why I stopped to adjust and it was there that I bent it and finally it broke off! Also the newer models handle bar needs to be adjusted frequently as they become loose and wobbly also. My wife's bike has been adjusted twice. To be on the safe side, check your bike after every ride, especially at the joints.

I have modified the part with a long M6 nut and treaded a M3 tread on the other end. But I still need a proper one as the nut is weak and won't last long. I have to use a long screw driver bit and ask some foundry to machine one out of the screwdriver bit as the hexagonal shape is for adjustments.

The Eco C7 is still OK to me just that their support is practically NIL! They are just interested in selling but not supporting. My wife and I have ridden the Eco C7 (we both have one)many times up to Genting Peras and bumps downhill for another 30 minutes, it's still OK till now. As I mentioned, it was my fault that the linkage broke!

I can't say about the newer Dr.Hon (their new corporate name) though. I see that they have downgraded their components, probably on LeRun's request due to competition from other brands.

Joining this ride on the 10th March next month. Anyone interested can check this out.

https://www.facebook.com/events/338234469627621/

What kind of noise? Usually there shouldn't be but as described I think the adjustments on your rear derailleur (the gear) is off. Take it back to the shop and they can tune it or maybe you can ride and engage the same gear and then at the shifter, where the cable is, there's a small thumb adjustment. Ride and then adjust half a turn and see if the noise still persists and if there is adjust further. Too much will also affect the other gears as well so you have to fiddle with it.

Actually we use the same effort as all the other type of bikes. Difference is road bikes are faster, in fact they take more effort to push as their gears at the rear are even smaller than folding bikes, presuming if you use the same crank lah! Folding bikes uses 52 cogs in front, similar to road bikes but road bikes has an option to even engage lower gear (easier pedalling) as they have an option to shift down to 39 cogs.

As for mountain bikes they are multi geared because they need easier pedalling force as they need to cycle over rough terrain (presuming if they use it off road lah) but if used on tarred road, the speed are slower but they also have more options on gearing as most comes with at least 27 gears with some even 33 gears but on tarred road, the usual are 44 cogs in front with 11 cogs at the rear (the highest gear, means the heaviest). Disadvantage is, when we downhill we cannot pedal anymore as the highest gear is not enough so even even we pedal it's like free gear. Unlike road bikes where the front is 52 cogs with 11 cogs rear, we can still pedal when downhill to take advantage of the force to sling us uphill after downhilling. This is off course on tarred roads.

Just count and see. If the front is 52 cogs and rear is 11 the ratio is 4.7, meaning one turn of the crank will turn the rear wheels 4.7 times and if at lowest gear 52 cogs front and 32 cogs rear means a ratio of 1.6 only. It means one turn of the crank only turns 1.6X the wheels at the back. Factor in the circumference of the wheels between the 20 inch folding bikes and 26 inch for mountain bikes or 27 inch for road bikes.

Another advantage of smaller wheel is it is easier to pedal uphill compared to larger wheels. One word says all, it all depends on the cyclist's stamina and power.

I don't know you are from but if you want to join me riding in either Putrajaya or Hulu Langat, let me know.

I think cadence is more important in cycling. Cadence means the rpm of your pedalling. It should be constant and the force comfortble to your level. Just like myself, I started cycling Putrajaya with many shifting on my first ride and eventually after getting used I can now ride there without any shifting at all (except the bridge). The pedalling weight is constant and once it becomes harder, you shift lower and if it becomes lighter you shift higher, it must be constant either the rpm or the force. Slowly the pedalling will become easier and then you can adjust your constant force and slowly you don't really shift to the last 3 gears on normal roads with gentle slopes unless it's a killer slope.

Also try not to coast even when riding downhill. try to pedal at the same rpm. Pedalling too light will make you even more tired as the rpm becomes high.

This post has been edited by etigge: Feb 25 2013, 04:59 PM

The broken linkage from the Dahon Eco C7 was replaced this afternoon in Rodalink (Putrajaya) and they gave me the parts (all of the folding mechanism, the flap, screws etc.) for free under warranty although I told them it was my fault that the linkage broke. They did charge a RM25 fee for installation though although I know how to replace it myself.

While they were installing it, I browse through their outlets and check out their stuffs, very upmarket for me. I am interested in the Biologic seat post though. The one used in Speed P8s with the pump. It was listed RM160 and I think I will change my seat post with the Biologic one. Afterall a good Top Peak pump is already RM100, I might as well go for this seat post. The one with a suspension system is another RM20 extra but no pump off course!