Dahon Speed D7 Folding Bike (Baltic)

Delivery: the package comes in about one week, which exceeds my expectation. Everything is well-packaged.

The bike: it''s pre-assembled, mostly. And very easy to do the rest. I don''t need the manual to complete the bike, except for the magnetic latch that hold to folded frame together (actually it only needs a strong yank to unlock the latch). The complete bike loooks exactly like the one on the image.

The ride: This is my first 20" bicycle. First this thing is much nimbler and faster than my 26" cruiser bike I am using. The smaller wheel still gives a smooth ride, surprisingly. The brake is responsive. The saddle is OK for a one-hour-ride, but for longer ride, it feels uncomfortable.

The only minor defect is the fifth, sixth and sometimes the seventh gear keeps slipping to the lower gear.

The folding: it takes me about 10 seconds to fold this thing, probably because I am still new at it.

In general this is a good buy, and I recommend it.

I''ve had a Dahon Speed D7 for about half a year. It works nicely. I use it all the time for most travel and errands (the included back rack is quite helpful). The folding mechanism and the latches feel solid and haven''t given me any trouble. I was surprised by how stable the bike felt when I first rode it (I''d recommend trying it for yourself, of course).

A few concerns:

For me, the whole range of gear ratios could be shifted lower. The lowest gear could be even lower, and I don''t know if I''ve ever used the top gear.

It''s nice that the included pedals fold down, but they are dangerously slippery in the rain, or when the bottoms of my shoes are wet.

There''s a bit of front-back flex in the handlebars/head tube. It usually doesn''t bother me, but I try not to pull or push hard along that front-back direction.

The handlebar grip next to the grip-shifter gets gradually pushed off as I ride and shift gears.

The clearance between the pedals and the ground is small, so the inner pedal must be raised during sharp turns.

--Addition (August 30, 2010)--

A couple of times one of the long cables to the rear derailleur or brake has caught on a pedal, hard. I tied the cables down at another point along the frame, and haven''t had trouble since.

Maybe I''ve just misadjusted something, but the chain has dropped off the front chain ring several times during forceful pedaling. Perhaps eventually I''ll try a smaller front chain ring, both to lower the gear ratios and to reduce the strain on the chain at lower gears.

I took the bike on the commuter rail. It wasn''t too bad. I wasn''t traveling during rush hour, so I just put the bike on the seat next to me in its carry bag. Carrying it through the narrow space between seats was a little awkward, but if I had given myself ample time to get to and from my seat, it probably wouldn''t have been as much of a problem.

Buy Dahon Speed D7 Folding Bike (Baltic) Now

I''ve had this book for 8 months, and while the ride is fun and utilitarian (I commute with it for 4 miles a day), the bike is poorly made.

After the first three months of riding, I had to tighten down structural screws and parts -at least once a week. Now it turns out that my frame has somehow cracked and I have to replace it. I only use it for street commuting, so I''m not hard on it. Fortunately it''s still under warranty, but . . .

I should also mention the shifter mechanism is screwy. It always has to be ''nudged'' toward another gear to keep it in the right place.

Initially delighted, ultimately disappointed.

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I picked up the Dahon Speed 7 this spring to test the folding concept. I migrate from my condo in SoCal to my boat in the NorthWet, with lots of camping both ways. About to leave for Moab and try the folder there but not on anything too mountain bikie.

I have been riding the bike all summer and I am a Happy Camper. It does what I need for an urban utility bike.

I have the same shifting issue as the previous review (4:5 or 5:6), but aside from that (and I expect to cure that this fall when the bike gets a tune up), I have had not issues and at 215#, I am a big bear for this bike.

It''s fun to ride. It''s really handy. No bike racks! I fold it up and stick it in my van in lieu of one tote. When van camping, it sits behind the front seat at night. It has fit in well to our style of operations and really opened up the country. I can now explore my surroundings at 5-10 mph vs. on foot. Love it.

On the boat, it rides athwartship in the forecastle foyer and lets me get around the ports to explore, exercise and get the groceries.

I could have even used it on the job last year. We kept having to go to remote subpanels (1000'' away) to turn power off and on as we worked. Unfold bike, pedal off and do it. One of the crew had a skate board, so he got that job.

The major drawback is that with 7 gears, it does not climb steep hills. The NorthWet has steep hills. Thus, I am researching 26" folding mountain bikes (wanted: Jeep that folds) for next season. Front suspension, 21 gears, 3''x3''x1'' footprint.

For this, I am looking at the Dahon Matrix and Montague Paratrooper.

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My new Dahon folding bicycle was one of my most practical purchases to date. I get to sit up, get daily exercise and enjoy the view. Lightweight yet tough and sturdy to ride. When folded I can easily lift it''s 20 pounds and place it in my small Honda Hybrid trunk and I''m an old lady of seventy seven.