tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1612648168389835295.post7164933133455679325..comments2023-04-02T05:48:54.555-07:00Comments on The Epicurean Cyclist: Short Term Review : Dahon Speed TRRussRocahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03636053628690240628noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1612648168389835295.post-42951490064868222882009-01-17T09:31:00.000-08:002009-01-17T09:31:00.000-08:00Russ the Tikit is a superb bike. In fact of my ma...Russ the Tikit is a superb bike. In fact of my many stellar bikes it's the one that gets ridden most often because of the easy fold and fun handling.<BR/><BR/>People certainly have toured on Tikits. You can get a 2 pannier front rack and a folding touring rack will be available in a couple months. The existing Tikit rear rack can take smaller panniers, but not full sized Ortliebs.<BR/><BR/>This is the video that got me to buy a Tikit:<BR/><BR/>http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=fQscBxx7wLE&feature=PlayList&p=07DCB83DC40A71AF&index=0&playnext=1<BR/><BR/>I've been impressed by them in every regard since then.<BR/><BR/>I will say that I think the NWT is a better touring bike if you'll be touring a lot and if you won't be using buses & trains regularly.<BR/><BR/>I posted quite a lot about my Tikit here:<BR/><BR/>www.viks-tikit.com<BR/><BR/>safe riding,<BR/><BR/>Vik<BR/>www.thelazyrando.comVikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07214932277372519931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1612648168389835295.post-82602004992605391002009-01-17T09:14:00.000-08:002009-01-17T09:14:00.000-08:00jur...good points about the wheel...and to the cre...jur...good points about the wheel...and to the credit of the dahon, I haven't broken a spoke, so maybe the lacing is fine given the situation...it's just for me and my 26 and 700c bikes, I've always used a 3x pattern.<BR/><BR/>vik...good points about the BF...I think I must have pimped my NWT out because I remember it being in the upper 2k<BR/><BR/>i'm intrigued by the Tikit now...do any Tikit owners think they can take it touring? are there racks and luggage for it that would do it?<BR/><BR/>I have a friend that has toured on his brompton (w/ schlumph drive) with the front touring pannier and camper long flap on the rear...RussRocahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03636053628690240628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1612648168389835295.post-59152809349262588552009-01-17T05:32:00.000-08:002009-01-17T05:32:00.000-08:00I've got a Dahon D7 and liked the fit of a Spe...I've got a Dahon D7 and liked the fit of a Speed TR I tried much better as it's just a bit longer in the effective TT.<BR/><BR/>I'm also a Tikit owner and just got a Bike Friday NWT. It's pretty easy to get a custom Bike Friday touring bike for well under $2K sized for you and setup exactly how you want it. <BR/><BR/>http://www.bikefriday.com/newworldtourist<BR/><BR/>Here is my NWT setup with drop bars, IGH hub and a dual chainring:<BR/><BR/>http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=nwt%20travel&w=9932605%40N08<BR/><BR/>I think you hit the nail on the head about the sizing with the Dahons. For shorter riders they fit quite well, but they don't offer much in the way of adjustment so you either have to accept a cramped cockpit or look elsewhere if you are taller. I'm 6ft.<BR/><BR/>I considered a Speed TR as it does fit me better than the D7, but when I looked at the cost ~$1200CDN and realized I could get a large framed Bike Friday Tikit for that price I went for the Tikit which has a 58cm effective TT and fits me like a normal bike.<BR/><BR/>I considered a Speed TR briefly again when I wanted a folding touring bike, but as you noted there are quite a few parts I'd want to swap out so I looked at a Bike Friday NWT and was surprised how affordable it was to get a custom bike built in the US.<BR/><BR/>I'm not knocking the Speed TR or Dahon in general. If they fit you and are spec'd the way you'd like you can get a nice bike at a good price, but I did want to point out that the price differential for a Bike Friday was not several thousand dollars - more like a few hundred and if you swap out parts of the Speed TR you are probably getting quite close to the same cost.<BR/><BR/>safe riding,<BR/><BR/>Vik<BR/>www.thelazyrando.comUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08464129615489069730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1612648168389835295.post-4252925140034909602009-01-17T00:23:00.000-08:002009-01-17T00:23:00.000-08:00Cross spoking on small wheels: 3x results in atoo ...Cross spoking on small wheels: 3x results in atoo acute an angle at the rim and often results in spoike breakages at the rim. 2x is closer to optimal for small wheels. Also, the radial lacing according Sheldon Brown is better on non-drive side (no disc brakes case of course).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1612648168389835295.post-16256456540116383192009-01-16T23:24:00.000-08:002009-01-16T23:24:00.000-08:00Thks Russ! Forgot to say I really enjoyed reading ...Thks Russ! Forgot to say I really enjoyed reading yr review of the TR :) As a tikit owner, I must say that the "feel" & handling is much better than my Dahons. Think its because BF frame is rigid unlike Dahons w the split frame, it feels much more confident.<BR/><BR/>Wd you agree?Oldyonfoldyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03252972643288312236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1612648168389835295.post-12131976618714754412009-01-16T08:10:00.000-08:002009-01-16T08:10:00.000-08:00I've got a Speed D7 and I'm experiencing the same ...I've got a Speed D7 and I'm experiencing the same level of one position bar boredom. I'm experimenting with a set of North Road bars to see how that works. Check out my progress on http://greenbikemonkey.blogspot.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1612648168389835295.post-69052774050621660012009-01-16T07:59:00.000-08:002009-01-16T07:59:00.000-08:00OldyonFoldy - I can only compare the Dahon dyno-hu...OldyonFoldy - I can only compare the Dahon dyno-hub with the other one I've used and that is the Shimano DH-3N70...<BR/><BR/>I noticed some drag but none that that was particularly offensive at normal cruising speeds...<BR/><BR/>One thing that was particularly interesting was the amount of vibration the dyno hub caused when approaching high speeds (around 30-30+mph)...the handlebars would feel as if you were holding on to a vibrating massager....<BR/><BR/>Now, this happens to my Surly LHT and Shimano dynohub combo as well, but not to the same degree...<BR/><BR/>I think this is the case of the dahon because the smaller wheel rotates more and the vibrations are exaggerated by the long stem...so maybe not an occurence that is specific to dahon but to all folders? I didn't have a dyno on my BF so I can't comment on how it would have felt any different..RussRocahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03636053628690240628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1612648168389835295.post-73543235680204045812009-01-16T03:45:00.000-08:002009-01-16T03:45:00.000-08:00G'day Russ fm Perth Australia. I've heard complain...G'day Russ fm Perth Australia. I've heard complains abt the dynamo hub - its not free-wheeling enough to the point that it slows down the rider. Is this your experience of your TR?<BR/><BR/>AlOldyonfoldyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03252972643288312236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1612648168389835295.post-30199648275405061292009-01-12T19:02:00.000-08:002009-01-12T19:02:00.000-08:00Russ,Can you do me a favor? When you get a chance,...Russ,<BR/>Can you do me a favor? When you get a chance, find out what the maximum seat top to pedal in the lowest position dimension is, with the seat post fully extended. If you use the Brooks saddle that will be a plus as that is my saddle of choice. The Brommie is still high on my list, but the TR has a couple of features I really like.<BR/><BR/>Thanks<BR/>Aaron2whls3spdshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16954543886269776858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1612648168389835295.post-25085112675977015702009-01-12T17:36:00.000-08:002009-01-12T17:36:00.000-08:002whls...I'm going to try to experiment with puttin...2whls...I'm going to try to experiment with putting on a different handlebar. My guess, it would negate the compact fold, but if you're only doing it occasiionally then it shouldn't be too big of a deal.<BR/><BR/>The Dahon and BF probably wouldn't get on as carry-on, so at that point they are packable bikes and will probably need some disassembly.<BR/><BR/>However, for bus and train travel where occasional folding is necessary, it should fit the bill.RussRocahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03636053628690240628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1612648168389835295.post-65348017645188222812009-01-12T17:06:00.000-08:002009-01-12T17:06:00.000-08:00Russ,Would it be possible to put a "butterfly" typ...Russ,<BR/>Would it be possible to put a <A HREF="http://shop.vendio.com/benscycle/item/953999832/?s=1231760191" REL="nofollow">"butterfly"</A> type handle bar on that bike? It would give you more hand positions and probably be better for a taller rider.<BR/><BR/>I have looked at Dahon's in the past, but one of my major complaints has been getting a decent fit, my saddle to pedal measurement is in the 37" range. I really like the super compact fold of the Brompton. I multi mode commute on occasion with pickup truck, Amtrak and airlines all being utilized depending on the situation. The Dahon is on the large size for going via airline.<BR/><BR/>Aaron2whls3spdshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16954543886269776858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1612648168389835295.post-29223580525026665182009-01-12T12:53:00.000-08:002009-01-12T12:53:00.000-08:00SKS (formerly ESGE)Pletscher Double Kickstand from...SKS (formerly ESGE)<BR/>Pletscher Double Kickstand from Harris Cyclery has plenty of rave reviews, especially for loading touring and with trailers:<BR/>http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1034<BR/><BR/>Personally, my experience has been unless you're going with very light loads on the rear rack or a trailer, you're bike will handle and descend better by putting heavy gear/tools etc in smaller panniers up front with bulky lighter stuff on the rear.Mr. Beattiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17956957443089836871noreply@blogger.com