Folding Bicycle

Dahon Espresso 18" 2009 Folding Bicycle

Want to ride to the park on a sunny weekend, down the street for a lazy Sunday brunch, or to the farmer's market for some fresh penne, organic tomatoes, and a bottle of wine? Look no further than the Dahon Espresso, the ultimate bike for urban adventures. The Espresso is equipped with Dahon's patented Re-Bar technology, a break-through frame technology that delivers strength and stiffness while maintaining low weight. The Re-bar structure support effectively turns a mono-tube frame into a much stronger triangulated frame, helping the bike hold up to heavy use. The bike is also extremely comfortable, with such features as an ergonomic saddle, BioLogic grips, and upright riding geometry. Most significantly for the modern urbanist, the Espresso folds up in seconds for easy storage, so you can stash it into the corner of your apartment or tote it on the bus.

The Espresso also includes the award-winning BioLogic Zorin PostPump, an ingenious combination of a floor pump and a seatpost. The BioLogic's pump mechanism is actually hidden inside the seatpost, keeping the pump close at hand at all times--hidden from the elements and thieves. The high-capacity BioLogic pump can inflate a tire in as few as a dozen strokes, and easily reaches 110 psi. Ergonomically, the PostPump is just like a floor pump: you stand while you pump and use the saddle as a handle. So say goodbye to poorly designed mini-pumps, kneeling in the dirt, and arm cramps.

The Espresso folds up in just a few seconds and fits easily in small apartments or in the trunk of a car.

Specifications:

• Color: Sand
• Speeds: 21
• Frame sizes: Small, medium, and large
• Gear inches: 25 to 86 inches
• Distance (seatpost to handlebar): 24.2 inches
• Distance (saddle to pedal): 28.3 to 37 inches
• Folded size: 13.3 by 36.7 by 30.8 inches (W x H x D)
• Folding time: 20 seconds
• Weight: 29.3 pounds
• Suggested rider height: 5 feet 2 inches to 5 feet 6 inches (small); 5 feet 6 inches to 6 feet (medium); 6 feet to 6 feet 4 inches (large)
• Max rider weight: 230 pounds
• Frame: DA Series, Joe Murray design, 7005 aluminum, custom-drawn Sonus tubing, patented ReBar technology
• Fork: High-tensile steel, integrated design
• Handlebar: 6061-T6 aluminum, riser
• Stem: Aheadset type, aluminum
• Headset: Dahon Fusion, zero stack, cartridge, conical spacer
• Grips/bar tape: BioLogic Ergo, AirFlo design, reflective end plugs
• Saddle: Dahon Comfort
• Seatpost: BioLogic Zorin PostPump, 27.2mm
• Seat clamp: Aluminum with high-leverage lever
• Brakes: ProMax V, aluminum, linear spring (front and rear)
• Brake levers: ProMax V, aluminum bracket/lever
• Brake cable and housing: SIS, pearl silver housing, slick cables
• Hub: Formula, QR, aluminum (front and rear)
• Spokes: 18/8 stainless steel
• Nipples: Brass nipples
• Rims: Aluminum, anodized silver, ground sidewalls
• Tires: Kenda Kwest, 26 x 1.5 inches, skinwall, 65 psi
• Shifters: Shimano Revo, 21 speed, SLRS35-L/SLRS35-7R
• Front derailleur: Microshift FD-M22
• Rear derailleur: Shimano Tourney TX51
• Crankset: 6061 cold-forged aluminum cranks, 48/38/28t
• Cassette/freewheel: Shimano 7-speed, 14-28t
• Bottom bracket: 5-piece, chromoly axle
• Chain: KMC Z50, narrow, noiseless function
• Pedals: Suntour folding, non-slip
• Cable and housing: SIS, pearl housing
• Kickstand: Aluminum, Dacromet bolt
• Clip system: Magnetix system
• Wheel reflectors: Cateye
• Front and rear reflectors: Cateye
• Accessory: Reflective pants clip

About Dahon
Dahon was founded in 1982 with the singular purpose of convincing more people to use environmentally sustainable forms of transport. To accomplish this goal, the company focused from the start on creating innovative but reasonably priced folding bicycles. Now, with more than 2 million folding bicycles sold, Dahon is the worldwide leader in folding bikes. Headquartered in Los Angeles and maintaining factories in Taiwan, Macau, the Czech Republic, and China, Dahon's bicycles are sold in more than 30 countries. Dahon also says the majority of its 700-plus worldwide employees travel to work by bicycle, public transport, or a combination of both, helping the company live up to its goal of promoting green mobility solutions for people who live active, environmentally friendly lifestyles.

I have had this bike for over a year. It works just like any other bike, except it has the nice feature of being able to fold. It's nice looking, rides well, and when it folds, it folds down to the size of a folded regular wheelchair (almost the exact same size). So if you are wondering about putting it in your trunk, use that size to compare. It's easy to fold/unfold and I would recommend it. the hinge in the middle of the bike seems strong. Although it's designed in Italy (I believe), it's made in China.
I was not aware when purchasing it that it needs to be assembled, but that's not a major task. If I remember correctly, I had some problems installing the pedals.
I would like to see it lighter, but it is average for a full size (regular bike). As with any folding bike, always be sure to check that all parts are properly tightened so that it's safe to use. -- Great bike

Good bike. I would not buy from the company again however. Dahon would not help me on another purchased bike. -- Good bike

Dahon is the most popular brand for foldable bikes in the US for a good reason: quality products at bargain prices. The Espresso is the entry level full-size (26" wheels) model in the line-up. It comes in three different frame sizes: 20", 18" & 16". Since my wife and I need to share this bike, I pick the middle one as a compromise.

There are other compromises in our decision. My wife wants a comfortable (i.e. high handle-bar) riding position. I need a foldable model to pack into the trunk of the car occasionally. We both want a bike with a good range of gears to negotiate the local hills. I also want quality all-aluminum construction for light weight and rust resistance. Finally, we don't want to pay a lot. In the end, the Dahon Espresso is the only bike that fits the bill.

What a beautiful bike it is! I get inquiries from strangers all the time, especially after they see how I unpack from the trunk and unfold it in 10 seconds.

In regular use, it looks and handles like a premium bike, yet costs hundreds of dollars less. Both the front and rear derailleurs are name-brand components that prove convenient and reliable. The rim brakes are so strong that the rider must be careful not to engage the front brake alone or he risks flipping over in a hurry. The folding and unfolding operations are straightforward. The seat is easily detachable, although the front wheel is not. The wheel rims are aluminum. The spokes are stainless steel with brass nipples. It is hard to find a regular bike with this set of specs at this price level, not to mention another foldable one.

Of course, a $400 bike cannot possibly be perfect, so let me put on the nitpicker's hat and list some possible complaints. With 26" wheels, the Espresso does not fold as compactly as 20" or 16" models, but the latter looks like circus bikes and often rides like one too. It is just not possible to have it both ways. Another similar issue concerns the Espresso's 30lb weight, which is light for a full-size bicycle but again not as light as the mini-sized models.

The rim brakes work well in normal usage, but are inferior to disk brakes in off-road condition, wet weather or long downhill rides. This is a compromise Dahon has to make to maintain a low price point. I have no intention to do mountain biking in the rain or down steep hills, so it is a non-issue to me. For those who care about the brake types, Dahon offers Matrix Folding Bike 08 size 19.

The handle control is very light. This makes the bike very agile at turns, but also makes me nervous about letting go the handlebar. This is not a bike with which you want to see your son do the "Look, dad, no hands" trick.

The seat is comfortably shaped and well made but very much on the hard side, at least to this casual bicycle rider. I plan to replace it with a gel saddle.

The front derailleur and both wheels need careful adjustments before first ride. The manufacturer in fact requires professional setup service for the warranty to come into effect. This is common among premium bicycles though.

Folding the bike involves releasing a lever and flipping the included foldable pedals. Then comes the tough part: the handle bar does not come with an easy folding hinge. To avoid having it sticking out to the sides, you must unscrew it. Dahon does provide a nice Allen wrench for this purpose, but I still think it may be considered a pain. I usually just leave the handlebar as is. The bike still fits into larger trunks easily.

The 18"-frame model feels a little small for me. I am only 5'8", so most men probably want to go with the 20"-frame size. Someone who is really big and tall may have to forget about folding bikes and get a regular one with 700c/28" wheels instead.

I bought the 2007 model on clearance. The 2008 model is carried over unchanged, as far as I can tell except for the paint color. I like the silver/metallic hue of the 2007 a lot better.

-- Great bike, and foldable too.