Bike Review - Dahon Jetstream
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Balu
Jun 17, 2008, 2:08:15 AM6/17/08
to Bangalore Bikers Club
All
I acquired a Folder (at long last!) recently and rode it to work a
couple of days... Here is the link to the bike specs etc -
http://www.dahon.com/us/jetstreamp8.htm
Firstly the motivation for a folder - flexibility. I have the option
of riding to work (21km one way) or taking the bus. I wanted the
flexibility of riding to work in the morning and getting back by the
bus or vice versa. Another motivation is to carry the bike when I go
outta town and use it as and when I please. So I was looking for a
folder - had pretty much decided on Firefox Camelot when I saw this
Dahon at Bikezone (http://www.bikeszone.com/forum/).
This bike has front and back suspensions - now these are not your 4''
travel downhill bike kind of suspensions but rather gentle 1-2''
thingies. The front suspension is a spring based arrangement and the
rear suspension is a regular hydraulic suspension. There is no
lockout. These suspensions turned out to be pleasant and made the ride
so much easier. With 20'' wheels, you tend to feel more bumps and
potholes on the road!
The wheels carrying marathon tyres are road-bikish (20x1.5) and can be
filled upto 85psi! So you could set this bike up for a fast ride.
Brakes (Avid) are a beaut and are probably a notch better than the
ones on my Trek 4300. The rear derailler is SRAM X7 (8 speed). Now the
chainring is pretty large - this is required in order to get good
ratio to compensate for the 20' wheels. At the same time, the chain
length is shorter than normal full size bikes.
It folds well (fold pedals, push seat down, fold handle post, fold
frame). Its pretty standard stuff. Good thing is you can wheel it
around when folded. It is a bit awkward and takes getting used to but
serves the purpose. With the weight being 11kgs I had to take the
elevator to get this baby to my 5th floor office. I carried this bike
on the bus last evening and it was a breeze. Attracted a lot of
attention too Smile
The ride was cushy and comfortable. I covered the 21 km at an easy
pace and took about 51 mins. Same speed as the Trek but I guess once I
get really comfy with the Dahon, I will be faster. I do slow down when
the road gets messy coz the Dahon definitely feels far more delicate
than the Trek (kinda obvious?!). Also the small wheels do not
encourage standing outta the saddle - atleast I haven't gained enough
confidence to do that yet. What with the chain length being smaller
and the derailler having 8 speeds, you can "hear" the chain at
extremes but a small twist to the adjusting barrel, on the fly, takes
care of that. The handle bars are the right width for me - so not sure
how that works for folks taller and broader than I (> 5'7''). The
handle bars are curved and there exists a QR mech to turn it - but in
order to fold the bike, you need to turn the handle bar back to the
"default" position. There is a nice magnetic lock that holds the
handlebar to the front fork. The frame feels quite stiff and you do
not realize that you are not on a folder. Both the frame hinge and
handle post hinge have a safety catch that ensures that the bike
doesnt fold up while riding!
The seat post has to be pushed all the way down in order to stand the
bike when folded - so this precludes attaching saddle bag or any such
accessories to the seat post. No provision for fenders and panniers
which is surprising since the lower end models come with built in
fenders and panniers. The handle bar can be turned to change its
height and reach (by just a couple of inches) but this does not lend
itself to an easy fold. So the handle bar might as well have been a
straight one. Didn't spot any other issues with this...
Overall I'd rate this as an excellent urban bike that also folds!
Balu
I acquired a Folder (at long last!) recently and rode it to work a
couple of days... Here is the link to the bike specs etc -
http://www.dahon.com/us/jetstreamp8.htm
Firstly the motivation for a folder - flexibility. I have the option
of riding to work (21km one way) or taking the bus. I wanted the
flexibility of riding to work in the morning and getting back by the
bus or vice versa. Another motivation is to carry the bike when I go
outta town and use it as and when I please. So I was looking for a
folder - had pretty much decided on Firefox Camelot when I saw this
Dahon at Bikezone (http://www.bikeszone.com/forum/).
This bike has front and back suspensions - now these are not your 4''
travel downhill bike kind of suspensions but rather gentle 1-2''
thingies. The front suspension is a spring based arrangement and the
rear suspension is a regular hydraulic suspension. There is no
lockout. These suspensions turned out to be pleasant and made the ride
so much easier. With 20'' wheels, you tend to feel more bumps and
potholes on the road!
The wheels carrying marathon tyres are road-bikish (20x1.5) and can be
filled upto 85psi! So you could set this bike up for a fast ride.
Brakes (Avid) are a beaut and are probably a notch better than the
ones on my Trek 4300. The rear derailler is SRAM X7 (8 speed). Now the
chainring is pretty large - this is required in order to get good
ratio to compensate for the 20' wheels. At the same time, the chain
length is shorter than normal full size bikes.
It folds well (fold pedals, push seat down, fold handle post, fold
frame). Its pretty standard stuff. Good thing is you can wheel it
around when folded. It is a bit awkward and takes getting used to but
serves the purpose. With the weight being 11kgs I had to take the
elevator to get this baby to my 5th floor office. I carried this bike
on the bus last evening and it was a breeze. Attracted a lot of
attention too Smile
The ride was cushy and comfortable. I covered the 21 km at an easy
pace and took about 51 mins. Same speed as the Trek but I guess once I
get really comfy with the Dahon, I will be faster. I do slow down when
the road gets messy coz the Dahon definitely feels far more delicate
than the Trek (kinda obvious?!). Also the small wheels do not
encourage standing outta the saddle - atleast I haven't gained enough
confidence to do that yet. What with the chain length being smaller
and the derailler having 8 speeds, you can "hear" the chain at
extremes but a small twist to the adjusting barrel, on the fly, takes
care of that. The handle bars are the right width for me - so not sure
how that works for folks taller and broader than I (> 5'7''). The
handle bars are curved and there exists a QR mech to turn it - but in
order to fold the bike, you need to turn the handle bar back to the
"default" position. There is a nice magnetic lock that holds the
handlebar to the front fork. The frame feels quite stiff and you do
not realize that you are not on a folder. Both the frame hinge and
handle post hinge have a safety catch that ensures that the bike
doesnt fold up while riding!
The seat post has to be pushed all the way down in order to stand the
bike when folded - so this precludes attaching saddle bag or any such
accessories to the seat post. No provision for fenders and panniers
which is surprising since the lower end models come with built in
fenders and panniers. The handle bar can be turned to change its
height and reach (by just a couple of inches) but this does not lend
itself to an easy fold. So the handle bar might as well have been a
straight one. Didn't spot any other issues with this...
Overall I'd rate this as an excellent urban bike that also folds!
Balu
Dasarathi
Jun 17, 2008, 2:27:53 AM6/17/08
to Bangalor...@googlegroups.com
Balu,
Welcome to the Dahon owners club - currently consists of 2 people, you and me.
I acquired a Dahon Vitesse D7 about 6 months ago. Had a Yeah 6 speed (Yeah is Dahon's cheapo variant, made in China) for a couple of years before that till it got stolen.
It does give you great flexibility in commuting, although I've never taken it on a bus. Takes me about 10 seconds to fold or unfold.
And yes, it does attract a lot of attention. I once unfolded it in front of Koshy's (I'd taken it in with me), then looked back as I got onto the bike, saw about 15 people standing there with open mouths. Seriously embarrassing !
Buy a strong chain, chain it to the nearest lamp post or whatever. You know how my Yeah got stolen ? Two guys came on a motorbike, the guy at the back grabbed my bike and hopped on, and they took off. It was parked within my gate but unlocked. Locking it won't work, you have to chain it to something.
Das
Welcome to the Dahon owners club - currently consists of 2 people, you and me.
I acquired a Dahon Vitesse D7 about 6 months ago. Had a Yeah 6 speed (Yeah is Dahon's cheapo variant, made in China) for a couple of years before that till it got stolen.
It does give you great flexibility in commuting, although I've never taken it on a bus. Takes me about 10 seconds to fold or unfold.
And yes, it does attract a lot of attention. I once unfolded it in front of Koshy's (I'd taken it in with me), then looked back as I got onto the bike, saw about 15 people standing there with open mouths. Seriously embarrassing !
Buy a strong chain, chain it to the nearest lamp post or whatever. You know how my Yeah got stolen ? Two guys came on a motorbike, the guy at the back grabbed my bike and hopped on, and they took off. It was parked within my gate but unlocked. Locking it won't work, you have to chain it to something.
Das
Gaurav Aradhya
Jun 17, 2008, 2:57:35 AM6/17/08
to Bangalor...@googlegroups.com
Hi Balu,
Nice review! Did you buy Online?
21 KM in 51 mins .. on that lil bike ... WoW!! It sure is good for guys who stay far away from office and want to commute one way. Have added the bike to my list of "Must have bikes".
You both can join the guys with BMX to form much larger group. Hang around / ride through one of those nice and quite residential areas. Should be fun for sure!! :)
Cheers
Gaurav
Nikhil Eldurkar
Jun 17, 2008, 2:58:37 AM6/17/08
to Bangalor...@googlegroups.com
Very nice, congratulations and have fun! How much did it cost you?
Nikhil
Dasarathi
Jun 17, 2008, 3:13:34 AM6/17/08
to Bangalor...@googlegroups.com
You can't do BMX stuff on these bikes unfortunately.
They'll fall apart - too many clasps and hinges.
The little fellow is just my 'other bike', by the way. The regular one is a Trek 4300 that I commute to office on daily.
Das
The little fellow is just my 'other bike', by the way. The regular one is a Trek 4300 that I commute to office on daily.
Das
Gaurav Aradhya
Jun 17, 2008, 4:17:59 AM6/17/08
to Bangalor...@googlegroups.com
hmm... should still be nice bike for local hang out, with stunts prohibited!
You seems to have made a good start! I just have 4300 right now ... long way to go .. Road bike, High end MTB, BMX, Dohan ... :)
Balu
Jun 17, 2008, 4:28:24 AM6/17/08
to Bangalore Bikers Club
Well interestingly my regular bike is a Trek 4300 too!
However I plan to use this bike exclusively for commuting. I parked it
at the office lot yest and was not happy with the number of folks who
tinkered with it - so today its in my cubicle!
Gaurav - I bought it from Rich (spotted the ad at Bikezone) who had
used this bike for a while.
Das - I do have a nice Trek lock that came along with the bike.
Nikhil - thanks; I do feel this is my most deliberate investment -
paid USD400
Balu
> >> couple of days... Here is the link to the bike specs etc -http://www.dahon.com/us/jetstreamp8.htm
> --
> Gaurav
However I plan to use this bike exclusively for commuting. I parked it
at the office lot yest and was not happy with the number of folks who
tinkered with it - so today its in my cubicle!
Gaurav - I bought it from Rich (spotted the ad at Bikezone) who had
used this bike for a while.
Das - I do have a nice Trek lock that came along with the bike.
Nikhil - thanks; I do feel this is my most deliberate investment -
paid USD400
Balu
> Gaurav
Rohan Kini
Jun 17, 2008, 12:16:29 PM6/17/08
to Bangalor...@googlegroups.com
Congratulations Balu .. Im glad you did not succumb to the camelot .. ugh !--
~ ROhan
@http://rohan-kini.livejournal.com
$ http://bumsonthesaddle.com/
~ ROhan
@http://rohan-kini.livejournal.com
$ http://bumsonthesaddle.com/
Mallik
Jun 18, 2008, 2:17:23 AM6/18/08
to Bangalore Bikers Club
hey Gaurav u missed out dudhwala cycle :-)
actually i want to buy one but don't have proper space to park it.
Anyway whats the best dudhwala model available in market?
> >> couple of days... Here is the link to the bike specs etc -http://www.dahon.com/us/jetstreamp8.htm
> --
> Gaurav
actually i want to buy one but don't have proper space to park it.
Anyway whats the best dudhwala model available in market?
> Gaurav
Faiq Gazdhar
Jun 18, 2008, 2:21:22 AM6/18/08
to Bangalor...@googlegroups.com
I ride one of those when I am at home. Those are easily available and some folks working for my uncle commute using them. Though after a while the brand name vanishes from the bar, I ride Atlas Goldline Super or Hero Jet(or some such). I love the seats and the bent handle keeps your legs parallel to the bar. :-)
Gaurav Aradhya
Jun 18, 2008, 3:14:00 AM6/18/08
to Bangalor...@googlegroups.com
Hey Mallik, I am not that tough to ride a dudhwala cycle. Navdeep and Co should have experience of long distance ride on that one :). BTW... you could use that bike for "Spinning", since it comes with a big center stand.
Cheers
Gaurav
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