Dahon Mariner 26

Price Paid:  $275.00 at Craigslist (used)

Favorite Ride:
Furnace Creek 508

Bike Setup:
Gel seat, handlebar stem riser, aluminum riser bars, Shimano rapid fire shift levers with integrated brake levers, Performance ergo grips.

Summary:
I bought this for my wife; it folds to fit into my Cessna 152 and fly over to ride on Catalina Island near Los Angeles. The previous owner put road drop bars and bar end shifters on it and I was absolutely blown away how fast it was. It rode GREAT, and it redefined how I thought about 26" wheels and folding bikes. Plenty of gear range and crisp shifting for a 7-speed freewheel. For my wife's shoulder injury, I put on aluminum riser handlebars AND a stem riser. She loves the bike and she has happily made the difficult Catalina Airport to Avalon round trip many times. Catalina roads are very rough, but she toughs it out on the stock 26 x 1.50" tires just fine. Buffalo spotting a plus!

Strengths:
Solid bike, surprisingly fast, very stable, great rigid frame design folds easily. Nice wide gearing for any terrain, plenty low for steep hillclimbing and plenty fast on the flats, perfect after raising handlebars for my wife's shoulder injury. The only single bike she can ride.

Weaknesses:
Single bottom-facing water bottle cage is difficult to reach and bottles drop out on rough roads unless bungeed in. Others list handlebar removal as a weakness, because it requires headset adjustment each time. I put on a stem riser which stays on when I remove the handlebars. Thus, I avoid constant headset adjustment and it's not a big deal to remove the handlebars.

Similar Products Used:
Mariner 20, Expresso (my bike, similar to this Marainer 26), Downtube FS (ugh), Strida, Go Go bike, Dahon Mu P24 (wow!).

Price Paid:  $450.00 at don't remember

Favorite Ride:
Dahon Mariner

Bike Setup:
Replaced the stock knobbie tires with some Michelin tires with less rolling resistance.

Summary:
I bought this back in college after three other bikes were stolen. The fact that I could put it under the bed cover of my pickup or fold it and lock both wheels at the same time made it perfect for a college student. 10 years later its still going strong. I wouldn't take it to a mt. bike trail or for a ten mile ride but its great for getting around campus or just getting some exercise on a paved trail.

Strengths:
Suprising solid bike for something that folds in the middle. I've been as heavy as 260 lbs and have never knocked the wheels out of true or broken anything. Seat detaches quickly to keep people from stealing it. Takes up very little room to store inside.

Weaknesses:
Stock seat is terrible but easily replaced. Cheap components but this isn't a race bike. Kickstand broke shortly after I got it, seemed to be weaker steel. I emailed and they sent me a replacement free of charge. Previous reviewer is correct about the handle bars.

Similar Products Used:
only folding bike i've ever had and as it shows no signs of wearing out probably the only one i'll ever have.

Price Paid:  $369.00 at Largo Scooters

Favorite Ride:
Dahon Mariner 26

Bike Setup:
Is very easy except if having to remove and reinstall the handle bars. There could be an improvement here

Summary:
The fit and finish of the bike are very good. The seat is quite comfortable.
The bike is not nearly as corrosion resistant as implied in the product description.

Strengths:
Folding mechanism is solid and easy to use. Seat adjustment is a breeze and the folding pedals are great.

Weaknesses:
Must remove handle bars to fit in the fitted bag/carry case. This is a tedious operation. Rear wheel has tiny corrosion spots on spokes and 4 have failed in less than a years use. Front wheel is perfect. Customer service by Dahon is very poor. Repeated e-mails requesting advice on a perceived product defect have gone unanswered

Similar Products Used:
Dahon 20 inch