Dahon Boardwalk/6

Price Paid:  $265.00 at tempe,az landis bike

Summary:
While riding on a bike trail in Tempe, Az. the frame broke completely into two pieces. I had the bike shop call Dahon and they stated it was out of warranty and would not replace it. The frame broke about 6 inches in front of where it folds. Needless to say I am now a x Dahon customer. Trek has a much better warranty.

Strengths:
Not the frame

Weaknesses:
frame

Similar Products Used:
Trek

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Well engineered with one major flaw. Wheel spokes on this model for this year are defective. They break which disables the bike.

Strengths:
Great around camp ground

Weaknesses:
Bought two bikes in 2006. In 2008 the spokes on both wheels of both bikes starting breaking. Local bike mechanic says that the spokes are defective. There can be no other explanation.

Price Paid:  $220.00 at Camping World

Favorite Ride:
Dahon boardwalk 6

Summary:
I bought 2 Dahon boardwalk 6 speed bikes for me and my wife 5 years ago. They fit my motorhome trunk perfectly when folded.
Unfolding the bike is very easy, and the ride is very smooth.

Strengths:
As above.

Weaknesses:
The seat is uncomfortable and caused tingling at my bottom after less than 1 mile drive. I have to move my bottom constantly. The second weakness of this bike is the wheel spikes start breaking off one by one after 3 year ownership. I only used it 1 or 2 weeks per year. I never buy these bike again.

Similar Products Used:
I recently bought a Yeah folding bike, this seems more durable than the Dahon, but it takes more force to fold and unfold it, and it is heavier than the Dahon.

Price Paid:  $199.00 at Kozy in Chicago

Favorite Ride:
Dahon Boardwalk

Summary:
I love it. It is perfect for Chicago because there are few hills. Now that I have the seat ajusted properly and keep the chain oiled, I can go as fast as I need. It is easy to store and with the bag easy to take anywhere I need to go. I can meet friends who have cars and just jump in to the car putting the bike in the trunk. I can get on a bus or a train and no one knows that I have a bike. I have taken it into resturants with out any problem. I love it.

Strengths:
Fun to ride and easy to store.

Weaknesses:
I wish the seat was more comfortable.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Anything within riding distance

Bike Setup:
currently: New road cranks, Fixed gear drivetrain 53x18 gearing with a bmx chain and halflink to achieve chain tension; front brake only, Vetta seat and xtra large seatbag with clip on light. Removed the rear rack for now but kept the fenders. Do-it-meself camoflage paint.

Summary:
AFTER THE NEW WEARS OFF: The follow up:



Most reviews are written shortly after getting a new product, and mine was no exception. Here then is a follow up, intended to show what to expect of a Dahon after several years...

First, you will want to install real road cranks. This will enable you to run a bigger and speedier chainring. You will also find that swapping out the rear shifter helps immensely.

I did all of these and more and ride quality improved greatly.

You will also find that the magnetic catch works loose and falls off so you will use a toe clip strap to secure the bike when folded.

I did all of the above, then took it a step further by converting the bike to fixed gear.

Strengths:
folds up, is made of steel, can go on the train, tiny wheels=sharp handling, the stock gear cluster is easy enuff for any hill and the small wheels mean that even converted to a 53x18 fixed gear I can still get up any hill. The bike also does nto cost a lot.

Weaknesses:
Magnetic catch fell off -- twice, the handlebar is still not adjustible, and vertical dropouts are a pain when building it into a fixed gear

Similar Products Used:
I have since tried a cheapo folder I found discarded but still prefer the Dahon