Dahon Piccolo

Price Paid:  $350.00 at Bicycle Sport Shop

Favorite Ride:
San Marcos to Austin, TX

Summary:
Purchased the Dahon Piccolo 3 speed for a trip to visit a friend in Portland Oregon. I had considered shipping a bicycle out to Oregon but the cost of shipment was way too high, even for 5 day ground service.
The Piccolo fit into a "Samsonite F'Lite Oyster" 28 inch hard plastic suitcase when the wheels, seat posts, left crank and pedals were removed. The handlebars were slipped into the space between the folded frame halves. The fenders, kickstand and rack were removed and left at home. The total package with empty water bottle holder, head and tail lights, odometer, and cable lock weighed 43 pounds.
The bicycle went as my second checked bag, no extra charge.

Strengths:
The bicycle rides well for being as small as it is and looks good. It perfomed well on short rides of 5 miles or less with small hills.

Weaknesses:
On long rides the handlebars seemed too low, even at the maximum extension. The riding position seemed a bit cramped like the handlebars were not out far enough. The longest ride made during the visit was 40 miles.
The cables and chain on the new bicyle stretched and required adjustment while riding during the trip.
The gearing on the 3 speed was not low enough for the large hills in Portland. The rear cog has 13 teeth and I will be changing it to 15 teeth or more. The new bicycle had missing spacers on the rear cog/hub allowing the cog to slide back and forth and wobble on the hub body, the bicycle shop is currently looking for the spacers and a larger rear cog. I put alloy riser handlebars on the bike as soon as I got home.
The steel rack that came on the bicycle is useful and stylish but it seems to weigh a ton.

Similar Products Used:
This was my first folding bike experience.

Price Paid:  $262.00 at http://www.aircrafts

Favorite Ride:
N/A (Commuter)

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
More importantly than evoking favourable reactions from strangers and passers-by, the Dahon Piccolo performs as smoothly as an equivalently-priced, full-sized bike. Granted, the small wheel radius lends the bike a sometimes-wobbly feeling, it also makes the bike slightly more manoeuvrable in tight spots. The three gears that the Sturmey-Archer internal hub provides are perfect for spinning up hills, cruising along flat roads, and powering down hills. One of the most frustrating flaws, however, is that the folding design requires the brake levers to face directly downward to fold the bike completely, and no quick-release bolt is provided to change the handlebar position sans tools. All in all, it's a bike well worth its price, very clean and generally maintenance-free.

Strengths:
Fenders and rear rack included. Magnets at hubs hold bike together while folded. Easy derailleur-cable-tension microadjuster.

Weaknesses:
With gears internalized into hub, rider can only downshift while not pedaling. Steel rusts and weighs more than aluminum. Folding design requires brake levers to face directly downward. Track fork in the rear makes fixing flats very troublesome.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $350.00 at MetroBicycles in NYC

Favorite Ride:
Dahon Piccolo

Bike Setup:
According to manufacturer, the bicycle is set up by its dealers.

Summary:
My personal inspection and research of the construction, looks and storage capability of the Dahon line of folding bicycles led me to purchase a Dahon Piccolo for a friend's 25th Birthday. As a former technical speciallist in the computer industry, I believed a "winner" was found.

Strengths:
Folding characteristics, looks and construction.

Weaknesses:
Over the course of three months, the bike has been rideable for only five weeks due to the frequency of flat tires repaired by the manufacturer's representatives here in NYC. Included in the repairs was the replacement of three outer tires and the installation of Tuffy material between the tire and tube to assist in preventing flats. Furthermore, the ride is sometimes "shakey" from what appears to be the use of the small 16" wheels.

Similar Products Used:
Never a folding bicycle.

Price Paid:  $299.00 at Corvalis, Oregon

Favorite Ride:
countryside of France

Bike Setup:
Essentially stock. Used as a touring bike, I put on a more sturdy rear bike rack since the original isn't designed to carry much weight.

Summary:
Very pleased with this folder. Bought it to go to the "Big Island" of Hawaii to go on the plane as luggage (no additional charge, will fit their 62" size requirements). Put panniers on the bike and rode completely around the island (300+ miles) with only a few flats. Since it was never designed for this, I think you can ride safely around the corner for a quart of milk. Now I'm using it to commute to work since I can store it there safely under the bathroom sink.

Strengths:
Main components are very sturdy, folds quickly, 3 speeds fine for climbing or cruising at up to about 15 mph. Great around town since it's more nimble at slow speeds than a full size bike, and 3 speed hub will shift to what ever gear you like while stationary at a stop light.

Weaknesses:
16" wheels feel unsteady when coasting fast downhill, and likewise the wheels will get hot with prolonged braking (These are inherent with any small wheel). If you use the front brake too hard on wet pavement, the front wheel can slide out very easily, so watch our speed in wet weather. The chainguard is plastic and will crack easily, but who needs it? A few fasteners here and there get rusty quick if in prolonged moisture.

Similar Products Used:
I've never had a folder before, only full size bicycles for many years.