Dahon Helios

Price Paid:  $250.00 at Craigslist

Favorite Ride:
Dahon Helios

Bike Setup:
Stock, without fenders or rack.

Summary:
The Dahon Helios has opened up new commuting options for me. It folds so compactly that I can ride to work 1-way, or part-way, then plop it into a coworker's trunk and get a ride the rest of the way.

Strengths:
Lightweight, a pleasure to ride, good gear range. Feels solid - I'm 6ft 4, and 180 lbs. Great handling. Folds in 30 seconds.

Weaknesses:
The chain often derails, despite the chainwheel guard, when shifting to a higher gear. I've learned to pause pedaling while shifting up - no problem now.

Similar Products Used:
Fuji Marlboro 26 inch folder (my first folder). It was heavier, and awkward to take on the train

Price Paid:  $650.00 at New York City

Favorite Ride:
work, shops, fun

Bike Setup:
Stock, added Dahon rack and no-brand front handlebar bag

Summary:
LOVE this bike, my first folder, but definitely not my last (Caio is next!). Enough range in gears to replace my full size 21 speed, INCLUDING 28 in climbing gear, takes all my regular killer hills in stride

Strengths:
nimble, gear range, easy to fold & unfold, low step thru, same wheelbase as full size bike, great when you need to stow it away!!

Weaknesses:
would prefer a fuller chainguard (for commuting)

Price Paid:  $700.00 at M&M Cyclery, Mundele

Favorite Ride:
Between home, train and work

Bike Setup:
Bike is stock, as indicated above, with the addition of a headlight (CatEye HL-EL300), tail light (CatEye TL-LD600) and a cycle computer (CatEye Mity 3). The tail light which comes with the bike is OK, but more is better (and safer!).

Summary:
Please note: this bike is a Helios XL, which has fenders, a 7-speed Shimano "can" hub (internal gears), a Cane Creek "Thudbuster" seatpost and afolding aluminum frame. Price listed includes bag (2003 model).It's been ridden daily (M-F) about 6 miles regardless of weather. I leave home and arrive at work on the bike; there's a one-hour troan ride in the middle. The local rail service requires that folding bikes be bagged; other bikes are not permitted. I've actually ridden the bike for 9 months (1,000 miles; 150+ days); by thetime it's been in use for one year it will have paid for itself in savings on bus tickets!

Strengths:
Comfortable to ride, easily folded, nice to look at, easy to maintain, durable, fenders protect rider well, relatively easy to carry in bag (nice bag: "DoublePlay"!). Total maintenance required so far: one spoke, new brake pads, new pedals. Rode through a Chicago winter (think "salt") with no significant corrosion.

Weaknesses:
One rear spoke broke (easily fixed). Slightly heavy (26 pounds) to carry in bag. The bike DOES look a tiny bit silly (but form follows function!). The chain is a potential stain hazard, but this is easily avoided. The original pedals (SunTour) wore out after 500 miles. Replaced with MKS removables with Nashbar strapless toe clips.

Similar Products Used:
Strida 2 (Strida International). A nice design, but not up to my weight (195) and distance/speed travelled (also ridden 1,000 miles)