Dahon Espresso

I have a small apartment and needed a folding bike but also wanted to take it touring and try it out for long cycling. The Dahon Espresso is the best deal for the money. This is a fast Bike and I love passing bikers with full racing gear. I don't recommend it in the snow and even in the rain it's not the greatest. I ride around 25 miles a day and put more miles on it when I have the time. There has been a worrisome amount knocking in the steering joints but nothing maintenence doesn't cure. I added on light weight fenders, aluminum pop off pedals and a bonager saddle and it is amzing how much faster and lighter it made the bike. If you'd like to save some money while keeping in shape and build your endurance this bike is perfect. The 21 speeds make this bike resaonable to take out of town for that 70 - 80 mile excursion if you're up for it. The seat isn't the greatest but overall this bike is great for beginners and cyclists looking for a communter bike without using their racing or mountain bike.

This is a great deal!

I have been using my espresso for a couple of years now, riding 100 miles a week (except when I am too tired and jump on the train). This is a fantastic bike - really well made for the price, a pleasure to ride and capable of very fast speeds (wind allowing!)

Downside is that some of the parts needed replacing earlier than I would expect (the gear shifter completely broke after a couple of months, the seat post pump has broken twice - the first time I got a replacement from Dahon no problem, the second time I didn't bother - I prefer not having to align the seat correctly after every puncture anyway).

One thing to be aware of is that this doesn't fold really small like a brompton - if you are commuting by train this is really a token gesture to the ridiculous bike ban rules, so on busy trains it can be a bit of a hassle.

I'm now on my 2nd Dahon Espresso. The first was wrecked when someone pulled out on me at a junction. I actually liked the old bike so much that I bought another.The 2009 Espresso is lightweight, comfortable and easy to ride, I find myself sailing past people on heavy full suspension mountain bikes as they stand up out of the saddle and struggle up quite mild hills. Probably quite embarrassing to be passed by a folding bike.The build quality is generally excellent, though there are a couple of point that let it down. The folding pedals are somewhat weak, the bearings failed on one after only a couple of months. The brake 'noodles' are poor quality and rust quickly.For 2009 Dahon have swapped the 'quick-fire' gear shifters of the 2008 model for twist-grip shifters, which I hate, but that's a personal thing. I swapped them for a set of decent shifters from the local bike shop.The 2009 model also comes with a magnetic 'latch' to hold the bike together when folded ( the 2008 model had a velcro strap). I have found this to be almost useless. Any knocks against the front wheel instantly cause the latch to spring apart. I removed the latch and use the strap from the old bike.The bike folds quickly enough, but the handlebars are a big issue. You have to loosen two 'allen' bolts and swivel the handlebars 90 degrees. Unfolding is even more of a problem as you have to manually judge when the handlebars are correctly aligned before tightening the bolts.Another thing to be aware of is that, although the bike uses standard mountain bike parts, the geometry of the folding frame from means that you need to be careful when buying accessories as some won't fit (mudguards in particular)Overall a very nice bike for the money only let down by a few niggles that can be easily fixed with after-market parts.

I bought this Dahon Espresso for a 20 mile round trip commute. Main roads. Nothing to strenuous. I also wanted to get a folding bike just in case i needed to get a train for any reason.

Purchased July 2008 and used for 3 - 4 days a week for about 2 - 3 months. For winter, i decided to commute in. I restarted biking in January.

In September 2008, the seat pole bolt broke. I managed to replace the bolt but that too broke. However, Dahon, to their credit, sent me a brand new seat post and bolt free of charge so i cant argue with that. I still have to check it every week.

List of things i've had to replace.

Pedals. Folding pedals are weak.

Front tyre which actually ripped. Arguably wear and tear.

As previously mentioned, the seat post.

The gears have also failed and at the time of typing i can only use gears on the 3rd cog. Not a major issue for my commute but still annoying.

Overall, i don't think this bike is designed for a heavy commute. The journey i do isn't the most intense as it has many straight roads and hardly any bumps.

I reckon that i will have to get a newer bike by the end of the year.

However, if you need a bike to chuck in the back of the car if you go to the coast then its fine.

We have two of these bikes, his and hers, both fit easily into the back of a nissan micra. we only use them for light/ fun cycling at the weekends, up to 10 miles and hopefully flat, but that says more of our fitness than the bikes. Ideal to load into the rear of the car, unfold in seconds and have fun and a little exercise.

This Dahon Espresso is a well made bike, not a Halfords toy, and it feels like it is built to last. I added an adjustable stem and a Brooks saddle and have just done a couple of hundred miles in the south of Ireland with panniers no problems at all. Always get a few comments when you roll up to a bus stop, flip the lever, and the bike folds in half.! Excellent value for money.

So you want a folding bike without looking like Mr Bean? The fact is that 16" bikes look comical (I owned one and people fell about laughing) while 20" bikes are just about acceptable for the elderly - I'm not quite there myself though.

I can't relate to the rating of 2 I'm afraid. Fold it into in two, throw it in the back of your car and you can be cycling straight away.

If you don't need to fold it, then buy a conventional bike. But if you want a cool looking folder for leisure use this is it.

Do not use in the rain or use it a lot, as I have had mine for nine months only, kept it under cover and well the bearings are shot to bits, the pedals have gone and the steering headset along with the bottom bracket. This bike is not made to last, best off spending a bit more money for something that will last.

Generally a good bike for commuting with train or bus usage and has potential for touring and use further afield. I have loaded it up with heavy double panniers at the rear and it still rides well. It is great for use combined with a car as well as it goes easily into the boot. Great value for money.