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 "Almost
a year ago I purchased my first Dahon and couldn't have been more
pleased with the purchase. I ride my Boardwalk 6 to work every day,
rain or shine. I ride it to the local train station, fold it up, get
on the train, get off in Manhattan, unfold it and head up to work
in Times Square."
- Tracy Visconti, NYC, USA
"I am the proud owner of 4 Dahon bikes. I have the Boardwalk6,
Mariner20, Speed 8 and my latest the Espresso. I'm totally hooked
and living in the NYC area. I get stopped on a daily basis by people
who are impressed with these bikes. I spend more time showing them
the features than actual riding, but I don't mind. Keep up the good
work and who knows, a fifth bike might not be out of the question."
- Miranda Karl, Flushing, NY, USA
"I am a truck driver in America and find your bicycle one of
my most prized possessions. Your bicycle enables me to get to places
that before were inaccessible due to the size of my vehicle and some
of the laws around the country. Thanks again for a wonderful bicycle."
- Robert Jime, USA
 "I
happened upon your web site when researching a bicycle purchase for
a friend. I've been an avid bicyclist for 38 years now. Through the
years I've owned 22 bikes, everything from a tricycle, to a custom
racing bike. I was immediately impressed with your line. The attention
to quality and detail was obvious. Your passion to promote bicycling
for practical transportation is commendable. In these days of diminishing,
expensive, and polluting fossil fuels, I'd say it's a vital mission.
As if that wasn't enough, your prices bring cutting edge folding bike
technology to the mass market. What a unique and valuable contribution.
You must be very proud. Ironically, I write these words without ever
having ridden one of your bikes. That's the power of your commitment.
I'll stop now as I'm going to rush out the door to visit one of your
local dealers and experience all of this personally. Keep up the good
work!!!"
- Jonathan Franks, by email
"Just a note to say how much we enjoy your product. We have bought
two little fold ups to put in our 4wd and take them all over Australia.
Thank you for the chance to send in the card for free lifetime warranty
but our bike shop will honor it and keep them in top condition for
us. We can't stop riding them - they are fantastic! Thanks again."
- Jon Bickley, Australia
"I really love your folding bike. I got my very first Dahon in
the summer of 1993. I still have it, and I have been riding it everyday
to work and school in New York City. I love it! The bike still looks
and rides like new since I give it TLC. Thank you Dahon for a job
well done. You are the true King of folding bikes."
- E. Gouache, NY, NY
"Wow! That's all I can say....holy @#%#@ WOW! (excuse me..)
I just came from test riding a Dahon Speed 7 on my lunch hour through
NY city streets and Central Park, and what a wonderful ride it was!
You were right, absolutely right. This is no ordinary folding bike.
Great product, great product! I'm sold."
[A few months later]
"I'm having so much fun with the bike. It's a great conversation
piece. Especially when people see me folding and unfolding it. I've
got two dates so far!! Thanks."
- Mark Lee, NY, NY
"Aloha. I've owned a succession of Dahon bikes. My Dahon has
been with me to Hawaii, Johnston Atoll, Marshall Islands, Tonga, Fiji,
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Colombia, South Africa, Dallas, Austin,
Newport RI, Newport Beach, Florida, Canada, England, Italy, France...
and now to Tacoma, Washington. I ride my bike EVERYwhere (but I've
learned not to ride it on the beach (grin) cause that's ONE place
this bike should NOT go).I LOVE my folder! I'm now a licensed pilot
so my bike goes with me on the plane too AND I stow it in my sailboat
for dock stops. LOVE this bike. Thank you for inventing it! A hui
hou!"
- Violet Weed, Tacoma, WA
"I love the Dahon folding bicycle - it is fantastic! It really
does fold easily and quickly in seconds. I use my Dahon for traveling
when I am out of town. I also bring my Dahon with me on airplanes,
buses and of course trains."
- Tony Anthony, Las Vegas, USA
"A few years ago, I found a pair of collapsible mountain bikes
in the West Marine store in Key West. They are amazing machines that
fold up into themselves, like praying Buddhist monks, and then transform
into full-size bikes with the turn of a couple bolts. I consider them
to be survival gear, since they allow me to avoid taxis, in which
I have spent too many frightening moments clinging to my seat belt
or stomping on imaginary brakes."
- Jimmy Buffett, reprinted from Men's Journal, February, 1998
"Yes, we belong to your Dahon family. We have 2 Mariner bikes.
We have had them for about 10years. They have been in the back of
our light plane to the Cayman Isles, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas, Dominican
Republic to celebrate the Columbus Arrival where the Sheraton Hotel
insisted they were wheeled through the lobby, up the elevator to our
room! They have traveled in our 42' boat from Key West to Annapolis,
Palm Beach to the Bahamas. Mine is used every morning for my exercise
circuit around the subdivision. We are just about to buy two more
to go on our new boat in England, a 68' narrowboat. We will be cruising
the inland canals with that and our Dahons. Should tell you my husband
is 72 next month! Great product!"
- Gwen Garner, USA
"My first impression of the Helios was "Wow!". It certainly
is a very beautiful bike, and that brushed aluminium frame is pretty
sexy! The quality of the running gear is immediately apparent, with
fast, precise gear changes and smooth braking on those CNC machined
rims. The frame is great, nicely welded, very light, with an excellently
engineered hinge locking mechanism.
Unfortunately the Sydney weather took a bit of a turn on the day I
got the Helios, and it's been raining ever since. However, this provided
an opportunity to test the mudguards! Much to my surprise, those funny-looking
little flaps on the ends of the front and rear mudguards work fantastically
well to keep shoes dry (assuming it's not raining too hard) and to
prevent mud and road grit from spraying all over the bottom bracket
and chain.
I must also compliment the Ritchey tyres. They are awesome! Wet or
dry, they don't let go and they certainly inspire confidence on the
road. I think they have a fairly soft compound rubber on the tread,
so I'm not sure how much mileage to expect from them- time will tell
(are these tyres available in Australia?).
In the handling department, the Helios is a real star. It leaves several
other folding bikes for dead (the Brompton, for example). It's comfortable,
predictable and very stable. One advantage of small wheels is the
amazingly precise low-speed handling in tight places (e.g. traffic
jams).
Overall, the Helios is a real head-turner, and quite a number of people
at the railway station and on trains have asked me about it.
In conclusion, I am very happy with the Helios so far, and expect
that it will be a trusty, reliable and fun daily commuting partner.
Again, I would like to voice my appreciation of Dahon's customer service
and follow-up. I would be happy to keep you posted on the Helios's
long-term performance."
- Barry Manor (PhD), Research Scientist (Measurement), CRC for Eye
Research & Technology
- University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
"I commend you on excelling at customer service. You may spend
a little more on each customer but they will be loyal."
- Zack Reuben, by email
 "It
was just over three years ago when I decided I wanted to take up cycling
again, after over 20 years of not having done any. Within that three
years, with the Dahon Helios I am now on my third folder, for the
following reasons:
Cycle 1 - Brompton (UK designed) 16" folder. Had for one year.
Did not like the rear lifting every time I have to maneuver the cycle
through a farm/cycle track gate; a laborious ride.
Cycle 2 - Birdy (German designed). Had for two years. Pretty complex
to fold and unfold, but certainly a more comfortable ride than the
Brompton - no quicker.
Cycle 3 - Dahon Metro Helios. While my Birdy was in the Avon Valley
Cyclery for service, I was loaned a Helios; the ride was definitely
much superior to either the Brompton or the Birdy - far faster. I
was doing a 14 mile ride with someone on a standard size cycle and
had no difficulty whatsoever in keeping abreast. (The person with
whom I did the ride is very fit.)
So, based on that trial of the Helios I decided to purchase without
any hesitation. Obviously it is early days but I certainly notice
the difference in its performance when coping with hills. Finally,
I would like to congratulate all concerned on the clarity of the handbook
and the instructions for folding and unfolding - both far superior
to Brompton or Birdy - and, I am sure, because of such clarity I am
finding these functions very straightforward to perform."
- Margaret Raymond, Bristol, England
"You have great bikes, I own two ordered a third. These were
not casual purchases, we are a predominant recumbent riding family,
But now Dahon is the one."
- Anonymous email
"The touch-up paint came a couple of days ago. Thanks for taking
care of that. No wonder your company is so successful."
B. Roop, USA
"I have a Dahon Getaway PTOIO (1998). I am a handicapped senior
citizen. I love my bike and the freedom it allows me."
- P. Coleman, USA
"Thank you for answer my e-mail. Halford's already got in touch
with me. The same day I received your e-mail. They already solved
the problem for me. The service was perfect. I like to thank you that
you contact them. You and Halford's have giving me a service that
is mostly hard to find."
- H. Fernandes, The Netherlands
"Your prompt service has produced swift results. I wish to thank
you for your assistance and excellent service."
- C.M. Widdows, The Netherlands
"I love the bikes... I have three of them and store them nicely
in my airplane for quick trips to Sun Valley, Idaho and Jackson Hole,
Wyoming. Thanks for your help... "
- Kim Hansen, USA
 "We
have two stainless steel 3-speed bikes and have had them for about
12 years. They have really served us well. We have ridden the streets
from San Diego to San Francisco, and a lot of points in between. The
only modifications that we have made are slightly larger seats. They
grew as we grew. We used our bikes on our boat when it was tied up
in Ventura, Ca. Now we use them with our motorhome (a Texas land yacht)
now that I work in Austin. They make seeing the River Walk in San
Antonio great fun!"
- Frank Barr, Austin, USA
"Just wanted to voice my thanks to everybody at Dahon for such
a sweet product (Speed 7) and such quick service. It is very solid
and it feels quite stout under me. At 280# and more than 20 miles
per day, other bikes have felt flimsy and worrisome. This little bike
is working out just great. I will be taking it to Savannah and Charleston
and it will get the sightseeing use that I bought it for right away.
It will be going with me to Lexington on business. For the first time,
I will be able to take my exercise regimen with me."
[A few months later]
"The little Dahon has traveled with me to Lexington, Charleston,
Savannah, Baltimore and Washington in the short time I have had it.
It has proven to be reliable and ideal beyond anything y'all described
in your advertising. When touring these cities I noticed because of
its size, the bike does not intrude upon sightseeing. The Dahon disappears
underneath and leaves you alone with your view, gliding through the
scenery as if by magic carpet. This is the greatest tool for exploring
historic districts, better than anything I ever imagined.
As you know, my riding this bike approaches the upper limit of the
design's weight capability. The Speed has proven up to the challenge
requiring only a couple of parts and regular service. A special thank
you to the folks in shipping who have taken great care to see my orders
shipped promptly. Thanks y'all."
- Dave Nolton, USA
"I have a pair of 16" bikes, 5 speed, yellow & black
Dahon bikes. I have had them for about 10 years and have ridden them
all over the country, including Alaska. We travel with a 5th wheel
trailer and they are great in that they don't take up much space and
are so easy to setup. I have been very glad to have them along, especially
the time we ran out of gas several miles from a gas station and all
I had to do was get out the trusty Dahon and ride up to the station.
Now my grand kids have discovered them and whenever they visit they
also enjoy them. They are great for that because they adjust to their
size so easily that they fit them all. "
- John I. Elsass, Litchfield Park, Arizona
"Hello - I LOVE my Dahon bicycle. At first, I was wary of it,
fearing that it would collapse en route someplace! But it is so sturdy.
Really a well made product. I ride the bike all over campus, to meetings,
lunch, etc. Everybody always comments, "I really like your bike."
I have enjoyed this little bicycle for almost ten years, with nothing
going wrong with it. I've never even had a tune-up! Thank you for
a great product."
- I. Egan, Cerritos, California
"Hi! Just visited your website. My wife Alicia & I purchased
our Dahon folding bikes last summer. They fit nicely on the rear seats
of our Piper Cherokee and make "being there" nearly as fun
as "getting there"! Thanks!!!"
- John Lampson, Connecticut
"I'm 69 and
having 'a ball' with your Stowaway. Thank you SO MUCH for your courtesy
in dealing with me. Your 'little bike' is a jewel..."
- T.R. Boback, U.S.A
"My wife and myself are both fans of your folding bicycles. We
have two of them (purchased in 1984), now permanently in our second
home in Cannes, and we have purchased two stainless steel Quest in
September last year. I would like to congratulate your engineers for
the many improvements they have brought. "
- Alain de Tonnac, Paris, France
"I recently purchased a Dahon 20" with the new frame style
in that nice champagne color. It is a very good bike. I live in a
tiny apartment in NY - and it fits! Also fits both me (5'10")
and my fiancee (5'2") so we can share."
- Peter Velsey, NY, NY
"As a city apartment dweller and owner of several mountain bikes
of all makes and models, I realized I was wasting money buying bikes
with 24 gears to commute in NY. My new Dahon is truly the bike I have
been looking for. The folder is definitely an earmark into the future
of bike consumers as the mountain bike was of yesteryear."
- Larry Russell, NY, NY
"We have owned two Dahon bikes for somewhere close to ten years
- we have really enjoyed these both from the standpoint of general
recreation but also in conjunction with boating. I got a kick out
of my 6 year old grandson who rode the bike for the first time recently,
his comment, "grandpa this is great I can ride this forever,
even when I get bigger".
- Stew Beebe, Vancouver, BC
"Prior to getting my own bike, I tried out the folding bike concept
by borrowing a Brompton from a friend. In fact, the Dahon's ride is
much more stable and comfortable than the Brompton- the brakes are
heaps better, and the fattish tires give a nice ride without too much
rolling resistance. To be fair, the Brompton has smaller wheels but
the Dahon definitely has a good solid predictable feel to it, and
inspires confidence."
- Dr. Barry Manor, Sydney, Australia (Boardwalk)
"We currently have two of your bikes. We originally purchased
them to take with us on our boat. The practicality of them has made
us think in broader terms. We now include them into our plans when
going by car. Thanks for making a quality product."
- Gary R. Zeiders, Maryland
"I am extremely happy with a 3 speed Dahon city bike I bought
a few years ago and I am now interested in purchasing a Dahon mountain
bike. Hats off to a fine product!"
- Carl Nishi, Berkeley, California
"At the nine-year point in my use of Dahons (always the 16-inch
models and always Sturmey-Archer 3-speed; I have had three, plus have
bought three others for friends) I am convinced that the bike is absolutely
the only bike a 'normal' person should need. I get a bit rankled when
I hear it referred to as a specialty bike, primarily to be used for
short cycling trips for those periodically using RVs and pleasure
boats. I should point out that I am 53 years old, 6'3", and weigh
207 pounds."
- Chris Bradshaw Ottawa, Canada
 "Just
wanted to thank you for your swift service and understanding. I appreciate
the new saddle, and can only say again what a splendid bicycle my
Helios is."
Tony Meisel
"This past summer I purchased a Helios from (at your referral)
Frank's Bike Shop in New York City. I love the bicycle, and I love
Frank's Bike Shop."
Dan Budofsky, NY
"I just received my third Dahon. They just keep getting better!
I started with the Explorer, then I bought a Novel and now the best
of all-- the Piccolo. After a few judicial reductions, my Piccolo
now weighs 23.8 lbs and is easily taken on Metro transit buses. I
have no problems with the hub gearing and the three gears seem to
be adequate for most terrain. The Cabot Trail may require a little
walking! I am very pleased, thank you for the fine bicycle."
- Evelyn MacMillan, Nova Scotia Canada
"In March of this year I suffered an injury and have been off
work for nearly 4 months. I have difficulty driving and feel it is
safer for me to ride the bus as I have limited turning ability of
my neck. The bus route is great for me (within a mile of my home and
to the door of my office) but I didn't want to walk and leaving the
car on the street didn't seem like a good idea....... Then I remembered
my Dahon!"
"I have been practicing riding and as of Monday July 3rd, I will
be able to return to work (and get a little workout to boot) because
of my fold-a-bike. Just thought you would like to know how helpful
your invention is."
- Marilyn, USA
"I cannot describe the sorrow I've gone through since my lovely
black and chromium Dahon bike was stolen two years ago. I've lived
a love story with it, always it was with me in the trunk of the car,
all over Europe. I'm sorry you don't no longer make the version I
lost but you have some pretty lovely alternatives."
- Luc Arretz, Belgium
"I am writing to you from Kerala, the southmost part of India.
I was fascinated by your 20" Folding Dahon bicycle while I was
on a short visit to Malaysia for a software consulting job. I bought
it and have been using it for the last 3 years. Here, the roads are
bad due to the climate and very poor road maintenance. In spite of
these conditions, your company's bicycle is giving me an excellent
and superb result. Here, everybody is fascinated by my bicycle, since
it is unique and not available in India. When I tell people the price
of the product, people are surprised. We can buy a motor bike for
this price. I love my Dahon Bicycle. This letter is just to congratulate
all your team for innovating such excellent idea and design."
- Subramania Kumar, Kerala. India
"I'd just like to say it is a very good bike and a real head
turner where ever I go. Thanks."
- M. Flear, USA
"I have owned Dahons for over 10 years. Starting with a 16"
wheel 3-speed, followed by two Tailwinds and now I've just ordered
the Speed. I'm a bit of a folding bike collector, owning a Moulton
Jubilee, a Brompton T-5, a Birdy, and a Montague. I think the Dahon
offers an excellent product at a very reasonable price."
- K. Jensen, Oregon
Adventures
 Dahon'ing
Four Continents
"I was a bit nervous starting my first European tour on a folding
bike. However, after two successful thousand mile plus European trips
on my Dahon, I felt confident as I began my third trip: across the
Netherlands toward Asia. I retrieved my bike and baggage from the
Schiphol airport near Amsterdam, set up the bike, and attached the
panniers and basket. A Dahon 16" bag served to carry the panniers,
tent, and sleeping bag for plane, train and bus trips. I put the 20"
bag, tent and sleeping bag in it, and attached it with bungees on
top of the panniers. I hoisted my daypack and started East .......
The trip took 176 days, covered 3173 miles by bicycle, and touched
14 countries. The longest single day covered 76 miles. Top speed was
37 MPH. I replaced three worn out tires. From the Netherlands through
Bulgaria I felt like I was mixing with the local people and getting
a feel for the life of the people. In Turkey, Greece and Egypt I felt
more like a pure tourist and though the sights were more impressive,
I felt it less rewarding. The Dahon bicycle made it easy to use many
bus and train connections that would have been difficult or impossible
with a conventional bike. It also was a good icebreaker for meeting
the local people. I have put 7200 miles on this bike in the three
years I have owned it."
- G. Johnston, Charlottesville, VA
Update by G. Johnston: 20" Wheels, 20 thousand kilometers,
20 Countries
"On September 1, 2003, I rolled over 20,000 km on my Dahon Omega
in the village of Coslariu, Romania. After receiving the bike in the
spring of 1998, I covered 5,000 km in the first six months, extensively
touring in Hungary and Romania. In the next four years, I went farther
afield: from Madrid to St. Petersburg, Russia, and from Amsterdam
to Varna, Bulgaria. I took advantage of its compactness to reach the
faraway locations with buses and trains, but did less long distance
riding. This year I took longer tours around Serbia, Bulgaria, and
Romania, with over twenty kilograms of baggage and challenging terrain.
As a fitting end to the completion of the 20,000 km excursion through
20 countries on the 20" bicycle, I took second place in the veteran
division of the Timisoara-Wittmann Cup and bicycled to the airport
the next day for the flight home."
- G. Johnston, Orange Park, Florida
"Just found your website and thought I'd tell you about our experiences
with our stainless 16s.
We bought them sometime in the late 80s. In August of 1990 we left
Puget Sound and headed south on our 41' cutter, a Lord Nelson, with
the bikes folded and an in their bags.
We wound up making a 3-year circumnavigation of the Pacific, visiting
Mexico, French Polynesia, American Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand, Fiji,
Vanuatu, The Solomon Islands, Micronesia, Guam and Japan.
Little did we know when we left that our Dahons would end up being
at or near the top in our Top Ten list of cruising equipment. Starting
right away in Mexico they became invaluable for such errands as clearing
in with customs, immigration and port authority, which were often
spread all over town. We also used them for grocery, propane and diesel
runs. We had a small cart that I towed behind my Dahon that carried
three jerry cans or two propane tanks or several bags of groceries.
And of course the bikes allowed us to see much more of the places
we worked so hard to get to. We even rode them around Kauehi Atoll
in the Tuamotus.
I had concerns from the beginnings that the bikes might be tempting
targets in third world places. So it was somewhat ironic, when nearing
the end of our cruise that they were indeed stolen--but in Japan,
hardly a third world country or one noted for crime problems. It turns
out that the two most common crimes in Japan are umbrella and bicycle
theft. Our story and our pictures were in the major newspaper that
covers all of southern Japan. We had no less than seven different
parties offer to give us replacement bikes. The reporter who did the
story determined who would have the privilege of giving us new bikes.
They were both folders but only single speeds and not stainless. Nevertheless
they came in handy throughout the rest of our stay in Japan.
After returning to Gig Harbor we sold the gift bikes at a dock sale
and eventually bought Dahon Mariner 26s. We are planning another extended
cruise beginning in about three years. At that time we will sell the
26s and buy a new pair of stainless 16s. We need the compactness and
the greatest possible resistance to the elements."
- Steve Van Slyke, Sailing Vessel Kavenga
- Gig Harbor, WA
"Back in 1994 after graduating from college a friend of mine
and myself decided to drive across country before entering the "Real
World". We left from Ohio headed for California and back. In
the trunk we had packed two Dahon folding bikes. They were great!!!
After driving all day it was really great to pull the bikes out and
ride around the rest stops and campgrounds where we stopped. It was
very refreshing. The bikes preformed flawlessly and drew a lot of
attention. We rode them at Hells Half Acre in Iowa, at Mt Rushmore,
Yellowstone national park, Portland, Oregon and San Francisco. But
alas the bikes were stolen in New York City at the end of the trip.
I can't say enough about how cool and easy to fold these little bikes
are. Now that I am in the market for another one. I am definitely
getting another Dahon! Thanks for making such a great product!"
- John Heymann, Lancaster PA
"Several years ago I bought a used Dahon Classic III in Florida
during a vacation. I returned home and began thinking about whether
I could use such a small bicycle for some truly demanding touring.
I decided to give it a try and left for France to ride it until it
gave out and then proceed by public transportation. Carrying everything
I needed from tent to wine decanter I traveled for 7 weeks through
France in the manner the French call "au sauvage". From
Paris to the headwaters of the Seine, over the divide via the Nivernais
canal and down the Loire to the Atlantic I camped where the setting
sun found me. I had a terrific trip and wore 3 rear tires down to
fabric thickness due to the often rugged terrain. The bike held up
admirably in most respects under conditions that would normally dictate
a mountain bike, even without the load of camping gear."
- Terence S. Iran |
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