SoonerLater

If you go to Dahon's website, it is apparent that the Boardwalk models (D3 and D7) are not made for the US market. However, if you do a Froogle search, it's obvious that dealers are selling them here -- new. So what's the deal?

My interest in the Dahon Boardwalk has perked up since I found a barely used 2004 model Boardwalk D6 locally (no shipping) for under $100. I had been looking pretty hard at the DownTubes, but at this price, it's hard to say no -- particularly since I'll use it for about one mile per day. Can anyone offer a reason NOT to buy a used D6 at this price?

folder fanatic

I would spring for it especially at that price and at that condition of the bike. The frame is still superior to what Downtube is offering (just aluminum only) for someone who might want to modify or upgrade components at present or eventually in the future. I did with my own Boardwalk S1 and never regretted buying one in 2003.

SoonerLater

Are you saying that you consider cromolly steel to be superior to aluminum for this application? If so, why?

I'm not arguing with you, if that's your opinion. I just am curious why, since the consensus seems to be frame materials are, in ascending order of preferability (and descending order of weight), as follows:

hi-tensile steel (a/k/a low carbon steel)
cromolly steel
aluminum
carbon fiber
suckeranium

JonboyDC

I think this is the first year the Boardwalks have not been sold by Dahon in the U.S. (I bought mine last year at a fairly large Dahon dealer, but this year they don't have any Boardwalks in stock). Is it possible that the "new" models you are seeing for sale are 2005 models that are still in inventory of various dealers?

SoonerLater

If Dahon made a Boardwalk D7 in 2005, then I guess what I'm seeing are leftovers. I even found a new D6 from a dealer (not an ebay "nib" listing), which I believe makes it a 2005 or even 2004.

folder fanatic

I am stating my opinion from hard earned experience. My sister's Aluminun frame mountain bike needs major work after 15 years of 1 person ownership (hers). She wants to keep her bike since she was made redundent, no longer needed, or downsized from her high paying engineering positon. If the components must be changed due to wear, the replacing component must be the exact size of the original. She does not have the option I have with mine-all steel in different years, namely cold press the frame's dropouts to fit or even wielding cracks or other such damage that crops up over the years. A good new bike usually starts out at around 300 US dollars. A used bike might been an option about 10 years ago, but here in Southern California in the area where we live, there is a lot of stolen bikes openly for sale-and it is difficult to tell who is honest here since we are so numerous here and anonymous, not knowing even our immediate neighbors (the reason why I only buy new bikes now since the last used one purchased about 10 years ago) and I do not want to be arrested for accepting through purchase stolen property in California since it is a felony here. The quality of the used bikes are poor (not taken cared of properly), department store castoffs, or the passable to good used bikes are not much lower than buying new since prices are inflated here.

I prefer cro moly steel in my new bikes. My old used Phillips is hi-tensile steel which was the offered bike back in the late 1960s. The weight issue is an important one but easilly solved by not loading down the bike with a lot of unnecessary accessories that unduly weighs down the bike. I see no great gains in just frame only weight. Aluminun frames might be a tad lighter than steel, but the tubes are far larger (and more difficult to grasp since I prefer to carry my folders by the frame), and the weight is not enough to make me chuck steel frames which can be managed better through the years whether I sell them tomarrow or keep the bikes for the rest of my life. And Aluminum whether just parts or a whole frame has a limited life span. I chose flexiblity and proven reliablility over what others say since I am stuck with these bikes. My sister had to learn the hard way.

Later Edit: Don't worry about my sister. I will have a nice folder for her whenever she's ready and wants to use it.

Bacciagalupe

Dahon's marketing and naming policies are slightly incomprehensible. Models come, models go, models change names, some things like the Boardwalk S1 are sold but not even advertised on the website. I'd assume that these older things like the Boardwalk D3/D7 are leftovers and/or gray market.


Oooh, I can think of one! If all you're riding is 1 mile a day, a skateboard will only set you back $30.

brakemeister

Boardwalks S 1 were originally not planned to be sold in the US for 06.
Customer demand however stayed high and therefore Dahon brought a couple containers over. The Boardwalk S1 which is sold ( liquid black ) is 2006

Thor

stateniland

My wife LOVES her B-Day gift.. D3...always on it..

thanks again
joe
NYC

folder fanatic

brakemeister,

I spotted a 2006 Boardwalk S1 at my rather distantly located Dahon Stocking Dealer when I went to visit him last week. I can see why people still are rather attracted to the model. It is the best thing that happened to Dahon in terms of price (rock bottom), flexibility (steel frame can modified to internal hub gear system, fixed gear, shifter on handlebars, bar ends, twist, or no shifter at all, coaster brake, hand brake, or leave it alone as a single speed) and comes with the full range of accessories-namely fenders/mudguards, rear rack, or leave off if desired. Plus all the techological improvements that the bikes undergo each year. Too bad Dahon went too far in it's quest to upgrade it's image. It left behind a lot of good ideas and models.

stateniland,

I am please your wife took to her European version of the Vitesse so well.

lz4005

My LBS has a single speed coaster brake Boardwalk in stock for next to nothing. I'd buy it but I can't stand the narrow straight bars that unfortunately are integral to the stem/post whatsit.

Is there any way to put different bars on a Boardwalk? The guys at the LBS said the stem/post whatsit with removable bars from other Dahon models wasn't compatible with the Boardwalk and didn't know of any others that would work.

kb5ql

I put trekking bars on mine. Along with the revolve stem, it folds up with a little extra effort, but it works.

https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/235771-dahon-speed-p8-porn.html

SoonerLater

I'm riding a Boardwalk (D6) these days. The way that the post claim works on mine, you could put a wider bar on, but you'd have to be careful not to go too wide, else it could interfere with the fold.

lz4005

I should have been more clear. The post and bars on the one I'm looking at are one piece, so the bars can't be changed without replacing the post as well.

What I need to know is if there is another post with removable bars that will fit on the single speed coaster brake Boardwalk. My LBS has a couple of other Dahon models with removable bars but their posts won't fit on the Boardwalk.

SoonerLater

If you tediously search the folder forum, you'll find where a guy modded a folder which had a folding, but not telescoping, stem by buying stock aluminum tubing and making the parts himself. That's an idea.

My Boardwalk D6 has a folding stem (duh!) and the handlebar, which is nearly straight, rotates about 60 deg within a quick release clamp where the stem and handlbar meet. That's what I assumed you had too. If you don't take a pic of your setup and post back. There may be a way to mod the clamp without buying a whole new stem and handlbar from Dahon.

spambait11

Depending on the year of your S1, you might want to check this page.

If you wanna be really fly, you can do a search for CRM's setup and also search Dahon's forum.

kb5ql

D'oh I forgot about the non-telescoping stem for the newer Dahon models. That's why Gaerlan recommend s the Speed P8 for the entry level. I know it costs more... oh well. Yes, the Gaerlan link also allows you to change out your stem, but after these upgrades, you're looking at about the cost of a Speed P8 anyways.

lz4005

Thanks for the link and the advice guys.

Unfortunately the one at my LBS has the 1" steer tube with the welded handlebar as seen on Gaerlan (and below), for which there seems to be no replacement option besides the same thing or something custom made.

spambait11

That means you're looking at an older S1, ca. 2004 and older I believe. Some 2005's had adjustable height handlebars:
skyfish
https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=130778

brakemeister

on 2006 Boardwalks you can fit the fusion extender post with the revolve stem
https://www.thorusa.com/dahonhandlebar.htm
the 2005 and older ones have the 1 inch steerer post. Unfortunately an extender option for these handlbars soes not exist.

Thor

juggleandhope

here's a couple pictures of an impossible blunder i made in a moment of zombie folding. i bought this boardwalk s1 off craigslist for $100 - it was a week old and the original owner was upgrading to a dahon with gears. while saying goodbye to my old dahon and the people who bought it i unconsciously folded the boardwalk and let the pedals rotate. now my wheel is locked between the pedal and the fold : )

it reminds me of that part in douglas adams' "dirk gently" book about the sofa that gets trapped in a stairwell and scientists are able to prove that it couldn't have possibly got in that position.

assuming i get it unstuck (already a half hour of sweat with no luck) my next complaint will be about the unbelievably lame bolts on the front wheel. i tried taking one off and it was not just stripping but actually shredding (as you can see in the picture). metal (i think?) splinters spilling and stabbing. i think the plastic bolt covers aren't to protect you from the bolts - they're there to protect these weak bolts from the wind generated by pedaling. i'd like to change these for steel bolts if i can get them off.

juggleandhope

here's the picture with the bolt

icomunete

I have a 2007 Boardwalk S1 thats currently being customized by Harris Cyclery. They don't show on the Dahon website, but you can order them.

Foldable Two

I have a 2005 S1 with the height adjustable handle bar. I added some short bar ends and it works great. Also added some cushioning tape to the bar ends, and I had previously switched to foam hand grips on the bars.

I am 6'3" with a 6'6" arm span and with the seat post at the max height, it fits me almost perfectly.

Since this picture was taken I have also added a Thud Buster seat post. The Bio-Logic seat post on my Boardwalk D7 is pretty much maxed with my 200 lb weight. The Thud Buster is really nice (using Blue/Black elastomer combo).

grayvw

Just curious, what are you having Harris Cyclery do?