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 On: 2009-09-20
The Dahon Espresso is a well-designed smooth-running city bike built with good quality components. It shifts smoothly, and the frame is stiff enough to allow real efficiency in pedaling. In a perfect world, the gearing would go lower and higher, so I could more easily ride up and down the hills out in the country around here, but the gearing is right in line with the designers aim to create a city bike. Ive ridden it a reasonable amount in the 2 weeks since I got it, and Ive enjoyed every ride. The most extreme ride Ive been on was a trip to the bank in the rain. The tires gave good traction on wet roads, and everything worked smoothly even when wet. On some long up and down hill rides in the Finger Lakes, it was solid on the way up and the way down the hills--no insecurity going down long hills at high rates of speed.
The folding works smoothly, although youd have to train to be able to do it in 5 seconds. I dont like taking the handlebars off when I fold the bike, because that loosens up the headset, which always gives me the willies. Most times Ive folded it Ive loosened the handlebar enough to turn it sideways while folded, and Ive noticed that the Montague folding bikes remove the front wheel when they fold, and I intend to try that.
At $450 or even $500 (list price) it would be reasonable deal on a bike. I bought last years model for less than $400, so I feel like I got a bargain! The shipment and delivery were prompt, and assembly was relatively painless, although I may not be a good judge--I started taking bikes apart and putting them back together 40 years ago. I was mildly surprised to find that it was even in pretty good adjustment. The front derailleur and shifter both needed a little adjustment, but that was easy for someone who knows how, or can follow the directions in the manual.
On: 2009-06-18
Dahon is the most popular brand for foldable bikes in the US for a good reason: quality products at bargain prices. The Espresso is the entry level full-size (26" wheels) model in the line-up. It comes in three different frame sizes: 20", 18" & 16". Since my wife and I need to share this bike, I pick the middle one as a compromise.
There are other compromises in our decision. My wife wants a comfortable (i.e. high handle-bar) riding position. I need a foldable model to pack into the trunk of the car occasionally. We both want a bike with a good range of gears to negotiate the local hills. I also want quality all-aluminum construction for light weight and rust resistance. Finally, we dont want to pay a lot. In the end, the Dahon Espresso is the only bike that fits the bill.
What a beautiful bike it is! I get inquiries from strangers all the time, especially after they see how I unpack from the trunk and unfold it in 10 seconds.
In regular use, it looks and handles like a premium bike, yet costs hundreds of dollars less. Both the front and rear derailleurs are name-brand components that prove convenient and reliable. The rim brakes are so strong that the rider must be careful not to engage the front brake alone or he risks flipping over in a hurry. The folding and unfolding operations are straightforward. The seat is easily detachable, although the front wheel is not. The wheel rims are aluminum. The spokes are stainless steel with brass nipples. It is hard to find a regular bike with this set of specs at this price level, not to mention another foldable one.
Of course, a $400 bike cannot possibly be perfect, so let me put on the nitpickers hat and list some possible complaints. With 26" wheels, the Espresso does not fold as compactly as 20" or 16" models, but the latter looks like circus bikes and often rides like one too. It is just not possible to have it both ways. Another similar issue concerns the Espressos 30lb weight, which is light for a full-size bicycle but again not as light as the mini-sized models.
The rim brakes work well in normal usage, but are inferior to disk brakes in off-road condition, wet weather or long downhill rides. This is a compromise Dahon has to make to maintain a low price point. I have no intention to do mountain biking in the rain or down steep hills, so it is a non-issue to me. For those who care about the brake types, Dahon offers Matrix Folding Bike 08 size 19.
The handle control is very light. This makes the bike very agile at turns, but also makes me nervous about letting go the handlebar. This is not a bike with which you want to see your son do the "Look, dad, no hands" trick.
The seat is comfortably shaped and well made but very much on the hard side, at least to this casual bicycle rider. I plan to replace it with a gel saddle.
The front derailleur and both wheels need careful adjustments before first ride. The manufacturer in fact requires professional setup service for the warranty to come into effect. This is common among premium bicycles though.
Folding the bike involves releasing a lever and flipping the included foldable pedals. Then comes the tough part: the handle bar does not come with an easy folding hinge. To avoid having it sticking out to the sides, you must unscrew it. Dahon does provide a nice Allen wrench for this purpose, but I still think it may be considered a pain. I usually just leave the handlebar as is. The bike still fits into larger trunks easily.
The 18"-frame model feels a little small for me. I am only 58", so most men probably want to go with the 20"-frame size. Someone who is really big and tall may have to forget about folding bikes and get a regular one with 700c/28" wheels instead.
I bought the 2007 model on clearance. The 2008 model is carried over unchanged, as far as I can tell except for the paint color. I like the silver/metallic hue of the 2007 a lot better.
On: 2008-10-15
Ive had my Dahon Espresso 08 for almost two months now and I have no complaints. It gives you the best of both worlds - adequate speed and portability. Unlike other folding bikes where more often than not they are single-speed, the Espresso is multi-speed (21-speed). I take it with me every weekend when I go riding and I do an average of 20 miles every weekend.
I have never had to fold it up yet except when I bought it and have to put it in the back of my car and it was easy to fold and unfold. Will need to fold it up again when I ship it back to my home country and the fact that it can be folded up will save me some money in shipping!
Its a winner and worth every $ I bought it for. This is a keeper
 On: 2008-09-15
I bought the Espresso for the purpose of converting it into an electric bike. After over a month of riding, Im very much in love with the Espresso. It folds enough to fit in the back of a Volkswagen GTI but can still support the weight of a battery pack, front wheel motor, and 170 pounds of me.
One of the two things Im not happy about is the placement of the bottle cage bolts. Its not like theres a lot of available space for that on a folding bike, but putting it right above the front wheel means all the road crud gets flung up onto the mouthpiece of my bottle.
The other gripe is with the handlebar removal. The body folds in half with the flick of a switch, the seat post collapses with a quick-release... but I have to carry around a 5mm hex to remove the handlebars? Come on guys, theres got to be a more graceful hand-tightened way to collapse the bike.
Ive actually featured the bike with the electric conversion in a series of videos over at my website if you want to see it in action.
On: 2008-08-11
Dahon is the most popular brand for foldable bikes in the US for a good reason: quality products at bargain prices. The Espresso is the entry level full-size (26" wheels) model in the line-up. It comes in three different frame sizes: 20", 18" & 16". Since my wife and I need to share this bike, I pick the middle one as a compromise.
There are other compromises in our decision. My wife wants a comfortable (i.e. high handle-bar) riding position. I need a foldable model to pack into the trunk of the car occasionally. We both want a bike with a good range of gears to negotiate the local hills. I also want quality all-aluminum construction for light weight and rust resistance. Finally, we dont want to pay a lot. In the end, the Dahon Espresso is the only bike that fits the bill.
What a beautiful bike it is! I get inquiries from strangers all the time, especially after they see how I unpack from the trunk and unfold it in 10 seconds.
In regular use, it looks and handles like a premium bike, yet costs hundreds of dollars less. Both the front and rear derailleurs are name-brand components that prove convenient and reliable. The rim brakes are so strong that the rider must be careful not to engage the front brake alone or he risks flipping over in a hurry. The folding and unfolding operations are straightforward. The seat is easily detachable, although the front wheel is not. The wheel rims are aluminum. The spokes are stainless steel with brass nipples. It is hard to find a regular bike with this set of specs at this price level, not to mention another foldable one.
Of course, a $400 bike cannot possibly be perfect, so let me put on the nitpickers hat and list some possible complaints. With 26" wheels, the Espresso does not fold as compactly as 20" or 16" models, but the latter looks like circus bikes and often rides like one too. It is just not possible to have it both ways. Another similar issue concerns the Espressos 30lb weight, which is light for a full-size bicycle but again not as light as the mini-sized models.
The rim brakes work well in normal usage, but are inferior to disk brakes in off-road condition, wet weather or long downhill rides. This is a compromise Dahon has to make to maintain a low price point. I have no intention to do mountain biking in the rain or down steep hills, so it is a non-issue to me. For those who care about the brake types, Dahon offers Matrix Folding Bike 08 size 19.
The handle control is very light. This makes the bike very agile at turns, but also makes me nervous about letting go the handlebar. This is not a bike with which you want to see your son do the "Look, dad, no hands" trick.
The seat is comfortably shaped and well made but very much on the hard side, at least to this casual bicycle rider. I plan to replace it with a gel saddle.
The front derailleur and both wheels need careful adjustments before first ride. The manufacturer in fact requires professional setup service for the warranty to come into effect. This is common among premium bicycles though.
Folding the bike involves releasing a lever and flipping the included foldable pedals. Then comes the tough part: the handle bar does not come with an easy folding hinge. To avoid having it sticking out to the sides, you must unscrew it. Dahon does provide a nice Allen wrench for this purpose, but I still think it may be considered a pain. I usually just leave the handlebar as is. The bike still fits into larger trunks easily.
The 18"-frame model feels a little small for me. I am only 58", so most men probably want to go with the 20"-frame size. Someone who is really big and tall may have to forget about folding bikes and get a regular one with 700c/28" wheels instead.
I bought the 2007 model on clearance. The 2008 model is carried over unchanged, as far as I can tell except for the paint color. I like the silver/metallic hue of the 2007 a lot better.
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