Some thoughts about the Dahon Curve D3 after riding it to work and back for a few days and to the mom-in-law's on the weekend. Each trip averages 7 to 10km.
The frame is strong and there is no frame flex there. There is a slight stem flex but not so much that it affects riding.
The 3 gears from the Sturmey-Archer hub work nicely and they cover most of the road conditions. I am on the second gear most of the time, but when I need to climb, the first gear is mostly adequate. The third gear is used only when I am going downhill.
Unlike external gearing from regular dérailleurs. you can change gears while waiting at the traffic lights with an internal hub. However, I found that I often had to stop pedaling to change gears on the Curve. Not a big deal but something to note.
It takes me a little longer to reach my destinations compared to using my Hardrock mountain bike with 26-inch wheels. It may be because I cycle less aggressively on the foldie. Actually the small wheels are supposed to be more efficient at speeds below 25kmh, and big wheels matter more at higher speeds like 40kmh. The smaller wheels do make you very maneuverable, and you can weave around tighter spaces easier compared to a larger bike.
You will feel more of the road riding on the Dahon Curve, although the fat Schwalbe Big Apple tires help alleviate some of the bumpiness.
Folding is fairly easy. I made it easier by marking out the original positions of the handlebar, stem and seat post with a black marker, so that I could restore the bike's settings when I unfolded.
I still wear my Giro E2 helmet when I ride this little bike, so I look a little dorky wearing a fierce helmet sitting on a little foldable. I also look like a Christmas tree at night, because I always make sure I am well-lit, especially from the back, whichever bike I ride. Besides the Cat Eye TL-LD600 rear blinker mounted on the seatpost, I also have a small red blinker on the helmet, and a Cat Eye TL-LD1000 red blinker clipped to my backpack.
I notice mounting holes in two places, on the frame and the front tube. It looks like you can attach a bottle to the body and a bag to the front. The front mounts take the KLICKfix system, though I don't know who sells that in Singapore. Would be nice to click my bag in front instead of carrying it on my back and sweating. There is an option to add small ArcLite rear rack but I don't think regular panniers fit.
My next project is to cycle around to look for good routes to get around with, preferably with park connectors.
The other fun thing I did today was to pump up the Hardrock's mountain bike tires with the Curve's built-in seatpost pump. Easier than using my tiny hand pump.
The strange thing about the Curve is the attention it attracts, on the road and at home. It just looks like a fun bike to ride. When I was at mom's for dinner on Saturday, my mom and my two brothers all took turns to try it. I guess it looks less intimidating than a mountain bike.
