This was good strength training!

[luv2climb]

I already had to replace the headset on mine and thus had that part of the bike all apart. The clamping area (height? width?) between the handlepost and steerer is about half that of a conventional threadless stem. There is just a single smallish clamp bolt - it's there to transmit steering forces, not resist flex. Finally, a large custom "bolt" threads into the inside of the steerer - it'll do a good job of keeping the parts together, but not so good at resisting flex.

Then add a 16 (14? 18?) inch lever arm on top of that wimpy connection, and you have the recipe to break parts!

Dahon model years don't really have much relation to reality. My Speed TR is a 2008 that I bought in 2010 as "last year's" model. I think Dahon never even brought any 2010 TR's into the USA - there were too many older ones still in the warehouse.

Thanks for letting me know about this I'll try to avoid climbing out of the saddle. I did it once during my first real test ride a couple days ago (after the bike was actually mine), and it felt solid. I won't push my luck though. If the gears aren't low enough I'll get a smaller front chainring.

If your Dahon is a 2008 I hope it doesn't still have the recalled handlepost clamp.

[laura*]

If your Dahon is a 2008 I hope it doesn't still have the recalled handlepost clamp.

It came with the improved handlepost already installed. (They are stamped with an "R".) If it ever had the defective one, then it was swapped out by Dahon at their warehouse.

[luv2climb]

It came with the improved handlepost already installed. (They are stamped with an "R".) If it ever had the defective one, then it was swapped out by Dahon at their warehouse.

That's good to hear I wouldn't want to see anybody hurt because of one of those defective mechanisms.