Tester: Michael McGettigan
Country of Origin: China
Price: $579
Weight: 22lbs.
Sizes Available: One Size
Color: Black
Contact: www.dahon.com
Can a folder bike be “cool?”
The Mµ Uno is Dahon’s answer to that question—matte black, super-simple, just one speed and a coaster brake.
Dahon wanted to make a bike that your city dweller would be comfortable with banging around town. The mission statement for the Uno: a bike that is durable enough to ride every day, in all weather, with a single gear suitable for fast riding and light enough to easily carry up and down the stairs in train stations.
For the most part, they’ve accomplished that mission.
The Ride
I often ride a Brompton S3, made in England. These pricier folding bikes ($995 and up) set a high standard for good street handling—stable yet agile. The Uno didn’t feel quite as graceful, but it handled nicely enough in Philly traffic. Cornering was quite decent for a folder. Like all folders, there’s a bit of frame and stem flex, but the Uno had these in moderation. I still wouldn’t recommend this bike for anyone over, say, 190lbs.
If your ride includes a bit of gravel path, you’ll be happy; the 20”x1.5” Schwalbe Marathon Racer tires handle moderately rough surfaces better than the Brompton’s 16” tires. These tires are the perfect choice—85psi, made flat resistant with Kevlar, and their size helped even out the harsher ride of small wheels.
Not everyone will love the Uno’s coaster brake hub—say goodbye to kicking the pedals around at a stop sign, and when you level the pedals to hop a curb, make sure you push them forward! Fixie riders will probably adjust easily; they’re used to lifting the back wheel and shifting the pedals when stopped. Dahon’s website says new Uno models will ship with a front brake and lever in the box. That will be nice, adding a little control during that last awkward transition between slowing and stopped.
The BioLogic grips (similar to Ergons) were really a treat on longer roads, and Dahon has gone with a decent saddle that most riders will find comfortable.
The gearing is around 65”—low enough for quick getaways at the green light, a little low for longer commutes. For comparison, that’s right in the middle of the upper range on a hybrid bike, say a 46-tooth chainring with a 19-tooth cog. But for shuttling to the train, or banging around town, the gearing is pretty good.
The Fold
Folder geeks know that Brompton used to be the fastest foldin’ hombre around—till Bike Friday’s Tikit came along. The Uno won’t beat either bike, but it gets nearly as small as the Bike Friday and only takes about 3-6 seconds longer to fold than either of its competitors.
I made a point of bringing the bike to all the places I usually stash my Brompton. After a week or so, I stopped noticing the few extra seconds needed to fold the Uno. But its added size made it just a bit harder to find a hiding place in cafes and bookstores. No one tossed us out though. Squeezing down a crowded bus aisle could still be a bit dodgy. Light rail or commuter trains were not a problem.
Carrying balance is decent, still not as good as a Brompton or Friday, but should be OK for most commuters.
Issues
I run a bike shop that carries several brands of folder bike; each has various strengths and weaknesses. Our biggest knocks on Dahon are that their city bikes haven’t been quite tough enough for daily use, and they have been spotty on parts support—important when a special part on your folder is broken and it’s unique to your bike.
The Uno addresses some of these faults. The main catches are much stronger and better designed than on Dahons of only a couple years ago. But a small plastic secondary stem catch broke early in the test. Dahon’s warranty guy said they didn’t officially have spares, but rustled one up for me. Dahon sells more folder bikes than anybody; they should expect stuff to break and stock accordingly. True, many major bike companies are just as bad—but it’s worth noting that Dahon’s main competitors, Brompton, Bike Friday, and Xootr-Swift, offer excellent service on spare parts and warranty.
For Dahon to really reach and keep loyal commuters, they’ve got to step up their parts support, and make some of the parts a little tougher, including the rear hub. Even new, the Shimano CB-E110 coaster brake felt flimsy and made crunchy noises under heavy pedaling. On the positive side, it braked in a smooth and gradual fashion, without grabbing.
This and That
Most folders are bad at carrying cargo. The Dahon offers an optional rack, but make sure nothing sticks out to the sides, or your heels will clip it.
The seat post pump is a clever theory, but in practice, it’s a pretty poor performer. Might be better to leave it home. Folder folk aren’t as worried about fixing flats on the roadside—they often just grab a cab or bus home.
This test bike was equipped with excellent SKS fenders, though Dahon shows them as an optional accessory. Do get them—they keep the bike,and you, a lot cleaner. Dirty folders are a drag to carry, and the fenders make the bike less obnoxious near fellow transit passengers.
Fit and finish are not bad; though the matte black paint scratches easily, the scratches look kind of cool and the bike will probably age reasonably well. Nice style points for the coaster brake arm fitting tucked behind the chainstay. The stiff Ritchey bars help the bike feel a bit more positive on bumpy streets. They may feel a bit wide for some riders, but they’re easily trimmed with a hacksaw if you like threading the needle in traffic.
Dahon says this bike will fit up to a 6’4”, 230 lb. rider, but that’s a bit optimistic. There’s a fair amount of frame flex with much lighter riders and the bike feels willowy from the leverage of a fully-extended seatpost.
We’ve already had a customer order an Uno for a project: he’s planning to put a fixed gear wheel on the back, with a slightly higher gear. It’s an encouraging sign when customers start to mod your bikes—it means they see them as solid platforms for their ideas.
Until recently, most folders (Dahon’s included) seemed aimed at a niche—RV and boat owners, and the odd multi-modal commuter or world traveler. The Uno is a sign that Dahon’s engineers are starting to look harder at the needs of everyday bikers. It’s not a home run—but a solid triple.
[Ed. notes: This article originally appeared in print in Bicycle Times Issue #2. Click here to subscribe to Bicycle Times and here to purchase Issue #2 as a single copy.
Author Michael McGettigan is a co-owner of Trophy Bikes in Philadelphia, who hosts an annual ROUND UP Folder Bike Fest. Go to www.trophybikes.com to find out more.]
