BobbyG

I think I am more excited about my new-to-me 2007 Dahon Boardwalk than any other bike I have ever bought or acquired! Especially now that I've put a wider spread of gears!

The original rear wheel was trashed, and a 20-inch 7-speed wheel from the co-op was 20 bucks. Only freewheels available vs the original cassette hub. The smallest cog available was 14 vs the original 11.

I was spinning out at about 14mph, and the 28-tooth low gear (vs the original 30?) had me struggling up the hills of Colorado Springs.

So I ordered a new 7-speed freewheel with an 11 tooth high gear and my choice of a 28 or 34 tooth low gear. I didn't know if a 34 would work with the Boardwalk's short derailer cage, but trudging up hills with a 28-tooth cog wasn't appealing. So I ordered the 11-34.

It works!...barely. Shifting up from one is a little balky, and the derailler doesn't like the stretch completely...BUT IT WORKS! I was able to comfortably pedal up the steepest hill in the neighborhood. Then when I crested and on down to the flat rail-to-trail path I was cruising at 18 to 22mph...same as my other full-size non-folding bikes. The average speed for my standard 9-mile neighborhood loop was 13 mph, same as my two road bikes. My old-drop bar 90s MTB commuter averages 11.5 on this route.

Since putting narrow bull-horn bars on last week, I am riding with the same hand and riding position as my three other bikes. Except for not having foot retention, it feels like my other bikes!

The boardwalk is lighter than my old MTB commuter/snowbike, heavier than my old roadbike, and about on par weight-wise with my newish road/commuter.

While my other bikes routinely see speeds in the low to mid 30mph's on long downhills, I've only had the nerve to get the boardwalk up to 25 although I think it will be stable enough. The V-brakes are certainly up to it.

I was smiling so wide I inhaled a bug or something out on the trail.

That's how you know you're having fun!

Fentuz

Nice job!

Out of interest, as you swapped hub and cassette, why did you stay in 7 speed? You could have moved to 8-9-10 hub and fit for example a 11-34 9 speeds setup.

Geepig

Those bars look very handsome, really like you have a little bull

BobbyG

Unfortunately, I've got budget considerations for now. Eventually I will most likely up the number of gears, although, 7 is not as limiting as I expected.

veloceleste

Like my bullhorns and went to a 34 from a 28 as well as changing chainring from 52 to 50. For me the gearing is now ideal. Picture is from before drivetrain change.

Doc_Wui

Bet you bought a DNP freewheel? As far as I know, it's the only way to get 11T in a freewheel these days. When I first bought mine, I read they didn't last long, but I laughed and said I'm an old geezer, not a paceline rider, I'll never wear it out

Mine wore out the pawls at 3100 miles last summer. Replaced it. Sure enough, my wife's 20" bike crossed 3100 miles in April. Her DNP wore out this month. I had ordered one for my new minivello and it coincidentally arrived the next day. She said "for me?". Of course.

I had to ride her bike home last night to go get the car after my bike had a flat tire. Her bike is 52T-11T. Mine is only 48T-11T. I was surprised at hwo much faster it runs.

BobbyG

Yes, DNP. As far as wearing it out, I commuted by bike for 28 years until last winter. I have replaced many components on my three other bikes. Things wear out, some faster, some slower.

tds101 

I ordered a Dnp 11-28T Chrome Freewheel a few years back, and it's wonderful. Having a 7 speed isn't as bad as some claim. Enjoy the ride!!!