jfouellette

Nothing to win but just for fun. What is this bike? What should I do with it?

Fentuz

Well, I would say it is a Dahon Smooth hound 2010 break away version. That said, if it were fitted with Dura ace, it could be a hammerhead 8 but the wheelset is standard dahon deluxe.
You could either make:
- a road bike
- a gravel bike
- an hydrid bike
- a rigid mtb.

either way, you could upgrade to 9 (sora/alivio or microshift) or 10 (Tiagra or Zee or microshift) speed.


Some inspiration may be:


MTB



Road


Cyclocros/gravel​​​​​​​

jfouellette

Thanks for this information. I’m leaning toward the hybrid version. Based on the condition of the frame and components, this bike has has a tough life (maybe abused). I don’t want to add more by turning it into a MTB. So, I’ll use it in an urban environment with occasional gravel trails.The 8 speed Microshift acolyte would do and is less expensive than the 9 speed.

I paid 45$us for the bike. I’ll replace all the components except the wheels over the summer. My biggest issue is the bad black paint job that was applied.😕







)

tds101 

That paint job equals a crime against humanity. I hope this ends well. I can't wait to see the finished project. 🤘

jfouellette

The previous owner(s) painted over protective tape. I’ve removed some of it and the original paint is there. The tape was applied on some parts of the frame only. Pictures later…

jfouellette

Here are pictures after I removed the tape. Paint thinner works well to remove the adhesive residue. The original paint is still nice which is maddening to think someone painted over it.

tds101 

That's going to be a complete strip job. Definitely a crime doing that to this bike. ☹

jfouellette

I started wet sanding the black paint down to the original blue paint. Obviously I can’t remove all of it but using finer grit , I may be able to get away with a matte clear overcoat. A gloss finish is doubtful. Not perfect but better than what it is now. I won’t be using nasty chemicals stripping the paint. Been there and done that. I paid 45$ for the bike. My budget is going on components.

Fentuz

So this is confirmation you have "2008 break away" smooth hound. I would not worry about the painwork quality; it is crap for factory... both my smooth hound and hammerhead 8. I think they didn't use a good primer and everytime the chain or a rock get in touch, it flics the paint off (On the hammerhead, nail scratching does it).

Still, I would go to 9 speed. Shimano Alivio shifter is about $25, shimano derailleur M340 is $20 or less and a 9 speed sunrace 11-36 cassette is $30. and since you are aiming for a urban environment, I'd stick some continental urban contact 42-406. When I run the bike as a "go to the shop" bike, in flat bar with contis, it was nice, comfy and zippy.

Ron Damon

In 2014 I bought a second hand Dahon Dash P18 which came with a Shimano SLX HG81 11-36T 10-speed cogset




In 2016, I changed the RD to a Shimano Zee. The cogset was moved to my FSIR Spin 5 when I sold the Dash frameset, and subsequently to my FSIR Spin 3 where it is presently installed. The cogset and RD have provided flawless performance since 2014 and 2016, respectively, through the rigors of touring. They are with me now on tour in Korea and still functioning perfectly several tours later.

Moral of the story: buy once, buy right. Spend a little more to get a lot more. Oh yeah, the SLX shifter from the 2014 Dash is still mated to those two components too. Don't be pound foolish; buy Shimano. The sweet spot is probably at Deore.

Smooth, crisp shifting is mostly a matter of the shifter once you've got the RD aligned and the upper/lower ranges dialed in. Invest in an XT level shifter. The haptics are so nice.

If you want to go 11-42T, I can also make recommendations based on long-term, real-world use.

jfouellette

Hum, quite a few good ideas to think about. Thanks.

I finished removing most of the black paint. I can’t get in all the areas so this will be it. I decided not to use sprayed clear coat. Automotive wax will do for now. Here is the result.

Reddleman

One advantage of 9 speed Microshift Advent over its 8 and 10 speed siblings is that it has the widest range of shifters. Acolyte is flat bar only, while Advent X is a choice of flat bar and brifters. Advent has those, bar end shifters and thumb shifters. If you want to mess about with different builds on the frame, 9 speed is the sweet spot with Microshift.

jfouellette

I measured the steer tube and outer diameter is 38,1 mm. That creates a challenge fitting it with a standard 25,4 mm stems. The tube also has a protrusion all along its length...This interferes with a 38,1 stem (see the previous pictures). Any ideas?

Fentuz

it should be a shim. I did not fit it and used Std 1" 1/8 stem with 31.8 handle bar.

jfouellette

Ok I'll remove the stem and cap to see in more detail if a shim was installed over a smaller tube. Thanks

jfouellette

Correct! It’s a shim. Many thanks for the help.

Schwinnsta

If that short piece of the vertical went inside the stem riser and the horizontal stem fit around it, then it's a shim. Hope I helpful, I do not have any experience with that bike.

Fentuz

Yet, dahon had the shim system to "help" to fold the handle bar when you put the bike away. I didn't bother with that.

mlau

Just saying....nice work!

jfouellette

Update: I removed the left crank , the right has stripped threads (not from me). I cut part of it with a metal hand saw. I ll try with a Dremel for the rest. I installed the v brake calipers but one screw stripped. I ll get a screw removal bit for that. Handle bar, steerer tube spacers, adjustable stem, brake levers temporarily.

Reddleman

What handlebars are those?

Jonesandrew

Satori Melange Medium: https://www.satoribike.com/pro.php?m=d&pid=19&cid=8&f=2

jfouellette

Here is an update picture.

Ron Damon

Much better. 👍🏼

Friendly foto tip: get down to bike level when taking up-clise pictures rather than pointing the camera down.

jfouellette

I need a background like the ones you have in your pictures😀