Dahon Mu Uno vs Dahon Speed Uno
12-17-10, 12:12 AM
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Dahon Mu Uno vs Dahon Speed Uno
I've been wanting a Mu Uno due to its sleek and simplicity of a single speed. Now I found there will be a Dahon Speed Uno which is very similar, but much cheaper. Do any of you have any opinions on the two in comparison? Thanks
Dahon Mu Uno
Dahon Speed Uno
Dahon Mu Uno
Dahon Speed Uno
Last edited by dayday82; 12-17-10 at 08:56 AM. Reason: bigger picture
12-17-10, 07:07 AM
#2
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For one thing, it would be easier to U-lock the Speed through the rear triangle: Not easy with the Mu frame. For times when I don't want to bring it into a building.
The Speed at least, looks like it has that plastic chainguard that is attached to the chainring—breakable. Mu picture not big enough to tell (assuming the pictures are accurate representations of the bicycles).
Used to be that the Speed series was made of steel too, not sure about now. The frame is only a small part of the Dahon bicycles though.
The Speed at least, looks like it has that plastic chainguard that is attached to the chainring—breakable. Mu picture not big enough to tell (assuming the pictures are accurate representations of the bicycles).
Used to be that the Speed series was made of steel too, not sure about now. The frame is only a small part of the Dahon bicycles though.
12-17-10, 08:54 AM
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I like the look of the Mu better but I may be biased because of the higher price (ya know the thought of higher cost = better bike). The Mu is $599 whereas the Speed is $379.
Whether it is made of steel of not, is one more durable than the other? Is there a benefit with having a steel frame or is it the other way around?
Whether it is made of steel of not, is one more durable than the other? Is there a benefit with having a steel frame or is it the other way around?
12-17-10, 08:57 AM
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12-17-10, 09:19 AM
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If you were ever contemplating converting to belt drive, you could with the Mu, but not with the Speed as there would be no way to get the belt on and off of the Speed.. If you want to spend $400 on a Mu Uno, I've got one to sell. PM if interested..
12-17-10, 09:58 AM
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The Speed looks similar to my Downtube Nova in that the chainring is integrated to the crankarm, so if you want a bigger chainring you'll have to get a whole new crankset, whereas the Uno is swappable. Not too big of a deal, though, since I got a basically new Gossamer road crankset with external bottom bracket and 53t large chainring for $25 on ebay.
Even with that big of a chainring its hard to get a decent ratio if you want a freewheel, since most only go down to 16t. I got one of the crappy 15t BMX freewheels that are still around NOS but its not good quality, which puts the gear inches in the mid to upper 60's, which works pretty good. If you want any smaller than that, Nashbar has a single-speed cassette hub, which would take smaller cogs or else you can go fixed. I think the Sturmey-Archer 2-speed hub is a good alternative for these bikes to get a better crusing gear and separate startup gear, but that's another thread...
Even with that big of a chainring its hard to get a decent ratio if you want a freewheel, since most only go down to 16t. I got one of the crappy 15t BMX freewheels that are still around NOS but its not good quality, which puts the gear inches in the mid to upper 60's, which works pretty good. If you want any smaller than that, Nashbar has a single-speed cassette hub, which would take smaller cogs or else you can go fixed. I think the Sturmey-Archer 2-speed hub is a good alternative for these bikes to get a better crusing gear and separate startup gear, but that's another thread...
12-17-10, 10:11 AM
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How would you do a belt drive? What are the pros and cons of using a belt drive vs a typical change? I know grease is one of them.
Last edited by dayday82; 12-17-10 at 10:14 AM.
12-17-10, 11:29 AM
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I agree the price of the Mu Uno is quite steep. For $600 range, there are so many choices out there that might steer me to go with "geared" bike. I wish it was priced at $399, and the speed at $299.
12-17-10, 12:25 PM
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me too ...lol
12-17-10, 10:53 PM
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for me the mu uno does it with that nice curvy frame. Plus the mu is using the newer clamp technology while the speed is using the old vice grip tech that's on most of their frames.
12-18-10, 04:38 AM
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By the way, look at the specs
https://www.nycewheels.com/dahon-fold...speed-uno.html
https://us.dahon.com/bikes/1646/mu-uno
The Speed has no seatpost pump. And has Dahon tyres c.f. Shwalbe. Different grips, and different saddle.
Single speed/fixed is not my thing, so no recommendation.
12-18-10, 05:55 AM
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i like both models.
as i said i would love to be able to seel them cheaper, but thats life I guess...
I love the ss bikes as there is a sense of simplicity and clean lines which is striking. Having said that the mu is much sexier than the speed.. but the speed is a good platform to mod later on ( you simply have more money to mod from the get go ..lol )
steel or alloy is NOT an issue since about 20 years ago.... but choices are good
what i wished for is a real ss flip flop hub on the mu and the coaster brake hub only on the speed...maybe next year.
maybe an automatik or 2 speed coaster hub as an option for both....
ss with folders ( which have long handleposts and seatposts) is somewhat a oxymoron as you now have to pull and push like crazy on the handlepost to keep momentum up .... while I usually suggest to sit down and spin on a regular folder ....keeping the cadence higher than usual ( in order not to experience some ofthe flex ) now with a single speed you are forced to mash the one gear to come up to speed...
its not a big problem as the speed frame and the mu especially is a pretty stiff platform .... but there are some newbie folder folks with a singlespeeds, which wish for gears and a more relaxed spinning bike later on.... a few .... actually not many at all, which let Dahon to offer a second ss bike after all...
thor
as i said i would love to be able to seel them cheaper, but thats life I guess...
I love the ss bikes as there is a sense of simplicity and clean lines which is striking. Having said that the mu is much sexier than the speed.. but the speed is a good platform to mod later on ( you simply have more money to mod from the get go ..lol )
steel or alloy is NOT an issue since about 20 years ago.... but choices are good
what i wished for is a real ss flip flop hub on the mu and the coaster brake hub only on the speed...maybe next year.
maybe an automatik or 2 speed coaster hub as an option for both....
ss with folders ( which have long handleposts and seatposts) is somewhat a oxymoron as you now have to pull and push like crazy on the handlepost to keep momentum up .... while I usually suggest to sit down and spin on a regular folder ....keeping the cadence higher than usual ( in order not to experience some ofthe flex ) now with a single speed you are forced to mash the one gear to come up to speed...
its not a big problem as the speed frame and the mu especially is a pretty stiff platform .... but there are some newbie folder folks with a singlespeeds, which wish for gears and a more relaxed spinning bike later on.... a few .... actually not many at all, which let Dahon to offer a second ss bike after all...
thor
12-18-10, 06:28 AM
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12-18-10, 06:31 AM
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12-18-10, 06:39 AM
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12-20-10, 01:10 AM
#19
transport, not sport.
now comes the speed uno...
when the mu uno was about to appear, my friends and I were already fantasizing.
1. to fit a 3 speed IG coaster brake hub.
2. to make it fixed gear.
3. to fit a nexus/alfine 8 speed hub
4. to fit a rohloff hub.... just kidding...
now that the speed is also uno...
well.... simply one more option.
at a lower price....
when the mu uno was about to appear, my friends and I were already fantasizing.
1. to fit a 3 speed IG coaster brake hub.
2. to make it fixed gear.
3. to fit a nexus/alfine 8 speed hub
4. to fit a rohloff hub.... just kidding...
now that the speed is also uno...
well.... simply one more option.
at a lower price....
12-20-10, 06:53 AM
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12-20-10, 12:57 PM
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Greetings
12-20-10, 08:57 PM
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So would like to build up an Uno with a S2C + Gates Centerline...
12-22-10, 11:32 PM
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Interesting, I was told from a reliable source that the Mu Uno is too narrow to fit a Gates Belt drive. Are you confident that the Gates Belt drive will fit?
Last edited by Jay D; 12-22-10 at 11:33 PM. Reason: Typo
