Originally Posted by Duragrouch

You're good, no jerkiness taken.

The genuine Dahon Deltech (only OEM now, available as retrofit this summer they say), is set up just like the shrouds on a sailboat; Stainless steel cable with swaged end fittings with threads and nut to adjust.

The Dahon monotube frame with hinge, is "adequate" for the application. I have seen several express that "folding frames are not designed to last forever". Maybe, but I want at least a couple decades. The monobeam itself is plenty strong, but the hinge does not have a wide "spread" so is inherently weaker. Usually to get stronger, you can eliminate the hinge and have a swinging triangle like a Bike Friday, which also allows them to make the Diamond Llama instead of just a monobeam, super stout frame (the basis for their new All-Packa), but it's a messier fold IMO than the Dahon. The Deltech and my rigged improvised replacement, does the same thing, but does not impede folding. On a diamond frame, the lower downtube is loaded in tension and torsion. The cable doesn't improve torsion, but the big monobeam is plenty stiff. But the cable increases the "depth of section" in bending *enormously*, and further, places the hinge in compression and not bending, also a big plus. It may look like a kludge, but is entirely sound in theory. Having said that, the newish Dahon Launch uses what may be a better folding joint, once folded, there is no load on the hinge pin, that only exists to hold the two pieces together when folded. The hinge joint is interlocking teeth, looks good on paper, my only question is whether there will be tiny movement in said over time, resulting in unflat surfaces and non-tightness. We'll see. I think that design, if truly superior, should be implemented across the board. Look closely:






IIRC, Dahon is also claiming max load increase to 300 lbs with Deltech, up from 231 lbs. That's a big increase, which should also increase fatigue life of the frame greatly, at lower loads. Fatigue life is non-linear with respect to load and stress; IIRC, each 10% reduction in stress, doubles fatigue life (and that's a conservative estimate, often it's much more in high cycle fatigue).

Originally Posted by vuurmot

I have a dahon launch D8 with the deltec cable and interlocking jaw joint
The ride feel is better, but the joint make noises
Also, the cable sometimes tightens as you ride, causing the locking mechanism to become impossible to lock/unlock (this locking mechanism is already hard to use in the first place)

If the deltec cable adds stiffness and durability already, I'd rather get a dahon with an older generation locking mechanism

Originally Posted by Duragrouch

Interesting. Maybe this is why Dahon has not expanded that hinge/jaw design to other models. Squeaking at the joint: You might want to ask Dahon if a light, clean lube like silicone spray would be OK at the joint jaws, or if no, because they rely on friction there.

I still perceive the Launch jaw to be more durable than their other standard pinned hinges, as more surface area and on both sides of the joint. But I could be wrong.

I can't see why the cable would tighten when riding, except if the aluminum frame warms up (sun?) and expands lengthwise, as steel (cable) has lower coefficient of thermal expansion. Maybe the frame hinge needs a separating "assist" mechanism. Oh, I do see a small spring. But it's only on one side, I think it may need on both. They should design the clamp lever like a desmodromic valve; pushes up when clamping, pulls down when unclamping.

Bums me that when debuted, the Launch pictures indicated a braze-on for a front derailleur, but later models seem to lack that.

Right now, a Launch D8 sells for only USD $50 more than a Mariner D8. I pined for a Launch for the disc brakes, but now would probably get an Origami Bull at half the price.

Originally Posted by Duragrouch

Interesting. Maybe this is why Dahon has not expanded that hinge/jaw design to other models. Squeaking at the joint: You might want to ask Dahon if a light, clean lube like silicone spray would be OK at the joint jaws, or if no, because they rely on friction there.

I still perceive the Launch jaw to be more durable than their other standard pinned hinges, as more surface area and on both sides of the joint. But I could be wrong.

I can't see why the cable would tighten when riding, except if the aluminum frame warms up (sun?) and expands lengthwise, as steel (cable) has lower coefficient of thermal expansion. Maybe the frame hinge needs a separating "assist" mechanism. Oh, I do see a small spring. But it's only on one side, I think it may need on both. They should design the clamp lever like a desmodromic valve; pushes up when clamping, pulls down when unclamping.

Bums me that when debuted, the Launch pictures indicated a braze-on for a front derailleur, but later models seem to lack that.

Right now, a Launch D8 sells for only USD $50 more than a Mariner D8. I pined for a Launch for the disc brakes, but now would probably get an Origami Bull at half the price.

Originally Posted by vuurmot

I mod it into a road bike, so maybe I'm abusing it too much
Tried using silicone spray on the joints, but it still creaks especially when I put power into it
I have to use an aftermarket clamp on derailleur too, and overtime it untightens

Originally Posted by vuurmot

I mod it into a road bike, so maybe I'm abusing it too much
Tried using silicone spray on the joints, but it still creaks especially when I put power into it

Originally Posted by Fentuz

Have you tried a layer of "gorilla tape" on the inner joint surface?

I was getting creaks on my jetstream and put some "engineering marker" on both hinge surfaces to highlight where the rubbing/creaking was coming from. As the frame hinge features were not machined to a high level on precision with some frame paint on top and mechanism stacked up tolerances rather large... there are at least micro-motions resulting in creaking.
After a few rides, it showed where the frame was in contact/compression and highlighted the high and low spots...
I trimmed a piece of gorilla tape, stuck in on the inner surface on the frame and as the hinge closed and went compression, the tape layer added an extra "soft-clamping" load ; it filled the gaps and dampened the system. Not more creak and micromotion. Note that it is classic "trick" to stop buzz in race cars.

I did the same on the Helios.

Originally Posted by Schwinnsta

Gorilla makes many types of tape. Are you referring to packing tape or duct type tape? Link, please.

Originally Posted by Duragrouch

Wow, that's awesome, what I would do if I had a Launch, only I would have used a wider double, 50/34. Nice wheels, super sporty. One one hand, I'm inclined to follow the advice of a LBS here that advises against carbon fiber for anything, unless one races competitively. On the other hand, those rims may be super durable in fatigue life at the spoke holes, which would be nice, as they'll never wear out due to sidewall wear with discs. Hard to see... are those hubs with straight-pull spokes?

Looks like you fit a fixed-height stem, more rigid and less squeaks than the telescoping stem. Nice.

What's your high-cog? 11, or something smaller?

Is the droop-nose on the saddle, for ease of carrying there on your shoulder? Or does your saddle think it's Concorde coming in to land?

Originally Posted by vuurmot

The carbon stuff is made of T800 and is working out pretty well so far after a year
hubs are made of straight pull spokes, cogs go from 11-28
saddle is SMP TRK, after trying a fair amount of saddles, these feel the most comfortable

Originally Posted by vuurmot

The carbon stuff is made of T800 a

Originally Posted by Fentuz

I'm not saying that the carbon components you have on the bike are either good or bad however, because they are claimed to be T800 don't mean are good or bad. T800 is the raw material used and while is important, the way it was lay in the mold, the number of layers, overlaps, directions, resin filler, bubble etc. is what define the product as good or bad.

Many cheap (and/or "dry") carbon frames exhibited poor manufacturing process, quality issues and failed causing arm.

Originally Posted by Fentuz

I'm not saying that the carbon components you have on the bike are either good or bad however, because they are claimed to be T800 don't mean are good or bad. T800 is the raw material used and while is important, the way it was lay in the mold, the number of layers, overlaps, directions, resin filler, bubble etc. is what define the product as good or bad.

Many cheap (and/or "dry") carbon frames exhibited poor manufacturing process, quality issues and failed causing arm.

Originally Posted by vuurmot

I was inspired by this thread, and decided to make a touring/errand bike.




deore m6000-gs
11-42t
50/34 chainring
big apple 406

had a brooks saddle initially, but I decided to switch it to SMP TRK as the break in period was taking too long

I absolutely love it, I can traverse muddy, steep gradients at a leisure pace
will be riding this bike when I want to smell the roses

edit: probably add dynamo lights down the road too

Originally Posted by Ron Damon

Wow, that Shimano Deore RD-M6000-GS part is something else, ain't it?

Originally Posted by vuurmot

yeah it shifts well, no problem with clearance so far
It is a compelling component for a folding bike, but unfortunately I think the production is discontinued

Originally Posted by vuurmot

I was inspired by this thread, and decided to make a touring/errand bike.




deore m6000-gs
11-42t
50/34 chainring
big apple 406

had a brooks saddle initially, but I decided to switch it to SMP TRK as the break in period was taking too long

I absolutely love it, I can traverse muddy, steep gradients at a leisure pace
will be riding this bike when I want to smell the roses

edit: probably add dynamo lights down the road too

Originally Posted by vuurmot

I was inspired by this thread, and decided to make a touring/errand bike.




deore m6000-gs
11-42t
50/34 chainring
big apple 406

had a brooks saddle initially, but I decided to switch it to SMP TRK as the break in period was taking too long

I absolutely love it, I can traverse muddy, steep gradients at a leisure pace
will be riding this bike when I want to smell the roses

edit: probably add dynamo lights down the road too

Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse

Nice!
Ya gotta post pics under load.

Originally Posted by Ron Damon

It's you who's gotta post pics.

Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse

Don't you have to get banned again?

Originally Posted by Ron Damon

I don't know where you get the cockamamie idea that I was ever banned. The forum has a tab on each user's public profile where infractions and bans are recorded. I am squeaky clean with zero, zilch bans to my name. Nol. Check it yourself and disabuse yourself of this absurd notion once and for all. It's right up there with Bleu saying I run a bike store, or Jipe's pronouncement that South Korea's beaches are ugly and crowded based on his ill-timed visit and ignorance of where to go.

Where are your pics? It's been over a year, and we are still in the dark about your solution's ground clearance and part numbers. Pics, bro. Pics.

Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse

But it's only been a few days since your last temper tantrum.

Here's your pacifier.

Now quit being a baby and go back to your garbage bikes made with a garbage attitude.

Every forum you go to, you lose respect and credibility.

Please just slink away in to you pity potty slop hole and grumble about your "precious"

Originally Posted by vuurmot

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