Dahon is an internationally recognized American brand and an innovator in the foldable bike industry which has given one after another hit products with a huge range to satisfy a diverse range of customers.
The D7 is introduced by the company to allow the daily commuter the ease to go to his destination with as much convenience as possible. It is big but becomes small enough for your easiness. No more getting late anymore because of train delays or traffic problems.
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Rating:
3.80/5.00
Price:
$$$ on Amazon (September 2 2015)
Warranty:
Dahon provides a typical 1 year warranty with the product, which can be upgraded to 5 years for some extra charges.
Pros and Cons:
Small Collapsed Size Difficult To Carry For Long Distance
Big Wheels For A Better Riding Experience Folding Is Difficult
First Impression:
A very smart design with good colors. You are bound to get compliments for the machine from the passer-by’s and appreciation from fellow bikers who know what this bike is all about.
Detailed Review:
The Jack D7 can be ordered on Amazon or through an authorized Dahon seller. It arrives in a sealed Dahon box and needs to be assembled before riding. If you are new to this, you must read the instructions provided on the manual to unpack and set up the bike.
Before riding out with the bike, it is essential that you go and get it thoroughly checked by an authorized bike mechanic for your own safety and to activate the Dahon 1 year warranty that comes with the cycle.
The bike is designed in the United States and manufactured in China. It comes with a solid aluminium 7005 frame which is built to last, extremely tough and very durable. You will have no complaints regarding the build quality or the parts. The matte black finish on the body looks very slick and in fact it was the only color Dahon introduced the bike in, until the updated the model with a white version.
As the name suggests, the D7 comes with a seven speed system implemented, which should prove sufficient for most city riders and requires little maintenance to keep performing. It is not a great choice if you want to win races on it, but is faster than most of the smaller foldables, which makes it a great pick. The gears shift seamlessly and the ride is very smooth, even when you are crossing through a zig zag path. There is minimal noise from the gears and they are meant to last long without any problems. However, the lack of suspension system is very annoying and going through bumps and pot holes can be a precarious situation.
The bike comes in Schwalbe Big Apple tires, which are tough and able to stand the abuse of urban streets. Even though they make the bike a bit bulky, the big tires allow you to ride better compared to the 20 inch counterparts, and give you greater stability and balance. The tires are thick and will not go flat during your rides. Moreover, Dahon has equipped the bike with Raceguard technology, which prevents puncture on the tires, and an inbuilt seat pump for any emergency. The tires will run smoothly on all urban environments with minimal resistance and give you an enjoyable experience.
There is little to talk about the seat which is considerably small for a large bike and feels hard as a rock when sitting on. You would really need some seat cushion for a comfortable journey or else be ready to carry your injured butt around.
The foldability of the D7 is not as convenient as those associated with most Dahon bikes. Partly this is because of the size of the machine, however it still is annoying. The frame hinge is not very easy to move and you might require a wrench to adjust the handlebar in extreme cases. Also, it would have been nice if the company had given any latching mechanism for holding the bike together when it is folded. You would have to spend a few bucks on purchasing a bungee string to wrap along the compact D7. That said, the foldable does take very little space for its open size and can fit inside your car trunk very easily. It is a light bike and an adult can carry it around for short distances without breaking a sweat.
Installing the fenders is a tough job, especially for a person new to foldables. The front fender especially takes a lot of time to get fixed properly.
The pedals are also not of the usual superior quality and doesn’t grip well to your feet or fold well. You might want to replace them with a better pair and can get some nice deals on Amazon.
Even though it is a mountain bike, Dahon has recommended that it should not be taken off road which does not make sense, and it would be appropriate that it be put amongst the city commuting bikes.
Specifications:
- 4 Pounds Of Weight
- 3″ × 36.7″ × 30.8″ Is The Folded Size
- 7 Speed System
- 72″ – 356″ Gear Inches
- Alloy Aluminium Frame
- Sonus Tubing
- Promax V Branded Brakes
- Promax V Branded Brake Levers
- Aluminium Handle Bars (non-adjustable)
- Aluminium Front Hub
- Aluminium Back Hub
- 26 Inch Schwalbe Big Apple Tires
- Seat Post With Seat Pump Installed
- SRAM Shifter
- Rear And Front Derailleur
- Dahon Supra Crankset
- Suggested Rider Height: 5’2″ – 5’6″ for small, 5’6″ – 6′ for medium and 6′ – 6’4″ for large
- 230 Pounds Max Weight
Conclusion:
The D7 is a full size bike, which allows you to ride conveniently around the city and can be used regularly without requiring any great maintenance. It is your way out of the misery of public transport and gives you the power to control your journey whether to college or office or anywhere in the city. And when you are done riding, just wrap it up and keep it safe inside without any hassle.
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