Dahon is a pioneer in the world of foldable bikes, with over two hundred patents to its name to date.
The Dahon Mariner D7 is a huge hit in the US bike market and has been a best seller ever since it was introduced. The hype is very much real and I am glad you chose to consider buying this as you are not going to be let down. While the bike was designed for the boaters, you can certainly buy it even for your in city rides. The great portability factor of the bike combined with its rust resistant body makes it a brilliant product for you.
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Rating:
4.50/5.00
Price:
$$$ on Amazon (September 2 2015)
Warranty:
Dahon 1 Year Manufacturing Warranty Included.
Pros and Cons:
Quick To Fold Heavy To Lift For Long Distances
Fenders & Rack Included Maintenance Required
7 Speed System
Can Become A Portable Seat
First Impression:
The bike is beautifully designed and very pleasing to the eye. Be ready to be asked about it. Chicks will dig it for sure!
Detailed Review:
The Mariner D7 can be bought of Amazon, your reputable and super dependable vendor. The bike arrives in an extensively protected packaging inside the box, which is pretty good even though it can be a little annoying to remove all the plastic off. The bike is in collapsed form, with the seat post and pedals being the only parts which need to be installed. While screwing in the pedals, make sure you got the left and the right parts on the correct sides. A mini wrench would be needed to make sure the pedals are fixed. The assembly can be completed in a very short time.
The box also contains a few accessories, a mini pump, a bottle handle, lights, a bell and a saddle bag.
The frame is built from aluminium, instead of steel, and is brushed to make it rust resistant. The quality of manufacturing and the workmanship on the frame is outstanding. The frame is very sturdy, durable and well designed to hold a stance against the tough conditions of and near the ocean. The bike will not feel the bumps of potholes or jerks along the grooves on the pavement and will even sustain multiple falls to the ground, without losing a screw. It has been made to perform like a badass and you can treat it as one without hesitation.
The Mariner comes with the 7 speed mechanism installed and the extra gears will really make you feel their worth when you are riding along inclines and hills. It is stable and easy to steer, and will shift very quickly and smoothly even when you are in speed. Even if you are tall or heavy (It can sustain a load of 230 lbs!), the bike will still perform at the top level, while its strong frame will give you a sense of security, making the ride a real joy.
As it is a foldable, it is of immense importance that the portability of the bike is tested. The Mariner can be collapsed with ease. It might take a bit longer if you are new to the bike, but as you get used to it the bike can take a compact shape in less than 15 seconds, which is outstanding. With the experience of riding it, you can learn some tricks while folding too like leaving finding the correct spot for leverage, placing the pedals in the most optimum position or leaving the seat extended to allow you to push the bike like a cart. In fact it works very well as a seat for you, and you can utilise this if you ever get tired riding. The folding mechanism is supported by Magnetix, a magnetic latch by Dahon, which is really great. The cycle is small enough to fit under your office desk or be kept beside you on a train and can easily stand on its own. You can easily go up and down with it on the stairs or run and keep it in your car trunk. However, it is not extremely light when it comes to carrying for a long distance and you are bound to get tired.
The seat, like many Dahon seats, is not much up to the mark. In fact you feel a bit disappointed regarding the price you paid to get the seat as it is not the most comfortable one especially when you sit on it for a few hours. The less chubby ones amongst us are bound to get irritated by the seat. You can however upgrade the saddle and get a new one from amazon or your local store, or you can cover it up with a gel cover if it is not a big pain in the ass.
The bike does come with rack and fenders if you were wondering. However, the rack is not the most stable one even though the specs say it can support 20 kilo. There is no gripping or support on the rack which makes it very hard to balance any luggage placed on it while you are riding. You can support it with a bungee rope if you really do need to carry luggage on it.
Specifications:
- 7 Speeds
- Folded Dimensions Of 11 in × 31.9 in × 25.7 in
- 26 Pounds Of Weight
- Aluminium Frame, Vise Grip mechanism.
- Aluminium Fork
- Tires: K-1045
- Dahon Neos Rear Derailleur
- Magnetix Clipping
- Height Of The Rider: Six Feet Four Inches Max.
- Weight Of The Rider: No Greater Than 230 Pounds.
Conclusion:
Overall the Dahon Mariner is a winner, for you on and off land travels. It is a very convenient and a comfortable ride which can be used for quick tasks across the city or just exploring the land. It is no way a bike for travelling from North California to South California, but it can be used to travel to nearby cities and counties. It is totally recommended if you are considering to buy one.
I’m having a hard time deciding between the Dahon d7 Mariner and Allen sports Urban x. I understand the urban x is a little bigger when folded and read other reviews that it struggles uphill. I’m going to start commuting soon, majority on bus and train but will need the bike for 3-4 miles a day with a medium hill in between. What’s your recommendation?
Hey Jimmy! The Dahon is going to be about 8-10 pounds lighter than the Urban X. This is probably what contributes to it having small issues with hill riding. I would say overall the D7 Mariner is a better folding bike, but if you are pinched for money, it is hard to go wrong with the Urban X as it is currently $200 cheaper.