Dahon Curve D3 Review

The Dahon Curve D3 is a basic bike. It is however not an entry level bike, based on how Dahon describes it. For its price, it is only a luxury few will afford since you are bound to get a more loaded bike for around the price range such as the Dahon D7. Still, the Curve is a special bike due to its slick and unique design featuring, you can guess, a curve. It is very trendy and would be perfect especially for teens and women. It is in fact a very popular Dahon product and for what it’s worth, it is a great product.

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Rating:

3.80 / 5.00

Price:

$$$ on Amazon (September 5 2015)

Warranty

Dahon provides a typical one year warranty for all original bike parts. It also provides a manufacturing warranty of five years. Warranty is only applicable to the original owner (first purchaser)

Pros and Cons:

This bike folds up quickly and is simple to operate. The gears hold up well to the weather making the Curve D3 excellent for city cycling. We also found comfort to be excellent.

First Impression:

I wish the Curve came in other colors, but it’s all worth it after a few, near-daily compliments from strangers.

Detailed Review:

The D3 arrives in a stock Dahon box and is almost ready to go for a ride. With little assembly and a check up at the local bike store, for activating the Dahon warranty, the bike is ready for its first ride.

The D3 is a result of solid engineering and great aesthetics. It is built from aluminium (7005) with the integration of the patented fusion and v clamp technology by Dahon.  The bike feels sturdy despite its small size and considering it is a foldable it is a very important feature. It is durable and because of its aluminium body it will keep clear of rust for a long time.

As the 3 in D3 suggests, the bike features 3 speeds. You may think that it is not enough, however with time you will realize that the speed range is very sufficient for riding for short distances (what the bike was designed for). The internalization of the gear system is a huge plus and keep the gears weather and water proof, while making the chain less likely to dislocate during storage.

As you would have noticed the bike comes with 16’’ wheels. This can be a positive and a negative depending on your preferences and experiences.  Since the wheels are small, they rotate faster for every pedal you do and allow you to turn much more quickly and easily when you have people or constructions around.
But since the wheels are small you are also more like to have a twitchy ride with barely any shock absorption and less gyroscopic force. This means that you are really going to feel the jerks go through your body when you go over a speed bump or a pot hole or a gravelled pavement. You also have to exert a lot of force if you are to go through soft terrains like mud or grass. This can be a big nuisance for you and you need to be very aware while riding the D3, as even though it allows you to have sharp cuts but if you encounter a pot hole on the end of the cut you are going to experience a lot of turbulence through your body. It is very much recommended that you use the bike on smooth pavements and not on streets with traffic on them, as a big jolt can become a safety concern for you.

The D3 has a reasonable fold. The folding process barely takes 15 seconds to complete. The model comes with a magnetic locking mechanism on the side of the front wheel, which keeps the fold in place and allows the D3 to have a pretty compact shape. Owing to its small size and minimalist design, the bike can easily be carried when folded.

The stock seat is pretty comfortable. It comes with an installed air pump in the seat post, something which is becoming a standard in Dahon products, and is a very handy feature, which you are bound to appreciate.

The D3 comes with a lot of pre installed features such as a built in rack, fixed fenders on the rear and front sides. It also has a bi pedal stand which is an extremely handy feature, as it lets you park the bike easily and also lets you do repair on your bike without taking awkward positions to keep the bike upright.

The only real problem you face when purchasing the bike is also due to its positives. Since the bike is small and very attractive, it becomes very liable to theft. Even with the chains and locks, you are not advised to keep the bike out of the door as you have a good chance of losing the D3.

Also you might face issues in your tires, if you really work them out, as they are not meant for heavy usage and can get flat soon if not used and maintained properly.

Specifications:

• Available In Single Colour: Red (Fire)
• Compact Shape: 13.3 Inch x 26.4 Inch x 25.2 Inch
• Total Bike Weight Of Approx. Twenty Six Pounds (25.6 lbs)
• Small 16 Inch Wheels
• Alloy Aluminium Frame With Custom Drawn Tube
• Three Speed System
• Able To Accommodate A Wide Range Of Rider Heights
• V Clamp Body Which Is Strong And Sturdy
• Folds And Unfolds Very Quickly
• Schwalbe Big Apple Tires

Conclusion:

With all assessment complete, it is clear that the Curve is an urban utility bike, meant for those short errands to get groceries or for an evening tour. It is not road material and is better to be used on the sidewalk. You must be really careful while handling it and pay attention to the surface. It is not a bike which will ride fast and if you hog on speed this bike is a certain disappointment for you. If you understand the limitations that accompany the Curve and are able to accept them, then it sure will be a good experience for you.