If you are wondering to buy a full size foldable but are stuck because of budget issues then the Dahon Espresso is for you. It is a wonderful bike designed for commuting for daily work or occasional adventure and exploration in the country side. It is not a fast scooter but its full size will give you an enjoyable experience of a conventional bike with the gift of portability.
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Rating:
3.00 / 5.00
Price:
$$$ on Amazon (September 5 2015)
Warranty
Dahon provided manufacturer’s 2 year warranty for parts and repair which can be extended to 5 years by contacting the company. Warranty is only provided through official vendors.
Pros and Cons:
Great Folding Process Seat Can Be Uncomfortable
High Quality
Fenders And Rack Provided
First Impression:
Cool looks, which attract attention.
Detailed Review:
It is imperative to know before ordering the Dahon Espresso, that it comes in 3 sizes. The sizes are small for a height range of 5’2 – 5’6, medium for a height range of 5’6 to 6’0 and large for a height range of 6’0 – 6’4.
Note: The medium body size is currently out of order according to most major retailers online. You might find them at your local shop.
The Espresso can be ordered online via Amazon store, with a choice between Baltic Blue and Black colors. It arrives in a brown stock delivery box with a big green Dahon logo on it. The bike is in its folded shape and well padded ensuring that shipping damage is kept minimum. It is easy to assemble and for an experienced person it will take only 10 to 15 mins to get the bike going on the street.
Nevertheless, it is highly recommended to get the machine checked and tuned up by a mechanic. Not only will this make a world of difference to your riding experience but it is necessary to activate your warranty, which would otherwise not be honoured.
The body is made from DA series Aluminium (Dalloy) and is an example of top of the notch engineering considering the price of the cycle. It is very sturdy and durable, and gives you a sense of security and confidence as soon as you hop on it. It will not rust and will be able to face the heat of the sun and the cold of winter without any visible wear and tear.
With twenty speeds to choose from, the Espresso becomes a great choice for casual city ridings and occasional venture on hills. The speeds are fast and stable enough to let you enjoy your ride, even when you are in a hurry. The gears can be changed with just a push of the button making it extremely easy and seamless process, without you having to put any real effort.
The bike comes with Schwalbe’s popular Big Apple tires which are of a pretty moderate-to-good quality. The large size means that you can easily go along city roads and nibble your way across small paths with excellent balance. You are not recommended to test the tires in unfavorable conditions, although they can endure a journey through gravels and off road tracks once in a while.
However, despite a range of speed and a good pair of tires, this bike is is no way a lean mean road machine and if you are thinking of fighting races on it, then you should probably be prepared to be left behind.
Dahon has placed alloy handle bars and an adjustable stem. However, if you purchase the bike model which does not suit your body type you are going to have trouble as they handle bars can become too low. You can probably buy a handle bar extension if that is the case with you, but it will hurt your pocket by about 30 to 50 dollars. You can check out the Pyramid Mountain Bike Riser Handlebars if you are interested in purchasing an extension, as it blends very well with your Dahon and will go unnoticed by passer-by’s
The seat is kind of comfortable, in the sense that it will start hurting if you go on a long ride. However, this depends upon person to person. The seat itself is ergonomically designed and perfect for city commute, giving you an upright view. The seat post has a micro adjustment feature.
The bike also features foldable pedals, pre-installed front and rear fenders and a few unbranded components.
All parts work very well together and will require little maintenance except maybe inflation of tires and lubrication of chain and brakes once or twice a year.
While you might still have doubts about the performance of the bike, you will never have doubt about its folding ability. The folding process is extremely well developed and is well integrated, such that you cannot even guess the bikes folding ability unless you know about it. The folding latch has been provided and is very strong. The patented Dahon Axis stem also allows a better folding ability to the bike. However, despite its folding properties the Espresso is heavy due to its size and can be tough to lift for kids and women. It does wrap itself into a very compact size (half its size) and can easily be kept under a bed in your dorm or a car’s trunk. There is also a Velcro strap to hold the bike together when folded.
Accessories wise this foldable is very gifted and can be customized to a great extent. You get screws for a water bottle holder, and can also install seat post pump and a trunk bag if needed.
Specifications:
- Features 21 Speed System
- Compact Size: 13.3 Inches by 36.7 Inches by 30.8 Inches
- Schwalbe BG Wheels.
- 3 Frame Sizes.
- Comfortable and up ride position for riding.
- Folds In Under 10 Seconds
Conclusion:
All in all, this is a great choice for bike enthusiasts. The high quality with a low price, which this bike possesses, is not a very common occurrence especially when it is coming from a big brand like Dahon. You should get it and you will realize that this Espresso becomes a caffeine to your cycling journeys.
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