Dahon Speed Uno Folding Bike Review – A stylish street compagnion
0Contents
- 1 General
- 1.1 How much does the Dahon Speed Uno weight?
- 1.2 How much does only the frame weight?
- 1.3 What are the dimensions of the Dahon Speed UNO when folded? How small can it be folded?
- 1.4 In which colors is the bike available?
- 1.5 Is the seat adjustable? How comfortable is the seat?
- 1.6 How much body weight can this bike hold?
- 1.7 Is this bike for men/women?
- 2 Speed
- 3 Assembly
- 4 Usefulness
- 4.1 Can I safely attach a child seat to this bike? Which seat would work best?
- 4.2 Does it come with a storage bag? Which storage bag can I use for my bike?
- 4.3 Can I install training wheels on the bike? Can I install a bike rack?
- 4.4 Which bike bags or baskets can be used on this bike?
- 4.5 Is it possible to convert the folding bike to an electric bike?
- 5 Travel
General
How much does the Dahon Speed Uno weight?
The Dahon Speed Uno is extremely lightweight. Its frame is made of chrome and if you include wheels it weights around 24 pounds, around 10 kilogram. Compared to other folding bikes, such as the Stowabike City Bike it is extremely lightweight and easy to handle.
How much does only the frame weight?
The frame of the Dahon Speed Uno is made out of chrome. When weighted the bike weighs around 24 pounds. However, without the wheels the frame weights around 16 pounds (qua. 8 Kilograms). Therefore, this folding bike is for both, adults and children, and is also when carried around extremely lightweight and handy.
What are the dimensions of the Dahon Speed UNO when folded? How small can it be folded?
The folding size is 11.7 x 30 x 25 inches, which is around 30 x 76 x 64 cm. As you can see the folding size of this bike is extremely small and therefore it is easily storable. Furthermore, Dahon claims that your “folding time” is under 10 seconds. In my experience, if you know what you have to fold you are definitely under 10 seconds. However, it also won’t take you longer if you never had a Dahon Speed Uno, because the folding is extremely intuitive.
In which colors is the bike available?
The color in which the Dahon Speed Uno will be delivered is matte black. Which gives the bike an extremely cool stylish-look. I definitely recommend that you do not change the color by using spray paint, because the Dahon Speed Uno has plenty of pre installed reflectors on it, so you can be seen at night.
Is the seat adjustable? How comfortable is the seat?
The seat which is pre delivered is made out of aluminium, which makes it extremely lightweight. You can adjust the seat in terms of height. This is highly recommended when you fold the bike, because it makes the Dahon Speed Uno much more compact. Out of the box, the seat is extremely comfortable and complements with its black color the overall appearance of the bike. Hence, I would not change it. However, if you really want to have pimp your seat for comfort, I recommend the Velo city bike saddle, which is a gel saddle for extra comfortable sitting.
How much body weight can this bike hold?
The Dahon Speed Uno can hold up to 230-pound max weight. This is around 105 kilogram of a person. Compared to the Stowabike, which can hold a 250 kilogram person, the Dahon Speed Uno is with its lightweight frame not suitable for heavy weighted people.
Is this bike for men/women?
Many people argue that the Dahon Speed Uno has a rather masculine style. This is mostly out of the fact that is color is matte black. However, the I also saw some women, on my way to work, riding a Dahon Speed Uno. Therefore, I really do not think this bike is only for men. Instead, I really think this bike is excellent for women, because of its lightweight chassis.
Speed
How many gears does it have? How fast is the Dahon Speed Uno?
The Dahon Speed Uno is single speeded and therefore does not have any gears. Because of this fact, there are also no gear cables, which make the bike extremely comfortable, when folding it. My experience is that the single speed is also great for flat streets. Furthermore, if the hills have only medium height the Dahon Speed Uno is great for riding these up. Consequently, I wouldn’t recommend to use the Dahon Speed Uno as mountain bike.
How does the bike perform on hills and old/bumpy pavement on the streets?
Compared to other folding bikes, the Dahon Speed Uno is excellent to ride on medium steep hills, because of its lightweight frame. Furthermore, if you think the hill is too steep for you, you could also fold the bike and just hike the hill up. When you are riding old/bumpy streets, the Dahon Speed Uno is also the right choice for you. Even though its so lightweight, its frame is very robust.
How well does the bike go uphill/downhill?
The Dahon Speed Uno has no gears and extremely steep hill tours are therefore a problem for this bike. However, on one of my hiking tours I saw some guys, who took their folding bike on their back all the way to the top of the hill and rode it downhill. For such a tour the Dahon Speed Uno is perfect, and I definitely recommend the DAHON Folding Bike Carrier Bag Carry Bag , which is extremely suitable for storing your bike, but also for transporting your Dahon Speed Uno.
Assembly
Does the Stowabike require assembly? How hard is this bike to put together?
Dahon says that the bike can be unfolded within 10 seconds. My experience shows that if you exactly know which buttons you have to press, it is definitely possible to make it in this time. Folding your bike is extremely easy and does not require much knowledge. Dahon delivers a detailed instruction paper, where all “folding”-steps are clearly shown. Furthermore, a magnetic latching system holds the bike together when folded, which is extremely convenient for transportation.
Which tools do I need to assemble the folding bike?
Dahon made assembling the bike for the first time extremely convenient, because you do not need any tools. Furthermore, the bike comes fully assembled and folded. However, before riding the first time I recommend that you check all bolts and tighten them if you think they are to leash. I recommend using the Multi Function Bike Tool from Crank Brothers for this purpose, which is also a faithful companion for other bikes.
What do I have to do to fold the bike? Do the pedals fold?
To fold the Dahon Speed Uno You have to pull down the seat and fold the bike in the middle of the frame. Furthermore, you can also fully fold the pedals. See the video below, which shows a complete folding of the Dahon Speed Uno:
Usefulness
Can I safely attach a child seat to this bike? Which seat would work best?
The Dahon Speed Uno was initially designed as a single person bike. Therefore, I do not recommend using a child seat on the bike. If you really want to carry your child around with the Dahon Speed Uno I recommend that you are using a trailer, such as the InSTEP Take 2 Double Bicycle Trailer. This trailer can also be folded and will greatly supplement your Dahon Speed Uno.
Does it come with a storage bag? Which storage bag can I use for my bike?
The Dahon Speed Uno does not come with a storage bag. However, Dahon itself provides you with different bag options. I personally have tried the Dahon Stow Bag and I am completely satisfied with this bag, because I can also use it with other folding bags and it is also great for travel. However, if you only want to store your bike I recommend, the Dahon Body Bag, which is a bag designed for minimal spaces, such as in flats.
Can I install training wheels on the bike? Can I install a bike rack?
You can definitely install training wheels on a Dahon Speed Uno, because of the ends of the axle stick out a little bit and you could bolt on some training wheels easily. If you want training wheels I recommend that you are looking for extremely stable wheels, such as the Wald 10252 Bicycle Training Wheels. Otherwise you could also install a training handle, such as the Bike Trainer Handle from elements design. If you want to install a rack, Dahon has a specific rack for its bikes, the Biologic Portage Tern Pannier Rack, which is extremely easy to install and also stylish in its looks.
Which bike bags or baskets can be used on this bike?
You have different possibilities to install bikes or baskets on the Dahon Speed Uno. However, because of its initially missing rack, I recommend that you are using the front to install a bag or basket. Therefore if you only go for a small bike tour I recommend to use the New Cycling Bike Handlebar Bar Bag, which is extremely easy to install and has also a great handling. If you like to use the Dahon Speed Uno for shopping I recommend the, Schwinn Quick Release Wire Basket, which has an ergonomic removable handle for easy carrying and also mounts easily to handlebars.
Is it possible to convert the folding bike to an electric bike?
Yes, the Dahon Speed Uno can be converted into an electric bike using the Rear Wheel 48V 1000W Electric Battery Powered Bicycle Motor Conversion Kit. This kit contains all parts that you need to convert your bicycle into an electro bike. Furthermore, you will be able to ride your bike at a speed up to 28 mph.
Travel
Can I take it into an airplane? Can I take it into a train?
You can definitely take your bike into a train. Its dimensions are excellent for checking it in as hand luggage. If you want to take your bike by plane, you should definitely put it into a shipping box, such as the EcoBox Corrugated Shipping Box or you can also use a carrier bag, such as the Enjoydeal Bicycle Folding Bike Carrier Bag.
Can this bike fit into a trunk?
Because of its tiny dimensions the Dahon Speed Uno can be easily carried in small trunks such as the Lexus RX-350 or the tiny crossfire trunk. Furthermore, from my experience it is so tiny that you can also put the bike to the passenger seat.
Dahon Speed Uno
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9/10
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9.3/10
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9/10
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9.5/10
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9.5/10
Summary
The Dahon Speed Uno is an extremely stylish companion. It is manufactured with a chrome frame, which makes the bike extremely lightweight. Furthermore, you can also fold it extremely tiny, even the pedals, which makes it easily storable. Therefore, we definitely recommend the Dahon Speed Uno to every folding bike, who wants a stylish companion!