The Dahon Velocity TR is a folding touring bicycle. It folds in half similar to all the opposite Dahon bicycles. The place it differs, nevertheless, is in its low-gearing functionality, and its entrance and rear racks, which make the bike appropriate for mild touring.
I personal the 2008 mannequin of the Dahon Velocity TR and I paid round $1,100 USD plus labor for the store to assemble and tune it for me. Though there are various on-line retailers for Dahon bicycles, I at all times suggest working with an area bicycle store in the event you can. Doing enterprise with a licensed Dahon supplier extends many advantages as properly.
The Velocity TR is mostly a full bicycle, with touring racks, a generator mild, battery-operated rear mild, detachable pedals and even bar ends. You’d be hard-pressed to consider something that might should be added. The very first thing I added, nevertheless, have been fenders, which makes numerous sense in the event you intend to be using this bike each day and or utilizing the bike in wet, snowy, or muddy circumstances.
The bicycle additionally comes with a entrance mount for non-compulsory baggage from Dahon. After buying the bicycle, I later purchased the entrance tour bag, which got here in useful for packing small gadgets throughout native commutes (e.g. take-out meals, small groceries and my bike lock). It mounts on to the body with a particular attachment, so it received’t have an effect on dealing with.
The Velocity TR is extra upright than your typical street bike. That is nice for having fun with the view when you journey. The handlebars characteristic a fore and aft adjustment to rotate the handlebars additional away or nearer to you, relying on how a lot attain you want.
Not like among the different Dahon fashions, the steering on the Velocity TR is just not telescopic. Nevertheless, you may elevate the bars an inch or so by rotating the handlebars to the highest/middle place. I stand sixty-six inches tall, with a brief inseam measurement, so I’ve issue becoming on common street bikes. The Dahon Velocity TR was straightforward for me to regulate to and the body makes it straightforward to mount and dismount.
For those who’re apprehensive about body flex, there isn’t any. Dahon appears to be phasing out metal body bicycles, and so far, the Velocity TR is likely to be one in all three fashions left within the line-up that isn’t product of aluminum. It’s made out of chromoly metal as a substitute!
One in all my favourite options of this bicycle is the SRAM Twin Drive. It options an inside three-speed hub, which simulates the motion of a entrance derailleur. The great factor about this hub is which you could click on by it at a standstill — very useful for touring by frequent visitors lights or for making a sudden, unplanned cease. The Twin Drive is paired with a traditional rear derailleur and shifting takes place with a set off shifter on the handlebars.
After some prolonged rides on the Velocity TR I discovered myself looking for extra hand positions. The bicycle’s bar ends have been helpful for climbing, however with solely two hand positions, I discovered myself going numb on lengthy rides. I additionally had bother with my thumbs getting drained from frequent shifting, though I imagine the 2012 mannequin now comes with a grip shifter, which appears to be a greater choice.
The one different minor quibble I’ve with the bike is the bottle cage mounting level. Due to the body’s design, the water bottle is mounted almost horizontal. A steep descent or perhaps a sudden cease is sufficient to ship your bottle flying. Plus, anybody who has cycled any non-trivial distance is aware of that one water bottle isn’t enough anyway. I put on a hydration backpack and/or retailer extra water bottles in my panniers.
To resolve my drawback with the flat handlebars and the numbness I used to be experiencing consequently, I ultimately swapped out the usual handlebars that include the bike and changed them with Syntace bullhorns, which gave me extra positions wherein to relaxation my palms. Highway-style shifters changed the triggers, so brake adapters needed to be put in. The rear brake adapters additionally displaced the rear rack’s traditional mounting factors, and so the struts needed to be re-mounted with clamps alongside the seat stays. It’s not a giant deal; simply remember that this was a consequence of modifying the bike’s authentic design[1]. After the modifications I made, the bike appears to carry out simply in addition to it did beforehand, though I typically surprise if the brand new shifting association affected the gear vary on the decrease finish.
The Dahon Velocity TR is a good bike for mild excursions. Due to its smaller stature, nevertheless, you must be sensible about its load-carrying capability. With entrance and rear racks, it may be tempting to attempt a fully-loaded configuration. I’ve tried this, and with twenty-one gear inches on the low finish, I discovered climbing to be tough. I’m not a small individual, and carrying 4 loaded panniers is exceedingly powerful. These days, I stick solely with what is going to slot in two luggage. You possibly can nonetheless use 4 panniers, however I might advise in opposition to filling all of them to full capability. Personally, I restrict my load to 2 reasonably crammed rear panniers, regardless of the entrance tour bag can carry, plus a hydration pack on my again.
The Velocity TR is a good journey bike. I’ve usually used it on multi-modal excursions. My favourite approach to journey is to pack the bike into the non-compulsory Airporter Suitcase, ship it to my vacation spot by way of Federal Categorical, after which unpack it once I arrive. The remainder of my journey is an pleasant bicycle touring expertise. I’ve additionally used the Airporter suitcase as soon as on a Greyhound bus journey[2]. Due to the Velocity TR’s versatility, it additionally occurs to be my each day commuter bike. I’ve usually completed my grocery buying with it, carrying a 2.5-gallon water jug in a pannier, groceries within the different, and a few different grocery luggage secured to the highest of the rear rack.
In the long run, the Dahon Velocity TR is a good little bike for mild touring and native commuting. For many who wish to conduct some shorter bicycle excursions and on the identical time take pleasure in the advantages that include a folding bicycle, the Velocity TR is a good and reasonably priced selection.
To be taught extra in regards to the Dahon Velocity TR, be sure you go to the official web site at: www.dahonbikes.com
[1] In hindsight, I in all probability would have been simply as joyful had I changed the usual handlebars with maybe a mustache bar or related bar that might have made doable retention of the usual elements. The largest ache level appears to have been the usage of v-brake adapters, from having chosen STI levers.
[2] Though I wasn’t charged for it, the suitcase is technically over-sized. I doubt I might wish to attempt the identical factor for an airplane journey, due to the potential charges concerned.
About The Creator: Enrique Pineda is a forty-three 12 months previous bike commuter, who tries to journey at the least twice a 12 months along with his bicycle. Between out-of-state bike excursions, Enrigue likes to camp year-round at Georgia’s many superb state parks.
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