One of them went bad on me recently.  The pedal was making crunching noises and wasn’t rotating properly – not good!  Apparently a ball bearing crumbled. 

Reading online reviews, it seems others have had this problem, too.

I decided to replace them with another pair of folding pedals.  I use the bike almost exclusively for commuting to work.  When folding the bike up for the train, I don’t normally need to fold the pedals.  But the folding pedals do come in handy on rare occasions when I put the bike in the trunk of my car. 

I chose a pair of MKS FD-7 pedals for the swap (pictured to the above right).  These are an upgrade both in terms of durability and grip.  The serrated edge prevents my tennis shoes from slipping much better than the rubber on the Suntour pedals.

These apparently come in black finish in addition to silver.  In retrospect, the chrome pedals make the bike look a little bit pimped-out.

Due to some unwise choices parking my bicycles outside, I’ve had two stolen in the past 18 months.  As a result, I’m on my 3rd Dahon Speed D7 in as much time (so far I’ve owned one 2010 model and two from 2011).

I’ve been happy overall with the Speed D7 from a price / value point of view.  Each time I’ve looked over other models (and considered their likelihood of being stolen!).  Some of the lighter, more expensive models are intriguing, but I’ve settled back on the D7 again.  After all, I’m mostly using to commute short distances.

I mail ordered the 2010 model from SafetyCycle, which was an easy enough experience.  On arrival the bike required some minor tuning to the rear derailleur – nothing surprising.

I purchased the two 2011 models from REI, because they were in stock, and following the thefts I was pressed for time to obtain a replacement.  After the member refund, the price isn’t that much different from a mail order.

The 2nd model I purchased (now stolen) was the smoothest so far – no significant adjustments needed.  The most recent D7 had a problem with the cassette.  The rear derailleur was properly adjusted, but the 7th gear kept skipping.  REI replaced it the first week under warranty.

(And yes, I have since purchased a better lock)

I started commuting this year by bike, and needed to pick up some foul weather wear to make the trip bearable in the rain.  It’s getting close to rainy season again, which means it’s time to break out my wet weather gear.

Backpack

First thing I needed was a backpack that was waterproof and/or had a rain flap, to protect my laptop.

I picked up this Novara Commuter Backpack backpack from REI.  It’s bright, watertight, and has reflective areas.  It also has a pull-out rain flap for when it’s really storming.  It’s big enough for my 15” laptop, a sweater, and some accessories. 

Overall a pretty good backpack for commuting, recommended.

Jacket

This Novara Statos Bike Jacket is also from REI.  It’s waterproof (not just water resistant) and gives good wind protection.  Wearing this jacket and a sweater keeps me warm enough while biking.  It’s got a breast pocket which is handy for carrying keys, 3G wireless USB card and so on.

Nice jacket, recommended.

Pants

These Novara Stratos Pants (REI yet again) are waterproof and warm.  As such, they are mostly suitable for cold rainy weather.  I only put them on when it’s raining.

My two complaints with these pants are that they’re relatively hard to put on over shoes (handy when weather changes on you quickly), and that they’re not a bright color.  I probably would have been satisfied with a cheaper pair of thin waterproof slipover pants. 

If you want waterproof and warm, these are good though.

Helmet Cover

  I also got one of these illumiNITE Waterproof Helmet Covers from Performance Bicycle, to keep the rain off my head.

When the rain is pouring, it’s an essential item to help keep relatively dry.

(Thanks for reading – Steve Klinkner)

I quickly zeroed in on the Dahon Speed D7 as an affordable and popular model.  I ordered mine online (from Safety Cycle, about 430 $US).  It arrived in good condition, but (no surprise) needed some initial adjustments to the rear derailleur and brake before it was fully usable.

Observations

Some highlights

• Bike is entirely adequate for riding short distances.  Not for steep hills nor downhill racing, but perfectly fine for short commutes.
• Space saver.  The folded size is similar to a carry-on suitcase.  Much easier to have on the train than a full size bike.
• Quick folding. True to the advertising, the bike can be folded and unfolded in about 15 seconds (with practice).  In reality, the unfolding phase takes a little longer, as I’ll often make minor adjustments to the handlebars and seat stem until they’re in proper position.  I’ve made a few marks on the metal with a Sharpie to make these adjustments faster.
• Rear rack is useful enough – it passes the litmus test of being able to hold a donut box

Some lowlights

• Bike is somewhat hefty at ~28 pounds.  It’s “luggable” but not much fun to carry for long distances when folded.  Most often I just wheel it up in front of the train and fold it before boarding.
• The 20” wheels aren’t as stable as 26” wheels – not as much rotational inertia.  Initially the bike felt a little wobbly to me, especially at speed … I’ve since gotten used to it.
• Rust – two adjustment screws for the brakes are rusting slightly, though to be fair I’ve ridden the bike a fair amount in the rain.  The Dahon Mariner is a similar configuration that promises more rust resistant components.

Summary

The bike attracts a fair amount of curiosity on the train.  I’m certain that – were I able to carry a spare bike along – I could have sold a few during my commutes.  Quite a few people ask for details on price, manufacturer, and where to buy.

Overall it has met my expectations and has facilitated my commute-by-subway.

(Thanks for reading – Steve Klinkner)