Information on the Dahon MU P27 wanted please

[trident]

Hi,
I was wondering if anybody can give me any information on the Dahon MU P27?. I have looked at the geometry measurements on the main Dahon website, and on several dealers sites too, and they all give different measurements. Being small, a 5'6" tall male, the saddle to pedal distance is the most important measurement for me.

Can anyone please give me the right minimum distance? I have read its 710mm, 630mm, and 610mm. Does anyone else who is on the small size ride this bike?
Any help would be much appreciated
Stephen

 

[Asa Post]

Hi,
I was wondering if anybody can give me any information on the Dahon MU P27?. I have looked at the geometry measurements on the main Dahon website, and on several dealers sites too, and they all give different measurements. Being small, a 5'6" tall male, the saddle to pedal distance is the most important measurement for me.

Can anyone please give me the right minimum distance? I have read its 710mm, 630mm, and 610mm. Does anyone else who is on the small size ride this bike?
Any help would be much appreciated
Stephen

I would guess that 710mm is correct. I know a guess isn't a good enough answer, but let me explain my reasoning.

I've not got a MU, but I've got a Visc P18. According to the Dahon website, the minimum distance on it is 720mm, which is about right because with the saddle any lower the bottom of the seat post would be so near the floor it might catch on it (the seat tube is open at the bottom so the folded bike can use the seat post for balance with the saddle fully lowered). If the Dahon site has the right figure for the Visc, I would expect it to have the right one for the MU as well.

But the important bit of information for you is this: I'm the same size as you, and I actually ride the bike with a saddle to pedal distance of 820mm - I've just measured it. That gives my legs the recommended "slight bend at the knee" with the pedal at 6 o'clock. I have the handlebars lowered as far as they'll go, and it's a lovely riding position.

If you get one, I'm sure it will fit you without any problems.

 

[trident]

Thanks for your reply, but sadly for me, 710mm would be far too high. My touser lengh is only 29", so this woud mean that my toes wouldn't be able to touch the ground. Perhaps I might consider a TR Speed instead, though I understand these have recently gone out of production.

Stephen

 

[Cycleops]

Do you mean you won't be able to touch the ground sitting on the saddle?

 

[trident]

Yes, I mean while sitting on the saddle. At the moment, my saddle is positioned at 620mm above the bottom bracket (I'm asuming thats what Dahon mean when they say "saddle to pedals"). And from this position, the top half my foot is able to be planted on the ground. I Could take it a little further up, but a 10cm increase, would mean my feet danglying in the air.

I think that Asa Post is probably right, that the correct distance is 710mm, that's what most dealers sites are saying. I'm sad this bike seems unsuitable for me, but I know its no good trying to make a bike fit that doesn't.

I'm looking for a folder, which will allow me to do some multi-day touring and get me up some pretty steep hills, for example, the Yorkshire Dales etc

All the best
Stephen

 

[Cycleops]

Well, I don't think many people, if any, have their feet flat on the ground when sitting. It means saddle to pedal length will be wrong. As @Asa Post says most have their leg straight or slightly bent in this position. This is considered the optimum for efficient power delivery. If you cycle with you legs considerably bent whilst in the saddle you will find getting up the Yorkshire Dales very uncomfortable!

 

[trident]

I've just been reading about ideal saddle position, and yes, it seems mine is way to low, but as you can probably tell, as yet I'm not a very strong rider.

 

[Asa Post]

Yes, I mean while sitting on the saddle. At the moment, my saddle is positioned at 620mm above the bottom bracket (I'm asuming thats what Dahon mean when they say "saddle to pedals"). And from this position, the top half my foot is able to be planted on the ground. I Could take it a little further up, but a 10cm increase, would mean my feet danglying in the air.

Saddle to pedal distance is top of saddle to top of pedal with the pedal at the bottom of the turning circle. That's how I measured mine to get 720mm.
If I measure from saddle to bottom bracket, the distance is only 650mm, still higher than yours but not by a huge amount. As @Cycleops said, your saddle is probably too low by conventional standards, but if you're happy with it that's all that really matters.
I've just lowered my saddle so the saddle to bottom bracket is 620mm. When I sit on the bike, I can get the front half of my sole on the floor, but not the heel. It sounds like you can do the same. It's not a position that I'm used to, but the bike is perfectly rideable.
I still think a MU will fit you.

 

[Cycleops]

I've just been reading about ideal saddle position, and yes, it seems mine is way to low, but as you can probably tell, as yet I'm not a very strong rider.

But with your saddle too low you're not really helping yourself.

 

[trident]

Saddle to pedal distance is top of saddle to top of pedal with the pedal at the bottom of the turning circle. That's how I measured mine to get 720mm.
If I measure from saddle to bottom bracket, the distance is only 650mm, still higher than yours but not by a huge amount. As @Cycleops said, your saddle is probably too low by conventional standards, but if you're happy with it that's all that really matters.
I've just lowered my saddle so the saddle to bottom bracket is 620mm. When I sit on the bike, I can get the front half of my sole on the floor, but not the heel. It sounds like you can do the same. It's not a position that I'm used to, but the bike is perfectly rideable.
I still think a MU will fit you.

Thanks very much for your help. Obviously, I've completely misunderstood Dahon's method of measuring their bikes. I've never even ridden a folder before, but I've heard the quality of the Dahon's have improved a lot.

 

[trident]

Just another question on this issue. Is the SRAM DualDrive reliable?. The clickbox thingy sounds like a bit of a mystery to me. Though that doesn't put me off. Like most people, I want a folder to be able to get on the train hassle free.

All the best
Stephen

 

[StuAff]

Just another question on this issue. Is the SRAM DualDrive reliable?. The clickbox thingy sounds like a bit of a mystery to me. Though that doesn't put me off. Like most people, I want of folder to be able to get on the train hassle free.

All the best
Stephen

It's reliable enough. I've had one die on me (covered under warranty) but the one on my Speed Pro TT has a lot more miles on it without issue. Come off the power every time you shift (much smoother and less wear) and get it serviced every so often and it'll be fine. The clickbox isn't as fragile as it looks, easy enough to remove and put back on when you fix a flat.
As for the bike sizing: you'll be fine.