Re: Dahon speed D7 - any good

Uk_friendly_fire wrote:

As for alu v cro what are the advantages of the more expensive frame.

Aluminium is not necessarily either cheaper or more expensive than CroMo tubing. Similarly, what goes for Brand X's aluminium frame doesn't necessarily go for Brand Y's.

Aluminium is stiffer (this is good in some ways, bad in others) and lighter. It is also harder to weld so at a given cost of welding it often won't be done so well. Aluminium frames can't easily be repaired, but in practice steel ones that break only get repaired in a small range of circumstances.

Ultimately, both are quite reasonable materials to build a frame out of if the people concerned know what they're at, and can be dreadful things if they don't. AFAICT Dahon do.

I've read a review that said the frame hinge corrodes.

Anything metal will corrode given time, exposure to the elements and a bit less than maximum care. I've not come across any general complaints about Dahons falling to bits in the middle from bad frame corrosion. They are the biggest manufacturer of folding bikes in the world, and unlike some "biggest" concerns they have a fair reputation amongst serious users, so there's a good size sample base.

I would trust one.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch                    Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637   Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
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