This is the most comprehensive practical review I've seen of any folding bike yet. I've started researching folding bikes, and in this video you do a very good job of presenting everything I'd need to know when purchasing a folding bike, even things I wouldn't have thought of. Excellent review.
RE: Juddering when front brakes are applied I have a Dahon Mariner 2021. It has the same juddering issue when front brakes are applied. Changing to a new pair of brake pads helps a bit. The issue was totally resolved when I changed to a new pair of v brakes for the front wheel. Bought them from Decathlon. The quality was way better than the dahon supplied pair and performed way better as well. Hope this will help other Dahon Mariner owners who love their bikes but not the front brakes.
This was greatly handful on my buying it (40th anniversary ver) a month ago. It showed what to consider from a science approach and experience. Thanks a lot.
Your review is spectacular. Your reassuring voice and well crafted review is top notch. You must have been a teacher! I just bought a beautiful used 2014 mariner in new condition. Its all aluminum beauty is so striking! You can only appreciate its all-shiny-aluminum in person. This bike can last a lifetime! thank you
Thanks so much for your very thorough and well presented video. Although I already build and customise bikes, I have just begun learning about their little folding friends. 😊 Happy travels!
My first folder was a 16" Mariner. The chain ring was huge, but I could comfortably start in top gear. I decided if I ever get another folder I'm getting a 20" wheel bike.
I once had a Dahon folding mountain bike, but lost it when my car was stolen and the bike was in the trunk. Unfortunately they don’t make it anymore so I haven’t been able to replace it. I really liked that bike, I miss it.
Was it a full size folding MTB? It is indeed unfortunate to see such unique Dahon models being discontinued. Montague could be an alternative (we own one).
After Your very promising review I bought a Dahon Mariner 8. but with these disapointments: * Both front-rimbrake and back-rimbrake are jumping wildly up/down in braking force, when braking, because both rims apparently have very different wideness around the rims. The rims wideness is variating so much that putting sandpaper around the braking pads and braking down a long hill a couple of times, to sand down the wider spots of the rims, did'nt help at all * The spanish homepage advertised "Shimano gears" but it was only Dahons own kind of "No Name" gears, even though working OK for now * The first gear was way to high so I could'nt manage any kind of even low hils, so I had to change the front-toothwheel to a much smaller one. Which came with new pedalarms. * The folded bicycle could'nt fit in even the biggest Samsonite suitcase, for travling by air, without dismounting the derailleur and both wheels and especially derailleur is NO GO for me on vacation But except for that I'm happy with this folding bike, which is very agile and easy to jump on and off e.g. when I am "walking" our dog. And I have had it in our biggest car for inland vacation. I had this bike for about 10 months now. Kind regards😉
@kjeldholm7370, thanks for sharing your experience with us. - Concerning the rim brakes, could it be that the wheels need to be “trued” (tension adjustment) instead of overall rim thickness tolerance? - For gears, ours does have Shimano Altus, but other subscribers mentioned they received Dahon-branded ones instead. It seems to vary geographically (and in time). We noticed the new 40th edition Mariner D8 is advertised with Dahon components. - Our chainring has 53T and larger sprocket (1st gear) has 32T, resulting in about 2.5 meters of development, acceptable for small hills. Do you remember your set-up prior to and after your change? - As mentioned in our video, disassembly would be required to fit the Mariner (as most 20” mid fold bikes) in a regular suitcase. Some larger cases are available, but they could be expensive and they would likely trigger extra fee at check-in. We also had our Mariner D8 for about a year. Our only issue has been losing the rear locking magnet (we had a spare one from a previous Dahon bike). We also had to re-adjust cable tension (front and rear brakes as well as speed) after a few months (not too unusual). No flats yet (cross fingers). We are very pleased with it so far. Thanks once again for your feedback.
Hi 2Bikes4Adventure Thanks for Your answer. Much appreciated 😊 And very informative and thorough reviews You make ! Sorry I don’t remember my chainrings set-up prior to my change, but I think from 53 to 42t. But after that I could manage even the steepest hill in our area, with some effort, but of cause this is individual… I think the culprit is the wideness of the rims. A quick caliper-measurement of the back-rim wideness revealed between 25,0 and 25,3mm in difference around the rim. And the rimbrakes can pivot sidewise, if the wheel has some sidewise wobbling. So I think I need to buy 2 new wheels to get the bike up to normal western standard Kind regards and happy cycling 🙂
@kjeldholm7370, sorry to hear about the rims. Reducing the chainring is a good way to tackle those hills. We did the same on our Bromptons (50T to 44T). Hoping our cycling paths cross someday.
Thank you for this review, even thought my heart is stuck on a brompton, but my pocket says other wise. Looking for alternatives and I'm getting a preloved dahon mariner D8 or tern Verge d8 or dahon vitesse d8..but I want a front block for groceries like brompton. Please suggest or a video on how to do that.. and which is the best bet out of these 3...love the details you share..😇🥰
Hi Kanika. Through the years, most of our folding bikes were purchased “pre-loved”. Any of the 3 models you have in mind would be a great acquisition. Just need to check if they are still in good shape and if the asking price is within your budget. Good luck.
I think as always it all depends on the use case. If someone needs bike that folds small, can be carried or rolled easily then Brompton is the answer. However if one needs more big bike like ride feel and folding size is not much of an issue then Dahon will fit well. Personally due to lack of space to store and transport I went with Brompton but I would also consider Birdy. I'd still like to try Airnimal to see how much improvement there is with 24 inch wheels at what folded size penalty.
Agree. Also a question of available budget. I would add BikeFriday and Moulton to the list of bikes I would like to try (own?). Maybe one with a Rohloff too.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Oh yes, I'd like to try/own Moulton as well at some point. Full size bikes with separable frames seem also good idea if someone doesn't need fast fold. I'm thinking about bikes like Ritchey Break Away. They are pricey though.
Hi, Pam and Gilbert! What a great channel! Thank you - loved and subscribed! I just purchased a like-new second-hand Dahon Mariner D7 in that beautiful brushed aluminum finish yesterday and although it's not the D8 (my best guess is that it is a 2015 model year), it received similarly very high ratings from those who reviewed it over multiple years, and based on my ride yesterday, it's quite a nice little bike. I watched your Four Rivers Ride in So. Korea. That is my bucket list ride in 2024, however, I'm uncertain which bikes my son and I will take from home, or if we will instead rent. How was it riding your Brompton's on that 633km bike route??? I need all the help I can get so I'm not sure if the Dahon is going to visit So. Korea with us. :-) Cheers!
@TheBucketListCyclist, the 4 Rivers network of bike trails is a hidden gem and certainly deserves a place on your bucket list. You should have no problem doing the entire route with your Mariner (we used our 3 speed Bromptons, we felt our 6 speeds were overkill). The trail is mostly flat. Hilly parts are usually not long and can be “walked/dismounted” in a few minutes. The issue with bringing your bike is more about the logistics. Cost/hassle of bringing it vs cost of rental once on location. Having a folding bike does have significant advantages however: easier to take public transport, easy to bring in your hotel room…. Good luck.
Thank you for the review. It was helpful in deciding on getting a Mariner. I'm curious as to what model of hornless saddle you are using. Is it a Spongy Wonder? Or something else? I'm looking at all the hornless options, and the one you showed seems simple and well built. Thanks again :-)
@Gerard Hughes, It is indeed a Spongy Wonder. You can find more on the subject in this video we did a few months back: th-cam.com/video/Kt5LyiivTZA/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for another great video. In another video, you replied to my question about using Dahon Mu D9 for Four River Bike Route. Thanks. Meanwhile since Dahon 20 inches foldable bike is good for this route, my friends and family are consider to follow my trip too as there is no worry to rent an unfamiliar bike for 633 km, but using lower level of Dahon bike, such as Dahon Dream D6 and Dahon UNO Ruby D8. Do you think lower level Dahon foldable bike can complete the Four River Biker Route? Our plan is slow and easy, complete the 633km in about 14 days.
If the bikes are in good working order and the riders are used to consecutive 50km/4 hour day rides on them, there is no reason those bikes could not complete the 4Rivers trail.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thanks for your prompt reply. Yes, that is my current training plan too, i.e., daily ride for about 40-50 km (within 4-6 hours) and consequently for about 14 days. From here we can see is my body and bike are ready for the challenge😊
I just got my mariner D8 was surprised to see a dahon badged derailleur and it had a 9 on it - not sure if they had trouble sourcing the shimano or they just rebadged it. Not sure.
Problems with bicycle parts supply chain may indeed have something to do with this. Dahon US and EU sites still indicate Shimano rear derailleurs however.
Hi, I just check their warranty that Dahon requires user to have routine/yearly maintenance performed by Dahon's authorized dealer only. If you do not it will not honor the warranty. What do you think about this? Are you going to have routine maintenance by Dahon dealer? I would say it would cost $100 USD yearly for this maintenance service at dealer which I do want to perform the maintenance by myself. Thanks
You raise a very interesting point. To activate the initial warranty, the Owner’s Manual states the pre-delivery checklist it contains is to be performed (and signed) by a qualified bicycle mechanic. A similar warning is also written on the box containing the bike. With the increase in popularity of online purchases, and depending where you are located, there could be some issues finding an authorized local Dahon dealer to perform such tasks. So, for many online customers, sadly, the warranty is likely not officially activated. If you do have a local Dahon dealer close to you, purchasing the bike directly from the shop would be advantageous (and the checklist work would likely be included in the purchase price). Having a good relationship with your local bike shop from the start can save you a lot of aggravation later on. They are more likely to help you if you bought from them in the first place. It remains to be seen if Dahon would accept a warranty claim for an online purchase if the checklist was performed by a qualified bicycle mechanic that is NOT an official Dahon dealer. The same question applies to yearly maintenance. In our case, we do basic maintenance ourselves (we have about 10+ bicycles (Dahon, Brompton, Birdy, Montague…)) and visit our local dealers only when the level of expertise required to perform a particular repair exceeds our knowledge. Failure modes mostly occur either early in the life of a bicycle (often in the first few days) or after it reaches its predicted life expectancy (hopefully many years after purchase). The warranty offered generally reflects the confidence a manufacturer has in their product. Assuming a 5 year warranty and saving $100/year by doing your own maintenance, you “accumulated” a potential $500 toward major repairs (or a new bicycle). The risk is to have a major defect after one or two years. In the case of good quality bicycles, that’s a risk we are willing to take once we tested the bicycle properly the first week. Good luck
@@2Bikes4Adventure thanks for the reply. Just looking into wider tires, and wanted to see if a 55-406 big Ben plus would have been worth trying, or if I should go for the 50-406 big apple instead.
Thanks for this review. I'm trying to decide between a Mariner D8 and Vybe D7, and I can't find anybody comparing them. Apart from 7 gears vs 8, and twist shift vs rapid fire, plus slightly better derailleur (I think?) can anybody tell me why one is better than the other? (I like the Vybe styling better...)
If budget is a critical factor , the Vybe D7 is presently half the price of a Mariner D8 on the Dahon USA site. The number of gears doesn’t tell the whole story. The Vybe gear range is quite narrow at 200% compared to the Mariner 290%.
what are the minimum dimensions of a suitcase that is needed to fit this bike in? Unfortunately, it is not in India and I am going to buy it from outside when I travel next
@indiaonpedals1150 You would indeed need to dismantle a bike like the Mariner to meet airline luggage limits. The Tern Airporter Mini gives an idea of the size required www.ternbicycles.com/ph/accessories/471/airporter-mini
Just saw pictures of the Brompton kit, nice (and expensive) As for the Mariner, it has an advertised 130 mm O.L.D., so would not fit the smallest Rohloff (135mm) and would indeed require a new rear triangle. If that is the case, an expensive upgrade for a mid-price folding bike. It wouldn’t affect the Mariner fold however.
The 42-406 tires are pretty good in absorbing road imperfections or even riding on gravel roads. It’s not as good as a full size bike, but a good compromise if folding size is important.
This is based on the custom Brompton 50T chainring (as used by Wirecutter during their review). The 44T range would bring it closer to the Mariner. Then again, you could change the 53T Mariner for a smaller one as well.
My first folding bike is the Tern Link C8. These bikes are good but like the Birdy, they aren't designed to be supported for long compared to the Brompton. Plus their folding form factor is still too clunky.
Most 20" wheel folding bike use standard parts for replacement, you can fix it yourself if anything go wrong. Brompton is only good for folding and the best at it, but their ride quality are crap. You have to constantly hold on to the handle bar or else you will lose balance. I had a brompton and sold it for a tern verge x20. The best folding bike ever.
@@havenht Yes you are right... I have a brompton 6 speed and XDS K1 20" with 451mm wheelset is far superior RIDE QUALITY compared to brompton. Brompton is only good for portability due to 3 folded design.
I have both Brompton and a Tern Verge X11 (451 wheels) and I will never take the B for anything more than 15km because small wheels are uncomfortable. This despite using an aftermarket suspension block that supposedly absorb vibrations better than the stock.
The Zizzo wasn’t on that list at all. Zizzo gives you a great bike for under $500. Including rack and fenders. They also have the Forte which I will handle a 300lbs rider.
Interesting report, thank you. You mentioned rear wheel spoke failure - surely Dahon has got that problem beaten by now! I speak from my experience back in 2006 - bought a Dahon 20", and the only problem was - rear wheel spokes. Broke a spoke several times. Sold that bike because of that problem. Was considering a folder again, but maybe not a Dahon...
Hi Brian, our Dahon Vitesse D5 was from around that time as well. Having experienced the spoke issue only once, we attributed it to bad luck (and/or road hazard). Since then, we haven’t had any problems (or have been lucky?).
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thanks for your response. I think mine was a Boardwalk. I weigh around 75kgs (then and now) so not excessively heavy for the bike I would think. Was living in the UK at the time and bought it there to explore locally. Broke a spoke twice in 6 months. Took it to Australia (my home) and broke another, so sold it. Bought a Giant Halfway which was a jewel but I think a shorter wheelbase and shorter gearing, loved it but sold it as "no further use". All the while riding full size bikes. However due to my old age, reduced living space and different lifestyle I'm in the market for a fold up again. It's hard to go past the Dahon brand as I want 20" wheels. OK, will keep reading ang looking! Cheers.
Can you adjust the handlebars down enough for someone who's 5'4"? Also wonder if you can just close the body and still walk with it rolling the wheels if you don't need it to get so small? How does the Dahon Mariner D8 compare to bromptons as far as the chain getting your pants dirty or is that not a problem on any of these folding bikes?
The handlebar adjustment range should easily accommodate a 5’4” rider. Dahon offers a “Landing Gear” (sold separately) to facilitate rolling a folded Mariner around. Short of buying a “Landing Gear”, a trick often used is to tilt the folded bike sideways (on its front wheel) and push it using the raised seatpost (as if it were a wheelbarrow). With some practice, it will become more manoeuvrable than the Brompton Eazy-wheels. The chain being on the outside when folded (as opposed to on the inside on the Brompton) indeed increases the risk of getting your pants dirty. Not a major issue, but certainly something to be aware of.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thank you so much!! 😁 I might get a dahon to start since the Brompton are more expensive and I just need it to fold for the train (and not very tiny) and stores in a big city. Do you find the Dahon to feel more stable since the wheels are a bit bigger? Have you gotten the wheels stuck on anything? How do they handle pot holes?
@@HealthyLiv1ng The combination wider tires, lower pressure and larger diameter wheels makes for a more comfortable ride compared to a Brompton, especially in bumpy roads or gravel paths. The trigger shifter found on the Mariner is decades ahead of the disappointing plastic shifter found on the Brompton. The Dahon is however significantly less compact when folded.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thanks to your help I purchased it and got it today! Love the way it works. Was wondering how one determines how much PSI to put in the tires since it's such a wide range of an option (35-65 psi)? For now I'm went with 60 psi.
Thank you for this video! Are you able to offer more insight into how this bike would do for touring? I like to ride up to sixty miles a day on adventures. Would this bike be comfortable for such rides? I have been riding a Dahon Vybe without much issue. Thank you!
Depending how much stuff you need to carry, you may require a “Traveller Rear Rack” (which accommodate full size panniers) as well as some front bag attachment. The daily distance covered while touring will depend on fitness level, trail and weather conditions, but the Mariner is certainly comfortable/strong enough to do 60miles/100km days.
Double chainring on 20” is feasible (ref BikeFriday NWT), triple would be pushing it (the short chainstay would create a significant chainline offset). A much cheaper/simpler option could be to replace the regular 53T chainring with a smaller one. Still only 8speed, but a better hill climber.
I have changed the 53T chainring to 38T narrow wide chainring. The crankarms has to be changed as well. Take note the 38T chainring is of 104 BCD. Now my Mariner climbs like a Boss. The top speed on flat road is now about 30km/h.
@s04169, while the city does quickly remove the snow from the main bike paths in winter, most riders stop using their bike at the beginning of November and start cycling once again late March to mid April. The number of winter cyclists has been increasing in the last few years, but this is still a minority.
Great review and Hope you are still lucky with IT. Just looking for a used one i saw one with 24 Gears but remember He GRIP Shift in my old montague that was Not so fine Like antrigger.qasi understand IT richt the P 8 Mu IS the new model with a more modern Look.
We still use our Dahon Mariner D8 for short trips around town. No mechanical issue yet. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to try any Dahon Mu models (latest versions are 9, 10 and 11 speeds)
Planning to do cycling trip on a folding bike in Japan (ride and stay in ryokan). We'd appreciate it if it makes more sense to get the Dahon 20 inch vs the Brompton 16 inch. thank you
Besides the initial purchase cost differential that could dictate your choice, you would have to factor in how many times you plan to take public transport with your bike while in Japan. If you plan to cycle most of the time and rarely take the train/metro, a 20” would likely be cheaper and more comfortable. If, on the other hand, you want to cover long distance and bypass tunnels/mountains (using Shinkansen for example), a Brompton would be more practical. PS We cycled in Japan with our Bromptons and used a Japan Rail Pass to rapidly go from one region to the next. Was a great trip.
@@2Bikes4Adventure thank you for the suggestions. We plan to cycle around 60km - 80km/day. We plan to do one perfecture (three days cycling) then take train to another prefecture (another three days cycling) pattern.
it's a great bike, i get the one name vitesse D8 in asia and max travel 160KM in one day touring and total over 1000KM for the whole trip. But the tire is made in china and flated twice........
The Vitesse D8 has an excellent reputation as well. How did you carry your luggage during your trip? Rear rack only? Upgrading to Schwalbe Marathon tires would be a good investment.
Few Dahon have suspension. The Jetstream D8 used to have a front and rear suspension, but it has been discontinued (maybe still available in the used market)
@@2Bikes4Adventure thanks…is suspension required ? I would be mainly driving on cycle tracks . Also can you suggest which one should I go for d8 or HIT ? Thanks.
@@johnwilson2574 Suspension is not required unless you plan to go off-road. The HIT is cheaper (and can accommodate heavier riders). The Mariner D8 is a better bike if budget is less of an issue.
Worst bike It is on sale now after only a few uses I will loose money but eill get rid of it for many reasons The worst of all is the foldable mechanism Really bad thought It is also not easy to move on wheels when folded Worst purchase in a long while
This is the most comprehensive practical review I've seen of any folding bike yet. I've started researching folding bikes, and in this video you do a very good job of presenting everything I'd need to know when purchasing a folding bike, even things I wouldn't have thought of. Excellent review.
Hope you find your ideal (folding) bike in 2024
RE: Juddering when front brakes are applied
I have a Dahon Mariner 2021. It has the same juddering issue when front brakes are applied. Changing to a new pair of brake pads helps a bit. The issue was totally resolved when I changed to a new pair of v brakes for the front wheel. Bought them from Decathlon. The quality was way better than the dahon supplied pair and performed way better as well. Hope this will help other Dahon Mariner owners who love their bikes but not the front brakes.
This was greatly handful on my buying it (40th anniversary ver) a month ago. It showed what to consider from a science approach and experience. Thanks a lot.
This channel is so underrated you deserve far more recognition for your in-depth presentation with all those spot-on diagrams. Thanks and Kudos!
Your review is spectacular. Your reassuring voice and well crafted review is top notch. You must have been a teacher! I just bought a beautiful used 2014 mariner in new condition. Its all aluminum beauty is so striking! You can only appreciate its all-shiny-aluminum in person. This bike can last a lifetime! thank you
With your Mariner, you indeed found a good friend for many years to come.
A very expert review by someone who understands bikes. I recognize all those Montreal places in the video!
Yes, Ile des Soeurs :-)
Really comprehensive review, thanks! The Mariner features in so many top picks for folding bikes, there really must be something there!
Dahon mariner D8 Is one of the best design of Dahon. A real deal for a 20'' wheel folding bike.
Thanks so much for your very thorough and well presented video. Although I already build and customise bikes, I have just begun learning about their little folding friends.
😊 Happy travels!
A quality folding bike makes for a great addition to an n+1 bike collection
Terrific review; very comprehensive. Its just what i needed to solidify my decision! Thanks
Hopefully, your “New Bike Day” is coming up soon, congratulations
My first folder was a 16" Mariner. The chain ring was huge, but I could comfortably start in top gear.
I decided if I ever get another folder I'm getting a 20" wheel bike.
Appreciate the review very much! Bromptons are very hard to obtain this side of the world, so it's good to see you recommend a nice alternative. =)
I bought one last week and i am really happy with it. The foldung only needs some attention to not get the cables into the pedals.
I once had a Dahon folding mountain bike, but lost it when my car was stolen and the bike was in the trunk. Unfortunately they don’t make it anymore so I haven’t been able to replace it. I really liked that bike, I miss it.
Was it a full size folding MTB? It is indeed unfortunate to see such unique Dahon models being discontinued. Montague could be an alternative (we own one).
@@2Bikes4Adventure Yes. Dahon also once had a skinny-tire full size folder as well with tires even larger than the MTB.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thanks for the tip about the Montague, looks like an alternative worth considering.
Stellar comprehensiveness!
Technique visuelle et commentaires excellent. Excellent travail !
Love your videos especially when comparing folding bicycles . I live in Toronto and had my Dahon Mariner 7D stolen 😢 now Bromptons cos $3,000plus .
Sorry about your Mariner. Bicycle theft is an issue in Montreal as well.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thank you . That's why I never want to buy expensive bicycle like the Bromptons they cost thousands
Excellent infomercial!
Many thanks - great review! :)
Great review! Love your grafics 👍🏻😊
Love your new camera (like bicycles, no such thing as having too many of them)
@@2Bikes4Adventure Me too😊👍🏻🚴♀️
I want to buy a D8 40th anniversary, but the only color available in the store in Mexico is Dazzling Grey, but it looks like light blue instead.
Excellent review. Thanks.
Best review here!
I hope you can review other folding bike like the cheap one (btwin tilt 900)😁 your voice is so relaxing
Coming soon!
After Your very promising review I bought a Dahon Mariner 8. but with these disapointments:
* Both front-rimbrake and back-rimbrake are jumping wildly up/down in braking force, when braking, because both rims apparently have very different wideness around the rims. The rims wideness is variating so much that putting sandpaper around the braking pads and braking down a long hill a couple of times, to sand down the wider spots of the rims, did'nt help at all
* The spanish homepage advertised "Shimano gears" but it was only Dahons own kind of "No Name" gears, even though working OK for now
* The first gear was way to high so I could'nt manage any kind of even low hils, so I had to change the front-toothwheel to a much smaller one. Which came with new pedalarms.
* The folded bicycle could'nt fit in even the biggest Samsonite suitcase, for travling by air, without dismounting the derailleur and both wheels and especially derailleur is NO GO for me on vacation
But except for that I'm happy with this folding bike, which is very agile and easy to jump on and off e.g. when I am "walking" our dog. And I have had it in our biggest car for inland vacation. I had this bike for about 10 months now. Kind regards😉
@kjeldholm7370, thanks for sharing your experience with us.
- Concerning the rim brakes, could it be that the wheels need to be “trued” (tension adjustment) instead of overall rim thickness tolerance?
- For gears, ours does have Shimano Altus, but other subscribers mentioned they received Dahon-branded ones instead. It seems to vary geographically (and in time). We noticed the new 40th edition Mariner D8 is advertised with Dahon components.
- Our chainring has 53T and larger sprocket (1st gear) has 32T, resulting in about 2.5 meters of development, acceptable for small hills. Do you remember your set-up prior to and after your change?
- As mentioned in our video, disassembly would be required to fit the Mariner (as most 20” mid fold bikes) in a regular suitcase. Some larger cases are available, but they could be expensive and they would likely trigger extra fee at check-in.
We also had our Mariner D8 for about a year. Our only issue has been losing the rear locking magnet (we had a spare one from a previous Dahon bike). We also had to re-adjust cable tension (front and rear brakes as well as speed) after a few months (not too unusual). No flats yet (cross fingers). We are very pleased with it so far.
Thanks once again for your feedback.
Hi 2Bikes4Adventure
Thanks for Your answer. Much appreciated 😊
And very informative and thorough reviews You make !
Sorry I don’t remember my chainrings set-up prior to my change, but I think from 53 to 42t. But after that I could manage even the steepest hill in our area, with some effort, but of cause this is individual…
I think the culprit is the wideness of the rims. A quick caliper-measurement of the back-rim wideness revealed between 25,0 and 25,3mm in difference around the rim. And the rimbrakes can pivot sidewise, if the wheel has some sidewise wobbling. So I think I need to buy 2 new wheels to get the bike up to normal western standard
Kind regards and happy cycling 🙂
@kjeldholm7370, sorry to hear about the rims.
Reducing the chainring is a good way to tackle those hills. We did the same on our Bromptons (50T to 44T).
Hoping our cycling paths cross someday.
A great presentation, thanks.
Thank you for this review, even thought my heart is stuck on a brompton, but my pocket says other wise. Looking for alternatives and I'm getting a preloved dahon mariner D8 or tern Verge d8 or dahon vitesse d8..but I want a front block for groceries like brompton. Please suggest or a video on how to do that.. and which is the best bet out of these 3...love the details you share..😇🥰
Hi Kanika. Through the years, most of our folding bikes were purchased “pre-loved”. Any of the 3 models you have in mind would be a great acquisition. Just need to check if they are still in good shape and if the asking price is within your budget. Good luck.
If you're willing to, maybe try some Brompton clones instead? Those can be quite cheaper.
Great item very Portable and easy to clean.
Nice review as always
great review, thanks.
I think as always it all depends on the use case. If someone needs bike that folds small, can be carried or rolled easily then Brompton is the answer. However if one needs more big bike like ride feel and folding size is not much of an issue then Dahon will fit well.
Personally due to lack of space to store and transport I went with Brompton but I would also consider Birdy.
I'd still like to try Airnimal to see how much improvement there is with 24 inch wheels at what folded size penalty.
Agree. Also a question of available budget. I would add BikeFriday and Moulton to the list of bikes I would like to try (own?). Maybe one with a Rohloff too.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Oh yes, I'd like to try/own Moulton as well at some point.
Full size bikes with separable frames seem also good idea if someone doesn't need fast fold. I'm thinking about bikes like Ritchey Break Away. They are pricey though.
Hi, Pam and Gilbert! What a great channel! Thank you - loved and subscribed!
I just purchased a like-new second-hand Dahon Mariner D7 in that beautiful brushed aluminum finish yesterday and although it's not the D8 (my best guess is that it is a 2015 model year), it received similarly very high ratings from those who reviewed it over multiple years, and based on my ride yesterday, it's quite a nice little bike.
I watched your Four Rivers Ride in So. Korea. That is my bucket list ride in 2024, however, I'm uncertain which bikes my son and I will take from home, or if we will instead rent.
How was it riding your Brompton's on that 633km bike route??? I need all the help I can get so I'm not sure if the Dahon is going to visit So. Korea with us. :-) Cheers!
@TheBucketListCyclist, the 4 Rivers network of bike trails is a hidden gem and certainly deserves a place on your bucket list. You should have no problem doing the entire route with your Mariner (we used our 3 speed Bromptons, we felt our 6 speeds were overkill). The trail is mostly flat. Hilly parts are usually not long and can be “walked/dismounted” in a few minutes.
The issue with bringing your bike is more about the logistics. Cost/hassle of bringing it vs cost of rental once on location. Having a folding bike does have significant advantages however: easier to take public transport, easy to bring in your hotel room….
Good luck.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thank you for such great feedback based on your own and Gilbert's experiences on the 4 Rivers Path! So appreciated!
Thank you for the review. It was helpful in deciding on getting a Mariner.
I'm curious as to what model of hornless saddle you are using. Is it a Spongy Wonder? Or something else? I'm looking at all the hornless options, and the one you showed seems simple and well built.
Thanks again :-)
@Gerard Hughes, It is indeed a Spongy Wonder. You can find more on the subject in this video we did a few months back: th-cam.com/video/Kt5LyiivTZA/w-d-xo.html
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thank You :-)
Great video.
Thanks for another great video. In another video, you replied to my question about using Dahon Mu D9 for Four River Bike Route. Thanks. Meanwhile since Dahon 20 inches foldable bike is good for this route, my friends and family are consider to follow my trip too as there is no worry to rent an unfamiliar bike for 633 km, but using lower level of Dahon bike, such as Dahon Dream D6 and Dahon UNO Ruby D8. Do you think lower level Dahon foldable bike can complete the Four River Biker Route? Our plan is slow and easy, complete the 633km in about 14 days.
If the bikes are in good working order and the riders are used to consecutive 50km/4 hour day rides on them, there is no reason those bikes could not complete the 4Rivers trail.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thanks for your prompt reply. Yes, that is my current training plan too, i.e., daily ride for about 40-50 km (within 4-6 hours) and consequently for about 14 days. From here we can see is my body and bike are ready for the challenge😊
I've found that a 26"-"29" unicycle does all of this really well, and takes up little space. Besides next to nothing can break on it.
And, as shown by Ed Pratt, you can even do long distance touring with one of those.
@@2Bikes4Adventure He used a 36" with a custom built setup. That's not for commuting.
I just got my mariner D8 was surprised to see a dahon badged derailleur and it had a 9 on it - not sure if they had trouble sourcing the shimano or they just rebadged it. Not sure.
Problems with bicycle parts supply chain may indeed have something to do with this. Dahon US and EU sites still indicate Shimano rear derailleurs however.
Great video Looks like a nice bike
i love dahon...can ba mine
Hi,
I just check their warranty that Dahon requires user to have routine/yearly maintenance performed by Dahon's authorized dealer only. If you do not it will not honor the warranty. What do you think about this? Are you going to have routine maintenance by Dahon dealer?
I would say it would cost $100 USD yearly for this maintenance service at dealer which I do want to perform the maintenance by myself. Thanks
You raise a very interesting point.
To activate the initial warranty, the Owner’s Manual states the pre-delivery checklist it contains is to be performed (and signed) by a qualified bicycle mechanic. A similar warning is also written on the box containing the bike. With the increase in popularity of online purchases, and depending where you are located, there could be some issues finding an authorized local Dahon dealer to perform such tasks. So, for many online customers, sadly, the warranty is likely not officially activated.
If you do have a local Dahon dealer close to you, purchasing the bike directly from the shop would be advantageous (and the checklist work would likely be included in the purchase price). Having a good relationship with your local bike shop from the start can save you a lot of aggravation later on. They are more likely to help you if you bought from them in the first place.
It remains to be seen if Dahon would accept a warranty claim for an online purchase if the checklist was performed by a qualified bicycle mechanic that is NOT an official Dahon dealer. The same question applies to yearly maintenance.
In our case, we do basic maintenance ourselves (we have about 10+ bicycles (Dahon, Brompton, Birdy, Montague…)) and visit our local dealers only when the level of expertise required to perform a particular repair exceeds our knowledge.
Failure modes mostly occur either early in the life of a bicycle (often in the first few days) or after it reaches its predicted life expectancy (hopefully many years after purchase). The warranty offered generally reflects the confidence a manufacturer has in their product. Assuming a 5 year warranty and saving $100/year by doing your own maintenance, you “accumulated” a potential $500 toward major repairs (or a new bicycle). The risk is to have a major defect after one or two years. In the case of good quality bicycles, that’s a risk we are willing to take once we tested the bicycle properly the first week.
Good luck
8:07
Do you think 20x2.15 inch tires would fit within the fenders?
Anything bigger than 2” (ETRTO 50-406) would likely interfere with the fenders
@@2Bikes4Adventure thanks for the reply. Just looking into wider tires, and wanted to see if a 55-406 big Ben plus would have been worth trying, or if I should go for the 50-406 big apple instead.
@illiiilli24601 We would go for the Big Apple
I am using schwalbe big apple 20x2.0. The fenders have to go for these tyres to work.
@@kwangweiong6135 Thanks for letting me know. Did you manage to find any fenders that do fit with the 20x2.0 big apple?
Thanks for this review. I'm trying to decide between a Mariner D8 and Vybe D7, and I can't find anybody comparing them. Apart from 7 gears vs 8, and twist shift vs rapid fire, plus slightly better derailleur (I think?) can anybody tell me why one is better than the other? (I like the Vybe styling better...)
If budget is a critical factor , the Vybe D7 is presently half the price of a Mariner D8 on the Dahon USA site.
The number of gears doesn’t tell the whole story. The Vybe gear range is quite narrow at 200% compared to the Mariner 290%.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thanks a lot for this - I've ordered a Mariner :)
what are the minimum dimensions of a suitcase that is needed to fit this bike in? Unfortunately, it is not in India and I am going to buy it from outside when I travel next
and I will probably deassemble it a bit including taking its tyres out. (Not sure if it comes with quick release)
@indiaonpedals1150 You would indeed need to dismantle a bike like the Mariner to meet airline luggage limits. The Tern Airporter Mini gives an idea of the size required www.ternbicycles.com/ph/accessories/471/airporter-mini
Thanks. Do they have quick release mechanism in axel?
@indiaonpedals1150 No. You will need a 15mm wrench to remove both wheels
Have you ever seen kinetics Rohloff 20 inch rear triangle and fork fitted to brompton ? How does that fold ?
Just saw pictures of the Brompton kit, nice (and expensive)
As for the Mariner, it has an advertised 130 mm O.L.D., so would not fit the smallest Rohloff (135mm) and would indeed require a new rear triangle. If that is the case, an expensive upgrade for a mid-price folding bike. It wouldn’t affect the Mariner fold however.
@@2Bikes4Adventure yes thats true, but i dont own a bike yet, so in the process of build one.
How are these on rough roads? I live in a neighborhood with many pot holes and cracks in the roads.
The 42-406 tires are pretty good in absorbing road imperfections or even riding on gravel roads. It’s not as good as a full size bike, but a good compromise if folding size is important.
4:03 Is this a comparison to a reduced 6-speed Brompton with with a 44-tooth chainring?
This is based on the custom Brompton 50T chainring (as used by Wirecutter during their review). The 44T range would bring it closer to the Mariner. Then again, you could change the 53T Mariner for a smaller one as well.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Now I understand everything. Thank you kindly for your answer and, as always, for a wonderfully prepared, substantive video.
@5:56, where to get middle support wheel or it has to DIY? Thanks
Available on Dahon site ($30US). Can also be found on Alibaba
My first folding bike is the Tern Link C8. These bikes are good but like the Birdy, they aren't designed to be supported for long compared to the Brompton.
Plus their folding form factor is still too clunky.
Most 20" wheel folding bike use standard parts for replacement, you can fix it yourself if anything go wrong. Brompton is only good for folding and the best at it, but their ride quality are crap. You have to constantly hold on to the handle bar or else you will lose balance. I had a brompton and sold it for a tern verge x20. The best folding bike ever.
@@havenht
Yes you are right...
I have a brompton 6 speed and XDS K1 20" with 451mm wheelset is far superior RIDE QUALITY compared to brompton.
Brompton is only good for portability due to 3 folded design.
I have both Brompton and a Tern Verge X11 (451 wheels) and I will never take the B for anything more than 15km because small wheels are uncomfortable. This despite using an aftermarket suspension block that supposedly absorb vibrations better than the stock.
The Zizzo wasn’t on that list at all. Zizzo gives you a great bike for under $500. Including rack and fenders. They also have the Forte which I will handle a 300lbs rider.
Interesting report, thank you. You mentioned rear wheel spoke failure - surely Dahon has got that problem beaten by now! I speak from my experience back in 2006 - bought a Dahon 20", and the only problem was - rear wheel spokes. Broke a spoke several times. Sold that bike because of that problem. Was considering a folder again, but maybe not a Dahon...
Hi Brian, our Dahon Vitesse D5 was from around that time as well.
Having experienced the spoke issue only once, we attributed it to bad luck (and/or road hazard). Since then, we haven’t had any problems (or have been lucky?).
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thanks for your response. I think mine was a Boardwalk. I weigh around 75kgs (then and now) so not excessively heavy for the bike I would think. Was living in the UK at the time and bought it there to explore locally. Broke a spoke twice in 6 months. Took it to Australia (my home) and broke another, so sold it. Bought a Giant Halfway which was a jewel but I think a shorter wheelbase and shorter gearing, loved it but sold it as "no further use". All the while riding full size bikes. However due to my old age, reduced living space and different lifestyle I'm in the market for a fold up again. It's hard to go past the Dahon brand as I want 20" wheels. OK, will keep reading ang looking! Cheers.
Scenario: you are leaving for a two week European bike tour in a week. Which bike do you take - this one or your Brompton?
If airplane and/or public transports are involved (and budget permits): we take the Brompton
Can you adjust the handlebars down enough for someone who's 5'4"?
Also wonder if you can just close the body and still walk with it rolling the wheels if you don't need it to get so small?
How does the Dahon Mariner D8 compare to bromptons as far as the chain getting your pants dirty or is that not a problem on any of these folding bikes?
The handlebar adjustment range should easily accommodate a 5’4” rider.
Dahon offers a “Landing Gear” (sold separately) to facilitate rolling a folded Mariner around.
Short of buying a “Landing Gear”, a trick often used is to tilt the folded bike sideways (on its front wheel) and push it using the raised seatpost (as if it were a wheelbarrow). With some practice, it will become more manoeuvrable than the Brompton Eazy-wheels.
The chain being on the outside when folded (as opposed to on the inside on the Brompton) indeed increases the risk of getting your pants dirty. Not a major issue, but certainly something to be aware of.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thank you so much!! 😁 I might get a dahon to start since the Brompton are more expensive and I just need it to fold for the train (and not very tiny) and stores in a big city.
Do you find the Dahon to feel more stable since the wheels are a bit bigger?
Have you gotten the wheels stuck on anything?
How do they handle pot holes?
@@HealthyLiv1ng The combination wider tires, lower pressure and larger diameter wheels makes for a more comfortable ride compared to a Brompton, especially in bumpy roads or gravel paths. The trigger shifter found on the Mariner is decades ahead of the disappointing plastic shifter found on the Brompton. The Dahon is however significantly less compact when folded.
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thank you so much!! 😬😬
@@2Bikes4Adventure Thanks to your help I purchased it and got it today! Love the way it works.
Was wondering how one determines how much PSI to put in the tires since it's such a wide range of an option (35-65 psi)? For now I'm went with 60 psi.
What about Tern verge N8 vs Dahon vitesse D8.
Didn’t have the chance to try a Tern yet.
Thank you for this video! Are you able to offer more insight into how this bike would do for touring? I like to ride up to sixty miles a day on adventures. Would this bike be comfortable for such rides? I have been riding a Dahon Vybe without much issue. Thank you!
Depending how much stuff you need to carry, you may require a “Traveller Rear Rack” (which accommodate full size panniers) as well as some front bag attachment. The daily distance covered while touring will depend on fitness level, trail and weather conditions, but the Mariner is certainly comfortable/strong enough to do 60miles/100km days.
Is it possible to upgrade it to double or triple chain ring in case I want to make touring ?
Double chainring on 20” is feasible (ref BikeFriday NWT), triple would be pushing it (the short chainstay would create a significant chainline offset). A much cheaper/simpler option could be to replace the regular 53T chainring with a smaller one. Still only 8speed, but a better hill climber.
I have changed the 53T chainring to 38T narrow wide chainring. The crankarms has to be changed as well. Take note the 38T chainring is of 104 BCD. Now my Mariner climbs like a Boss. The top speed on flat road is now about 30km/h.
Montreal? how many months in a year can you ride a bike?
@s04169, while the city does quickly remove the snow from the main bike paths in winter, most riders stop using their bike at the beginning of November and start cycling once again late March to mid April. The number of winter cyclists has been increasing in the last few years, but this is still a minority.
Hi, what's the the biggest wheel size (width) i can put on my Mariner? Thanks
A tire like Schwalbe Big Apple 50-406 is probably the biggest size you could install without starting to have serious fender problems.
@@2Bikes4Adventure thank you
I had to remove the fenders to fit in schwalbe big apple 20x2.0.
I guess with 20x1.75 u can keep the fenders on the mariner.
What do u think of dahon mariner d7? Are they good? I wanted to but a second hand/ slightly used folding bike just to get around. Is that a good bike?
A Mariner D7 in good condition (and at the right price) would be an excellent purchase.
That's a small selection to pick from and say it's the best. What about the Tern Verge series?
Great review and Hope you are still lucky with IT. Just looking for a used one i saw one with 24 Gears but remember He GRIP Shift in my old montague that was Not so fine Like antrigger.qasi understand IT richt the P 8 Mu IS the new model with a more modern Look.
We still use our Dahon Mariner D8 for short trips around town. No mechanical issue yet.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to try any Dahon Mu models (latest versions are 9, 10 and 11 speeds)
Planning to do cycling trip on a folding bike in Japan (ride and stay in ryokan). We'd appreciate it if it makes more sense to get the Dahon 20 inch vs the Brompton 16 inch. thank you
Besides the initial purchase cost differential that could dictate your choice, you would have to factor in how many times you plan to take public transport with your bike while in Japan.
If you plan to cycle most of the time and rarely take the train/metro, a 20” would likely be cheaper and more comfortable. If, on the other hand, you want to cover long distance and bypass tunnels/mountains (using Shinkansen for example), a Brompton would be more practical.
PS We cycled in Japan with our Bromptons and used a Japan Rail Pass to rapidly go from one region to the next. Was a great trip.
@@2Bikes4Adventure thank you for the suggestions. We plan to cycle around 60km - 80km/day. We plan to do one perfecture (three days cycling) then take train to another prefecture (another three days cycling) pattern.
How many kg is allowed to ride this bike?
105Kg
С наборной кареткой...прямо зе бест велик
it's a great bike, i get the one name vitesse D8 in asia and max travel 160KM in one day touring and total over 1000KM for the whole trip. But the tire is made in china and flated twice........
The Vitesse D8 has an excellent reputation as well.
How did you carry your luggage during your trip? Rear rack only? Upgrading to Schwalbe Marathon tires would be a good investment.
hub gears are better for folders
Can I put brompton block for grocery bags in front for this ?
You would need a small adapter to convert the Dahon front braze-on to accept a Brompton front carrier block (ref video 07:14)
Does the whole biky need to be assembled
Only need to inflate the tyres, insert the seat post and attach right pedal (ref 01:48 )
How fast it can go on level?
Assuming a 90RPM, you should be able to reach 40km/h in 8th gear
Does these have suspension ?
Few Dahon have suspension. The Jetstream D8 used to have a front and rear suspension, but it has been discontinued (maybe still available in the used market)
@@2Bikes4Adventure thanks…is suspension required ? I would be mainly driving on cycle tracks . Also can you suggest which one should I go for d8 or HIT ? Thanks.
@@johnwilson2574 Suspension is not required unless you plan to go off-road.
The HIT is cheaper (and can accommodate heavier riders). The Mariner D8 is a better bike if budget is less of an issue.
The bike is the same as other similar bikes, just you pay for it double price, lol
Worst bike It is on sale now after only a few uses I will loose money but eill get rid of it for many reasons The worst of all is the foldable mechanism Really bad thought
It is also not easy to move on wheels when folded
Worst purchase in a long while
it's dee-RAIL-uhr
So they say. It doesn't mean it's the best.
It is too heavy to carry it by a woman and too small to ride for a man. Riding it also makes me much more tired compared to a normal-sized bike.
Too heavy
Try saying dee-rail-yer
Pan-ee-ers
Bike is good, voice was a little annoying. I hate the weird high pitch sound in the beginning of every sentences. Sorry.