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Wednesday, January 06, 2021

Dahon folder - handlebar/ steerer replacement

 


The handlebar post on my folder was not a tight fit anymore  and was moving about as I cycled, not a good thing.  The clamp that secures it in place was loose and would not respond to any adjustment.  The bike was bought second hand and the previous owner had replaced the original one on which you could adjust the height of the handlebars making it more versatile.   Luckily I managed to find an original modified Dahon  replacement on eBay sold by a dealers specialising in folding bikes.


A cycling blogger Annie is also a Dahon fan so hopefully she finds this useful.


 Before


This is the clamp that was loose.



The fork tube is held in place by this nut and removed with an allen key and then another nut on the side of the clamp releases the steerer









With the forks out it's easy to clean and re grease the head bearings




The replacement is just the reversal of the above.




Should over time the clamp become loose its easy to adjust using the two bolts on the securing clamp so that it fits snugly into the clamping block.





After 


The replacement steerer is lighter and because of the height adjustment it gives a choice of handlebar positions, so a better ride and a lighter touch needed for steering.


This replacement was relatively quick and easy and the most time was spent removing the handlebars and the bits and bobs I have on there.


15 comments:

  1. Very nice replacement steerer tube. I bet it's nice to have height adjustment. My bar and steerer are all one piece! I'm lucky that it fits fine.

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    Replies
    1. It worked out well Annie but I was lucky to spot the replacement on eBay. It was from the same shop as I bought my previous Dahon folder from about 15 years ago, which my daughter now has.

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  2. HaHa, Dave. How timely. My dad would have loved looking at your pictures. He loved working bikes, cars and anything else that was broken.

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    Replies
    1. Wanda, after reading you last post I can imagine it. There is something very satisfying about D I Y.

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  3. My elderly cycling mate (6' 3") has problems with his electric folder (Batribike Sigma) regarding the non-adjustable height of the handlebars. he manages with bar end extensions, but your modification would have been perfect for him.

    Good job, well done and satisfying Dave!

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  4. Avus, I Googled that bike as I haven't heard of it before. Its a different steerer folding clamp fitting than mine and the fork tube is left longer. I wonder if Batribike sell separate forks with a longer or uncut tube which he could cut to suit and fit.
    Thats always been a bugbear for me in that manufactures sell expensive bikes with a short head tube resulting in low handlebars. If only they would leave them uncut so that the buyer could have them cut to size. Its a quick and easy job.

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  5. Thats awesome now you can adjust it and you did it yourself...nothing better. I can't think of anything more satisfying than a project well done. All the best in the new year I look forward to your 2021 posts.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sondra , you know the feeling. Happy New Year to you too and lets hope we can travel a bit this year and have some freedom from this pesky virus. We are fortunate and we're grateful for that but it will be nice not having to be curtailed. All the best.

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    2. Hi Dave, I wanted to email you a link to something I will you will enjoy but I don't have your email. So Im gonna put the link to the channel here hope this will entertain you while you're on lockdown...this fellow does long bike tours, a real adventure seeker check him out if you don't already.
      https://youtu.be/ozPmhEGMgnA

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    3. Hi Sondra, I've emailed you on your profile email . Thanks for the link.

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  6. i know nothing about fixing a bike handle bars, about the only two things I know is how to take the chain off and put it back on as well as changing the tires. You had this folding bike for sometime now haven't you?

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    1. Hi Anita, I've had this one for about 4 years but I had a folder before which I used to commute to work, this is the one my daughter now has. Hope all is well with you.

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  7. My neighbour has got a Dahon stored away somewhere apparently, I'll ask him why he doesn't use it as he has taken other bikes on trains in the past to use when he gets to wherever.

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    1. They are very handy Mick, I mainly use mine now for shopping trips, but I've done some 40 + mile trips on it. You can travel the distance and it will manage the hills as I've lowered the gearing, its just that you dont go as fast. They are really handy on the trains as they dont count as a bike so there's no need to pre book them and you can just store them in the luggage. Buses will also take them. I've taken it on the bus to London a couple of times.

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  8. Thanks Sondra, I've email you on your profile email. Thanks for the link.

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As you have taken the time to read my blog and comment then whenever possible I will always reply. Thank you. Dave