2014 Dahon Smooth Hound - 16 speed
I have finally found myself a Dahon Dash! Well this one is marketed as a 'Smooth Hound' but I intend to convert it to a Dash with flat bars, mtb shifters and brake levers and possibly remove the fenders but I don't know about the fenders yet. Even thought the Dahon Dash P18 is an 18 speed and this ia a 16, I guess you could say it will become a Dash P16! Ever since I saw a youtube video from NYCewheels advertising this bike some years ago I have been wanting one. I even bought a Gios Antico mini velo but that just wasn't a Dahon Dash. Now I have one! Am waiting for it to arrive from Coffs Harbour. The seller is selling it for health reasons and I am assuming it is 2 years old looking at the description. Here are some pictures of the actual bike which I have NOT received yet. It's even got a Brooks saddle and bar tape, but I'll be removing the bar tape and bars as I am not a fan of moustache bars. I'll upload the youtube video of the NYCewheels ad for it soon...
2/11/2016 - Ready for Transit to me!
Well the bike is all packed up and ready to be shipped to me. Will be leaving tomorrow from Coffs Harbour NSW and will probably take around 5-6 days to get here by road transport. I'm really looking forward to getting my Dash (yes I know it isn't technically a 'Dash' but I'm calling it that anyway!)
NYCewheels Youtube video on the Dahon Dash
This video used to be on the NYCewheels channel but they have since removed it as the model they were demonstrating as it is no longer in production. They have yet to review current models. Luckily a fan has saved the video and put it back on youtube. Audio and video quality is a bit on the poor side but you get the idea. Peter from NYCewheels has since left now but he was a good reviewer. I think I have watched almost all their videos. These guys also helped me decide on getting my Brompton M6L previously.
8/11/2016 - The Hound Has Arrived!
Well the bike has arrived today at the office. It was packed well and looks just like the pictures when assembled. Looks like it has been neglected for a little bit. The brooks saddle has a bit of mould/corrosion on the studs. Bike's got a couple of chips and scratches on it but I don't mind, will be less paranoid about it. I absolutely hate the handlebars, brake levers and shifters, so they will be one of the first things to go. I'll take more photos once I've got it home and set up properly.
Finally got some time to get some proper pics during the day
Brake Upgrade - Shimano Claris 8 Speed/Double Brake/Shifter Kit
I can’t wait to get these onto the bike. Shimano Claris seem to be the only 8 speed shifters on the market for some reason. But they seem to be good quality so gave them a do. Ideally I’d like to use my own choice of shifters and have some Avid FR-5 brake levers but seeing that these are together in the set I’ll see how they go.
Giant Flat Bar - 25.4 clamp - matte black
I removed this flat bar from my Giant Bowery single speed. It originally came with bar end brake levers, a hideous pink/green stem and some nasty grip tape. So I have now cleaned them up good with the help of some soap/water and also some eucalyptus oil. That stuff is awesome for removing sticky residue etc. The bar has a scratch on it which shows up in silver so I have just used a sharpie and coloured it in. Hopefully the brake/shift lever and grip will cover up most of it. Was wanting to have a silver handlebar but in the end I thought it would be good to have some black to match the saddle.
BBB Push-on Grips
These grips were originally bought as a temporary option for the Giant single speed whilst waiting for my drop bars. They are not lock-on as I’d prefer, but just a press on-type. I was going to get some ergon grips but couldn’t justify buying another set of handlebar grips as these would just be sitting in my spares box once I installed the drop bars to the Giant. So I’ll use these and see how they go.
Prologo Scratch Pro Road Saddle
I originally had this one on the Giant Bowery but will be swapping the Brooks saddle with this one. I don’t think the Brooks suits the Dahon and in my quest to turn it into a Dash (P16?), I’ll be putting the Prologo on there. It looks good and is pretty comfortable. Plus they match the black handlebars. Pedals have a bit of black in them too so that helps. I'll be putting the brown Brooks onto the Giant Bowery as I will soon have matching wheels and handlebars for it too. Will just have to paint the frame.
First things first…..the nasty moustache bars!
I was initially going to take the bars off as they were with shifters and levers with cables and outers in one piece. Then I decided to retain the outers for the brake cabling and shift cables as they were already in place and some were bound together quite neatly. So I have saved them. This resulted though in having to remove the bar tape. I was dreading taking it off though because I thought I would have to deal with sticky bars and gluey tape. Luckily the bar tape was non-adhesive so this was quite an easy job. I then attached the Claris shifters/brake levers with the black Giant flat bar, and it looks good. I’ve cable tied the cables to the handlebar to keep everything neatly together. So I’ll be able to install the brake cables but will drop the bike off to the shop to get the gear cables installed and tuned. I think I have some mountain bike cables around somewhere so I’ll really only be spending money on new shifter cables.
Saddle/Seatpost swap
I’ve added the Prologo saddle but have also added the Giant Bowery’s seat post too. The existing Biologic seat post pump unit is silver and also has a built in pump which is busted. I won’t miss it. They are the same size which was lucky. I am still in two minds about the seat post so may just put the old one back
As of today – 13/11/2016
So this is what the bike looks like at present. Just gotta sort out the brakes and shifters. It’s just how I want it. I’m still deciding on the fenders – to remove or retain! I’m gonna be making this bike my main bicycle and will be getting rid of all my bikes as well as quite a bit of my tools. I’ve decided to go minimalist and am getting rid of a lot of stuff that I do not use/need. Gotta start making more money to pay off this house. Taking a back seat from the bike building/selling/buying for a while. This bike fits my needs and I like it even better than the Brompton. It’s got a very secure folding mechanism and is super stiff. Plus I can travel with it too. I do alot of work trips and this will fit an old Desley suitcase that I have.
16/11/2016 - Ergon GP1 Grips added and ready for the bike shop
So I've changed my mind about the grips and have added some brand new Ergon GP1 ergonomic lock on grips. I also switched back the seat post back to the original silver post pump seat. Maybe I'll be able to fix the pump. So this is the final picture of the bike ready for the shop. I've dropped it off to 99 Bikes in Lidcombe, NSW. They're up the road from my work. Will be ready by tomorrow. Just getting them to replace the brake cables and also the shifter cables and get it all tuned up correctly. I'll be picking up the bike by midday tomorrow. Will have some final pictures once I get it back
17/11/2016 - Bike is back and looking good!
All sorted, however I am not too happy with the cable arrangement. I told the guys to cut the housings if they were too long but they didn't! No big deal, I'll have to sort something out. So the bike is finished now. here it is.....with fenders on!
Fully cleaned!
Well I have just recently taken apart the bike and fully cleaned everything ready for transport. But I failed. The suitcase wasn't large enough to take the whole bike, even with the rear derailleur removed and the handlebars fully removed as well as the seat post. The bike would have fit if the frame was completely separated in two but I wasn't about to go through that extra hassle. So unfortunately I have had to leave the bike at home. I took the fenders off to complete the 'Dash P16' look but have now cleaned them and will most likely re-attached them. The bike is so clean it is even allowed into the house! When I say 'allowed' I mean, I just brought it in anyway!
SKS fenders back on, Tern Luggage Truss and Axiom Journey Rear Rack installed
Yeah I have decided to put the fenders back on. I also managed to purchase a Tern luggage truss which happens to fit this bike. I was lucky enough to score it for $15 on ebay. It is perfect for my Ortlieb handlebar bag. I also took the Axiom journey luggage rack from my Thorn as it is adjustable and made it fit the Dahon. So I have a rear rack too now. Technically i could go touring with this bike if the occassion presents itself. Finally you cannot see it but I have replaced the Zorin seatpost pump with a brand new one direct from a bike shop in Holland. took about 2 weeks to arrive. I'ver also added some Cateye LED lights front and back as well as a TransX water bottle holder. So have a look below at my beautiful Dash P16!