As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.

A Dahon folding bike is one of the most convenient transportation modes on two wheels. It allows you to get from one place to another just like a regular full-size bike, but it also offers some added benefits.

If your house or apartment has limited storage space or your commute involves a train or elevator, a foldable bike is a genuine problem solver.

You can also fold and store it inside a van or RV, on a boat, under your desk, in a closet, or even in your car trunk.

Best Dahon Folding Bikes

If you’re searching for a folding bike, you might already have encountered Dahon, which is one of the most popular and successful folding bike manufacturers. After test-riding, I have come up with my list of the “10 Best Folding Bikes by Dahon” that you can buy, along with detailed reviews (paid links).

Our Pick
  • N/A
  • Best For:
    A great all-rounder suitable for urban riding and other adventures.
  • Pros:
    • 8-speed adjustable drivetrain for going up and down hills
    • Adjustable steering handlebars
    • Well-designed bungee cord on the rear rack.
Best Dahon Commuter
  • $477.88
  • Best For:
    Commuters.
  • Pros:
    • Durable and stable folding bicycle
    • 7-speed rapid shifting gears
    • Attractive design
    • Rust resistant
    • Easy and comfortable riding
    • Quick folding and unfolding mechanism.
Most Durable Dahon
  • $419.25
  • Best For:
    Riders looking for a durable, reliable Dahon foldable bike.
  • Pros:
    • Fun to ride, practical, and convenient
    • Great braking power
    • Well-treaded tires
    • Adjustable handlebar and seat height
    • Well-designed and sturdy folding frame
Our Pick
N/A
Best For:
A great all-rounder suitable for urban riding and other adventures.
Pros:
  • 8-speed adjustable drivetrain for going up and down hills
  • Adjustable steering handlebars
  • Well-designed bungee cord on the rear rack.
Best Dahon Commuter
$477.88
Best For:
Commuters.
Pros:
  • Durable and stable folding bicycle
  • 7-speed rapid shifting gears
  • Attractive design
  • Rust resistant
  • Easy and comfortable riding
  • Quick folding and unfolding mechanism.
Most Durable Dahon
$419.25
Best For:
Riders looking for a durable, reliable Dahon foldable bike.
Pros:
  • Fun to ride, practical, and convenient
  • Great braking power
  • Well-treaded tires
  • Adjustable handlebar and seat height
  • Well-designed and sturdy folding frame
01/29/2024 03:28 am GMT

1. Dahon Mariner D8 – Best Dahon Bike for the Money

The Dahon Mariner D8 is one of the best all-around folding bikes. It offers all the features and options you need in a folding bike, including carrying ease, riding comfort, a durable frame, and high performance.

Our Pick
Dahon Mariner D8 Folding Bike

The Dahon Mariner D8 is an excellent lightweight and compact bike. It performs excellently within city environments and is comfortable to ride. For cyclists who enjoy taking weekend trips, this bike might pleasantly surprise you with its off-road performance.

Best For: A great all-rounder suitable for urban riding and other adventures.
Key Specifications:
  • Folded size: (25.5 x 12.5 x 31.1) inches
  • Wheels: 20-inch single-wall aluminum rims
  • Weight: 28 pounds / 12.50 kilograms
  • Weight capacity: 230 pounds / 105 kilograms
  • Brakes: 110 millimeters alloy V-brakes
  • Adjustable drivetrain: Shimano RD-M310 Rear Derailleur (8-speed)
  • Frame: Lattice Forged Hinge, Lightweight Dalloy Sonus Tubeset
Pros:
  • 8-speed adjustable drivetrain for going up and down hills
  • Adjustable steering handlebars
  • Well-designed bungee cord on the rear rack.
Cons:
  • You may find the folding bike’s seat a little uncomfortable after prolonged use.
  • Assembling takes considerable time.
BUY FROM AMAZON ➚ OUR REVIEW ➚
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

It’s a very lightweight bicycle and also delivers the performance of a full-size regular bike.

The Dahon Mariner D8 folding bike is equipped with an adjustable drivetrain and adjustable steering handlebars that come in handy while riding.

Dahon Mariner D8
Dahon Mariner D8

If you’re planning to buy one bike that performs different roles, this folding bike is one of the best options.


2. Dahon Vybe D7 – Best Dahon Bike for Commuting

The Dahon Vybe D7 is relatively a new addition to the company’s recreation collection. It’s a well-built folding bike, which is best for commuting. It’s equipped with a Shimano FT35 derailleur that enables rapid shifting by moving the chain through gears.

Best Dahon Commuter
Dahon VYBE D7
$477.88

The Dahon Vybe D7 is perfect for commuters because it folds away in less than 20 seconds, is lightweight, and has 20-inch wheels which offer better rolling performance.

Best For: Commuters.
Key Specifications:
  • Folded size: (26.3 x 13.3 x 32.6) inches
  • Wheels: 20-inch aluminum
  • Weight: 26.2 pounds / 11.9 kilograms
  • Weight capacity: 230 pounds / 105 kilograms
  • Brakes: 110 millimeters WinZip V-brakes
  • Drivetrain: Rapid shifting 7-speed SRAM
  • Frame: Vise-Grip technology, Lightweight VYBE Dalloy
Pros:
  • Durable and stable folding bicycle
  • 7-speed rapid shifting gears
  • Attractive design
  • Rust resistant
  • Easy and comfortable riding
  • Quick folding and unfolding mechanism.
Cons:
  • Seat height is difficult to adjust.
BUY FROM AMAZON ➚ OUR REVIEW ➚
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
01/29/2024 03:28 am GMT

One of the best features of the Vybe D7 folding bicycle is its minimal size. It remains sturdy after folding and takes up very little room. This bike’s folding and unfolding mechanism is faster than most folding bikes. You can fold it within 20 seconds.

Its quick folding and lightweight make it the best folding bicycle for people on their commute.

The braking system for this bicycle is also premium that’ll stay with you for years. The only downside of this folding bike is that it’s a little difficult to adjust its height.


3. Dahon SUV D6 – Most Durable

Dahon SUV D6 is one of the best folding bikes from the company to buy at a very reasonable and affordable price. It comes with a flex-adjust system that allows you to travel with comfort from one point to another.

Most Durable Dahon
Dahon SUV D6
$419.25

The SUV D6 is one of Dahon's best folding bikes and comes at a very reasonable and affordable price. Despite the aluminum frame, it's not one of the lightest models, though.

Best For: Riders looking for a durable, reliable Dahon foldable bike.
Key Specifications:
  • Folded size: (26.3 x 13.3 x 33) inches
  • Wheels: 20-inch aluminum
  • Weight: 31.7 pounds / 14.4 kilograms
  • Weight capacity: 230 pounds / 105 kilograms
  • Brakes: 110 millimeters Aluminum V-brakes
  • Drivetrain: 6-speed Shimano RD-TY21 rear derailleur
  • Frame: Dalloy Sonus Aluminum Tube Set
Pros:
  • Fun to ride, practical, and convenient
  • Great braking power
  • Well-treaded tires
  • Adjustable handlebar and seat height
  • Well-designed and sturdy folding frame
Cons:
  • A little heavy frame
  • Slightly hard seat
BUY FROM AMAZON ➚
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
01/28/2024 07:22 am GMT

The folding mechanism is also effortless as it takes only 15 seconds. You can easily adjust the handlebars and saddle height of this folding bike according to your needs. Like most foldable bikes from Dahon, the SUV D6 also offers a quality frame made of aluminum.

In addition, just like more expensive folding bikes from Dahon, this bicycle is also equipped with a Shimano RD-TY21 rear derailleur that allows you to shift gears quickly and easily.

However, it has a heavier weight than most other bikes mentioned on this list.


4. Dahon Vitesse i7 – Best Dahon Bike for Touring

Dahon Vitesse i7
Buy from Dahon
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Dahon Vitesse i7 is a great folding bike that excels in all departments. It comes with an incredibly sturdy yet lightweight frame made of aluminum. The bike doesn’t vibrate while being ridden and offers excellent hinges that allow you to fold it easily and quickly.

You can fold and unfold this folding bike within 20 seconds, and its durable and robust build and lightweight make it the best bicycle for touring. The only downside of the Dahon Vitesse i7 is its expensive price tag.

Specs

  • Folded size: (26 x 13.2 x 30.5) inches
  • Wheels: 20-inch aluminum
  • Weight: 25.9 pounds / 11.7 kilograms
  • Weight capacity: 220 pounds / 100 kilograms
  • Brakes: 110 millimeters WinZip V-brakes
  • Drivetrain: 7-speed Shimano Nexus Internal Gear-Hub
  • Frame: Dalloy Sonus Aluminum Tube Set

Pros

  • Sturdy and lightweight aluminum frame
  • Attractive, timeless appearance
  • Rust-resistant frame
  • 7-speed drive
  • Tires with a firm grip
  • Quick and easy folding and unfolding
  • Exception braking power

Cons

  • Expensive price tag

5. Dahon Boardwalk Folding Bike – Best Looking

Dahon Boardwalk Review

If you’re looking for a great-looking bike, then the Dahon Boardwalk Folding Bike is one of the best options. It’s an exceptionally exquisite folding bicycle, and the best thing is that you can buy it at a very reasonable price.

It’s one of the cheapest folding bikes that Dahon offers. First of all, its folding mechanism is impressive as you can fold it within 12 seconds. The Dahon Boardwalk Folding Bike is also relatively lightweight, and you can easily carry it without too much difficulty.

Remember that this bike only offers a single speed, which means it’ll show the performance and functionality of other bikes that you see on the road. If you’re planning to buy a bike to ride in an urban city, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Specs

  • Folded size: (12.5 x 29.5 x 25.9) inches
  • Wheels: 20-inch
  • Weight: 27.6 pounds / 12.5 kilograms
  • Weight capacity: 230 pounds / 105 kilograms
  • Brakes: linear Spring Aluminum PROMAX V
  • Drivetrain: single-speed
  • Frame: Steel, Wraparound, and Vise-Grip Technology with Lattice Forged Hinge

Pros

  • Rust-resistant frame
  • Extremely affordable price tag
  • Attractive design
  • Rapid folding
  • Comfortable ride

Cons

  • Single-speed
  • Not suitable for hills

6. Dahon Vitesse D8 – Best All-Rounder

Dahon Vitesse D8 Folding Bike Review

Dahon Vitesse D8 comes with many impressive features, and it’s also reasonably priced. It offers everything you need in a folding bike, and that’s what makes it a great all-rounder.

All the components of this folding bike, including the gear system, lights, brakes, clips, hinges, and overall frame, are well-designed and made of reliable and durable quality.

It comes with an 8-speed system, and you can expect to enjoy a great cycling experience.

The folding mechanism is also straightforward and quick, and it has fewer moving parts to maintain. If you have a mixed commute situation, you can use this bike to store it in limited storage space.

The all-around performance of this bicycle is the main reason we have included this folding bike in this list.

Specs

  • Folded size: (11.4 x 31.9 x 25.9) inches
  • Wheels: 20-inch
  • Weight: 24.7 pounds / 11.2 kilograms
  • Weight capacity: 230 pounds / 105 kilograms
  • Brakes: 110 millimeters alloy V-brakes
  • Drivetrain: 8-speed with Rear Derailleur NEOS
  • Frame: Custom Drawn Sonus with KA Series Dalloy

Pros

  • A sturdy and lightweight frame made of aluminum
  • 8 quick-shift gears
  • Rust resistant
  • Great bang for the buck

Cons

  • Slow acceleration
  • Brakes could be more powerful

7. Dahon Speed D7 – Best Combination of Sports and Regular Bike

Best Dahon Folding Bike

Dahon Speed D7 is undoubtedly a well-built and good-performing folding bike by Dahon. But it doesn’t offer the same performance compared to some high-end models that the company provides.

However, this bike still provides excellent value and combines the sports bicycle-like experience with performance.

It’s equipped with a sturdy frame that features the K-Series SuperLite 4130 hinges.

The folding and unfolding process is also easy and quick, and its 7-speed drive ensures seamless riding on both hills and flat surfaces.

The Dahon Speed D7 also features the company’s Neos rapid-rise derailleur that performs flawlessly and allows you to shift gears at a reasonable pace.

Specs

  • Folded size: (11.7 x 30.1 x 25.5) inches
  • Wheels: 20-inch
  • Weight: 27.52 pounds / 12.4 kilograms
  • Weight capacity: 220 pounds / 100 kilograms
  • Brakes: 110 millimeters alloy V-brakes
  • Drivetrain: 7-speed with Rear Derailleur NEOS, rapid shifting
  • Frame: 4130 lightweight steel, K Series

Pros

  • Features SKS fenders
  • Strong and lightweight built
  • Rust resistant
  • Comfortable riding experience
  • 7-speed rapid shifting gears with Rear Derailleur NEOS

Cons

  • Dahon offers some better models for a similar price

8. Dahon Espresso – Best 26-Inch Wheel Folding Bike

Dahon Espresso Folding Bike Review

Dahon offers all types of bikes right across the price spectrum, and the Dahon Espresso is one of the best models.

If you want a big folding bike that’s also considerably lightweight and has a strong frame, the Dahon Espresso can be your best choice.

It’s a 26-inch folding bicycle that only weighs 14 kilograms.

However, there are two sizes available for this bike, including small and large, and you need to keep that in mind while going to the riding test.

If you want to tackle all types of outings, we recommend getting a full-size variant.

Specs

  • Folded size: (13.2 x 36.6 x 30.7) inches
  • Wheels: 26-inch
  • Weight: 29.3 pounds / 13.3 kilograms
  • Weight capacity: 230 pounds / 105 kilograms
  • Brakes: Dahon QR Winzip 110 millimeters V-Brakes
  • Drivetrain: 21-speed gears Rear Derailleur Shimano TX, Front Derailleur Microshift M22
  • Frame: Urban MTB Frame Full Size with Dalloy Sonus Tubeset

Pros

  • 21-speed gears
  • An excellent option for off-roading
  • Great aesthetics
  • Sturdy and well-designed folding bike

Cons

  • Expensive price tag

9. Dahon Speed P8 – Best for Long Rides

Dahon Speed P8 Review

The Dahon Speed P8 is a stunning folding bike, and it stands out from the crowd because of its many exceptional features.

Our favorite feature of this Dahon bike is its extremely well-built tires.

You’ll experience a comfortable and fantastic riding experience regardless of the terrain.

The tires of this bike are also slightly slim, allowing the cycle to achieve high speed on straight roads.

This folding bike comes with a sturdy frame made of aluminum, and just like all the other folding bikes by Dahon, it also doesn’t vibrate.

It’s undoubtedly one of the best folding bikes for long rides and works well in urban and rural environments. The folding mechanism is also rapid and easy, and it folds down to a small size.

You can fold the Dahon Speed P8 within 15 seconds.

Specs

  • Folded size: (12.5 x 32 x 26.2) inches
  • Wheels: 20-inch
  • Weight: 26.9 pounds / 12.1 kilograms
  • Weight capacity: 230 pounds / 105 kilograms
  • Brakes: Winzip 110 millimeters V-Brakes
  • Drivetrain: 8-speed gears with Dahon Twist Shifter Neos (has speed D9 in stock)
  • Frame: K-Series, Super Lite 4130

Pros

  • Quality and sturdy build design
  • Exceptional performance on all types of terrains
  • Well-suited for long rides
  • Attractive color and frame design
  • Comfortable riding experience
  • Quick and easy folding mechanism

Cons

  • You easily can damage the paint
  • Relatively easy

10. Dahon MU SL – Best Lightweight

Dahon MU SL Review

If you’re looking for a lightweight folding bike, you can’t go wrong with the Dahon MU SL. It’s a premium-quality folding bicycle that can withstand the test of time. All the components that it features are made of high-quality and durable materials, and it’s both lightweight and fast.

It’s challenging to fit all the features of this bike in a single review. However, its unique and best features are its 17.7-inch or 451-millimeter wheels. Not only do they make the folding bike more stable, but they also allow you to achieve more speed within less time on the road.

The tires also offer excellent grip, and the wheels are also considerably lightweight.

On top of that, the Dahon MU SL flaunts a 9-speed SRAM APEX derailleur. It means you can shift gears quickly without noticing the shifting, making climbing steep hills very simple.

Specs

  • Folded size: (25.5 x 14.1 x 31.8) inches
  • Wheels: 17.7-inches or 451-millimeter
  • Weight: 23.5 pounds / 10.6 kilograms
  • Weight capacity: 230 pounds / 105 kilograms
  • Brakes: SRAM Apex Caliper Brake
  • Drivetrain: SRAM SL700 Shifters with SRAM Apex Derailleurs
  • Frame: V-Clamp technology and Dalloy Sonus Tubeset

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight
  • Exceptional quality components and frame
  • Rust resistant
  • Impressive aesthetics and excellent paint job
  • Easy and quick folding and unfolding mechanism
  • Stable and fast wheels
  • 9-speed gears that make hill climbing a breeze

Cons

  • Very expensive

How To Choose the Right Dahon Folding Bike for Your Needs?

You need to consider many factors when choosing a new folding bike. We have listed the most important ones that will allow you to choose the folding bike that best suits your needs.

Frame

The first and probably the essential factor to consider is the frame. It’s what holds every component in one way or another. Folding bikes are available in different materials, including the following.

  • Steep
  • Aluminum
  • Carbon fiber
  • Titanium

Each material comes with its pros and cons, and you should understand them to make sure that you choose the suitable material.

Speeds

The drivetrain or the gearing system of folding bikes differs widely. The vast majority of folding bikes come with a single speed. However, if you need to climb hills on your bike, the single-speed won’t suit you the best. Gears allow you to easily take your bike on and off the mountains and steep roads.

Folded Dimension

It’s the most prominent feature of any folding bike design. The most popular folding option is a mid or half-horizontal fold. You can also find folding bikes with triangle hinges and vertical or swivel folds.

Folding bikes are available that offer two or even more folding dimensions. Choose the one with the least folded dimensions if you have limited storage space.

Weight

You need to carry your folding bike to place it on your car’s truck, store, train, and so on. That’s why choosing a lightweight folding bike is advisable. Keep in mind that folding bikes are almost always heavier than regular full-sized bikes because of added folding functionality.

Wheel Size

You’ll find folding bikes in a vast range of wheel sizes. Small wheels are mostly stiffer and more robust, and big wheels offer better rolling performance. Most folding bikes that we mentioned in this list use 20-inch wheels, but you can find smaller or bigger ones depending on your riding needs.

Alternatives

Dahon isn’t the only manufacturer that offers high-quality premium bikes. There are some other names as well, including Brompton and Tern.

These folding bike manufacturers also offer high-quality folding bikes with different features and functions.

You’ll also find similar folding bikes from these companies.

On average, Dahon and Tern bicycles fold up to around (25.5 x 12.5 x 31.1) inches. On the other hand, the Brompton folding bikes fold up to (23 x 10.6 x 22.2) inches which is slightly less.

Brompton vs Dahon

Brompton vs Dahon
Brompton vs Dahon – the Brompton folds to a smaller size however we prefer the Dahon folding mechanism

While the average folding size of Brompton bikes is a bit smaller, the folding mechanism that the company offers is based on bolts and clamps. It’s outdated compared to the folding mechanism that Dahon offers, which is based on lattice-forged hinges and fast-release.

Usually, folding bikes that Brompton offers are also more expensive than the Dahon folding bikes. So, if you need a small folding size, you should opt for Brompton. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy a more comfortable riding experience and long life, Dahon will serve you better.

Dahon vs Tern

Dahon vs Tern
Dahon vs Tern – both are managed by the same family!

Dahon and Tern are historically related. The company Tern was started by the wife and son of Dahon. That’s why the bikes that both companies offer are so similar. Both companies still have shared patents, and it’s hard to tell which company is better.

You’ll find some models performing better from one company, and the opposite is also true. Therefore, we recommend you read each model’s specs and pros and cons properly if you can’t decide whether you should buy a folding bike from Tern or Dahon.

Dahon vs Zizzo

Zizzo vs Dahon
Zizzo vs Dahon: Which is Better?

I was honestly surprised to learn that not only are Tern and Dahon related, but also Dahon and Zizzo also belong to the same family too!

In my opinion, Dahon and Zizzo both make great folding bikes and while it can be hard to choose between them ultimately the key differentiator comes down to price. The Zizzo offers better value for money while Dahon offers a wider range of options.

You can read my full Dahon vs Zizzo comparison here.

People Also Ask

Is Dahon a Good Bike?

Dahon is a company that offers premium-quality and well-designed folding bikes. It’s one of the most popular folding bike manufacturers with an excellent track record. This list contains some of the best bikes that Dohan offers, and you can choose the one that suits your needs the best.

Is Dahon as Good as Brompton?

Both Dahon and Brompton are successful folding bike companies and offer some of the best bikes available in marketing. Brompton supersedes Dahon when it comes to folding size. However, Dohan’s technology for folding mechanisms is far superior to Brompton’s.

Which Dahon Folding Bike Is Best?

It depends upon your personal preferences and needs. For example, if you need the lightest Dahon folding bike, there is no better option than Dahon MU SL. On the other hand, if what you really need is the best value for money, you should opt for the Dahon Mariner D8.

How Much Does a Dahon Folding Bike Cost?

Each Dahon bike comes with a different price tag based on the bike’s performance and features.

However, expect to pay somewhere around 500 to 800 US dollars if you want a decent foldable bike with advanced features.

The Bottom Line

There you have it.

There are some of the best Dahon folding bikes available on the market. If you need the best Dahon bike for the money, go for Dahon Mariner D8, but if you want the best Dahon bike for commuting, Dahon Vybe D7 will suit you the best.

For all the people who need the best Dahon bike for touring, the Dahon Vitesse i7 is the most suitable option.

Similar Posts