Upgrade for my Dahon folder - more gears

[seadragon]

I really need some advice, I really dont have much of a clue.

I have a folder and want to spec it up a lot. The top model of my bike cant be bought anymore and came with a Sram Red groupset as standard and I want to spec mine up a lot from the Shimano Hyperglide 8 speed system, X7 cassette I have now. I want more gears basically but am looking for something high quality and light.

I am looking through countless websites and I am none the wiser. I am pretty open to what is out there but I want a really handy shifter like the sram double tap one.

I have contacted a few local bike shops but they are either too busy or maybe think I am a timewaster so they dont reply or are unhelpful. Either way I have some money to spend, so you would think they would want my business.

Any help greatly appreciated, thanks

Edited by seadragon on Tuesday 31st July 22:55

[prand]

Can I ask, really why do you need more gears when people are discovering the real benefits of much fewer?

[seadragon]

I didnt want to start a debate. I dont have to justify myself to anyone, I thought my post was clear enough

Anyone want to help me make a decision as per my original post??

[Gizmoish]

prand said:

Can I ask, really why do you need more gears when people are discovering the real benefits of much fewer?

Because hills.

[davepoth]

seadragon said:

I didnt want to start a debate. I dont have to justify myself to anyone, I thought my post was clear enough

Anyone want to help me make a decision as per my original post??

Are you looking for higher gears, or more intermediate gears?

[Bacon Is Proof]

seadragon said:

I didnt want to start a debate. I dont have to justify myself to anyone, I thought my post was clear enough

Anyone want to help me make a decision as per my original post??

So other than coming across as a massive bell end, what exactly is your problem?
You like the Sram Red doubletap levers, and the bike was available with the Sram Red groupset, so why not fit the Sram Red drivetrain to your bike?

It may help to mention the exact make, model and year of your chosen velocipede.

So levers, derailer, cassette, chain and possibly hub (I don't know my Sram, someone else will be able to advise) and you'll have your extra two sprockets.

[SkinnyBoy]

Have you thought about a Rohloff or Alfine hub wheel? For a folder I reckon they are perfect, nice and clean and no sticky out bits.

[Reardy Mister]

prand said:

Can I ask, really why do you need more gears when people are discovering the real benefits of much fewer?

Yes, everyone should have a fixie otherwise they are a culture-less .

[prand]

Reardy Mister said:

prand said:

Can I ask, really why do you need more gears when people are discovering the real benefits of much fewer?

Yes, everyone should have a fixie otherwise they are a culture-less .

Well that wasn't really what I meant. And I don't deny the right of the OP wanting to buy something shiny and expensive for his bike if that's what he wants to do.

However, I can't see what the pupose of having more gears to make a bike more rideable - but I suppose that isn't the point of the exercise! Hey, why not try to squeeze a 10 gear cassette and a triple ring on to really impress the boys at the front of the lights outside paddington!

On a relatively short commute (which I am presuming a Dahon Foldup is to be used for) where a gear upgrade was needed, I'd be looking to cut out gearchanges as much as possible, rationalise the ratios and tweak them to suit my route to work or riding style. This would allow me to focus on my surroundings, not worry what gear I'm in, and not worry too much about maintaining a complex and twitchy gear system. tttish references aside, this is one of the real benefits of single speed bikes, you just get on and ride.

A hub gear would be a great, and expensive upgrade - I'm sure you could find a bike shop to take on this challenge if you found the right one, built up a decent rapport and not rely on email to try and do business with them!

[Paul Drawmer]

Don't Dahon do the Vector X20 now?

[RichyBoy]

I do 45 miles plus on my mu uno at the weekends up and down hills, I guess for really steep hills it is not ideal and then I'm thinking more gears also.

[HardWorkers]

It's pretty simple if you fancy doing it yourself:

Shimano 105 or Ultegra 10-speed levers.
Shimano compatible 10 speed cassette - whatever ratios you fancy.
10 speed chain.
Buy some drop bars if it's on flat bars at the moment.
May need new brake/gear cables.
Existing rear derailleur will probably work fine.

If you are set on SRAM you'll need to replace with SRAM levers and will need a new SRAM rear derailleur as well.

Edited by HardWorkers on Wednesday 1st August 18:23

[anonymous-user]

YACF is a good forum for folder questions, lot of very helpful folks over there - worth a shot!

[seadragon]

Bacon Is Proof said:

So other than coming across as a massive bell end, what exactly is your problem?

Well thanks to those who were helpful and didnt criticise my choice (except above), given me a lot to think about, I appreciate it.

Here's what I am going for on my Dahon Jetstream P8 after consulting further with my LBS as well:

SRAM Red chainset 53/39
SRAM Flat bar double tap shifter 2x10
PG1070 cassette (11/32)
Sram XO rear mech

I have a Kinetix Pro (red) wheelset which will be put on as well and some upgraded pedals, so it will be as I want it as I live in a village and its pretty hilly and loads of cycle paths, so the full suspension and the new increased gears will make all the difference plus it will be a closer spec to my dream folder, the Jetstream EX.

Thanks again