For $2,200 the Dahon is an amazing bargain, if everything is "as advertised". Ritchey has done some interesting things with travel designs, and it looks like the case is part of the deal (check the cost from S&S et al for comparison). It says it has both front & rear rack attachments & you can see the upper rear ones in one of the photos.
For traveling I'd be tempted to get rid of the STI - too fussy about adjustment. The 11-26 cassette should be changed for a 13-34 (or maybe 12-32) with that crankset. Nice 35 mm tires & B-17 are good stuff. I love my Atlantis but this Dahon is a real value. Also, remember that travel bikes get beaten up pretty good in shipping & handling. Lots of minor scratches, some not-so-minor dents, stuff you can't get the airline or shipping company to cover. Accept that your travel bike won't look new after a few trips. Of course the key is whether or not this bike fits you and how it rides for you. Can you get a days test ride before your buy? These are tough choices but fun to have this sort of problem to deal with. dougP -----Original Message----- From: rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com [mailto:rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Ray Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 6:43 PM To: RBW Owners Bunch Subject: [RBW] Hillborn v. Tournado Just a question to seek some educated opinions or other ideas. I'd like a nice mid-weight touring bike that will readily break down for travel and/or shipping. I have been looking at the Dahon Tournado for a while, thinking that it looks innovative and a lot of bike for the price. It sells for about $2200 complete. Now, with the advent of the Hillborn, I'm wondering if I might be better off ordering an unpainted Sam H and have it retrofitted with S&S couplers prior to painting. I have about 70% of the parts and wheels I would need to put a Sam on the road. the Dahon comes as a complete bike. S&S couplers sell for about $400 - $600 installed, then paint is another $200 or so. I'm interested in any opinions in this regard. Thank you in advance. Here is the Dahon link: http://www.dahon.com/us/tournado.htm --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
