Many people, especially heavy and tall ones, don’t want to use folding bikes because of the small wheels. However, Dahon actually produces some bigger folders that can meet their requirements.
I tested the Dahon Jack D7 last year and it is not a bad choice. The Dahon Espresso D24 looks very similar but it offers some more advanced features.
Specifications & Features
- Weight: 34 lbs (15.3 kg)
- Folded Dimensions: 42.5″ x 41.3″ x 15″ (108 x 105 x 38 cm)
- Speeds: 24
- Frame: XA Series, Dahon Full-Size Urban MTB Frame, Dalloy Sonus Tubeset
- Fork: ZOOM 189AMS, Hydraulic Damping, Lockout
- Handlepost: D4D Flat Pak Quick Release 4 Dimensional Adjustable Folding Stem
- Front Derailleur: MicroShift M42 Triple 7/8 speed
- Rear Derailleur: 8-Speed Shimano Altus
- Shifters: Shimano EF51
- Chain set: MTB triple
- Chain rings: 28/38/48
- Bottom Bracket: CH
- Cassette: 11-32T 8 speed
- Chain: KMC Z72
- Handlebars: D4D Flatpack QR
- Headset: Semi-Integrated custom Dahon
- Wheelset: Dahon custom alloy
- Wheels: 26″ aluminum rims with 36-hole front and rear Hub
- Rims: 26″ Lightweight durable alloy
- Front Hub: Dahon alloy 100mm
- Rear Hub: Dahon alloy 135mm
- Spokes: 14g stainless steel
- Tires: Kenda Kwick Roller Sport 26×2.0
- Saddle: Dahon ergo Comfort
- Seatpost: 31.6 x 300mm, Seatpost pump
- Seat Binder: Dahon QR
- Brakes: Winzip 110mm V-Brakes
- Brake Levers: Shimano EF51
- Accessories: foldable pedal, kickstand
- Suggested Rider height: 5’1″-6’5″ (155-195cm)
- Maximum Rider Weight: 242.5 lbs (110 kg)
Product Images
Performance
My first impression with the Dahon Espresso is very good. It has a better build quality than the Dahon Jack D7, the frame feels a lot sturdier because it uses a top tube and down tube now. Another huge advantage over the Jack is that folding and unfolding the Espresso doesn’t require any tool, thanks to the Flatpak design on the handlebar. You can easily fold the bike with your own hands, just like smaller folding bikes. The only difference is that you need to rotate the handlebar 90 degrees to the right side.
After folding the bike flat, you can easily put it in your car trunk. Unfortunately, there is still no way to secure the 2 wheels and the bike can’t stand on its own. Therefore, you will need to lean it against the wall or something to avoid damaging your bike.
In terms of riding experience, I still can feel the rolling resistance when riding on the streets because of the big fat tires. However, there is an important upgrade here. The Espresso sports the front suspension forks to insulate rider and the bike from the roughness of the road. Therefore, you totally can ride the bike off road or on uneven roads without hurting your bottom. This is among the most comfortable folding bikes I’ve ever ridden.
This is not a fast bike but you won’t have any problem climbing hills with the 24-speed drivetrain. The wide range of gears gives you a lot of choices when dealing with different terrains and inclines. I also love that shifting gear is very smooth and easy.
Last but not least, the Espresso includes a hidden pump in the seatpost. This is really a useful feature because I no longer have to bring the hand pump. Using the seatpost pump is just more convenient and effortless.
Conclusion
Pros
- Easier to fold and unfold
- Very comfortable with big tires and front suspension
- Affordable price
- Convenient seatpost pump
Cons
- Can’t ride at high speed
- Fall to the ground easily in folded position
In conclusion, the Dahon Espresso D24 is an ideal full-size folding bike. It has a great build quality, simple folding process, yet it doesn’t come with an expensive price tag. We at BikeFolded recommend the bike.
Buy Dahon Espresso Folding Bike on Amazon
Disclosure: I might earn commission from qualifying purchases. We use the commission to maintain the website, buy new products and create content for free, so thank you!
[…] reviewed the Dahon Espresso D24 a few months ago and was really impressed with the bike. It features full-size 26-inch wheels […]
A great bike indeed!
I did modify to full size road racing wheels. Bow it is fast. A cruise speed of 30k/h is doable now.
Standing stability when folded is bad. Alsways need something to leannagainst and in trains you need to tie it to something.
Didn’t Dahon have a similar 26″ wheelfolder a while back, a 21 speed without the folding bars, that looked very similar to the Espresso 20?
Does the espresso d24 roll when folded or does it have to be carried?
I upgraded my Expresso D24 to a worthy city workhorse, with fenders, a better Rock Shox suspension fork (3cm longer, which makes guiding the folded bike with seat extended tricky, but riding is much better than with the cheapish Zoom fork), hydraulic brakes and a Shimano Deore gear change (good enough), a rack and a trailer coupling. The perfect bike, fast, tough and I take it on the train for free.
My only problem is – how do you fasten the headset??? It is blocked by the turnable handlebar mount. I can only push the frame downwards as much as I can, then fasten the screws of the handlebar mount. It is never enough and the headset stays somewhat loose. I cannot think of a solution besides some special compression tool, exactly fitting just that bike.
@Stephen Thorne
my answer comes a bit late, but yes, the original Espresso rolls, just leave the seat post extended and grab it by the saddle. Since the bike (my version) doesn’t have a magnet folding fixation, the front wheel wobbles a bit, but it works quite well.
Really wish the weight was more – my husband at 6’4 dense athletic build weighs more at 275 🙁 really looking for a portable folding that we can take with the Airstream …..