Dahon has been a very reliable brand when it comes to foldables and always brings up something special. Even though it may look ordinary to you from pictures but the Jetstream is anything but an ordinary foldable.
Loaded with features and a product Dahon’s quality engineering means that Jetstream is one of the most popular bike for city commute.
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Rating:
4.50 / 5.00
Price:
$$$$ on Amazon (September 5 2015)
Warranty
Typical Dahon warranty for bike and spare parts.
Pros and Cons:
Custom Air Shocks Poor Brakes
Easy Maintenance Bulky
Great Looks And Feel
First Impression:
The P8 comes in two colours, bronze and black, which go really well with the body parts and is visually interesting.
Detailed Review:
You can order the Jetstream P8 online through Amazon. Your order is going to reach you within a week, in a brown stock Dahon box. It arrives undamaged from shipping due to the well-padded nature of the box. After assembling, which would take about 15 minutes at max, you need to make sure that all the parts are adjusted and tuned. As Dahon sends its bike directly out of the manufacturing facility to the vendor, there is no check-up in between. Depending on your luck you can find a few or all parts needing adjustments. If you are unable to assemble or adjust the bike yourself it is highly advised that you get it done at a licensed mechanic, who you have to visit any ways for activating the Dahon manufacturer’s warranty.
The foldable has a strong and a light body carved out from the high quality 7005 series aluminium, featuring custom drawn tubing from Sonus and joint with solid lattice. The design is very well thought of, especially the low step over height which makes it very convenient to quickly hop on your P8 and ride away.
As the name suggests, the P8 comes with 8 speeds. The range of speeds is not that great, however since it is a city bike this is not a very limiting factor and you will usually find yourself swinging between 5 and 8 speeds. The shifting of gear is very efficient and allows a smooth ride. If you are an experienced rider, you can probably take most of the terrain on this machine without any issues.
The P8’s 20 inch Schwalbe Racing tires are a very sweet addition. These tires are of great quality, resistant to puncture and give maximum speed with minimum resistance. As the tires are lined with Kevlar, they are extremely tough and can take on the most challenging tracks with the same ease and manoeuvrability. The size of the tires makes it feel like you are on a BMX, and is tons better than riding on 16’’ machines.
Combined with the tires, the Dahon has also integrated custom air shocks in the bike which means that the days of jerks and jittery rides are over. The P8 will easily go over bumps, pot holes, gravels and rocky terrains very smoothly, with you feeling almost like going through a flat surface.
The Jetstream is not the lightest of foldables you will find on the market. However, it is still light enough to be carried across a flight of stairs or a short distance on the road. Carrying the bike for long distances can become very cumbersome and awkward, especially when you are not used to weight lifting. The size of the bike when folded is still kind of bulky. It is certainly no Brompton, however you can understand that you are getting what you are paying for. When wrapped, you have a Velcro to go around the P8 to keep it in its shape. The lack of a proper locking system is a bummer and it would have been great if Dahon had provided a magnetic latch or even its plastic Snap Lok technology in the product. If you want to leave your bike outside you would have to purchase a lock for yourself. It is recommended that you also purchase a carrier bag which allows the bike to be carried making it very conveniently for you.
You can put a rack or trunk bag on the rear, but they don’t come with the purchase. There are tons of accessories on the Dahon official store which are worth checking out if you are into upgrading your machine and making it unique.
While most parts of the foldable are of good quality and of industry standards, allowing you to find replacement and repair servicing very easily at your local mechanic shops, the brake is of an okay standard while the brake lever quality isn’t the most durable. The brakes on the front usually get soft after a regular use of the bike through rough terrains or on hilly areas. You should definitely get your braking system replaced with a better one from Avid or another brand all together, as you should not comprise your safety for saving a few bucks.
Specifications:
- Small Size When Wrapped Of 11.3 Inch By 32.4 Inch By 25.7 Inch By
- Assembled Weight Of Only Twenty Eight Pounds
- Has A Speed System With A Range Of 8 Speeds
- Integrated Gear System By Dahon
- Dalloy Aluminium Frame (7005) With Latticed Joints
- Racing Tires By Schwalbe Of 20 inch Each
- Sonus Tube (Custom Drawn).
- (Mechanical) Avid Disc Brake
- Maximum Rider Weight Of Two Hundred & Thirty Pounds (230 lbs)
- Maximum Rider Height Of 4’8″ – 6’4″
- Rear Suspension For A Comfortable Ride
- Puncture Resistant Tires Lined With Kevlar
Conclusion:
All in all, the Dahon Jetstream bike is every bit worth the money you are investing in it. While you cannot call it a cheap bike, however it is also not the most premium of them either. It has its pros and cons, but the former overweigh the latter by a long margin. If you are going to use it in the city, with due maintenance once or twice a year, the P8 will be a lasting a very long time for you. It is a fun and a smooth ride and is highly recommended for all!
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