By David Farr, published in Folding Society News

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Well after waiting 5 weeks I finally took delivery of my new Dahon Cadenza, the quick release pedals and mudguards were not available when I collected the bike, I was told that these would follow on later. I fitted the rear carrier and saddle from the Rudge I was glad to see that all required fixing points were supplied including bosses for a bottle cage that I use to mount the battery for my Lumicycle lights. My first riding impressions were very favourable as the bike was very light compared to my old Rudge folding bike, it was fitted with 1.3” Continental contact puncture protected tyres (slicks) that looked more like racing bike tyres than the mountain bike tyres I was more used to. I was surprised just how responsive the bike was and it made no sound at all (no creeks or groans normally associated with folding bikes), I call it my stealth bike as it is matt black makes no sound and goes like the clappers.

I have now covered some 500 miles on the bike and am still very happy with it, the only changes have been the chain rings as the gearing was too high at 50/40 for the hill I go up on the way to work. I have now had fitted Stronglight 44/34 chain rings and am now very happy with the gearing, when I get to the top of Titchfield hill I am comfortably doing 5mph and can go downhill at great lick without running out of gearing. I have grounded the pedals a couple of times but looking at the angle the bike has to be at to do this I am still not sure if a modification is really necessary (only time will tell). I have had a puncture in the rear tyre and took it back to the shop as some of the rear spokes were loose. When I collected the bike I found that the puncture was caused by one of the spokes not adjusted correctly, as this was a manufacturing fault I was not charged for the repair so I had the rear wheel rebuilt a new rim tape and inner tube fitted all at no cost. Now this is what I call service if I had purchased my bike on the Web there would have been no back up or support, I have found my local bike shop to be both excellent in service and support and would not hesitate to recommend Wheel 2 Wheel to anyone else…