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Dahon GB-1 folding 650B gravel bike gets better, still not in production

dahon GB-1 650B gravel folding travel bike that fits in your trunk
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The folding Dahon GB-1 650B gravel travel bike has made some serious improvements to its design and features, and (fortunately) seems to be nearing production. Originally spotted at Sea Otter in April, we saw a new and improved version of the bike at Taipei Cycle Show. Technically still a prototype, the updated GB-1 still folds down into a compact cube that’ll fit inside your trunk. And eventually a hardshell suitcase Dahon plans on making for it, too. First, let’s take a look at the key features, then the improvements…

dahon GB-1 650B gravel folding travel bike that fits in your trunk

Cable routing is external, allowing the full length housing to easily bend with the bike as it folds.

dahon GB-1 650B gravel folding travel bike that fits in your trunk

It still uses their Lock Jaw hinge system, which puts solid sections at the ends of the tubes.

dahon GB-1 650B gravel folding travel bike that fits in your trunk

Those sections are ridged to prevent lateral twisting, and a big bolt in them prevents torsional twisting. So, yes, it needs a tool to unfold it, but here’s the first big improvement:

dahon GB-1 650B gravel folding travel bike that fits in your trunk

The multitool is hidden inside the handlebar, and even folds to create a hand-crank shape, or just fold it once to form a longer lever. Even better, the bit flip flops to a smaller size to loosen…

…the stem, which has changed dramatically from the original design. It now resembles a more traditional stem, but loosening it lets it twist and drop the bar down to a more compact position.

dahon GB-1 650B gravel folding travel bike that fits in your trunk

It all folds down to this shape, using a small foot under the bottom bracket to help it stand on its own. Notice the more traditional top tube, too, which sits a bit higher than the original version and loses the reinforcing strut.

dahon GB-1 650B gravel folding travel bike that fits in your trunk

The other huge improvement is the move to thru axles, which will also use that hidden tool to loosen.

dahon GB-1 650B gravel folding travel bike that fits in your trunk

All in all, the changes should make for a more robust bike that’ll better handle the stresses and rough roads of real gravel bike riding. Throw in the mounts and you could easily add fenders or some light storage, making this a great travel bike that’s ready for day-long adventures!

dahon GB-1 650B gravel folding travel bike that fits in your trunk

Final spec and design may change, but we got the impression it’s close to final. We hope so as this is a folding bike we really want to try!

Update: Dahon has given us a revised weight claim for the GB-1 of 11.4kg / 25.1lb. That puts it much more inline with expectations for a performance aluminum gravel bike.

Dahon.com

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Atakua
Atakua
5 years ago

According to the last picture, it weights 20 kg. Which pushes it to typical airlines’ weight limit for checked baggage (21-23 kg). A typical flight baggage case capable to room such folded bike weights at least 4 kg. All in all, it means that instead of paying extra for an oversized baggage, one will be forced to pay extra for overweight baggage. Not to mention that 20 kg is closer to what a typical downhill bike weights these days. I am not against heavy bikes, but this is a lot even for me.

Brad Comis (@BradComis)
Reply to  Atakua

I wonder if that’s a typo. A conventional gravel bike only weighs about 9-10kg, so they’ve added 10kg to the frame alone? I don’t think that’s possible unless all the tubes are actually solid beams haha.If it’s not a typo I think they can expect to sell exactly 0 units of this model.

Cory Benson
Admin
4 years ago

@Atak & @Brad Yes, that seems to have been a typo from Dahon on the info card (perhaps a gross shipped weight?) Dahon has update the claimed GB-1 weight to 11.4kg (25.08lbs), a much more reasonable weight.

Bill
Bill
5 years ago

Went from excited to disappointed. That not only is a deal breaker flight wise like you mentioned (in the US it’s 50lbs so sounds similar to the metric rules) but a 44 pound bike just isn’t much fun to ride with any kind of elevation.

Rob Holloway
Rob Holloway
5 years ago

Have to say I agree here. It weighs twice what a standard gravel bike weighs, I was expecting say 3kg extra.

craigmedred
5 years ago

44 pounds? is it possible Dahon plans to make a bike with solid aluminum tubes as that lockjaw photo would appear to indicate?

JBikes
JBikes
5 years ago
Reply to  craigmedred

maybe took the need to “crush gravel” too literally

JBikes
JBikes
5 years ago

Ritchey’s system seems much cleaner, although it isn’t pinned which may make packing a little harder.
Regarding those pins…the one on the top tube seems like a really bad knee catcher

hankamania
5 years ago
Reply to  JBikes

DaHon used to license the BreakAway system from Ritchey. My brother has one and likes it a lot. Hardly any weight penalty, especially compared to either this system or S&S couplers.

David
5 years ago

What is the point of the folding function actually? Most airlines take non folding bikes for free nowadays, a normal bike with the wheels off fits in most cars (normally just the front wheel off). Most trains take bikes in their normal state. The potential benefits seem small and rare and the weight penalty large.

Joe
Joe
7 months ago
Reply to  David

When was the last time you traveled by plane and the bike was free? 1976? Most trains in Europe charge for a bike or directly ban bikes unless they are folded

Thor
Thor
5 years ago

20 kg is a typo dont worry

Steven K
Steven K
5 years ago

I have had a couple of this style of Dahon folders. They are a good design and that 20kg is definitely a typo, the fold only adds maybe 1kg over an equivalent alloy bike.

Cory Benson
Admin
4 years ago

Check out the corrected Dahon GB-1 claimed weight above – now 11.4kg

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