drossall wrote:I don't know. I've had my second-hand Dahon for three years. It's more than ten years old, though not heavily used before I had it. It gets folded and unfolded at least three times every working day, sometimes more. You need to adjust the tension on the catch from time to time (no tools needed). However, I've seen no signs of wear to cause concern.
Bromptons, for their part, need an expensive hinge replacement job after heavy use.
I think, like anything else, these bikes need care and maintenance. After that, you pays your money and you takes your choice.
I've managed a small fleet of rental Dahons back in the day, they were a pain to keep the hinges in correct tensions. And still today I see many with hinges that can be undone with the little finger only
Brompton hinges run with a 6mm solid steel pin in a thick cast steel hinge. The only way to wear it is by neglicence, like riding with the plates worn (thus making a small amount of play) by overtightening, or by leaving the bike always wet until rust starts to creep... one of my colleagues had to do the hinge of his 1986 Brompton last year, though it was £40 I think has saved him at least £400/year in additional train tickets
