Sailboat-friendly bike wins commuter-friendly comparison
The Dahon Marine D8, originally aimed at boaters, also appears to be a good all-round folding commuter bikeA bike originally designed to be small yet tough enough to carry on a sailboat has won a New York Times-based comparison to find the best folding bike on the market.
After more than 85 hours of research and testing, the New York Times’ Wirecutter product review website settled on the Chinese-made Dahon Mariner D8 as the best bike that combined “a comfortable ride and easy folding with good-enough components, all for a reasonable price”.
The eight-speed Mariner D8 was developed by Dahon as a bike that would stand up to the tough marine environment. It features a lightweight brushed alloy frame and an aluminium chain.
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”The design inspiration of Dahon Mariner D8 originates from the sailing concept,” Dahon said in a statement announcing the top place in the test.
“The super anti-rust surface of its parts is suitable for high-salt and high-humidity environments.
“Marine D8 can be stored onboard a yacht or a boat for a long time before the rider goes for a comfortable ride on the island.”
According to Dahon, the Marine D8 uses a triangular frame that “greatly increases the service life and load capacity of the overall frame structure.
“At the same time, the longitudinal rigidity of the whole vehicle is increased by 15-35 per cent, and the force of pedalling is effectively converted into propulsion, reducing energy loss and being faster than other vehicles.”
According to the New York Times’ Wirecutter website, the Mariner D8 “rides comfortably, smoothing over bumps and shifting fluidly up and down hills; it folds and unfolds quickly and locks securely in both modes; the design also addresses practical concerns”.
The folding bike also comes with fenders, a front bag, and a rear pack rack.
Bikes can be a better last-mile solution for boaters than electric scooters given that scooters often need a smooth surface to run on.
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