Dahon

Last updated
Dahon Folding Bikes
Industry Bicycle
Founded1982;42 years ago (1982) [1]
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California, United States
Key people
 David T. Hon [2] [3] [4]
(founder and CEO)
Products Folding bicycles
Website www.dahon.com

Dahon is the world's largest manufacturer of folding bicycles [5] [ need quotation to verify ] with a two-thirds marketshare in 2006. [6] The company was founded in 1982 by David T. Hon, a former laser physicist, and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with assembly factories in China, Macau and Bulgaria. [7] Dahon markets bicycles under its own name as well as other brand names, including the affiliated Yeah and Biceco Brands, and Novara for REI in the U.S. [8] The company is a member of the Global Alliance for EcoMobility. [9] Dahon holds over 200 patents, some having become industry standards. [10]

Contents

Company

David T. Hon, founder and CEO of Dahon, receives an award from Jack Oortwijn, Editor in Chief of Bike Europe Dr. David T. Hon receives an award for contribution to the bicycle industry.jpg
David T. Hon, founder and CEO of Dahon, receives an award from Jack Oortwijn, Editor in Chief of Bike Europe

History

Dahon was founded in 1982 as Hon California, Inc.. [11] [12] After presenting his invention to several established but uninterested companies, [13] Hon and his brother Henry Hon decided to establish their own company from scratch. The two gathered venture funding and established their headquarters in Southern California while Hon relocated to Taiwan to build Dahon's first factory. Two years later, in 1984, Dahon folding bicycles were rolling off the assembly line as one of the most compact folding bicycle on the market at that time (many will argue the Brompton Bicycle is a more compact folder). [14]

Production

2012 Dahon Jifo 16 Dahon Jifo 16 Folding Bike.jpg
2012 Dahon Jifo 16

Primary production takes place in the company’s factory in Shenzhen, China. Another facility, near Beijing, produces Dahon bikes for China, an increasingly profitable market for the U.S.-based company. [15] Beginning in 2012, all Dahon brand bikes destined for Europe have been made in Bulgaria. [16] In a strategic partnership with Maxcom Ltd., the company set up a production base at one of the facilities on the continent. All of their bikes for the European market are made at the facility in Plovdiv. [17]

Marketing

In 2012, Dahon launched its first global advertising campaign, incorporating a two-tiered marketing campaign specifically designed for both b2b and b2c markets. Dahon introduced the new tagline, “freedom unfolds”. The new global campaign, themed “Express Your Personality” was launched at Eurobike 2011 in Friedrichshafen, Germany in a live-stage performance. [18]

Folding bikes

2012 Dahon Special Edition, 30th Anniversary, aluminum frame, folding bike with carbon parts 30th Anniversary Special Edition Dahon Folding Bike.jpg
2012 Dahon Special Edition, 30th Anniversary, aluminum frame, folding bike with carbon parts
1980s (first generation) Dahon Classic III with Sturmey-Archer 3 speed hub gear Dahon Classic III drive side bicycle bootiebike com 1000.jpg
1980s (first generation) Dahon Classic III with Sturmey-Archer 3 speed hub gear
Original 1982 model in stainless steel. 1982 Hon Convertible folding bicycle.JPG
Original 1982 model in stainless steel.

Most Dahon bicycles use a patented, single-hinge frame design where the handlebar folds down and the frame hinge swings to the left, leaving the handlebar inside, whereas models such as the Jifo and EEZZ take advantage of new, vertical folding technology. [19] The biggest sellers are those with 16 or 20 inch wheels, but models are available with wheels from 12 inches to 700C.[ citation needed ] In terms of gearing, bikes can feature derailleurs or hub gears, or both or none. For 2013 Dahon offers 30 models of folding or portable bicycles in wheel sizes ranging from 16-26” with aluminum alloy or steel frames. [20] One of the company's best selling bikes is the Boardwalk, an entry-level, steel-frame commuter bike. [21]

Special bikes

In 2008, to celebrate 25 years of production, Dahon produced a special edition based on the Mμ series of bikes - the Mμ XXV. 250 of these machines were produced.[ citation needed ] In March 2009, they announced that they would produce 1,000 sets of a special edition bike based on its Curve D3 folding bike with the Spanish design firm Kukuxumusu. [22] 2012 marked the company's 30th anniversary, and Dahon produced 300 limited edition bikes to honor the occasion. [23] The bicycles are based on the popular Mμ frame and feature high-end carbon parts.

In March 2017, released a new model called the Curl, in celebration of the company's 35th anniversary. They decided to bring end users into the process by launching a Kickstarter campaign to fund production of the bike. The Kickstarter campaign allowed for more involvement in the production process by manufacturers, dealers, distributors, and riders.[ citation needed ]

In June 2017, they announced the release of a special anniversary bike based on the Curl - the Curl i8. The bike was limited to a run of 500 that were available world wide with riders having to sign up to pre-order the bike. Those that preordered the bike had the opportunity to have their signature etched onto the bike frame. [ citation needed ]

Awards

Dahon has achieved various industry awards and honors over the years, including the Eurobike award, given at the world's largest bike show.

ModelYearAward
Clinch2015Taipei Cycle Design & Innovation Award [24]
4D Quickpark Stem2015Taipei Cycle Design & Innovation Award [25]
EEZZ2012Eurobike Award [26]
EEZZ (Prototype name Metro)2012Taipei Cycle Design & Innovation Award [27]
Glide P7/P82006Eurobike Award [28]
Ciao!2006Fiets RAI Bike of the Year [29]
Ciao!2005Eurobike Award [30]
Flo2004Fortune Product of the Year [31]

Controversy

Beginning in 2011, Dahon North America Inc. was in litigation with the son and wife of the company's founder. Specifically, the lawsuit charged that Joshua Hon and Florence Hon breached their fiduciary duties as officers of Dahon and unlawfully appropriated company assets, resources, and intellectual property to start the competing companies Mobility Holdings and Tern. [32] As of March 2013, a settlement was reached on mutually acceptable and confidential terms and the matter is closed. [33]

Events

Smithfield Nocturne Folding Bike Race

The 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012 winners of the Smithfield Nocturne folding bike race, held in the market district of Smithfield, London, rode Dahon folding bikes. The 2012 winner, Jeroen Janssen, pedaled to victory on the 30th Anniversary limited edition bike. [34] [35] Dahon also sponsored the annual event from 2007 to 2010. [36] [37]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tandem bicycle</span> Type of bicycle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birdy (bicycle)</span>

The Birdy is a folding bicycle designed by Riese und Müller in Germany and produced by Pacific Cycles in Taiwan. As of 2010 over 100,000 had been sold. Three distinct models have been marketed, in addition to some specialist variations, with the third (Mk3) introduced in July 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling advocacy</span> Activities promoting cycling

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brompton Bicycle</span> British bicycle manufacturer

Brompton Bicycle Limited, trading as Brompton, is a British manufacturer of folding bicycles based in Greenford, London.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">A-bike</span> British Folding Bicycle

The A-bike is a folding bicycle released by Sir Clive Sinclair in the United Kingdom on 12 July 2006. It was designed by Hong Kong design agency Daka, in collaboration with Sinclair Research, over a 5-year period. It was announced to the public in 2004. Clive Sinclair envisioned the A-bike, and Alex Kalogroulis was the main designer. It weighs 5.7 kilograms (13 lb) and folds to 67×30×16 centimetres (26.4×11.8×6.3 in), small enough to fit in a rucksack. The first version had 6-inch (15 cm) wheels, which was increased to 8 inches (20 cm) in later models. In 2015, an electric version, the A-Bike Electric, was introduced to the public as part of a Kickstarter campaign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bickerton (bicycle)</span> Aluminium frame folding bicycle brand

The Bickerton, also called the Bickerton Portable, was a portable aluminium folding bicycle designed by Harry Bickerton and manufactured in the UK and Australia between 1971 and 1989. Bickerton, an accomplished engineer, suffered a three-year driving ban for drink-driving in 1970 following a car crash, and invented the bike for himself, to be carried onto public transport or stored in the trunk of a car as small as an Austin Mini.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Wilkinson (cyclist)</span> English racing cyclist

Ian Wilkinson is a British racing cyclist from England, who currently rides for British amateur team Spartans Velo Club. A prolific rider, he competes at the top level in cross country and marathon mountain bike racing, cyclo-cross, circuit and road racing. He is a multiple national champion, winning championships as a junior, under 23 and senior rider. He has represented Great Britain at many international events such as World Championships and World Cups in several disciplines. Outside of cycling, Wilkinson's occupation is as a builder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neobike</span> Company and brand of folding bycicles

Neobike is a company and brand of folding bicycles, made in Taiwan. The company manufactures copies of folding bicycle designs, including those originally created by Brompton Bicycle and Dahon. Neobike's operation in copied products later became Grace Gallant (美捷士企業有限公司), sold under the Flamingo (佛朗明哥) brandname.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurobike</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melon Bicycles</span>

Melon Bicycles was a folding bicycle manufacturer based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Many cyclists refer to the company as Melon Bikes, Melon Bicycles, or simply Melon. Melon Bicycles went out of business in 2014.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Novara (company)</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Folding bicycle</span> Bicycle designed to fold into a compact form

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">TerraCycle (bicycle)</span>

TerraCycle, Inc. is a designer and manufacturer of recumbent bicycle parts based in Portland, Oregon in the United States. TerraCycle is known for its idlers and Cargo Monster load-carrying extensions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David T. Hon</span>

David T. Hon is a Hong Kong-born American physicist, inventor and entrepreneur. He is best known as the inventor and founder of Dahon folding bicycles. Dahon has since grown to become the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of folding bikes with Hon still CEO to this day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tern (company)</span>

Tern is a privately held company that designs, manufactures, markets, and sells bicycles for everyday use. The company is based in Taipei, Taiwan and has offices in the US, China, Finland, and the UK. The company's primary products include folding bicycles, electric bicycles, and cycling accessories which are currently sold in 65 countries.

Maxeurope is a leading Bulgarian manufacturer of bicycles and childcare products. The company owns several bicycle and childcare brands.

A2B is a brand of electric bicycles owned by Hero Eco Group. They have offices in the United Kingdom and the United States. Established in 2008, A2B designs and manufactures bespoke internal motor systems, and is a pioneering creator of eBikes. Their German design team has crafted a range of 11 electric bike models, each of which is named after a prominent technical innovator, engineer or scientist. Primarily tailored for urban/commuting users, A2B have produced bikes that exude a combination of comfort, picked up speed and stylish design. Their motors range from 250w up to 500w in capacities and there is a choice of pedal assistance or throttle power options. To complement the collection, A2B develops custom accessories including carriers and bags.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling in Penang Island</span>

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References

A Dahon bike from c. 1987, in the collection of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis The Childrens Museum of Indianapolis - Folding bicycle - detail.jpg
A Dahon bike from c. 1987, in the collection of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
  1. ↑ "About". Dahon corporate website. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  2. ↑ "Worldwide bike shortage slams brakes on cycling revolution". Financial Times . 10 July 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  3. ↑ Reid, Carlton. "Tern Folding Bike Launches With Automotive-Style Secrecy, Apple-Style Availability". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  4. ↑ "David Hon Published E-Book on Folding Bicycles". Bike Europe. 2016-09-27. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  5. ↑ Guinness World Records 2000 Millennium Edition, 2000, p. 301
  6. ↑ "A Commuter's Secret Weapon". Business Week. Archived from the original on 2009-05-17. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
  7. ↑ "About". Dahon corporate website. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  8. ↑ "Novara FlyBy Shuttle Foldable Bike". REI . Retrieved 2009-05-11.
  9. ↑ "Businesses". Global Alliance for EcoMobility . Retrieved 2009-06-12.
  10. ↑ "Dahon Inks Patent License Agreement with National/Panasonic". Bike Europe. 2000-02-10. Archived from the original on 2013-01-18. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  11. ↑ "USPO listing, Foldable and Portable Vehicle, 1982". Patft.uspto.gov. Archived from the original on 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  12. ↑ "USPO listing, Folding bicycle with releasable brace assembly, 1983". Patft.uspto.gov. Archived from the original on 2012-07-16. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  13. ↑ "Livestrong.com, The History of Dahon Bicycles, 2011-01-08" . Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  14. ↑ "A Commuter's Solution: Bicycle That Folds Up". The New York Times. 1988-05-26. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  15. ↑ "Dahon offers distribution to Western brands in China". Bicycle Retailer. 2012-12-07. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  16. ↑ "Dahon Enhances Global Manufacturing, Adds Key Management". Bicycle Newswire. Archived from the original on 2012-04-24. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  17. ↑ "Dahon to move some bike production to Europe". Bikeradar. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  18. ↑ "Dahon launches New Global Campaign". Bike Europe. Archived from the original on 2011-09-25. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  19. ↑ "Dahon Launches New Line-Up at Taipei Cycle". Bike Europe. 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  20. ↑ "All Folding Bikes". Dahon Coroporate Website. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  21. ↑ "Boardwalk D8". Dahon Coroporate Website. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  22. ↑ Sutton, Mark (2009-03-18). "Kukuxumusu and Dahon team up for limited folder". Bike Biz. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  23. ↑ "Anniversary Campaign Dahon". Bike Europe. 2012-05-29. Archived from the original on 2012-06-28. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  24. ↑ "iF Online Exhibition - Clinch". iF Design. Archived from the original on 2015-04-20. Retrieved 2015-05-26.
  25. ↑ "iF Online Exhibition - 4D Quickpark Stem". iF Design. Archived from the original on 2015-07-09. Retrieved 2015-05-26.
  26. ↑ "iF Online Exhibition - EEZZ". iF Design. Archived from the original on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  27. ↑ "iF Online Exhibition - Metro". iF Design. Archived from the original on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  28. ↑ "iF Online Exhibition - Glide P7/P8". iF Design. Archived from the original on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  29. ↑ "Dahon Ciao Crowned Bike of the Year". Bike Europe. 2006-03-22. Archived from the original on 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
  30. ↑ "iF Online Exhibition - Ciao!". iF Design. Archived from the original on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  31. ↑ "The 25 Best Products of the Year". Fortune Magazine. 2004-12-13. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  32. ↑ "Dahon Files Lawsuit Against former Officers Joshua Hon and Florence Hon". Bike Europe. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
  33. ↑ "Dahon and Tern settle legal dispute". Bike Biz. 2013-03-20. Archived from the original on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  34. ↑ "Dahon notches up Nocturne win". Bike Biz. 2010-06-25. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  35. ↑ "Raleigh-GAC rider wins folding bike race on a limited edition carbon Dahon". Raleigh News. 2012-06-11. Archived from the original on 2013-01-02. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  36. ↑ "Dahon sponsors Smithfield Nocturne's folder race". Bike Biz. 2007-05-30. Archived from the original on 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  37. ↑ "Dahon and Fiat to sponsor Smithfield Nocturne". Bike Biz. 2010-06-18. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-06-11.

Bibliography

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