Unboxing The 8 Speed Dahon Mariner D8 From GPBIKES!

The good people at Dahon reached out and asked if I wanted to review their latest Mariner D8 and boy was I impressed!

[@Toogoodtobetrue458]

Nice AP - u can lower the steering flat bar.

[@PittwaterMowing]

Looks like a nice bike

[@kyriakoskitsios]

What is the max weight for a rider?

[@spidermancrawlingtheweb]

I got the same one recently too :)

[@chuaweihsien9704]

Where to get it?

[@marcwang4830]

Thanks Jamie. Looks aside, is this better than a brompton ?

[@jacquesdesbecquets1106]

Bonsoir from Canada, Marc Wang and all others. Thanks Jamie Lim for highlighting the Dahon Mariner. To answer the question, I happen to own both the D8 Mariner and a Brompton H6R (British-made). The Brompton was great for an airplane trip that I undertook to Newfoundland-and-Labrador (Atlantic Canada) in July 2022 as I could fit it in its travel case. But portability comes at a premium price (the Brompton's sticker price and the optional travel case). For all-around versability, I don't think that anyone can go wrong with the Dahon Mariner D8. It simply packs a lot of features (plastic fenders to keep the water away, eight great gears, the rear rack, the adustable height handlebars stem and decent grips with a palm rest). And 20-inch wheels are nice to ride on. Be warned: wherever you go, you will be likely to attract some -- dare I say "envious"? -- stares as some people have never seen this kind of bicycle. But campers, Asians and Europeans are more familiar with them because of sheer space -- or travel -- considerations. Since owning such bicycles (and always having my Mariner "bungied" onto the rear of my driver's seat in my Toyota Matrix), I have thoroughly enjoyed stopping somewhere for a quick spin in a lovely area or going off on holidays and using it as alternative transportation when I feel like it. Try folding bicycles: I bet you will love it!

[@beachstart]

Great to see you back :-) Thanks for the review. Greetings from Germany. PS: There is still the transport protector on the front wheel axel ;-)

[@allanchin5309]

Would be helpful if you can mention the price and weight

[@millenium2003]

$800-$900ish weighs 28 pounds

[@rydmerlin]

You know you want that Ti Brompton :-)

[@kyriakoskitsios]

How fast it can go? On horizontal level.

[@jacquesdesbecquets1106]

Bonjour from Canada, les amis! To answer Kyriakos, I own both the Dahon D8 Mariner and the British hand-made Brompton (H6R, six-speed). I am in no way an expert or fit rider -- in fact, I pedal because I find it's easier than walking... I'm a cerebral palsy survivor, so my leg motricity is an issue -- so I find that a leisurely pace for both bicycles is easily 20-22 km/h. On a flat portion, if I speed, I can reach 30-32 km/h for short bursts. I hope this helps. Keep on riding everyone... in decent weather, that is!

[@mastixmastix]

Worst bike I have ever had Yhe folding mechanism is a nightmare Cannot recommend it to anyone

[@noels8817]

I've owned two Dahons (one is a Mariner) - for folding, I highly suggest using a bungee cord, just hook on any part of the frame that can catch the bungee hook (I use the handlebar stem end part and frame seat stay), and I lug it on public transportation, stores, etc. One thing, this thing zips, pretty fast for a folder (I am a roadbike racer by hobby)

[@mastixmastix]

@@noels8817 Thank you very much- I will try that