Catching Up on the 10th Annual DAHON International Distributor Conference

Last month was a busy one for DAHON with our annual DAHON International Distributor Conference (DIDC), Taipei Cycle Show and launch of the CURL on Kickstarter. Read on for a roundup from DIDC.

Every year DAHON gathers its distributors and partners from around the world, to catch up and primarily give our global network an exclusive on our new models and technology. This March 21st DIDC took place just before the Taipei Cycle Show in Taipei, Taiwan. The annual meeting provides a chance for face to face conversations that make the world of difference in our ongoing relationships. Some of our distributors have been with DAHON for 3 decades! Various departments and directors also share their insight, annual reviews and future plans.

Dr David Hon presents the Curl

The buzz this year was all about the DAHON Curl, the brand’s first ever Kickstarter, first rear-flip folding bike and DAHON’s most compact folding bike.

The 35th Anniversary CURL follows the company’s original vision of green transportation. Integrated with 11 technical patents, it is not just a refinement of what has come before – it represents an almost total overhaul that completely changes the riding experience of folding bicycles. The bike features a hydroformed, Dalloy (DAHON alloy) frame with oversized rectangular tubes, as well as taking advantage of a flip-fold rear wheel (first seen on Di Blasi folding bikes). Double down-tubes, approach a front triangle. The unique V-shaped coupling between the front and rear triangles turns the bike into a hard-tail. Furthermore, an extra-large head-tube and handlepost are combined with DAHON’s inverted fork stem to provide even more strength and stiffness for steady steering and efficient pedaling. Proper respect is given to structural physics to furnish the much-needed stiffness, durability and safety, far exceeding all safety standards for regular bikes. The removable pedals are stronger and more compact than anything in the league. There is even a roller rack for easy wheeling when folded. With three speeds in an internal hub gear, the CURL offers great range whilst remaining low-maintenance. A telescopic handlebar post and seat post allows for ergonomic adjustment for riders up to 190cm and 150kg. In 15 years of R&D, much more is packed into this small package. The end result is a compact, light folding bike, with a stronger, safer, better ride, that is as easy to carry as it is to fold.

A number of other models were on display, with classics having been refreshed for 2018 with improved specs and decals. E-bikes and vertical folding bikes were as popular as ever, with bestsellers such as the Vybe, Mariner and Vitesse still representing accessible, practical folding convenience for the global market.

Distributors were encouraged to try out the bikes, particularly folding and unfolding and DAHON collected detailed feedback on every aspect of the design.

Senior staff from the DAHON group across the globe came together to bring their unique market perspective and keep everyone on the same page.