01 Mar DAHON Concludes Successful 9th Annual Distributor Conference in Taipei
World leader in folding bikes presents 2017 products to distributors ahead of Taipei Cycle Show
Tuesday 1 March 2016, Taipei, Taiwan – World leader in folding bikes, DAHON, today wrapped up their 9th annual DAHON International Distributor Conference (DIDC) in Taipei, Taiwan. The company timed the event for the convenience of its partners to take place one day prior to the Taipei Cycle Show.
DAHON CEO and founder Dr. David Hon opened the conference, which was attended by more than 60 distributors from almost 30 countries. The company’s guests were given first look at DAHON’s 2017 range of folding bikes, which were introduced and laid out for test riding, along with new parts and accessories. Updates among the 2017 bike range include the Visc D9, with a dynamic new frame shape and 16” wheels that give it the edge in terms of weight and folded size, as well as speedy performance. The Visc has been kitted out with 20” wheels since its launch in 2013, and the 2017 Visc D18 retains the 20” option and original frame shape for the many fans of this bike. The Speed D30 is also new to the lineup; the classic DAHON frame shape is equipped with drop bars and a generous 30 speeds via a SRAM Dual Drive system. Schwalbe Durano tires and Shimano Tiagra brakes make for a clean looking and fast riding folding bike.
The 2017 offerings were particularly marked by a bumper range of new technology in parts and accessories. These included the Curl Folding Pedal, which while looking familiar, is much stronger and more durable than its antecedents. Featured on the DAHON Curl, it is updated to be larger in usable space but actually folds more prone. DAHON’s well known PostPump has been evolved upon in the Post-Pump II, an independent, ultra-slim bicycle pump that can be stored inside seatposts of either 31.6mm or 33.9mm diameter. Connect to the seat-post, step on its stabilizer and pump with the speed and ease of a regular pump. The folding bike innovator also presented a unique device for increasing the strength and safety of the majority of folding bicycles. The Safeline is made of strong flexible cable/chain and completes a triangle between the front and rear halves of the frame, where it matters most. The welding around the mid-hinge is where stress concentration is most severe. This area is provided extra protection from cracks. This simple device turns even a cheap folder into one passing safety standards with flying colors. An innovative handlepost shape was also on show; the Eiffel Handlepost is a newly invented rectangular handle post is shaped partly quadrate and partly cylindrical. This results in greatly increased strength/intensity, both direly needed for small wheeled folders. Finally, guests at the conference had the chance to try out the D2D Stem, developed as a natural offshoot from DAHON’s award winning D4D Quickpark stem, the D2D offers streamlined adjustability for optimal handlebar positioning. With use of a high leverage but slim and ergonomic quick release, the D2D allows a rider to adjust handlebar height and rotation without the need for tools.
In addition to the 2017 test riding and product presentation, the DAHON team outlined their latest marketing and sales policies and took feedback from distributors. DAHON Europe MD Hans Retzlaff reported on the subsidiary’s first year of operations, and bicycle industry veteran Tadihiro Kodama (former CEO of Bridgestone Cycles USA) presented his vision for the company’s future and was introduced as a new board member of the DAHON group.
Following the day’s presentations, attendees sat down for dinner and the DAHON Distributor Awards. With over 50 companies making up DAHON’s global distribution network, star performers were thanked for their achievements in 2015 and awards were presented as follows:
- Most Promising New Distributor – Quality Bicycle Products Inc, USA
- Best Sales Performance – Comus International, Germany
- Best Growth – Takeda Industry Co. Ltd, Japan
- Best Distributor in Social Media – Nava Bike Co., Ltd, Thailand
- Most Loyal Distributor – Akibo Corporation, Japan
- Best Service – Buzaglo, The Netherlands
About DAHON：
In 1982, DAHON ignited the folding bicycle revolution with the introduction of the DAHON Convertible, the forefather of most modern-day folding bicycles. Today, DAHON is recognized as a world leader. Spearheaded by the guiding principles of innovation, reinvention and technological leadership, DAHON is committed to creating quality product, a unique riding experience and green mobility solutions for people leading active, environmentally friendly lifestyles. Headquartered in California, DAHON’s offices, factories, cooperating assembly plants and distributing partner network reaches around the world. For more information regarding DAHON’s products, please visit www.dahon.com.
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