How to Adjust the Handlebar Folding Mechanism on a CONOR INDIE (Dahon clone) Folding Bike

I commute to work each day by bicycle and a few weeks ago bought myself a shiny new CONOR INDIE folding bike.

I chose this bike because it seemed to offer the best quality within my budget. One thing that really attracted me to the bike was the fact that the folding mechanisms are licenced copies of the Dahon folding mechanism.

I looked at a few different models of folding bike and the Dahon folding mechanism (also known as the "ViseGrip" hinge) seemed to be way better engineered than the other options. It is both very quick and easy to use and very firm once closed.

I've been using the bike daily for about 4 weeks now and have noticed that there is slight play in the steering column. This means that the handle post hinge (as dahon refers to the folding mechanism) needs tightening slightly.




Undesireable "play" in the handlebar post


To do this you need to first fold the handlebars down against the wheel.




Fold the handlebar post down


Next the handle post hinged is adjusted using a suitable spanner to tighten the latch bolt as shown in the photo. I tightened it by just under a quarter turn (see arrows indicating direction) this was enough to stop the handle post from wobbling without making the mechanism too tight to close.




Turn the latch bolt to the right to tighten


If the mechanism is difficult to close you need to loosen it by turning the latch bolt in the opposite direction (see below)




Turn the latch bolt to the left to loosen


The main frame hinge clamping mechanism (arguably the most important component on a folding bike) which Dahon call the "ViseGrip Hinge" didn't need to be adjusted. However, I thought I'd include a couple of photos to show how to adjust the main frame hinge clamp.

The working principle is exactly the same as for the handlebar hinge. Simply turn the latch bolt in small increments (Dahon recomend one sixth of a turn at a time or 60 degrees)




Main Frame Hinge ( Dahon ViseGrip)


This direction loosens the clamping mechanism:




Turn the latch bolt upwards to loosen


And this direction to tighten it:




Turn the latch bolt downwards to tighten


The ViseGrip Hinge is correctly adjusted when it closes firmly but without needing excessive force.

According to Dahon specifications:

Steel framed bikes 29 - 59 N
Aluminium framed bikes (like my CONOR INDIE) 49 - 59N

It took about a minute to adjust the handlebar post folding hinge.

As always, if you have any questions please leave a comment below and I'll try and answer as best I can.