LOS ANGELES (BRAIN) — Dahon recently unveiled the Mariner XL in the U.S., a folding bike engineered to benefit larger and taller riders. Weighing 31.65 pounds, the bike features a reinforced design that supports a maximum weight of 330 pounds, about 40% more than typical folding bikes, according to Dahon, and can accommodate riders from 5-foot-1 to 6-foot-7.
The K-frame is manufactured from aviation-grade aluminum alloy and validated to withstand 50% higher loads than standard city bike requirements, according to Dahon. The fork and seatpost also are similarly validated. The handlepost is validated at 30% higher loads, according to Dahon, which adds the entire design underwent more than 100,000 extreme stress cycles.
The Mariner XL is spec'ed with 22-inch wheels and multi-terrain tires. Other features:
- Shimano RD-M310 8-speed drivetrain paired with a custom aluminum 52t chainring and 11-32t cassette.
- Tektro HD-M280 disc brakes.
- Folds into a 29.5-inch × 15-inch × 33.5-inch space, fitting into car trunks, public transit, or tight home storage.
The Mariner XL is available in frost gray, leaf green, matt obsidian, and wine and costs $1,299.
