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Dahon Debuts First Bicycles with New Shimano
Capreo Component Group
Capreo group is designed exclusively
for folding bicycles.
DUARTE, California — August 2002— Dahon
California, Inc., the world leader in folding bicycles, today
introduced the first folding bicycles equipped with Shimano's
new Capreo component group, a group designed specifically for
folding bicycles. As a Shimano development partner, Dahon will
be one of the first companies to use this new group on its 2003
models.
"Folding bicycles are entering the mainstream and there's
no better sign of this than Shimano's interest in this market
segment," stated Joshua Hon, Dahon vice president of sales
and marketing. "Over the last 20 years, there have never
really been specific components for folding bicycles - we've
had to custom design and manufacture most of the special components
that we use. Obviously it makes it a lot easier for us when
Shimano enters the market with components designed specifically
for our bikes. We're very honored that Shimano chose to work
with us on the development of this new group." "In
the coming years, bicycles will play an increasingly important
role in transportation, especially in crowded urban centers,"
stated a Shimano representative. "Folding bicycles in particular,
will play a very important part in helping solve the transport
problems that already face us. When we decided to work on this
project, we approached Dahon, a market leader that has worked
for 20 years to build the folding bicycle market to where it
is today."
The Shimano Capreo group includes a 9 spd. rear derailleur,
shifter, brakes, hubs, cranks, and bottom bracket. All components
are customized for the specific requirements of small-wheeled
folding bicycles. Standard drive train components are designed
for 26" and 700c wheel sizes and so are not ideal for smaller
wheels. The most significant feature of the new Capreo group
is the 9 spd. drive train featuring a revolutionary 9-26T cassette,
allowing for more optimal gearing.
Dahon will feature Capreo components on its Vx 9.0 and Helios
P9 models which will be available in January 2003.
"Optimizing the drivetrain has always been a head ache
for us," continued Hon. "The new Capreo components
give us the freedom to create more innovative designs. This
new group is an excellent first step by the biggest name in
the industry."
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