# Where is the frame number on a Dahon bike?

Canonical: https://www.cyclesite.co.uk/trust/frame-numbers/dahon
Last reviewed: 2026-08-14

**Quick answer:** The frame number on a Dahon folding bike is usually under the bottom bracket or on the main frame tube close to the folding hinge. Unfold the bike completely first, because a folded frame hides most of the tube where the number sits.

On a Dahon, check underneath the bottom bracket first, then along the main frame tube near the fold. Dahon builds folding bikes, so the frame is jointed in the middle and the usual flat surfaces are broken up by the hinge and its latch. Unfold the bike fully and stand it upright before you start looking.

## Start under the bottom bracket.

This is the most common place to find a Dahon frame number. It is the part of the frame between the pedals, on the underside.

1. Put the bike somewhere safe and well lit.
2. Turn it upside down carefully, or place it in a workstand.
3. Look underneath the frame where the cranks meet the bike.
4. Wipe away mud, grease or road dirt.
5. Use a phone torch if the number is hard to read.
6. Take a clear photo before typing the number into a checker.

### If it is not under the bottom bracket

- Near the rear dropouts, where the back wheel fits into the frame.
- Around the seat tube.
- On the underside of the down tube.
- Near the head tube at the front of the bike.
- On the original sales receipt.
- In your Dahon registration email or paperwork.
- With the Dahon dealer that sold the bike.

## What a Dahon frame number looks like

A unique alphanumeric code stamped or printed on the frame. Dahon does not publish a public serial format, so record the full code exactly as you find it.

### Not the frame number

- Dahon Mariner
- Dahon Speed
- Dahon Boardwalk
- Dahon Vybe
- Dahon Curl
- Hinge or latch part numbers
- Frame size
- Safety standard numbers

## Unfold the bike before you look

A folding frame hides its own serial. When the bike is folded, the main tube is doubled back on itself and the bottom bracket area is pressed against the rear wheel. Open the bike out fully and latch it before searching, or you will be looking at the half of the frame that is covered.

## Buying a used Dahon

A clean-looking bike is not always a safe buy. Before you pay, ask the seller for a clear photo of the frame number and check it against stolen-bike records. You should also ask for:

- The original receipt or proof of purchase.
- The seller’s name matching the receipt where possible.
- Clear photos of the bike from both sides.
- A photo of the frame number.
- Any service history.
- Details of upgrades or replacement parts.

## Bottom line

The quickest place to find a Dahon frame number is underneath the bike, near the pedals. Look for a stamped code or barcode sticker, copy the full number, then check it before you buy, sell or register the bike. A used Dahon can be a brilliant buy, but the frame number is the detail that protects you.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is a Dahon frame number the same as a serial number?

Yes. Most people use frame number and serial number to mean the same thing. It is the unique identifying code attached to the bike frame.

### Do all Dahon bikes have a frame number?

Most Dahon bikes have a frame number or serial number. Check the locations described above first; on older frames the marking can be shallow or worn, so clean the area and check in good light before concluding it is missing.

### What if the Dahon frame number has been removed?

Do not buy the bike. A removed or damaged frame number is a major red flag. It may make the bike harder to register, insure, resell or prove as yours.

### Can I check if a Dahon bike is stolen by the frame number?

Yes. Use the frame number to run a stolen-bike check before buying. You should also ask the seller for proof of ownership and check that the details match the bike.

### How do I register a Dahon bike in the UK?

Find the frame number using the locations described above, then record it against your Dahon. It is free, and you need an account so we know where to send the alert. If that exact number is ever reported stolen to us, we email you. If anyone then lists a bike carrying it, the listing is hidden until the seller proves it is theirs.

## Related pages

- Free stolen-bike check: https://www.cyclesite.co.uk/stolen-bikes
- What a used Dahon is worth: https://www.cyclesite.co.uk/value/dahon
- Stolen Dahon bikes: how to check one before you buy: https://www.cyclesite.co.uk/stolen-bikes/guide/stolen-bikes-by-brand-dahon
- Used Dahon prices by model: https://www.cyclesite.co.uk/value/dahon
- Used Dahon bikes for sale: https://www.cyclesite.co.uk/bike-brands/dahon
- Frame numbers for other brands: https://www.cyclesite.co.uk/trust/frame-numbers

Source: Cyclesite editorial, reviewed 2026-08-14. HTML version: https://www.cyclesite.co.uk/trust/frame-numbers/dahon