Folding Bikes - Kent Ultralite folder

Last year I bought a Kent Ultralite Magnesium folder but have not done much with it. I recall a few posts about it and was wondering what, if any, upgrades or modifications anyone has done to make the bike a bit more ridable. My biggest complaint is that the gearing is too low. I would consider turning it into a single speed, if possible, but don't want to throw too much money into it.

Last year I bought a Kent Ultralite Magnesium folder but have not done much with it. I recall a few posts about it and was wondering what, if any, upgrades or modifications anyone has done to make the bike a bit more ridable. My biggest complaint is that the gearing is too low. I would consider turning it into a single speed, if possible, but don't want to throw too much money into it.

I can't remember who this Kent belongs to, but I saved the photo b/c I was so impressed with the mods:

58179

The photo came from somewhere in the folding bike forum but I can't remember where.

Also, check out ridethisbike.com. They stock three variations of the Kent: a singlespeed, 6 speed derailleur model and a 3 speed hub-geared version. You might not be in the market for a second Kent but at least this site will give you some mod ideas.

For reasons that escaped me, there was a bit of a fad for buying Kent folders on this forum about a year ago. I think it may have been that given how cheap it was selling for, it couldn't possibly represent poor value for money. Also maybe some people were slightly deranged for a short period of time. Check this thread (http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=249073). The conclusion seemed to be that this was a bike that was only - at best - moderately usable. You might get a better return on your money by selling and picking up something rather better second hand. Alternatively, you could I guess try to upgrade everything, whilst bearing in mind that this will do nothing to sort out the eccentrically placed bottom bracket...

I used to own one which got stolen, and I'm buying the same model to replace it. It's an ok value for your money, especially if you're like me and can't afford anything more expensive. It's useful for my purposes--the low gearing is fine because I'll be using it mostly on hilly terrain near my uni and near school zones near my house (lots of kids crossing, so not safe to go fast, really). The only thing I'd change on this bike are the pedals, seat, tires, and maybe the crank and chainring if I suddenly decide I want more speed. Of course, I'll be doing those mods as the parts wear out, as I can't afford to right now. :o

If you can afford to, do get a better bike. Otherwise, the Kent isn't a bad bike, and you'll probably have fun upgrading parts for not much money. :)

The only thing I'd change on this bike are the pedals, seat, tires, and maybe the crank and chainring...
That's some list - I guess the frame and the stem must be feeling pretty special! ;)

I haven't really ever checked out the cheap folder market, beyond noting the huge number of "ridden only once" cheap folders that seem to flood Gumtree, suggesting that even at the price, these bikes are best avoided.

Any suggestions for what the best possible folder purchase might be for $100-$150 / £50-£75? In the UK, you can pick up a very nicely preserved Raleigh 20 for that money, which must be a better buy, surely?

That's some list - I guess the frame and the stem must be feeling pretty special! ;)

I haven't really ever checked out the cheap folder market, beyond noting the huge number of "ridden only once" cheap folders that seem to flood Gumtree, suggesting that even at the price, these bikes are best avoided.

Any suggestions for what the best possible folder purchase might be for $100-$150 / £50-£75? In the UK, you can pick up a very nicely preserved Raleigh 20 for that money, which must be a better buy, surely?

Haha, yes. The frame is good and sturdy, and the stem is weird what with the handlebars being welded on, but also good. For the $100-150 price, there aren't many good ones that I know of other than the Kent Ultralite. Used Dahons and R20s are probably better as long as they're well-preserved. My only annoyance is that in the US, you don't find many used ones, and even if you did, finding replacement parts is a pain.

IMO, it's got really bad geometry which could have been simply fixed by the manufacturer if they had mounted the bottom bracket in front of instead of behind the seat tube.

Friends don't let friends ride Kent.

IMO, it's got really bad geometry which could have been simply fixed by the manufacturer if they had mounted the bottom bracket in front of instead of behind the seat tube.

Yeah, true. But for me, moving the seat all the way back fixed that problem, so no biggie. I like this bike, but then again, I like any bike that gets me from point A to point B without breaking on the way. :p

Yeah, true. But for me, moving the seat all the way back fixed that problem, so no biggie. I like this bike, but then again, I like any bike that gets me from point A to point B without breaking on the way. :p

Hmm....how much do you weight and how tall are you?

Also, can anyone comment on the fold of the Kent?

That's some list - I guess the frame and the stem must be feeling pretty special! ;)

I haven't really ever checked out the cheap folder market, beyond noting the huge number of "ridden only once" cheap folders that seem to flood Gumtree, suggesting that even at the price, these bikes are best avoided.

Any suggestions for what the best possible folder purchase might be for $100-$150 / £50-£75? In the UK, you can pick up a very nicely preserved Raleigh 20 for that money, which must be a better buy, surely?

Haha, yes. The frame is good and sturdy, and the stem is weird what with the handlebars being welded on, but also good. For the $100-150 price, there aren't many good ones that I know of other than the Kent Ultralite. Used Dahons and R20s are probably better as long as they're well-preserved. My only annoyance is that in the US, you don't find many used ones, and even if you did, finding replacement parts is a pain.

For fifty US dollars more, I have bought the Dahon Boardwalk S1. No, it does not have more than 1 gear, or very fancy. It is a basic well made solid all around bike. I had it now for 4 years next month with no major problem. I think if you buy a bike-especially a folding one-I would go for the best you can afford rather than focusing too much on saving money. I vote for reliablity, dependable transport, and a brand that will be around for a while rather than just being cheap.

A couple of people have offered some alternatives, like the R20 or Dahon Boardwalk, but these are all 20 inch wheeled bikes. I guess the problem is that there really isn't a decent sub-$300 alternative to the Kent. For this reason, I think the Kent isn't a bad bet...provided someone is trying to remain in the $200-300 price range.

And stick with 16 inch wheels

Interesting to find that there is a bit of a Kent fan club. Any Apollo or Bike-in-a-Bag fans out there?

Interesting to find that there is a bit of a Kent fan club. Any Apollo or Bike-in-a-Bag fans out there?

I didn't see that Apollo made any folding bikes (at least according to their website) and the Bike-In-A-Bag was 180 UK pounds...that's $375. At that price point, why not go with the Dahon Curve?

apollo (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&partNumber=894253&langId=-1) folding bike. Looks like one of the nasty Chinese ebay folders. Only one gear. Overpriced at £89

Hmm....how much do you weight and how tall are you?

Also, can anyone comment on the fold of the Kent?

I'm 5'4", 110lbs, so yeah, no problems. I think anyone over 5'8" or 5'9" would have problems with this bike.

The fold is ok, nothing spectacular. It will NOT stay folded unless you carry it and set it down a certain way. However, if I sit on the rack when I set it down (like, if there were no seats on the subway), it stays folded. Dunno why.

A couple of people have offered some alternatives, like the R20 or Dahon Boardwalk, but these are all 20 inch wheeled bikes. I guess the problem is that there really isn't a decent sub-$300 alternative to the Kent. For this reason, I think the Kent isn't a bad bet...provided someone is trying to remain in the $200-300 price range.

And stick with 16 inch wheels

The cheapest 16in folder is the Dahon Curve I think, and even that breaks my bank. Impoverished student, y'know? 20in and one speed folders don't cut it for me because I ride on the busiest and most crowded buses on earth and bike around on very hilly places. So yeah, there really isn't any cheaper alternative. I wish there was.

I think if you buy a bike-especially a folding one-I would go for the best you can afford rather than focusing too much on saving money. I vote for reliablity, dependable transport, and a brand that will be around for a while rather than just being cheap.

Problem is, the Kent is the best I can afford. :o I will eventually save up for a Curve D3, but my "poor student who needs to go to China next spring" budget simply does not allow for a better bike.

apollo (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&partNumber=894253&langId=-1) folding bike. Looks like one of the nasty Chinese ebay folders. Only one gear. Overpriced at £89

Here we go - the classic Gumtree ad...here (http://www.gumtree.com/london/41/15760341.html)

Problem is, the Kent is the best I can afford. :o I will eventually save up for a Curve D3, but my "poor student who needs to go to China next spring" budget simply does not allow for a better bike.

Why are you going to China? I want to go there.

I bought the Kent thinking it might work as a lightweight, secondary folder that could be tossed in a car or packed for travel. I occasionally travel to places where a bike for short hops would be handy. If it didn't survive the trip or got stolen, it wouldn't be a great loss. I put higher pressure tires on it, which made a great difference in rideability.

Why are you going to China? I want to go there.

Tour w/ choir...basically it was a "be there or we the choir directors and asst directors will pester you to death about not going" thing, so I have to spend around $2400 for it. I do wanna go, but I just wish I had the money for both the bike and this tour.

*shameless money grubbing commencing*

If you guys have any extra money, you can donate to the choir program and help us lower the costs of the tour, which might enable me to buy a better folder!! Click here (https://giving.ucla.edu/Standard/NetDonate.aspx?SiteNum=61) to donate. It's tax deductible!!

*shameless money grubbing ends*

Maybe you can buy a really really good folder there!

20in and one speed folders don't cut it for me because I ride on the busiest and most crowded buses on earth

You take this large Kent folder on the bus! Do you put it in a bag? How many times a week do you do this? Has the driver kicked you off because the package was too big? Do you get complaints from other passengers?

You take this large Kent folder on the bus! Do you put it in a bag? How many times a week do you do this? Has the driver kicked you off because the package was too big? Do you get complaints from other passengers?

Well, I only took it on the bus four times ever. First 3x, I put it on the rack, and everything was ok. The last time though, the bus drove away before I could get to the front to retrieve my bike. Baibai folder. :cry: Now I'm gonna put it in a bag and keep it with me at all times. Passengers don't complain that much about large packages. I mean, people take their folding carts on the bus, and people roll their eyes or sigh, and that's it. With the bag, at least I can put the bike in the cargo area at the front and keep it from rolling on other people's toes.

I can't remember who this Kent belongs to, but I saved the photo b/c I was so impressed with the mods:

58179

The photo came from somewhere in the folding bike forum but I can't remember where.
...

I'll take the credit/blame for that one! That bike is no longer in the form pictured, though. After i got my Downtube Mini in May I switched the fenders over to that; removed the dynamo and head/tail lights because they were fragile, unreliable, and a general pain in the neck; and put on a conventional stem and handlebar (the latter actually came off an R20). Now my 8 and 10 year old kids ride it when there's a need for them to ride a folding bike, which is not that infrequent. I still ride it myself occasionally because the combination of folding capability plus the rack on the back gives this bike a specific utility that none of my other bikes have (I can ride it with my tiny but tough daughter standing on the rack, holding on to my shoulders-- not safe in general, but okay for one mile or so that we need to cover).

As for the comments others have made in this post, I agree with almost everything. The frame seems sturdy enough; the whole package is light enough; the bottom bracket should be farther forward; it is too small for a 6' man (such as myself) (but I ride it anyway); and so on. I cannot comment on the fold because since I changed the handlebar setup on mine, it doesn't fold as intended anymore. The bike is woefully undergeared with a 45T (or was it 46?) chain ring and 14-28 freewheel; I changed the former to a 52 which helped marginally -- turned the bike from almost unrideable to barely rideable, that is. With the larger chainring, however, the chain rubs on the frame occasionally (or in some gears -- I haven't checked) so the gearing, despite modification, is still unsatisfactory.

One day soon I plan to rebuild the rear wheel with a Sturmey Archer three speed hub. No doubt this sounds insane, but I happen to have an old 40-hole hub provided by a dumpster near where I live. I haven't decided whether to go with 20 spokes in the existing rim as is, or whether to drill 20 more holes in it; the deciding factor will be whether the holes are on- or off-center in the rim, which I have not checked. The SA hub will allow me to go back to the stock crank and chainring, which will suit the kids better. I will probably have to buy a 13 tooth cog for the hub, because my local dumpster has so far failed to provide one.

As Yamcha implied, the word "Kent" pretty much says it all about this bike. As it comes out of the box, it is not a good bike. But if you add up what you'd spend on just a few of its parts, such as the brakes, frame, rims, tires, and seatpost... then it is probably worth the money. I believe there is the potential to build a pretty good bike out of it... but as far as I know nobody, myself included, has actually succeeded in doing so.

Rudi

With the bag, at least I can put the bike in the cargo area at the front and keep it from rolling on other people's toes.

Cargo area on a public bus?

(I can ride it with my tiny but tough daughter standing on the rack, holding on to my shoulders-- not safe in general, but okay for one mile or so that we need to cover).

Shame shame Lord Linley! :p

Shame shame Lord Linley! :p

Yeah, yeah. Actually we've done that on the Strida as well, and I'm pretty sure it's safer on the Kent; the rack appears to be stronger (though barring catastrophic failure, I am not likely to find out...). We do not go into traffic. Either way I s'pose it's nice to have SOMEthing in common with a member of the royal family.