Folding Bikes - Solution for commute + kid?

Hi all,

Finally delurking after long enjoying your posts from here in Brussels.

I would like to get a folder for my commute (10km one-way, fairly flat, don't know yet whether it'll include trams, subways or buses) which I can also use to pick up my 3-year old after school. She rides a trike currently but tires fast. Was wondering what the solution(s) might be:

- child seat on a larger-wheeled folder like a Dahon Cadenza or Glide? (is the 24" wheel high enough?); or
- trailer bike (what folders could you attach one to?).

Any suggestions would be most appreciated. To say thanks, here's a piece of info I haven't seen on any other board. Maybe you know Mike Flanigan of ANT bicycles? He's test built 2 folders for his own use (http://www.antbikemike.com/newsandevents.html, scroll down to 3rd paragraph under Winter 2007 newsletter), which he hopes to add to his line at some point. 3 speeds, belt drive, coaster brake. Looks cool...

thanks again,
Patrick

- child seat on a larger-wheeled folder like a Dahon Cadenza or Glide? (is the 24" wheel high enough?)
What's really going to matter is if the Glide has eyelets to attach a rack, which it probably does; someone like Thor should know for sure. However, there are other ways of getting around the eyelet issue so it's not a big deal - having eyelets is just more convenient. Wheel size is a non-issue. I've attached a child seat/rear rack to 20" wheeled folding bikes in the past, including a 20" wheeled recumbent.




- trailer bike (what folders could you attach one to?)
People in the past have said they would try to attach a trailer bike to their long seat posts, but I have not heard anything since then. No matter though. Burley has (re-)released the Kazoo (a cheaper Piccolo) which attaches to their rear rack instead of a seat post. Most like this design better. The only negative I see just from pictures alone is that the trailer bike does not fold.

Those folders from ANT look very sturdy. Utility for sure.

I have a young one also and have experimented with various setups. Here are my random thoughts:

- Rear rack child seat (like RhodeGear Co-Pilot) - I found my feet hitting his feet in this setup due to the shorter wheelbase of 20" folders, so gave up on that.

- Trailer bikes - The problem is the seatpost clamp provided with most trailers. Most folders have a larger diameter seatpost because of the longer extension required. This is not an unsolvable problem, however. But, I don't see how a trailer helps you with storage or public transportation issues.

- Do-it-yourself solution - Here's the best solution that I ended up with. Downtube (US$299) + Cruzbike kit (US$350) + 2 days of tinkering.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/dadnicholas2.jpg

SesameCrunch - it rather looks like you are steering with a game controller, like a PS2 or something!
(It's just the angle of the photo I guess)

Now that would be a trick! ;)

I don't remember what brand my trailer is off-hand, but it clamps onto the frame and wasn't specifically designed for a folder. For the KHS Mocha and Dahon Vitesse D7 it attaches to the frame and for the Dahon Mu SL it attaches to the rear rack.

Here's a pic with the part of the frame it attaches to:
http://stang99.w1.com/biking/img/dahon_hilite.gif

If I'm not mistaken, most trailers are designed this way. Don't think I've ever seen one attach to the seat post.

Oh, unless you're talking about something like this??

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21G650BMRSL._AA160_.jpg

SesameCrunch - it rather looks like you are steering with a game controller, like a PS2 or something!
(It's just the angle of the photo I guess)

Now that would be a trick! ;)

Nope, the fly-by-wire version will not be out until the next release :D.

Oh, unless you're talking about something like this??

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21G650BMRSL._AA160_.jpg

Yes, that's what I was thinking of in terms of a trailer. I guess you were thinking of this:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/21D2X9F4GDL_AA160_.jpg

Given the OP's child is 3, I figure he/she would soon outgrow the carrier type of trailer.

Brompton. Always.

http://www.bikefix.co.uk/i/itchair.jpg

http://clevercycles.com/blog/images/itchairupkerbc2.jpg

INFO (http://itchair.info/)

Given the OP's child is 3, I figure he/she would soon outgrow the carrier type of trailer. Yeah, it really depends on your application. If you've got multiple kids (we often ride with my sister's family) it's sometimes easier to cart them all around. But even with a single child (we've also got a 3-year-old) it's nice to just plop her in the carrier and go out for a spin without worrying too much about her getting tired, losing patience, etc. You've also got a little space to carry things around if you stop by the store.

I imagine using the trailer until about 6 but overlapping that with her own bike eventually.

Could an average 3-year-old even reach the pedals on those trailer bikes?