Folding Bikes - Folders for kids

It is time to replace my 8 year old daughters 'Pink Wally-world special' now that she is off the training wheels. I'm not real impressed with the options available for her. And so, since I've been pondering a new folder for myself to replace my racer road bike, how well do kids fair with the folders? I would think with the adjustability, a folder for a kid could be a life long option. Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks

A lot's going to depend on how tall the child is and the adjustability of the handlebars (vertical and horizontal).

Lots of childrens bikes are heavy, sluggish and bad quality. I remember finding out that my sons bike weighed almost 50% of his weight. Imagine riding a bike like that yourself? I think folders for kids is a great idea, but has to be the right folder. Maybe you need to adjust reach (long toptube lenght), but with the right bike that can besolved. I us northroad type bars on one ofmy folders. That brings the riders hands much closer to the torso. Small hands need small brakehandels and so on.

Sixty use folders for his kids. Wait for him to drop in or PM him.

I think it is an excellent idea if you take in to consideration the size of the hands and reach. I can take my Twentys down far enough that the 8 year old daughter of one of our friends can ride it. She thinks it is awesome that she gets to ride a "real" bike.

Aaron :)

I agree with your supposition that folders make great bike for kids. It grows as they do. My Downtube Mini has been ridden by 6 year olds and 6 foot tall riders. For the 6 year old, I turn the stem around so the bars are inward on the bike. Then lower the seat, and voila!

I also have this YouTube video of my son riding my Abio Verdion 20" belt-drive folder. The handlepost was turned inward so he could ride it. This was not a permanent change.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7OhSwjQD-4

A Citizenbike Tokyo perhaps? http://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.asp?product_category_id=1&product_id=10

The handlebar seems closer to the seat than most folders, and it'll "grow" with her as she gets bigger.

And for a lighter weight bike, there's the 3 and 6 speed Kent Compact.

http://www.bikes4families.com/kent-kent-compact-nexus-speed-folding-bike-p-42.html

http://www.bikes4families.com/kent-compact-16-lightweight-aluminum-folding-bike-p-7.html

Now truthfully, the only potential issue if there is any, is how low can the handlebar adjust on the handle-post. But it maybe it's not an issue at all.

Just a thought.



It is time to replace my 8 year old daughters 'Pink Wally-world special' now that she is off the training wheels. I'm not real impressed with the options available for her. And so, since I've been pondering a new folder for myself to replace my racer road bike, how well do kids fair with the folders? I would think with the adjustability, a folder for a kid could be a life long option. Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks

Thanks for all of the input from each and everyone. I will start my research...again.

I agree with your supposition that folders make great bike for kids. It grows as they do. My Downtube Mini has been ridden by 6 year olds and 6 foot tall riders. For the 6 year old, I turn the stem around so the bars are inward on the bike. Then lower the seat, and voila!

I also have this YouTube video of my son riding my Abio Verdion 20" belt-drive folder. The handlepost was turned inward so he could ride it. This was not a permanent change.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7OhSwjQD-4

Is this the same child featured in your "Downtube Cruzbike" vid? They sure grow fast, don't they!

Is this the same child featured in your "Downtube Cruzbike" vid? They sure grow fast, don't they!

Yes, same guy! They do grow up fast.

Thanks for all of the input from each and everyone. I will start my research...again.

For some ideas on shortening the reach, take a look at the last three pics in this link:

http://downtube.com/Adjustment_Instructions/Stem_Adjustment/

You can also do this with a "stemless" set up as well:

http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/technical/aberhallo6.htm

I've decided on the Citizens Tokyo for her, surprisingly she said wow, and picked the gray color. That said, I really like the Citizen Gotham. I've been debating between a Downtube Nova or a Dahon, but the Gotham is pretty sweet looking. Anyone have any reviews on how well the Citizens bike perform, last, etc...?

While the retail price of the Gotham is $30 less than the Nova (when shipping is included), word on the street is that people have been getting Novas for low $200s at Downtube's eBay storefront. Also, keep in mind that the Nova has quick-release hubs, a big plus when you need to remove the wheels.

Are you talking about the original Gotham, or the Gotham2? One individual had posted his impressions on a variant of the Gotham called the MTA Metrobike and liked it very much.

Another person who is the husband of a woman who posted her impressions on the Citizenbike Barcelona had purchased a Gotham2 but hasn't yet posted a review. Hopefully one day.

Good call on the Tokyo for your daughter. The more I thought about it, the more I believed that it would be a better fit for her, and the fact that she already fell in love with it sure doesn't hurt.:)



I've decided on the Citizens Tokyo for her, surprisingly she said wow, and picked the gray color. That said, I really like the Citizen Gotham. I've been debating between a Downtube Nova or a Dahon, but the Gotham is pretty sweet looking. Anyone have any reviews on how well the Citizens bike perform, last, etc...?

Gotham2

Gotham2

Yes that is one sweet looking bike, and from what I can tell, in that price range, a "game changer".

I've decided on the Citizens Tokyo for her, surprisingly she said wow, and picked the gray color. That said, I really like the Citizen Gotham. I've been debating between a Downtube Nova or a Dahon, but the Gotham is pretty sweet looking. Anyone have any reviews on how well the Citizens bike perform, last, etc...?

Oh no! I already get a lot of kidding from my 18 year old son for riding a "kiddie bike". Seriously, I think your daughter will be happy with her Tokyo, and it is quite adjustable. I have my handlebars about as high as they'll go but there is plenty of room to adjust down for shorter people. Do make sure you take it to a LBS to have it checked out when it arrives - mine needed spokes tightened and wheels trued a bit.

Nobody loves folders more than me and I have one for my 11 year old (which she doesn't ride anymore) but remember that the handlebars and frame will fold right the heck up if not latched properly. You have to trust that your kid will inspect the latches before they ride or when the bikes are sitting static that the neighborhood brat doesn't mess with them out of boredom.

Not sure I'd put a real young kid on a foldy without very direct constant supervision.

John

I'm not to familiar with the quality of components, does the Citizens Gotham2 have decent components? And if any, what modifications does the Gotham2 look to need. Like everyone, I'm trying to buy the perfect bike, or atleast one that is affordable and then slowly make it perfect.
Thanks for all the replys so far.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4424846484_6d43839a1e.jpg

My 7 year old has no trouble handling my Curve SL, but he would need a shorter seatpost - not safe having the bottom of post only 3 inches off ground.

I'll hand it off to him after I get my next bike - which hopefully will be a Curve SL 2011 edition with 11 speed Alfine IGH and Gates Beltdrive.:thumb:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4424846484_6d43839a1e.jpg

My 7 year old has no trouble handling my Curve SL, but he would need a shorter seatpost - not safe having the bottom of post only 3 inches off ground.

I'll hand it off to him after I get my next bike - which hopefully will be a Curve SL 2011 edition with 11 speed Alfine IGH and Gates Beltdrive.:thumb:

Check the overall height of the seat post you need, you might be able to wack a few inches off the bottom, just remember to remark the minimum insertion point.

Aaron :)

Well, my kids Citizens Tokyo came in. She loves it. It was here just when the fed-ex delivery site said it would be. When it arrived, I immidiatly took the box to the LBS and dropped it off. $50.00 and two days later, she was off and riding. I rode it around a bit, I was pleased with everything, other than the weight. It is having some shifting issues in 1st and 2nd, but I'm sure its something that an adjustment somewherewill take care of. This being the first folder in the family, I did notice a different riding position than I'm use to. I'm still cruising around on my 'shifters on the downtube' road bike. My bike is significantly lighter than her 25lb. Tokyo, SO, now I'm still on the fence for getting a folder for myself. I was seriously considering the Dahon Speed 8, but for now, I guess I'll just cruise on the old roadie. Thanks for all the input.

No need to take the bike to the LBS for minor derailleur adjustments. Just follow this video:


http://www.intownbicycles.com/how-to/bicycle-repair-videos/index.php?v=how-to-adjust-bicycle-gears

Enjoy your Tokyo!

Congratulations to your daughter! I'm happy to hear that she loves her new Citizenbike.

I believe the shifting issue is very easily taken care of. I noticed someone has posted a link to a video showing how to do it.

Oh by the way, the Tokyo weighs 29 lbs., not 25 lbs.


Well, my kids Citizens Tokyo came in. She loves it. It was here just when the fed-ex delivery site said it would be. When it arrived, I immidiatly took the box to the LBS and dropped it off. $50.00 and two days later, she was off and riding. I rode it around a bit, I was pleased with everything, other than the weight. It is having some shifting issues in 1st and 2nd, but I'm sure its something that an adjustment somewherewill take care of. This being the first folder in the family, I did notice a different riding position than I'm use to. I'm still cruising around on my 'shifters on the downtube' road bike. My bike is significantly lighter than her 25lb. Tokyo, SO, now I'm still on the fence for getting a folder for myself. I was seriously considering the Dahon Speed 8, but for now, I guess I'll just cruise on the old roadie. Thanks for all the input.

I just adjusted my Downtube Mini for my 6 year old. Turned the handlebars around so that it faces into the bike. He already has a 20" Specialized HotRock kid bike, but I sold him on the Mini's 8 speeds. We just finished a nice inaugural ride with great success. I'm hoping this bike will last until his teen years when fashion will become a consideration.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/NIcholasDowntubeMini1.jpg

Video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7maqxGlCir0