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thanks @NormanF!

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cool scooter...https://me-mover.com/

wesmamyke

Strida folding bike maybe? Looks like the cheapest is $5-600. The one I tried a long time ago was surprisingly light. They all have 16" wheels I think.

Getting on one might be weird or challenging if you need the low step over of a folding bike, you have to hop on them from the back.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=strida+fol...ax=1&ia=images

Edit: I just remember them being very flexy/comfortable in a good way and very upright.

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@wesmamyke thanks! I've tried them before. It's definitely on my backup list if I am not able to find a smaller bike!

canklecat

Ditto, Respect Cycles, if you don't mind the 20" wheels. Very simple, lightweight, and they offer a 2-speed SRAM Automatix. I was very tempted by one back in August while considering a folder for neighborhood errands. I'd need more than two gears beyond my immediate neighborhood, but for grocery store runs I could manage with two.

And if you don't mind another folder, even if you seldom fold it up, there are a gazillion variations of 16" wheel models with every conceivable combination of components. I was considering a Tern with 20" wheels and the same 2-speed SRAM Automatix, but for a lot less money there were a couple of Dahon-clone frames with 3-speed internal gear hubs and 16" wheels as options.

fietsbob

https://www.bikefriday.com/bicycles/bantam

john4789

How's that for instant gratification?

Leisesturm

Are you on commission or something? Did you miss this from the o.p.:

But lets say they had a grand lying around... would it be the best use of a custom Bike Friday to tool around town at 6mph to 8mph??

CliffordK

I think that Bantam is a kid's sized bike. But, we do need a bit better description of the OP's size and configuration of the current bike.

If he needs something real custom, then it will cost some real dough. If not, keep an eye on the used market.

I don't see why a person can't ride a nice bike however they see fit. Does every rider of a CF road bike have to be able to sustain 20+ MPH for hours?

Some of the super small Chinese/Japanese folders don't have the appearance of being super fast, and apparently the OP is ok with that.

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@CliffordK the top one is what I have had for 1 year. It's the best fit except it's too heavy and with too many moving parts.
and the bottom one was one of the options that I plan to buy. It's better than the top one on every aspect (less moving parts, regular chain instead of 2step Chain+belt drive combo, even with fenders for SF's rain in winter, Yesh!). Unfortunately it's almost as heavy as the top one(I thought it should be much lighter with simplified design).

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@john4789 if you know the city, on Embarcadero only is actually the reason that 12" bike + 1 speed could pull it off. It's along the shoreline and flat from start to end of my commute.

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@Leisesturm, thanks for noticing that. I am NOT rich enough to invest that much into this highly specific part of commute. Instead of quality, I used quantity to keep the commute interesting. That's why I had a Dahon, a Paratrooper and the 12" free-ride in the past. After riding the 12" one in past 1 year I've figured out that it's the right size, right speed and most fun one for daily commute. However, it's hard to carry into office due to it's weight. And I am a bit concerned going over trenches and bumps 'cuz of the design - so many moving parts in order to fold it into a tiny cube. I hardly fold it at all! Therefore, I am looking for a similar 12" bike or scooter as a gift to myself in 2016.

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I replaced original tires with big apple high pressure ones. Not sure whether the 3-spoke rims(they might not have the hook) allow me to do the same...

rhm

Strida is also what I'd recommend. The riding position is very much like walking, much more so than any other bike I've ridden. For an aggressive rider they can be a bit frustrating, but if you only want to ride at two or three times walking speed, it should be fine.

I don't suppose you'd be interested in a used one? I've stopped using mine.

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thanks @rhm you are in NYC?

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@smallwheeler do you know the brand and model of this bike?
https://lh3.ggpht.com/-0P0toTzyYQA/T...0/DSCN2096.jpg

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Never mind, found it through google image search. It's some Japanese bike. ox peco!

eff-J

I don't really follow your logic there. Many who ride on the roads "do it dangerously and inconsiderately". I wouldn't consider that justification for outlawing bikes on the road though.

noglider 

Cyclists often endanger pedestrians when riding on the sidewalk. Cyclists endanger only themselves on roads. Or you could look at it another way: motorists create the danger, and cyclists expose themselves to that danger. By that latter logic, there might be justification for banning motor vehicles from roads. But I see no reason to ban cyclists from roads.

PatrickGSR94

So I have a question: why does it need to have 12" wheels? If you can go to a 16" wheel there are thousands of other options, including some really cheap stuff on eBay. I also just saw some decently-priced Dahon 16" bikes on eBay, for $200-$300.

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@PatrickGSR94 'cuz that's the smallest I feel comfortable with( I want my bike to be as short as possible.) Those 8" 17bicycle(made in Japan) or A-Bike(British design) are just too tiny for the road condition I have. 10" is used by the Fake-A-Bike made in China only. Based on my experience with my current 12", I felt it confident riding.
@here If any of you have experiences riding a 10", I'd love to know how you felt about it.

gregjones

My trailer uses a 16" wheel. I don't think that I'd want anything smaller. Finding tires and tubes would be difficult at best and very limited in choice for sure.

You could get some solid rubber tires off a Hello Kitty girl's bike, but they're white.

Leisesturm

But what is the largest tire size you feel comfortable riding? That really is the question. Bigger really is better when it comes to traveling over uneven surfaces like sidewalks.

Dahon.Steve

I would give up the 12 inch wheel non folding bike search. I was only able to find an folding electric bike in 12 inch wheels but it was expensive. I don't think there there should be a problem with a 16 inch wheel folder and there are many. The Citizen bike I listed is 20 inch and weights 27 lbs. The 12 inch electric folder is far heavier.

Citizen Bike folding bike shop | Portable & Folding Bikes | SEOUL Citizen Bike 20" 6-speed Folding Bike with Alloy Frame
VeloMini 1 speed folding electric bike

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found another 12" one, cheaper than ox peco.
It's called Nanoo Nanoo Bikes - CycleTechReviewCycleTechReview

About 1/2 the price of ox peco. It's available on Amazon.
I couldn't find where we can buy ox peco anyways.