thanks to the great info on this forum, I got myself a swift which I love. Now that I'm hooked on folders, i'm looking for a folder which would work for my 9 y.o. (but only 4'3" ) son - he's turning into a bike enthusiast and I'm hoping to start taking longer rides with him. Where I live, that really necessitates putting the bikes in a car and getting to a trail or something along those lines that's safe. I remember the misery of using multiple locks etc. on bike racks and also have a car which would require an expensive rack so a folder seems a good solution. I can't see the point of getting a really cheap heavy bike but also can't quite get behind buying, e.g. a new curve. any ideas on bikes somewhere in between those two price points? I saw a curve like flying pigeon on ebay - anyone have any sense of how their folders are?

Thanks for the wealth of knowlege on the forum - the only bad thing is that you have revived my latent (since arrival of child) bike addiction.

If you could get your hands on a Dahon Sweetpea (14-inch wheels, single speed), that might fit him (er, just don't get the pink one with flowers for him, I suppose haha!).

https://www.dahon.co.uk/sweetpea.htm

Although if he fits a Curve, that's a bike he can ride for a long time, way into adulthood.

I would go with a Kent Ultralite. It shouldn't too heavy and it should be small enough for your son. Also it's cheap.

As for Flying Pigeon. They're one of the oldest bike makers in China. They basically made the Model T of chinese bikes. In recent years they've started making different designs for export. Expect somewhat low quality. Also, the bike may be heavy.

--sam

I know some dodgey people who ride Kent Ultralites

Good suggestion actually. don't Walmart do them your side of the pond? If not a Dahon Curve D3 should be a good choice and adjustable as he grows. So would the Kent of course!

My 11 year old son is riding my Kent Ultralite now, and likes it pretty well. And I heard you can get one with a three speed hub now, which is a big plus. But he prefers my Downtube Mini, which is simply a better bike. My 9 year old daughter can also ride the Mini but it's a bit large for her (she's a peanut); even so, if you're looking to buy something, there's a lot to recommend a good quality 16" wheel folding bike, i.e. either the Curve or the Mini. Not the Kent; the quality is just too low.

I believe Raleigh made child size folders, like an RSW-14 or something, and later a version of the Twenty with proportionally scaled down wheels... if you can find one of those, that would be really cool. And of course there's the Moulton Mini, if you can find one.

+! RHM

I forgot the Downtube Mini great bike with more versatile gearing.

If on stricter budget then the Kent.

wow- thanks for the fast and helpful replies. the sweet peas look adorable but between the tanking dollar and cost of shipping, a curve would be cheaper, I think. and I'm in NYC where there are at least plenty of bike stores that do folders.

does anyone have any experience with the breezer itzy? their bikes aren't too well reviewed in general but its minimum height is small enough for him. and it's the only name brand 14" I've seen thus far. But if it's no better than the kent and costs twice as much, it's not too appealing...

Rhm - I was a bit confused - you said your son likes the kent but that the quality is too low? I like the downtube mini as well (and of course, it would fit me at 5'9" - there's that bike addiction thing) but I think that the minimum height is more like 4'8" or so and my son is still probably 5 inches shy of that.

Thanks again.

Hi rim117. No I think RHM meant the Kent was perfectly OK but the Mini was a better bike as it should be as it is in the Curve pricing beacket.

There's a reg on here who uses an Ultralite almost daily to commute to uni and she finds it very durable and dependable for her needs. I'm sure your son would too.

I have a Dahon Stowaway that I just picked up really cheap, and ALL the kids in the neighborhood ride it. Thats the cool thing about folders is the really can accomodate a lot of different riders. my son is 7, the neighbor girl is 10, another is 12, and I bought it from a kid that was about 17. They all like it. If I hold onto it, it may be the only bike my 3-1/2 yr old daughter ever has Its a 5 spd too.

R-20's : A Fast Blast from the Passed!