Soobie Children's Folding Bicycle: Can It Last for 10 Years? Perfect for the Budget-Conscious! But can even Jason ride it?

Posted by Jollymap - 2025-01-15T00:00:00.000+08:00 - 2025 Folding Bike Recommendation

In Hong Kong, parents often keep a close eye on their budgets due to high living costs and limited space. Extracurricular activities for children, such as music, chess, and arts, can also incur significant expenses. As a result, many parents hope their children can engage in more physical activity, making cycling a great choice. The ideal bicycle should be easy to store and durable, so it doesn't need to be replaced every few years, which is the best option. However, there aren't many folding bicycles specifically designed for children on the market. Since we introduced the Horizon Flip16 last year, it has gained widespread popularity. If you'd like to revisit that introduction, you can find the link at the end of this article.

As parents' demand has grown, many have begun to inquire about other options. Today, we will introduce another brand focused on children's folding bicycles—Sooibe—and share the features of its two models. These bicycles claim to be usable for ten years, but how do they differ from regular adult bikes? Today, we will break it down for you. If you want to learn more, be sure to watch until the end!

Sooibe Brand Introduction - A Quality Choice for Children's Bicycles

Today, we will introduce the brand Sooibe. Sooibe has been focused on producing children's bicycles for over ten years, and their product line is quite extensive, claiming to have sold over one million bicycles worldwide, which is truly impressive! Today, I will highlight two models that are particularly suitable for families in Hong Kong: the 14-inch model 007 and the 16-inch model 009. These models not only meet children's needs but also adapt well to the living environment in Hong Kong, providing parents with an ideal choice.

Introduction to the 007 Folding Bicycle - The Ideal Choice for Kids

First, let's introduce the 007 Folding Bicycle. It features a wheel size of 14 inches, but this does not mean it can be directly compared to typical children's bicycles (such as those with 14-inch or 16-inch wheels).

To determine whether this folding bicycle is suitable for children, it's essential to observe several key factors, including the frame length, seat height, crank length, and handlebar height. These design details significantly impact the child's comfort and safety while riding, making the 007 Folding Bicycle an ideal choice for kids.

Frame Design - Tailored for Children

First, let's take a look at the frame design of the 007 Folding Bicycle. Its frame and front fork are made from lightweight aluminum alloy, which not only reduces the overall weight but also enhances maneuverability. Compared to a typical 14-inch folding bicycle for adults, this model features a noticeably shorter frame, making it better suited to a child's physique.

Children have relatively shorter torsos; if the frame is too long, they may find themselves leaning too low while riding, which can affect both comfort and safety. This design takes children's needs into full consideration, allowing them to easily handle the bicycle.

Seat and Crank Design - Enhancing Riding Comfort

In addition to the frame design, we also need to pay attention to the adjustability of the seat height. The 007 Folding Bicycle features a seat that can be significantly adjusted, making it easy to accommodate the child's leg length and meet their specific needs.

However, one often overlooked aspect is the length of the crank. Many designs use longer cranks intended for adults, which means that even with a lower seat, children have to lift their legs higher while pedaling, potentially causing discomfort. Fortunately, the 007 Pro features shorter cranks, reducing the height children need to lift their legs while pedaling, making it easier for them to ride.

The distance from the center of the crank to the lowest point of the seat is approximately 46 centimeters, making this bicycle particularly suitable for children around 110 centimeters tall. This design further enhances riding comfort and safety.

Handlebar Design - Safety Considerations for Children's Needs

Regarding the handlebars, the design of the 007 Folding Bicycle is notably lower than that of typical adult folding bikes, making it better suited for children's physiques. Additionally, it features a certain degree of adjustability, allowing parents to modify the height according to their child's stature. As a result, when the seat is adjusted to a lower position, the handlebars will also lower accordingly, preventing children from experiencing discomfort from having their arms hanging too low while riding.

Overall, the frame, seat, and handlebar dimensions of this bicycle are designed to accommodate children ranging from 110 centimeters to approximately 150-160 centimeters tall. This aligns with the manufacturer's claim of a lifespan of about 10 years. For 4- to 5-year-old children, who may not yet have mastered the skills of riding a bicycle, training wheels are often necessary for support. Sooibe's thoughtful design in this regard facilitates the use of training wheels, ensuring that children can learn to ride more safely and confidently.

Training Wheel Design - Innovative and Easy to Remove

In addition to the aforementioned designs, the training wheel system of the 007 Folding Bicycle is a standout feature. If a child quickly learns to ride, removing the training wheels can often be a hassle. However, this bicycle’s training wheels use a patented design that allows for easy reversal in just a few simple steps. Let me demonstrate:

Pull down the training wheels.
Flip them upside down.
Place them back in position.

This way, the entire training wheel assembly can be folded up for convenient storage. However, it’s important to note that children should not stand while the training wheels are in the reversed position, as we cannot ensure their weight-bearing capacity. Additionally, according to Hong Kong law, bicycles are not allowed to carry passengers.

Other Features

In terms of additional configurations, this bicycle comes equipped with foldable pedals and holes for a water bottle holder, making it convenient for children to use while riding.

Moreover, its V-brake design enhances safety. The handlebars are relatively slim, tailored to fit children's hand sizes, providing a better grip. This ensures that they feel more comfortable and secure while riding.

Introduction to the 009 Folding Bicycle - A More Advanced Option

Next, let me introduce the 009 Folding Bicycle. The main difference from the 007 Pro is that this bike features 16-inch wheels and is equipped with a Shimano 6-speed gear system. This design is tailored for slightly larger children, making it suitable for riding in various terrains, including uphill and downhill paths.

Riding Distance and Seat Design

In terms of seat design, the height of the 009 Folding Bicycle is elevated compared to the 007 Pro, with the minimum distance from the crank to the seat being 48 centimeters. This design allows children to have a longer pedaling distance while riding, enhancing overall comfort during their cycling experience.

Interestingly, the handlebar height of the 009 Folding Bicycle is similar to that of the 007 Folding Bicycle, as its front telescopic tube is slightly shorter. With its longer frame, this bicycle can accommodate children as short as approximately 115 centimeters and up to around 160-170 centimeters in height. This thoughtful design allows the 009 Folding Bicycle to accompany children through a longer growth period, making it a more advanced choice.

Frame Design - High-Quality Materials Similar to the 007 Folding Bicycle

The frame of the 009 Folding Bicycle is consistent with that of the 007 Folding Bicycle, utilizing aluminum alloy for both the front fork and the frame. This ensures a lightweight yet durable design. Not only does this reduce the overall weight of the bike, but it also enhances the vehicle's maneuverability.

Features and Comfort

In terms of features, the 009 Folding Bicycle also includes mounting holes for a water bottle holder, allowing children to stay hydrated during their rides. Additionally, its V-brake lever design takes into account the needs of young riders, featuring slimmer handlebars for easier gripping. The gear shift system utilizes a twist design, making it simple to operate and helping children learn to use it with ease.

Seat Comfort

The 009 Folding Bicycle comes equipped with a thick and comfortable seat, ensuring that children do not have to worry about discomfort or pain from prolonged sitting during their rides. This thoughtful design prioritizes the comfort of young riders, allowing them to fully enjoy the pleasure of cycling.

Weight Comparison - 007 Pro vs. 009

Now, let's address the weight aspect, which is a common concern. The 007 Pro, including training wheels, weighs approximately 8.8 kilograms. In comparison, the 009 Folding Bicycle, including pedals, weighs around 9.5 kilograms. Both folding bicycles are designed to be relatively lightweight, making them easy for children to ride and carry.

Color Choices - Designs That Appeal to Kids

Both models share similarities in color options. The 009 offers three color choices, while the 007 Pro comes in four. Color is often an important consideration for children when selecting a bicycle, so whether it's the 007 Pro or the 009, parents can easily find a bike that matches their child's preferences, enhancing their attachment to their new ride.

Riding Experience - Performance of the 007 Pro and 009 Folding Bicycle

In today's testing, we found that both bicycles largely meet the manufacturer's claim of being usable for ten years. There are even suggestions that these models are suitable for adult riders. I personally tried both bikes to evaluate their riding experiences.

First, while I could ride the 007 Pro, it felt somewhat narrow, particularly in terms of foot space, which led to a bit of discomfort. In contrast, the riding experience on the 009 was much more natural, with ample room in the front foot space, making for a more comfortable ride.

In conclusion, the designs of both bicycles take into account the needs of different age groups. Whether for children or adults, the entire family can easily enjoy riding, making cycling more fun and convenient.

Riding Experience - 007 Pro

Riding Experience - 009 Folding Bicycle

More Options - Children's and Adult Folding Bicycles

In addition to the two children's folding bicycles, the 007 Pro and the 009, we offer a variety of other folding bike options for both kids and adults. These bicycles are designed to meet different needs, ensuring that every family can find the perfect fit.

We invite you to visit our store or check out our website for more exciting folding bike products! Whether you're looking for a bike for children or adults, we have a wide range of choices available. We look forward to seeing you!