Minivelo inspiration picture thread [aka Diminutive Bike Prawn.]
#76
Senior Member
Not yet. Bikesdirect did mention a few days ago on the SS/FG forum here they'd be posting pictures and a video they'll upload to YouTube.
I'm reserving judgment until they're ready to show them.
I'm reserving judgment until they're ready to show them.
#77
Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 29
Bikes: Biria Mini-20, Brompton S6L, Cannondale Quick, Cannondale Jekyll
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My minivelos
The Blue Kazoo - a custom titanium frame minivelo with 16” wheels
Biria Mini-20
Titicaca
Tokyo Bike
LDG
Dahon Bullhead
#78
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 781
Bikes: Dahon Jetstream p8 (sold), customized Dahon Helios x10, customzed Dahon Smooth Hound x11,customized Dahon Hammerhead 8.0 d7, Planet X Free Ranger (mullet setup 1x11), Planet X Giovanissimi 20 (1x9), Frog 52 (1x9) and Frog 48 1s
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I like playing with minivelos. I built a hammerhead 7 for my mother using spares I had left after upgrading various other bikes:
This was after I build a Smooth hound to ferry kids around with a trail gator (hence saddle post bracket) and a shotgun saddle
and when the kids became to big for the shotgun, I rebuilt the smooth hound as a road bike for training purposes
With Cyclocross/gravel option
Lovely bike in Winter
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#81
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 781
Bikes: Dahon Jetstream p8 (sold), customized Dahon Helios x10, customzed Dahon Smooth Hound x11,customized Dahon Hammerhead 8.0 d7, Planet X Free Ranger (mullet setup 1x11), Planet X Giovanissimi 20 (1x9), Frog 52 (1x9) and Frog 48 1s
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#82
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chicago Suburbs
Posts: 1,440
Bikes: GT Transeo & a half dozen ebike conversions.
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This was ordered from China via aliexpress a few years ago and turned out to be really small. My 10 year old grand daughter eventually got tall enough to have it.
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#86
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Delaware Sea Shore
Posts: 604
Bikes: There is always room for one more.
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My Bannard Tension-R, a work in progress...
This gives me the urge to score a Huffy Cranbrook off FB Marketplace and make my own version.
Cool bike BTW.
This gives me the urge to score a Huffy Cranbrook off FB Marketplace and make my own version.
Cool bike BTW.
__________________
Don
Don
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#87
Here's a 16" wheeled mini velo I built back on the 90s. It had at least 8 quick release points so everything disassembled and fit into a very small case. Rode it to do the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
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#90
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Ron Damon Dear LORDY!!! That bike is a SHOWPIECE!!!
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#91
My view:
Aesthetically, I think the wheel size should match the frame size; 56cm and above, 700c or 26". 54cm and below, 650c. Smaller still, 24". A folder or BMX frame with low monotube or shallow triangle, 20". It just looks right (and fits a small rider better than big wheels on a small frame).
Folder not as rigid a frame: Sometimes. For a Dahon, only if the monobeam folding joint is loose or worn. Bike Fridays, Bromptons, and others with a swinging rear triangle, I wonder about the lateral stiffness of the swinging joint, as there is enough looseness for it to fold. My Dahon Speed, folding joint in good shape, well adjusted (a locknut really helps there to keep it from loosening), and, an added ersatz "deltech" (taut doubled kevlar line between the bottom bracket and the head tube), and it's plenty rigid, both frame, and the handlebar stem (admittidly for the latter, I have the older one-piece steel stem, not the telescoping aluminum one), it climbs out of the saddle fantastically, no gear jumps, good power delivery.
Of note, just perusing Dahon's 2024 offerings, they now have a 20" folder where the monobeam is significantly raised and level with the heat tube, with accordingly steeper seatstays, and thus, it will not fold as compact as their previous folders. I can only guess it's one of the following motivations: a) Style, looks more like a mini-velo (although to me it's not as attractive), b) It's aluminum but has removed the added gusset between the seat and top tubes previously present on their aluminum frames, as the seatpost is shorter so is exerting less moment, c) The triangle created by the Deltech cable is less shallow, so stronger.
I notably don't like the looks of mini-velos with a tall head tube and parallel top and down tubes, as this is much less rigid than a triangulated main triangle, which could lead to fatigue cracks where those tubes meet the seat tube.
Aesthetically, I think the wheel size should match the frame size; 56cm and above, 700c or 26". 54cm and below, 650c. Smaller still, 24". A folder or BMX frame with low monotube or shallow triangle, 20". It just looks right (and fits a small rider better than big wheels on a small frame).
Folder not as rigid a frame: Sometimes. For a Dahon, only if the monobeam folding joint is loose or worn. Bike Fridays, Bromptons, and others with a swinging rear triangle, I wonder about the lateral stiffness of the swinging joint, as there is enough looseness for it to fold. My Dahon Speed, folding joint in good shape, well adjusted (a locknut really helps there to keep it from loosening), and, an added ersatz "deltech" (taut doubled kevlar line between the bottom bracket and the head tube), and it's plenty rigid, both frame, and the handlebar stem (admittidly for the latter, I have the older one-piece steel stem, not the telescoping aluminum one), it climbs out of the saddle fantastically, no gear jumps, good power delivery.
Of note, just perusing Dahon's 2024 offerings, they now have a 20" folder where the monobeam is significantly raised and level with the heat tube, with accordingly steeper seatstays, and thus, it will not fold as compact as their previous folders. I can only guess it's one of the following motivations: a) Style, looks more like a mini-velo (although to me it's not as attractive), b) It's aluminum but has removed the added gusset between the seat and top tubes previously present on their aluminum frames, as the seatpost is shorter so is exerting less moment, c) The triangle created by the Deltech cable is less shallow, so stronger.
I notably don't like the looks of mini-velos with a tall head tube and parallel top and down tubes, as this is much less rigid than a triangulated main triangle, which could lead to fatigue cracks where those tubes meet the seat tube.
Last edited by Duragrouch; 01-25-24 at 11:07 PM.
#92
With that slack head tube angle, I'm seeing significant "trail", good for stability with those small wheels. Since you built it, do you recall the trail number?
#93
Most of my builds are designed with a 2" trail +-. For more stability, I strapped a bag on the front stem for more front weight and a fatter tire.
You'll enjoy this route even if you are not religious. There's a lot of accommodations so you can wing it. Just set the beginning and ending date.
You'll enjoy this route even if you are not religious. There's a lot of accommodations so you can wing it. Just set the beginning and ending date.
#95
Most of my builds are designed with a 2" trail +-. For more stability, I strapped a bag on the front stem for more front weight and a fatter tire.
You'll enjoy this route even if you are not religious. There's a lot of accommodations so you can wing it. Just set the beginning and ending date.
You'll enjoy this route even if you are not religious. There's a lot of accommodations so you can wing it. Just set the beginning and ending date.
Last edited by Duragrouch; 01-27-24 at 12:37 AM.
#96
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Montreal
Posts: 421
Bikes: 1999 Bike friday NWT, 2009 Bike Friday Tikit, 2023 silverock Dewy, 2008 Dahon Smooth Hound, 2023 Litepro Trifold
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Ron Damon Dear LORDY!!! That bike is a SHOWPIECE!!!
#98
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: The Ring of Fire
Posts: 1,629
Bikes: Several, all affordably priced, none exalted cult artifacts
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Bannard minivelos are no longer available anywhere except as used pieces as it closed down several years ago. My own three Bannard minivelos were all NOS when I purchased them at least six years ago. Come to Bali, and take the NOS Tension-R off my hands. I should mention that I myself custom built and appointed the Sunny. It certainly didn't look like that when I bought it as NOS.
Last edited by Ron Damon; 01-27-24 at 08:28 PM.
#99
Schwinnasaur
An early mini velo I had back before the turn of the millennium.
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