Minivelo inspiration picture thread [aka Diminutive Bike Prawn.]
11-02-09, 07:00 AM
#1
Raleigh20 PugFixie, Merc
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Minivelo inspiration picture thread [aka Diminutive Bike Prawn.]
Just some minivelos I've seen recently. Thought I'd share.
Gotta learn to braze!
Gotta learn to braze!
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My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
11-02-09, 07:01 AM
#2
Raleigh20 PugFixie, Merc
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More:
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My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
11-02-09, 07:01 AM
#3
Raleigh20 PugFixie, Merc
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More:
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My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
11-02-09, 07:02 AM
#4
Raleigh20 PugFixie, Merc
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and finally:
Anyone got some more to share?
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My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
11-02-09, 08:28 AM
#5
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Well, just my modified SmoothHound, but it's hardly as exotic as the pictures you put up. I must admit, though, some of them are certainly an acquired taste.
LP: I'm curious. I don't think mini-velos have been accepted much here in the US. How popular are they in the UK? It seems like they've only been popular in Asia.
LP: I'm curious. I don't think mini-velos have been accepted much here in the US. How popular are they in the UK? It seems like they've only been popular in Asia.
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11-02-09, 08:39 AM
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The key to riding one is good medium width tires. Skinny road bike tires are out without some form of suspension as in the 20" size they can give a harsh ride. I'm looking to build up my own mini velo.
Thanks for the pics!
Thanks for the pics!
11-02-09, 08:45 AM
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They are popular in Asia because space is at an premium and they lend themselves well to being tossed in a car trunk or stored in a closet. They are basically adult size frame bikes centered around 20" wheels. They are NOT folders but rigid bikes.
In the US, the closest to mini velos was the short-lived F1 BMX fad, which involved adult frame bikes designed for asphalt racing.
In the US, the closest to mini velos was the short-lived F1 BMX fad, which involved adult frame bikes designed for asphalt racing.
11-02-09, 08:51 AM
#8
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Nice photos! Noticed a few of the photos were taken here in Yokohama. Nice to be living in the Minivelo center of the universe!
Tomorrow, the deliveryman is expected bring my wife a minivelo birthday surprise - a white Louis Garneau MV1:
Tomorrow, the deliveryman is expected bring my wife a minivelo birthday surprise - a white Louis Garneau MV1:
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Yuba Mundo v3
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1257542...7625172858328/
Bikes in Japan
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1257542...7621962738106/
www.yokohamaliving.blogspot.com
Yuba Mundo v3
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1257542...7625172858328/
Bikes in Japan
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1257542...7621962738106/
www.yokohamaliving.blogspot.com
11-02-09, 09:24 AM
#9
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I think there are many people who love the unique riding characteristics and look of small wheeled bikes and they want the best possible small wheel ride that they can get.
...aaand there are those like my wife, who just feel more comfortable on a smaller bicycle.
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Yuba Mundo v3
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1257542...7625172858328/
Bikes in Japan
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1257542...7621962738106/
www.yokohamaliving.blogspot.com
Yuba Mundo v3
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1257542...7625172858328/
Bikes in Japan
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1257542...7621962738106/
www.yokohamaliving.blogspot.com
11-02-09, 09:27 AM
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The frame is rigid and riding it feels more like being on a traditional bicycle. And that's why people choose to ride a minivelo over a folder.
11-02-09, 10:46 AM
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I like the proportions of this Mini-velo. That's the biggest problem I have with some of the other models, the proportions don't seem right to me.
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11-02-09, 10:48 AM
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The question for the US market is: why would someone choose a minivelo over a standard frame bike?
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11-02-09, 11:52 AM
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It looks cool, its fun to ride and its a space saver. Those are three reasons to market minivelos here. If they ever get around to the US.
11-02-09, 12:11 PM
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Besides the flamingo legged asian girl, this is my favorite:
11-02-09, 12:39 PM
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11-02-09, 01:37 PM
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Working on a daily basis on my 2010 project. Ti or not Ti, black, blue or white, XTR or XT,...
11-02-09, 02:06 PM
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Raleigh20 PugFixie, Merc
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I have seen two Hammerheads since 2006 and that's it. One was at one of our little forum meets at Hyde park so I don't think it counts.
I think people have the same problem with them as folders - they look too non-conformist and the wheels make them look like kids bikes. If that was the case for motor vehicles, cars would be for kids and agricultural tractors would be for adults. It's about conditioning really. If they were everywhere and were all you could get - people would have no trouble as it'd be the norm. In london there's kinda a special rule for bromptons 'because they're so practical' that means they sort of have acceptance, with the proviso you can say something negative about the cost.
Minivelos are hard to 'get' I think - with a folder the folding part explains away the strangeness because they have to be strange to fold. With a minivelo, there's no such easy ride. It has to explain it's small wheels!
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My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
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11-02-09, 02:07 PM
#19
Raleigh20 PugFixie, Merc
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I'm just wondering WHY Dahon don't do a white Hammerhead. This thing is SWEET.
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My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
11-02-09, 02:14 PM
#20
Raleigh20 PugFixie, Merc
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To clarify the text at the top of this thread - when I say 'seen' I don't mean in the flesh. These are all from Flickr and Google image searches. But that we had such a verdant and lush crop of minivelos here in smelly london...
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My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
My Raleigh Twenty site | foldr : A flickr pool | #6460, #5632 & #3407 on the fixedgeargallery
11-02-09, 08:17 PM
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I like Gios Panto. Needless to say, it is not available in the US
.
.
11-02-09, 08:26 PM
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heheheh Little Pixel
That thread has me coming back and back and drooling over all those sexy bikes .... is this the largest collection of pictures of minibikes ever or what ?
wonderful
thor
That thread has me coming back and back and drooling over all those sexy bikes .... is this the largest collection of pictures of minibikes ever or what ?
wonderful
thor
11-02-09, 09:15 PM
#24
Senior Member
Just arrived - one Louis Garneau MV1!
I just took it for a short spin - nice that my wife and I can both fit comfortably on it!
7 speeds, smooth shifting, a comfortable ride - sweet little bike methinks! A tan Brooks saddle and new grips and she'll be even sweeter.
I just took it for a short spin - nice that my wife and I can both fit comfortably on it!
7 speeds, smooth shifting, a comfortable ride - sweet little bike methinks! A tan Brooks saddle and new grips and she'll be even sweeter.
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Yuba Mundo v3
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1257542...7625172858328/
Bikes in Japan
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1257542...7621962738106/
www.yokohamaliving.blogspot.com
Yuba Mundo v3
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1257542...7625172858328/
Bikes in Japan
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1257542...7621962738106/
www.yokohamaliving.blogspot.com
11-03-09, 03:52 AM
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RE folders verse mini velos.
Its has just occurred to me, were Giant trying to do this with their unusual clip folding bike? Best of both Worlds attempt. It would be good if mini were available in the US as then they would reach the UK quicker!
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/_uploa...CLIP_BLACK.jpg
Mean while I could lust after a Moulton!
https://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~yutaka_i/gallery/
Its has just occurred to me, were Giant trying to do this with their unusual clip folding bike? Best of both Worlds attempt. It would be good if mini were available in the US as then they would reach the UK quicker!
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/_uploa...CLIP_BLACK.jpg
Mean while I could lust after a Moulton!
https://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~yutaka_i/gallery/