chaadster

Hey Y'all,

I wanted to start a general thread to collect info about mini-velos over here in the Road forum because, while there has been a good deal of chatter over in Folding Bikes forum about them, aside from the small wheel commonality, that forum seems like an awkward place for these bikes, since they're not folding (as a rule).

In any case, I'd love to see a Mini-Velo forum, but lacking that, since I use mine for casual road riding, I wanted to see who else does, and share info about sources, parts, and set-up for our mini-velos.

Mine is a Mercier Nano. What are you riding?

halfspeed

Flip it.
Front skewer is on the wrong side.
Pedals are at the wrong angle.
No white garage door.
Saddle is angled.
Bike obviously doesn't fit you.

Welcome to the 41.

bikerjp

Now THAT's a tall head tube.


Also, what's the point if it's not folding?

Rob13

What ever floats your boat ~
sorry only comment I have....

rebel1916

Now that is a masterful troll, earnest, straightfaced, and irresistible. Well played

Reynolds 

That frame looks too small.

chaadster

Oh you guys just wait until I get my 68t chainring and 11t cog...

Rob13

What it remind me of.

sbxx1985 

I suppose I can understand why you'd buy a bike like this if it folds. Even that's a stretch.

But it doesn't fold, and since you have the option, why would you choose to ride a mini bike over a regular road bike?

banerjek

I've never seen FT shifters before

bengreen79

flip it and slam it

Bianchigirll 

Personally I think they are kind of funky looking. I would not mind having one but I am not sure I am ready to plunk down $400 bucks for it.

I agree though the OPs bike does look a bit small, judging by all that seatpost.

James H Haury

I feel better with a solid frame under me rather than a folder.That is why I would buy one. I have been wanting a mini velo for years.

rooftest

This is really a thing? My BMX bike became way too small for me about 6 inches ago - so it won't work for me.

moppeddler

How many clowns get off of that thing when it stops?

BarracksSi

My wife would like to see one in person. She likes the idea of small wheels, which would make it easier for her to carry it out of the apartment building and stash in the car.

Lighter and sturdier than a folder, too.

chaadster

In the same way they're easy to manage in hand, they're flickable and fun to shoot around with on the road, too.

If you've only been riding 700c/29 or 26" lately, you'll probably find the 20"ers a real joy and a great addition to your stable.

veggie

I kind of want one of these, if not just to add to the stable. Do I see mounts for a rack on the seat stays? Seems like a stretch

monsterpile

Here is my Windsor Shetland. Its my favorite bike and I have plenty. To answer the previous post asking about a rear rack. I attached one with no problem it was just like putting it on any bike. The size panniers I can put on the bike are limited by the shorter chainstays, but the Nashbar ones on there are perfect for what I need on this particular bike. When I bought this I thought I was being silly spending money on something I didn't need that I thought just looked cool. After a couple of days I was convinced I had a bargain. It doesn't fold, but in less than a minute I can take off the wheels and stow it in the trunk of my car and its easy enough to pack around on trips. The bike fits me as well as anything else I ride and I am about 5'10".



This one a bought a couple months ago becasue it was better suited for commuting or longer trips than the Shetland and I plan to put dropbars and brifters on it. Mini velos are awesome IMO.

veggie

Looking at your picture, I realize it was all just a trick of the eye. The small wheels made the seatstays look huge when in fact they are not. I wish I wasn't a poor college student who just blew a lot of money on a tandem and was looking to move out soon, because now I want one of these.

owenfinn

Minivelos are lighter, stiffer, more responsive than folders. They are popular here in Japan as they can be stored easily in crowded apartments and bagged and taken on the train easily. Most importantly, they are really fun to ride.

Tyrell makes some of the best.

chaadster

Curious to know why you say this bike (is it a Gazelle?) is better suited to longer rides? Is the longer wheelbase more comfy?

monsterpile

I should have qualified it as longer trips as a better option for possible touring with the canti or V-brakes and the longer wheelbase to load it up. I can't say for sure its more comfy because I haven't done the drop bar conversion yet, but it does have a more stable ride. I'll mention though that I would have no issues with riding the Windsor for hours as far as comfort is concerned.

chaadster

Yeah, my Nano is pretty comfy, too, although the smaller wheel does give up some comfort to a 700c rog over the rough stuff.

It would be interesting to compare the ride quality differences between Shetland and Nano; I'm guessing the geometry is the same, and that only the frame material ( steel vs. alu) differs. You've probably got the only one in the world, though, eh?

ttakata73

Minivelos are awesome, don't knock them till you try one.
The geometries are very similar to big bikes but they accommodate the smaller wheels.
Hence the clownish headtube, high bottom bracket, and long stays.

I compare 700c bikes to locomotives, they take longer to get up to speed but cruise nicely at speed.
A 20"/406c bike is like a sports car, it accelerates and stops quicker, but the smaller wheels lose inertia quicker when coasting so keeping a high speed is marginally harder (although offset by better aeros).
Less rotational wheel weight = more responsive.

I often ride in between traffic so I need the compact nimbleness a minivelo offers that a 700c can't.
I think a fat tired minivelo would be the perfect courier bike.

If you don't think minivelos are fast read the records and racing section of this link.
https://www.moultonbicycles.co.uk/heritage.html

You wouldn't want to go mountain biking with one but they roll over road bumps well enough.
My minivelo (Dahon Silvertip) actually does fold, but it's as rigid as a regular full frame.

If I could get any road bike today, I would get one of these made.
https://weightweenies.starbike.com/fo...&view=previous