Mini velo gravel grinder
01-19-19, 12:54 PM
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Mini velo gravel grinder
Mini velo graveler
I love this thing want to buy add better tires and create the ultimate grinder
thoughts?
01-19-19, 01:01 PM
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Should be a lot of fun. One warning: if you ride any single-track trails, be aware of the low ground clearance of the rear derailleur cage. I broke (no exaggeration) almost two dozen rear derailleurs back when I used to ride my Cannondale SM-500 (with 26" front wheel/24" rear wheel) on single track.
01-19-19, 01:58 PM
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Should be a lot of fun. One warning: if you ride any single-track trails, be aware of the low ground clearance of the rear derailleur cage. I broke (no exaggeration) almost two dozen rear derailleurs back when I used to ride my Cannondale SM-500 (with 26" front wheel/24" rear wheel) on single track.
01-19-19, 02:45 PM
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Whatever floats your boat.
That wouldn't be 140th on my list of ultimate gravel grinders as all I see are limitations, but if you dig it then go wild.
That wouldn't be 140th on my list of ultimate gravel grinders as all I see are limitations, but if you dig it then go wild.
01-19-19, 03:08 PM
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There should be plenty of selection in 20" fat tires available.
Perhaps an IGH to deal with the derailleur issue?
Perhaps an IGH to deal with the derailleur issue?
01-19-19, 03:58 PM
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When someone use the term ultimate gravel grinder it doesn't bring to mind a clown bike, it brings to mind something like one of Firefly's custom beauties.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/firefl...7700197519685/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/firefl...7700197519685/
01-19-19, 04:43 PM
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I bought one last fall. I used plastidip to paint it, changed out the bars/stem and cassette and changed out the tires. It’s pretty fun and actually rides ok. I’d post a pic, but I’m a newbie on this forum.
01-19-19, 05:44 PM
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i just lije the bike and think it would be fun
01-22-19, 08:19 AM
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Wouldnt that tire size deflect off rocks more than a larger 700c/29er tire? I would think the angle of attack would be noticeably steeper.
And how far down is that bottle cage in terms of reach? It looks like miles away, but might just be perception due to geometry.
And how far down is that bottle cage in terms of reach? It looks like miles away, but might just be perception due to geometry.
01-22-19, 06:47 PM
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01-22-19, 06:54 PM
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Honestly, I haven’t ridden it too far yet. I put my 2 year old’s bike seat on the back and have ridden with him a few times. It was nice having his center of gravity fairly low. He liked being closer to me than in the trailer. I’ve taken it on a few other rides and the bars are slightly lower than my normal bike, so that feels a little off but otherwise it doesn’t feel like a dog at all.
Hopefully the ice melts soon and I can ride it more! I also bought the complete opposite, a Kona Ute. Need to decide which is the best option for the kiddos. I probably don’t need both.
Hopefully the ice melts soon and I can ride it more! I also bought the complete opposite, a Kona Ute. Need to decide which is the best option for the kiddos. I probably don’t need both.
01-23-19, 10:15 AM
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@Stephenjeffrey did you strip the parts and then plastidip the entire thing? i like it I think it would be fun to ride when i am riding with my son. sometimes
01-23-19, 10:55 AM
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@Stephenjeffrey did you strip the parts and then plastidip the entire thing? i like it I think it would be fun to ride when i am riding with my son. sometimes
It is pretty fun. My other kiddo ride is my DadTruck:
01-23-19, 11:13 AM
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@Stephenjeffrey i really like the Ute as well. I don't have a need for a bike like that but I sure wish i had a need for a bike like that! it is cool.
01-23-19, 06:17 PM
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@Stephenjeffrey i really like the Ute as well. I don't have a need for a bike like that but I sure wish i had a need for a bike like that! it is cool.
01-30-19, 01:00 PM
#19
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I've got a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket with the narrow 20" 451 tires. It rides fine, but one drawback is that it's as buzzy as heck on chip seal. I don't know if that's related to wheel size or what.
They also make a Pocket Llama, a touring bike which uses wider tires, so it would come closer to the Mercer in that original pictures. Still a folding frame of course.
I was looking up Mini Velo bikes a while back. I found that Soma is making their mini velo frame (but not the complete bike) as Albion brand, I believe it was.
And Velo Orange is working on a mini velo bike.
One thing to watch is the tire width, which may be pretty limited on mini velo road-frames.
Another thing is that mini velo bikes are popular in Asia, but that also means they don't make them in anything resembling a "tall" size.
I ran across a Cannondale Hooligan on Ebay, which is apparently out of production, but is functionally similar to the bikes being discussed.
They also make a Pocket Llama, a touring bike which uses wider tires, so it would come closer to the Mercer in that original pictures. Still a folding frame of course.
I was looking up Mini Velo bikes a while back. I found that Soma is making their mini velo frame (but not the complete bike) as Albion brand, I believe it was.
And Velo Orange is working on a mini velo bike.
One thing to watch is the tire width, which may be pretty limited on mini velo road-frames.
Another thing is that mini velo bikes are popular in Asia, but that also means they don't make them in anything resembling a "tall" size.
I ran across a Cannondale Hooligan on Ebay, which is apparently out of production, but is functionally similar to the bikes being discussed.
__________________
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
01-30-19, 02:45 PM
#20
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Interesting. Small wheels will make bumps more abrupt, but maybe it's lighter to make up for it?
Personally, I like the largest rolling diameter I can get but I also tend to ride a large frame so don't have much issue with toe overlap.
Personally, I like the largest rolling diameter I can get but I also tend to ride a large frame so don't have much issue with toe overlap.
02-04-19, 12:10 AM
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Nice looking bike!
I toured with a 18" foldable mini velo (Tyrell IVE) and it included a fair bit of gravel riding.
1.65" Schwalbe Marathon being the widest the bike can take with fenders.
Main problem is with rolling over rocks/irregularities, with washboard type surfaces (due to tractors) being a major pain.
That said, there wasn't any real "show stopper" in the trips I did with the setup, though in some ways it could be considered "underbiking"
20180409-IMGP0912 by Pinholecam_01, on Flickr
20180411-IMGP1012 by Pinholecam_01, on Flickr
20180412-IMGP4783 by Pinholecam_01, on Flickr
I toured with a 18" foldable mini velo (Tyrell IVE) and it included a fair bit of gravel riding.
1.65" Schwalbe Marathon being the widest the bike can take with fenders.
Main problem is with rolling over rocks/irregularities, with washboard type surfaces (due to tractors) being a major pain.
That said, there wasn't any real "show stopper" in the trips I did with the setup, though in some ways it could be considered "underbiking"
20180409-IMGP0912 by Pinholecam_01, on Flickr
20180411-IMGP1012 by Pinholecam_01, on Flickr
20180412-IMGP4783 by Pinholecam_01, on Flickr
