smallwheeler

no.

sibkey

yes)))
there's not many minivelos with ett more than 53 cm
maybe i'm wrong, pls correct me)

Abu Mahendra

An L size Dahon Dash Altena would certainly accomodate a 6-foot person. These are the size specs on the Dahon Japan website:

Rider Hight Range [M]157～172cm [L]170～193cm
Saddle to Pedal [M]Min:710㎜ Max:930㎜ [L]Min:750㎜ Max:970㎜

smallwheeler

well, going by frame size alone can be a little deceptive. it's really about the cockpit. between crankarm, seatpost, and stem length, it's possible to get a reasonably good fit for someone taller. of course, there are limits..

sibkey

i have 2 minivelos - with 530 and 560 ett. i'm 5'11" and think that 6', maybe little more is maximum for this ett.
of course you can install long stem, bullhorn and layback seatpost - but this is not option (on my opinion).

about dash altena - i doubt about 193 cm) when i asked dahon china about this bike they said - 185, not more for comfort riding and great appearance)

Abu Mahendra

Ok, fine. Let's go with Dahon China's rather than Dahon Japan's numbers. 185mm is about 6feet and one inch. There. 6'1" by your own reckoning.

sibkey

yes, as i wrote not many models for tall riders. 99,9% of frames for up to 180-185 cm riders maximum.

try to buy Dash Altena) only in South-East Asia. or with unreasonable shipping price.

if some tall man want to ride minivelo - there's no problem to weld custom frame

Abu Mahendra

I actually think the SOMA and the Nano are unbalanced and overly rear biased. Compare for example where the seatstay/seat tube/top tube intersection sits relative to the wheel. The Soma's is rearwards of the rim's brake track while the Altena's is in front of the wheel. Also look at the very short chain stay on the Soma. Heel strike is assured with panniers. Finally, look at the upward slope of the chain stay resulting in a higher bottom bracket on the Altena, reducing the chance of pedal strike. It appears that Soma simply shrunk a roadbike without correcting for the reduced size, forgetting that a minivelo is not simply a mini velo. IMO SOMA didn't get it quite right, and it's rather a one-eyed man in the land of the blind.



Look at where the seatstay/seat tube/top tube intersection sits relative to the wheel on this bike:

This one has a wheelbase of just 93cm, yet manages to place this crucial point in front of the rear wheel.

...and this one:


...and this one:


...and this one:


Ditto for the Tyrells and the Bobbin Metric below.

badmother

This one would benefit from some air in the tyres to get a higher BB

ckarr

regarding abu's criticism of the soma, the seat tube of the angle of the soma is more relaxed, i actually prefer that, i am currently riding a dutch cruiser bike and it is a good bike for commuting. the other mini velo bike's seattubes are more forward leaning, think like a road bike or track bike, more weight on your hands( but they at least you will go faster in that lower position.)

(as for the soma, the purist in me would prefer the seattube and the head tube to be paralel, the soma doesn't have that, so it does look a bit funny, but the paint job and everything else is good).

(read that this soma is discontinued, such a shame since it was one of the better looking mini velo bikes out there)

too bad these mini velo bikes dont' come with step thru frames, swing your leg over a high top tube to ride your bike is a bit weird to me now.

these mini velo bikes dont seem to have much options for tall guys. i might seriously consider one if it had bigger sizes. such a shame.

edit, thought i would add this, here is one of the better looking mini velo bikes i found ont he internet (the blue one)

edit, here is the soma (note it is a woman that is riding it, a man on the bike would make it look even smaller)

Rick Imby

I remember in 1980 Mongoose, a small American Made BMX company at the time came out with the Moose Goose. Within a month or two Huffy also came out with a Big guys BMX bike. The huffy had really short chainstays and you could not keep it from wheely--ing if you accelerated strongly.

Vintage mongoose: Moosegoose

I don't know how to post pictures here but this is a link to one of their old adverts.

Sixty Fiver

The biggest issue with < 20 inch wheels is ride quality and performance unless you do things like add high performance tyres and a suspension / damping system.

Alex Moulten figured out the solution to that over 50 years ago.

My '66 Moulten has gotten a lot of upgrades with new wheels and modern running gear and is a rather brilliant bike.

I'd think the modern 20 Something would be a good pick as it is affordable (the wheels on my Moulten cost more) and should ride and perform quite nicely, the original Raleigh 20 is nicer in some respects but requires a fair bit of upgrading to up the performance.

ckarr

I still think most folding bikes/mini bikes look ridiculous under a grown man.

Is there any way to get over that?

tds101 

Yes, there is. Realize that a grown man/woman shouldn't give a dang about what others think of them. Then, all else falls into place.

At least, that's what I keep telling myself,...

ckarr

If it helps I don't care what others think of me if I do ride a folding bike. I am saying that *I* think folding bikes look strange and even though I like the idea of having a folding bike due to its advantages I still would prefer a full size bike since it looks much more proportional and therefore better on me. So I ask again, is there any way to get over that?

tds101 

Only you can answer that question, as I think people riding folding bikes look quite good. I thought this BEFORE I owned a folder, or 3 (or 4) myself.

linberl

Do you feel the same way when you see an adult on a bmx bike? Same size. Personally, I think it is cool but if it makes you self-conscious only you can change that. If you have a really nice (expensive) folder, it helps to remind yourself that your bike probably cost more than most full sized bikes.

thugpipe

Ok, so then what is the point of the topic? You personally have a problem with the aesthetics of small wheeled bicycles, not sure there is a solution for you. If you need a folder get a folder, if you need a small fold get one with small wheels and power through your distaste for the look and maybe with time you will come to terms with it. If you don't need a small fold get one with bigger wheels. As for Mini Velo, they ain't for everyone and not everyone appreciates their qualities, I personally love their weird look and characteristics.

tds101 

I must admit, I sometimes get minivelo envy. Does that make me a bad person?

Diode100

I like folding bikes because they look strange and different, but I do agree about adults on BMX bikes, I saw a bit of the bmx Olympic races the other week and whilst they were great to watch, a part of my brain thinks none of The riders Should be over 12 years old, but then I also think ditto for skateboards anywhere, anytime.

If you want the functionality of folding, but don't feel you're been seen at your best on 16 or 20 inch wheels, why not go the full sized folder route, a nice Montague, or a vintage Fugi or Rudge ?

tds101 

A 24", 26", or 29" BMX bike is fine IMO. An adult looks kinda strange on a 20" BMX bike,...

PS: I own a 26" folding bike,...for those times that I feel like looking more adult'ish.

ThorUSA

I feel like riding a tank on a big bike ....
funny as my MTB has "small" wheels ( 26 ) and is at least 4 lbs lighter than my folding bike ...
one of these days I really should sell it ... Ti frame, xtr stuff etc etc lol

Rick Imby

I have been riding my Xootr Swift instead of one of my mountain bikes for commuting for the last month. Even if you can get over seeing a full size guy---I'm 6'3"---nobody else will.

The swift makes a great commuter.

I grin every time I get on the bike---I think that is part of it.

Ozonation

Wow... what is the make/model of the light blue bike with the nice upper arc? Sweet!

Abu Mahendra

If you meant this bike, it is a Bannard Tension-R.