Originally Posted by
Falconista
I have never ridden a mini velo. What is it about them that people like? I assumed that they rode like a folding bike but without the flexibility of actually folding.
I think the ability to fold is sometimes overrated under certain circumstances. Some models rather heavy to carry on public transport for example. They do save space in homes and while in a vehicle.
I think there is a fun factor when using a smaller bike. They are more agile and have some of the features of folders such as space saving. They usually are lighter also.
The last thing is the human body. We come in different sizes and so do bicycles. In North-American the average human size is taller than in Asia (and other places) which leads to less interest in smaller wheels on bikes (for adults).
The bike industry is also less willing to import mini-velos because the demand is so strong with other sizes.