Bikesdirect Mini Velo upgrade thread
#951
Senior Member
October- Breast Cancer Awareness month. Some wonderful Women in my life, family and friends have been devastated by this. Every October I pick a favorite bike and bring out the pink accessories to highlight the fight. The reception is both positive, thoughtful or ugly.
This year is the Nano Mercier’s turn!
This year is the Nano Mercier’s turn!
#953
Senior Member
Pink October is over. Time for a “new” version for my Mercier.
Took most everything off so it would transport easier to the bike shop. Time for a better headset after I resize the headtube.
i will weigh the bare frame for general info. Then I will be upgrading from 7 to 9 speed. From touring to speedy.
Took most everything off so it would transport easier to the bike shop. Time for a better headset after I resize the headtube.
i will weigh the bare frame for general info. Then I will be upgrading from 7 to 9 speed. From touring to speedy.
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#954
Full Member
Please let us know what the frame and fork weigh. What exactly is required to change the headset? Are you going to ISO?
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#955
Senior Member
This will be a fun winter build!
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#956
Senior Member
Weigh Day
I took the frame and fork over to the LBS and used their Park hanging scale.
Frame 6#7oz
Fork 2#
When scheming on weight reduction I guess the first place I would look here is the fork. Have not had much luck finding a lite weight 20” mini velo choice which fits the frame needs.
But then I really don’t want to go weight weenie on this.
Next, the headset!
I took the frame and fork over to the LBS and used their Park hanging scale.
Frame 6#7oz
Fork 2#
When scheming on weight reduction I guess the first place I would look here is the fork. Have not had much luck finding a lite weight 20” mini velo choice which fits the frame needs.
But then I really don’t want to go weight weenie on this.
Next, the headset!
#957
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 41,052
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
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Careful or you might find yourself building your grandfather's axe.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#958
Senior Member
#959
Senior Member
Close to bringing the frame in for its winter HS resize. Came up with a nice pair of titanium security skewers also for the build.
2 bucks well spent!
2 bucks well spent!
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#961
Senior Member
Geepig You certainly could make a better getaway riding these! Not that I’m suggesting...
The idea of a small basket intrigues me. With small mass low enough the effects could slow the somewhat fast steering down and take the high HB bag out. Make for a nice picnic bike set up. I have enough of these baskets to try when I finish putting the bike back together!
The idea of a small basket intrigues me. With small mass low enough the effects could slow the somewhat fast steering down and take the high HB bag out. Make for a nice picnic bike set up. I have enough of these baskets to try when I finish putting the bike back together!
#962
Schwinnasaur
The idea of a small basket intrigues me. With small mass low enough the effects could slow the somewhat fast steering down and take the high HB bag out. Make for a nice picnic bike set up. I have enough of these baskets to try when I finish putting the bike back together!
#963
Senior Member
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#964
Schwinnasaur
#965
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 542
Bikes: Vilano Urbana, DownTube FS9, Montaque paratrooper, Nano mini-velo, Motobecane CX, Raleigh 20, MIFA folder, ROG Pony, Iverson Grand Touring folder, Exclusiv German folder
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Grocery store run last Wednesday
Baskets getting a lot of use.
I know, it still has the flowers from the fall.
Front basket easily holds a gallon of milk.
Baskets getting a lot of use.
I know, it still has the flowers from the fall.
Front basket easily holds a gallon of milk.
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#966
Senior Member
#967
Schwinnasaur
Whoa, it was just a suggestion. That's all. What is BTH?
Last edited by Schwinnsta; 02-03-21 at 03:03 PM. Reason: Changed to the text
#968
Senior Member
#969
QR-disc must die!!!
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia.
Posts: 703
Bikes: '99 Trek 520, '20 Kona Sutra (FOR SALE 48cm), '21 Simon-Bikes mini-velo and a chromoly-framed folding bicycle with drop-bars and V-brakes, that rolls even while folded.
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I been monitoring the BD Nano for the past 10 months or such. Do they ever bring this bicycle back with updates or, is it always the same each time they bring it back? I would like to see this frame/fork become wide enough to accept 50mm Big Apples plus fenders. Give it V-brakes to make way for the tire width upgrade.
#970
bike rider
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Seattle
Posts: 288
Bikes: 83 Trek 500, 2x 90s Novara Randonee, Zion 737, Specialized Rockhopper, Nishiki Colorado, Univega Specialissima
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I been monitoring the BD Nano for the past 10 months or such. Do they ever bring this bicycle back with updates or, is it always the same each time they bring it back? I would like to see this frame/fork become wide enough to accept 50mm Big Apples plus fenders. Give it V-brakes to make way for the tire width upgrade.
The changes you mention would mean an entirely new frame welding jig tooling and using new tube lengths, bends, etc.
#972
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,804
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
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Having dusted off my Nano after a rather long winter storage stint, I was reminded of the changes I’ve wanted to make to if for some time, and of this thread. Aside from switiching the rubber from skinny Schwalbe Kojak to meatier Maxxis Torch awhile back, I’ve not done anything to the bike since the flurry of initial mods, That was nearly 10 years ago, so I reckon spending a little on a few choice bits is justifiable.
I’d been resisting dumping too much money into the Nano because I got it as the cheapest way to try out the minivelo thing, with the plan being to get a better bike if I liked it. And it’s really a trash bike, the Nano, and is never going to be a good bike by my standards. But, finding minivelos here in the USA is pretty difficult, so I’m becoming resolved to love the one I’m with.
My biggest peeve has been the handlebar. I think the bend is ugly, but it’s also too deep, so I’ll probably start there. The Soma Hwy One 25.4mm is a direct replacement, but considering options, maybe I should seek to replace the stem as well, which itself is nothing pretty, to accommodate modern standard OS bars.
Does anyone have any suggestions on the stem situation? As you can see in the pic, I need quite a bit of rise. I know the quill-to-ahead style adapter would be a quick solution, but I don’t really like the look of the taper into the quill. Is there such a thing as a thread on steerer extender, which perhaps functions as a headset locknut? Of course a better looking quill stem would be fine, too, provided it has a removable faceplate.
Mercier Nano minivelo
I’d been resisting dumping too much money into the Nano because I got it as the cheapest way to try out the minivelo thing, with the plan being to get a better bike if I liked it. And it’s really a trash bike, the Nano, and is never going to be a good bike by my standards. But, finding minivelos here in the USA is pretty difficult, so I’m becoming resolved to love the one I’m with.
My biggest peeve has been the handlebar. I think the bend is ugly, but it’s also too deep, so I’ll probably start there. The Soma Hwy One 25.4mm is a direct replacement, but considering options, maybe I should seek to replace the stem as well, which itself is nothing pretty, to accommodate modern standard OS bars.
Does anyone have any suggestions on the stem situation? As you can see in the pic, I need quite a bit of rise. I know the quill-to-ahead style adapter would be a quick solution, but I don’t really like the look of the taper into the quill. Is there such a thing as a thread on steerer extender, which perhaps functions as a headset locknut? Of course a better looking quill stem would be fine, too, provided it has a removable faceplate.
Mercier Nano minivelo
#973
QR-disc must die!!!
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia.
Posts: 703
Bikes: '99 Trek 520, '20 Kona Sutra (FOR SALE 48cm), '21 Simon-Bikes mini-velo and a chromoly-framed folding bicycle with drop-bars and V-brakes, that rolls even while folded.
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Originally Posted by Chaadster
Having dusted off my Nano after a rather long winter storage stint, I was reminded of the changes I’ve wanted to make to if for some time, and of this thread. Aside from switiching the rubber from skinny Schwalbe Kojak to meatier Maxxis Torch awhile back, I’ve not done anything to the bike since the flurry of initial mods, That was nearly 10 years ago, so I reckon spending a little on a few choice bits is justifiable.
I’d been resisting dumping too much money into the Nano because I got it as the cheapest way to try out the minivelo thing, with the plan being to get a better bike if I liked it. And it’s really a trash bike, the Nano, and is never going to be a good bike by my standards. But, finding minivelos here in the USA is pretty difficult, so I’m becoming resolved to love the one I’m with.
My biggest peeve has been the handlebar. I think the bend is ugly, but it’s also too deep, so I’ll probably start there. The Soma Hwy One 25.4mm is a direct replacement, but considering options, maybe I should seek to replace the stem as well, which itself is nothing pretty, to accommodate modern standard OS bars.
Does anyone have any suggestions on the stem situation? As you can see in the pic, I need quite a bit of rise. I know the quill-to-ahead style adapter would be a quick solution, but I don’t really like the look of the taper into the quill. Is there such a thing as a thread on steerer extender, which perhaps functions as a headset locknut? Of course a better looking quill stem would be fine, too, provided it has a removable faceplate.
I’d been resisting dumping too much money into the Nano because I got it as the cheapest way to try out the minivelo thing, with the plan being to get a better bike if I liked it. And it’s really a trash bike, the Nano, and is never going to be a good bike by my standards. But, finding minivelos here in the USA is pretty difficult, so I’m becoming resolved to love the one I’m with.
My biggest peeve has been the handlebar. I think the bend is ugly, but it’s also too deep, so I’ll probably start there. The Soma Hwy One 25.4mm is a direct replacement, but considering options, maybe I should seek to replace the stem as well, which itself is nothing pretty, to accommodate modern standard OS bars.
Does anyone have any suggestions on the stem situation? As you can see in the pic, I need quite a bit of rise. I know the quill-to-ahead style adapter would be a quick solution, but I don’t really like the look of the taper into the quill. Is there such a thing as a thread on steerer extender, which perhaps functions as a headset locknut? Of course a better looking quill stem would be fine, too, provided it has a removable faceplate.
BTW, what size and model Maxxis tires are those?
I got a mini-velo frame/fork to build up, that's probably a lot more appropriate for a large person than the Nano is. Also a hell of a lot more usefull, IMO. Simon-Bikes.de designed it and uses if for all of their models. Obtaining it though, unless you live in the EU, requires a go-between and, you'd have to translate the ordering process on Simon-Bikes from German into whatever you speak. But that's what I did and now I have it.
Last edited by Nyah; 08-06-21 at 11:10 AM.
#974
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,804
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
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I gotta agree that your handlebar setup looks ugly. However, it's the angle that you have the bars set at that's bothering me. Re-adjust so that those drops are level. Everything will then fall into place w/the Universe and everyone will have you to thank for it. I am serious about the drops.
BTW, what size and model Maxxis tires are those?
I got a mini-velo frame/fork to build up, that's probably a lot more appropriate for a large person than the Nano is. Also a hell of a lot more usefull, IMO. Simon-Bikes.de designed it and uses if for all of their models. Obtaining it though, unless you live in the EU, requires a go-between and, you'd have to translate the ordering process on Simon-Bikes from German into whatever you speak. But that's what I did and now I have it.
BTW, what size and model Maxxis tires are those?
I got a mini-velo frame/fork to build up, that's probably a lot more appropriate for a large person than the Nano is. Also a hell of a lot more usefull, IMO. Simon-Bikes.de designed it and uses if for all of their models. Obtaining it though, unless you live in the EU, requires a go-between and, you'd have to translate the ordering process on Simon-Bikes from German into whatever you speak. But that's what I did and now I have it.
The Simon Bike Bici frame looks neat; how much was it?
I’m running the Maxxis Torch in the 1.75” width, in the 120tpi folding version. Nice tire, though I don’t really push the rubber on this bike very hard.
#975
QR-disc must die!!!
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia.
Posts: 703
Bikes: '99 Trek 520, '20 Kona Sutra (FOR SALE 48cm), '21 Simon-Bikes mini-velo and a chromoly-framed folding bicycle with drop-bars and V-brakes, that rolls even while folded.
Likes: 0
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Hmm, I wonder if the little bit of bar rotation would look that much better; I could give it a try, but I’d set them as they are so that the Tacx Lumos bar end lights were most favorably aimed. The Lumos’ housings are in bad shape, though, and unpleasantly sticky for some reason, so they’re nothing to stop me trying the rotation now. I still dislike the shaping of the bars, though, and they’re too deep in the drop.
The Simon Bike Bici frame looks neat; how much was it?
I’m running the Maxxis Torch in the 1.75” width, in the 120tpi folding version. Nice tire, though I don’t really push the rubber on this bike very hard.
The Simon Bike Bici frame looks neat; how much was it?
I’m running the Maxxis Torch in the 1.75” width, in the 120tpi folding version. Nice tire, though I don’t really push the rubber on this bike very hard.
The frame with the Bici logo is the same one they use for all their bicycles. The one I ordered is the same, just unpainted.
The unpainted frame/fork was 650 euros. Shipping to a purchasing agent in Germany was 19 euros. Cost for the purchasing agent (MyGermany .com - No affiliation to me) to ship it to me in the US was 93 euros. Cost to have Simon-Bikes powdercoat it first would've been 40 euros. I instead had a local powdercoater do it for about $215 because I wanted a special metallic hue that Simon-Bikes wouldn't do.
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