Bikesdirect Mini Velo upgrade thread
#976
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Pay no attention to what I said about your bars, then. I prefer bars with deep drop because they provide a distinct difference between the hoods and the drops. For that reason, I don't use new handlebar designs, only vintage.
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.
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.
#977
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Location: Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia.
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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 Nyah
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.
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.
Vertical length from middle of bottom bracket to the top of the Seat-tube is approximately 46cm.
Horizontal length is kinda long for me (5'6" height) but it looks like I can manage the reach by using a minimal length stem (38mm).
#978
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Horizontal length from middle of seat-tube to the middle of the head-tube is approximately 67.5cm.
Vertical length from middle of bottom bracket to the top of the Seat-tube is approximately 46cm.
Horizontal length is kinda long for me (5'6" height) but it looks like I can manage the reach by using a minimal length stem (38mm).
Vertical length from middle of bottom bracket to the top of the Seat-tube is approximately 46cm.
Horizontal length is kinda long for me (5'6" height) but it looks like I can manage the reach by using a minimal length stem (38mm).
I’d certainly welcome the added reach, but needing ~3” more seatpost extension is getting pretty extreme, so I’ll need to look at what the implications are there. Were it an OS seat post diameter, I’d feel more at ease I think, but maybe finding a sufficiently long 27.2 post is easier than I think.
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#980
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Well I did find a mini-velo. A few improvements are planned when I receive it. I'll keep my Dahon Speed for the times I need to store it in a small space.
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#981
Senior Member
Finally walked my bare Nano into the LBS and racked it for a HS resizing. I used the Park tool which was able to handle the oversized head tube length. No problem and the tube have a lot of meat to handle going from JIS to ISO.
The head set press will be another matter. Looks like I will use a threaded rod and the PT stabilizing cones to press in a 30.2 Tange Levin alloy unit.
Then a long awaited rebuild!
The head set press will be another matter. Looks like I will use a threaded rod and the PT stabilizing cones to press in a 30.2 Tange Levin alloy unit.
Then a long awaited rebuild!
#982
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#983
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I actually got two.
and this one, which is still in transit
https://99spokes.com/en-CA/bikes/fuji/2015/m1
and this one, which is still in transit
https://99spokes.com/en-CA/bikes/fuji/2015/m1
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#984
Senior Member
OT, just got back from the LBS with my Mercier Nano and its modernized HS. No more cheap price point junk for this bike.
I tried using the press they had but none were long enough so used the DIY threaded rod, washers, bolts and their alignment cones to press them in. I have some alignment cones on order to use the next time. Pics when I have the whole tool together.
I tried using the press they had but none were long enough so used the DIY threaded rod, washers, bolts and their alignment cones to press them in. I have some alignment cones on order to use the next time. Pics when I have the whole tool together.
#985
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
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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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OT, just got back from the LBS with my Mercier Nano and its modernized HS. No more cheap price point junk for this bike.
I tried using the press they had but none were long enough so used the DIY threaded rod, washers, bolts and their alignment cones to press them in. I have some alignment cones on order to use the next time. Pics when I have the whole tool together.
I tried using the press they had but none were long enough so used the DIY threaded rod, washers, bolts and their alignment cones to press them in. I have some alignment cones on order to use the next time. Pics when I have the whole tool together.
#986
Senior Member
Sorry for the long delay! Kinda hectic of late.!
Yes the ID was reamed out and the facing blade was also on it but it only advanced far enough to take the paint off. The headtube on these seem to be milled well.
The crown race... I passed this step in the hopes I could find a suitable Tange race the same size, 27. So far no luck so I have the fork at the LBs and will use their tool for cutting the race down and using the Crown which came with the alloy HS. I don’t get charged for any of this as I was a former employee( and I do it all myself).
Hope this answers your questions.
I still want to get a pic of my HS press which I made to do this and show it.
Yes the ID was reamed out and the facing blade was also on it but it only advanced far enough to take the paint off. The headtube on these seem to be milled well.
The crown race... I passed this step in the hopes I could find a suitable Tange race the same size, 27. So far no luck so I have the fork at the LBs and will use their tool for cutting the race down and using the Crown which came with the alloy HS. I don’t get charged for any of this as I was a former employee( and I do it all myself).
Hope this answers your questions.
I still want to get a pic of my HS press which I made to do this and show it.
#987
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I didn't know a mini velo thread existed under the Folding Bike forum.
I've been riding my Sundeal $139 mini velo since 2018 as a errand runner in Brooklyn, NY.
My other mini velo is a $500 Java, more refined than the Sundeal.
Both mini velo are used mostly for shorter distance riding among busy traffic.
The smaller size makes them smaller target to avoid motorized vehicle.
Not particularly well suited for sustained high speed, since the smaller frames/wheels transmit more road shock.
Disc brakes on both mini velo pretty much makes them ideal for pothole ridden city roads.
20x1.5 or 1.75 tires offer good traction and suspension, skinnier tires would likely provide much stiffer ride at high tire pressure.
I've been riding my Sundeal $139 mini velo since 2018 as a errand runner in Brooklyn, NY.
My other mini velo is a $500 Java, more refined than the Sundeal.
Both mini velo are used mostly for shorter distance riding among busy traffic.
The smaller size makes them smaller target to avoid motorized vehicle.
Not particularly well suited for sustained high speed, since the smaller frames/wheels transmit more road shock.
Disc brakes on both mini velo pretty much makes them ideal for pothole ridden city roads.
20x1.5 or 1.75 tires offer good traction and suspension, skinnier tires would likely provide much stiffer ride at high tire pressure.
#988
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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?
Mercier Nano minivelo
Mercier Nano minivelo
Otherwise your best bet for aesthetics is to keep an eye on ebay for a Nitto quill riser stem or steep+long steel salsa quill stem.
#990
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Java was purchased on eBay as complete bike, I had some rebate money that allowed me to get the complete bike for under $400 including shipping.
Hydraulic disc brakes are somewhat overkill with small diameter wheels,
Carbon fork with carbon steertube is a nice touch, deep alloy rims make funny whoosh sounds when pedaling out of saddle.
It's a pretty quick bike, just not ideal for longer distance/hours in the saddle.
Maybe with a suspension seatpost I could put more than 25 miles on it at a time.
Hydraulic disc brakes are somewhat overkill with small diameter wheels,
Carbon fork with carbon steertube is a nice touch, deep alloy rims make funny whoosh sounds when pedaling out of saddle.
It's a pretty quick bike, just not ideal for longer distance/hours in the saddle.
Maybe with a suspension seatpost I could put more than 25 miles on it at a time.
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#991
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The innicycle conversion headset is a work of art, really a very clever and nicely made design. A bit spendy though. (can be found on Amazon too I think). https://www.innicycle.com/
Otherwise your best bet for aesthetics is to keep an eye on ebay for a Nitto quill riser stem or steep+long steel salsa quill stem.
Otherwise your best bet for aesthetics is to keep an eye on ebay for a Nitto quill riser stem or steep+long steel salsa quill stem.
#992
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There are some less expensive options to quill adapter to convert to usage of aheadset stems that can also provide some elevation to the quill.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/284510539958
https://www.ebay.com/itm/154761941239
More compact adapter:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/403331950844
https://www.ebay.com/itm/284510539958
https://www.ebay.com/itm/154761941239
More compact adapter:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/403331950844
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#996
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#997
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#998
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I didn’t know the site or the bikes, but yeah, those Polygon Zetas are pretty nice looking, particularly the blue/purple fade variant. Thanks for the heads-up! They’re quite different from the Nano in both geometry and styling, but that isn’t a bad thing, IMO.
#999
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Look very nice. what tyre size can it take? with 47-406/50-406, you should be able to run ~30psi and, if you fit some impermeable tape, you could run them tubeless... ~20psi
#1000
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I think they are 40-406 tires, came with the OEM wheels.. those aero rims are really stiff in 20" size... or maybe because I run them at 45+ psi.
I don't really bother with tubeless & sealants, just plain tubes last me a long time... maybe when the OEM tires wear out I would try some wider tires just to give more supple ride on the mini frame.
I don't really bother with tubeless & sealants, just plain tubes last me a long time... maybe when the OEM tires wear out I would try some wider tires just to give more supple ride on the mini frame.