Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Folding Bikes
Reload this Page >

Bikesdirect Mini Velo upgrade thread

Notices
Folding Bikes Discuss the unique features and issues of folding bikes. Also a great place to learn what folding bike will work best for your needs.

Bikesdirect Mini Velo upgrade thread

Old 08-04-22, 03:56 PM
  #1051  
tds101 
55+ Club,...
 
tds101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in New York, NY
Posts: 4,265

Bikes: 9+,...

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1085 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 570 Posts
OMG,... That Polygon Zeta 2 is a looker,... 😁
__________________
If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
tds101 is offline  
Old 08-04-22, 07:30 PM
  #1052  
Reddleman
iti biking
 
Reddleman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Aotearoa
Posts: 185

Bikes: Tern Link D8, much upgraded

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Liked 88 Times in 50 Posts
There was a Polygon Zeta in the window of my local bike shop for a while - I passed it several times thinking that they can’t possibly be selling a mini velo surely? The shop mainly caters for the roadies, MTBers and the e-bike commuter crew so it seemed a bit out of character for them. I admit part of me was tempted to chuck gravel bars, the Microshift Advent super short groupset and some BMX tyres on one for a midget monstercross ride to confuse folks at the local forest bike parks but saner heads prevailed.
Reddleman is offline  
Old 08-04-22, 08:11 PM
  #1053  
Ron Damon
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: The Ring of Fire
Posts: 871
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 419 Post(s)
Liked 537 Times in 331 Posts
IMO the Thrill Volare FX4.0 looks marginally better due to a more refined execution of the seat-tube, top-tub and seat-stay execution. Plust it's got a Dahon- type front block and a basic headtube shock. Here is a specimen sitting in my storage shed...



Those wheels are not the stock wheels that came with it. Those were heavy crap so I discarded them and bought a set of MLX 406 pictured here. Still undecided as to whether to go 406 or 451.
Ron Damon is offline  
Old 08-05-22, 04:49 AM
  #1054  
syncro87
Full Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: KLXT, USA
Posts: 277

Bikes: Raleigh Willard 2, Spec Sequoia Elite, State 4130 AllRoad, Catrike Expedition, Mercier Nano mini velo

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by ynggrsshppr
The paint IS unbelievably fragile. Reminds me of the candy shell on an M&M. I too thought about getting new brake calipers, but the stock ones are doing just fine. Granted they only felt fine after upgrading the levers, pads and cable/housings.

I laughed out loud at this. The candy shell on an M&M is 100% accurate.

By the way, I foolishly ignored the many comments about how flat prone the stock tube / tire setup is. Rode 5 miles to my LBS. Got a flat a mile from the store on the way home. The presta tubes I ordered hadn't come in yet, so I didn't have one with me, nor does any shop around here stock them. So, it was a 4 mile walk home across town. It probably looked funny to passers by seeing a 50 year old guy walking a mini velo. I'll be carefully going over the rims for burrs and taping them before installing a new tube and better tires if they ever arrive.
syncro87 is offline  
Old 08-05-22, 08:16 AM
  #1055  
syncro87
Full Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: KLXT, USA
Posts: 277

Bikes: Raleigh Willard 2, Spec Sequoia Elite, State 4130 AllRoad, Catrike Expedition, Mercier Nano mini velo

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by tds101
OMG,... That Polygon Zeta 2 is a looker,... 😁
Yep. Now that I realize how much coin I’m going to spend getting my Mercier to a decent level, I realize I perhaps should have ponied up and ordered a Zeta. I like the Merc, but this has been somewhat of a lesson in the old axiom that the pain of high price is felt once while the pain of low quality is felt many times over. This being said, learning to work on my own bike, being forced to by the M, is not without benefit. I can see the day potentially coming where I sell the M and use the proceeds toward a better quality mini. But the Merc is a decent way to dip a toe in the water if you’re willing to do some work yourself.

edit. Yikes. I just noticed the Zeta is even heavier than the Mercier, despite having an Alu frame. Surprising. Maybe the appeal isn’t quite as strong now that I think about pedaling around a 28 pound mini.

Last edited by syncro87; 08-05-22 at 08:24 AM.
syncro87 is offline  
Likes For syncro87:
Old 08-05-22, 09:02 AM
  #1056  
tds101 
55+ Club,...
 
tds101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in New York, NY
Posts: 4,265

Bikes: 9+,...

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1085 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 570 Posts
Originally Posted by syncro87
Yep. Now that I realize how much coin I’m going to spend getting my Mercier to a decent level, I realize I perhaps should have ponied up and ordered a Zeta. I like the Merc, but this has been somewhat of a lesson in the old axiom that the pain of high price is felt once while the pain of low quality is felt many times over. This being said, learning to work on my own bike, being forced to by the M, is not without benefit. I can see the day potentially coming where I sell the M and use the proceeds toward a better quality mini. But the Merc is a decent way to dip a toe in the water if you’re willing to do some work yourself.

edit. Yikes. I just noticed the Zeta is even heavier than the Mercier, despite having an Alu frame. Surprising. Maybe the appeal isn’t quite as strong now that I think about pedaling around a 28 pound mini.
Just with the specs alone the Zeta 2 is worth it IMO. Plus that purple is gorgeous!
__________________
If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
tds101 is offline  
Likes For tds101:
Old 08-05-22, 11:17 AM
  #1057  
syncro87
Full Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: KLXT, USA
Posts: 277

Bikes: Raleigh Willard 2, Spec Sequoia Elite, State 4130 AllRoad, Catrike Expedition, Mercier Nano mini velo

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by tds101
Just with the specs alone the Zeta 2 is worth it IMO. Plus that purple is gorgeous!
I do love the purple.
syncro87 is offline  
Likes For syncro87:
Old 08-07-22, 07:54 PM
  #1058  
mirfi
Senior Member
 
mirfi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 536

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

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 168 Post(s)
Liked 191 Times in 119 Posts
Syn,

Not sure how much you have read this whole thread. (It is a lot). But a usual upgrade is to drill out the stem hole on the rims to allow for Schrader valve tubes as they are much more available.

Reading your BB story gave me a chill. A few years ago I removed mine to grease and could not get it back on.
Would not re-thread, took it to LBS, they couldn't get it to re-thread. Huh? A couple mechanics tried it.They didn't believe it came off my bike.
Sounds insane I know. I just kept walking away. Like WTF, WTF, WTF. Walk away, come back try it again. Look at with a magnifying glasses. Am I turning the right direction? Just nuts.

Then it just went on.

I will never remove it again.


BTW, put some miles on it. It will be fun.

mirfi is offline  
Likes For mirfi:
Old 08-09-22, 11:29 AM
  #1059  
tacreamer
Go Ride
 
tacreamer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 152

Bikes: Enough +1

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Liked 103 Times in 21 Posts
My new Mini Velo to upgrade!

I received today and built up my 2023 version mini Velo this morning. The frame & parts are the same as speced from the 2011 version save for the CST tires & cartridge bottom bracket.

I’ve already started upgrading the bike with a different stem, seat & pedals, the originals are junk. Fortunately I’ve a large inventory of parts to work with for further mods. I’ve a nos Superbe Pro crankset I’m tempted to replace the existing unit though I’m not sure if this bike deserves such an upgrade!


Mercier Nano
tacreamer is offline  
Likes For tacreamer:
Old 09-05-22, 05:10 PM
  #1060  
GeezyRider 
Senior Member
 
GeezyRider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Delaware Sea Shore
Posts: 521

Bikes: There is always room for one more.

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 179 Post(s)
Liked 366 Times in 215 Posts
Looks like the Nano is, once again, unavailable at Bikesdirect. Glad I grabbed one in the spring when they came back in stock. Mine's been a lot of fun for not much money.
__________________
Don
GeezyRider is offline  
Old 09-05-22, 06:34 PM
  #1061  
Joe Remi
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NorCal
Posts: 1,453

Bikes: Haibike Sduro Trekking SL, Rivendell Appaloosa, Concinnity singlespeed, KHS mini velo (Japan market), Trident Spike trike

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 651 Post(s)
Liked 91 Times in 74 Posts
I'm able to put a black 53cm in the cart. Which I'm tempted to do but the 53-ish toptube would require a long stem and riser bars to work for me.
Joe Remi is offline  
Old 09-06-22, 08:30 AM
  #1062  
GeezyRider 
Senior Member
 
GeezyRider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Delaware Sea Shore
Posts: 521

Bikes: There is always room for one more.

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 179 Post(s)
Liked 366 Times in 215 Posts
Weird. It wasn't showing up in the Road Bikes section yesterday but I see it there now. I like to check every once in a while to see if any specs/components are updated.
__________________
Don
GeezyRider is offline  
Old 09-08-22, 06:18 PM
  #1063  
steel_rider1
Newbie
 
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Love this. I am thinking about a mini velo for this exact purpose. Not sure the Mercier is the best choice or if I wouldn't really mind the low end build given it would get beat up. Thanks for sharing. How to those racks affect the handling?
steel_rider1 is offline  
Old 09-12-22, 03:19 AM
  #1064  
Fentuz
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 714

Bikes: Dahon Jetstream p8 (sold), customized Dahon Helios x10, customzed Dahon Smooth Hound x9,customized Dahon Hammerhead 8.0 d7, Planet X Free Ranger (mullet setup 1x11), Planet X Giovanissimi 20 (1x9), Frog 52 (1x9) and Frog 48 1s

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 249 Post(s)
Liked 221 Times in 162 Posts
Currently, my mini velo is setup as a flat bar gravel bike.

I recently expressed some interests into British hill climb races (10 to 12% hills) and I am thinking I could convert the minivelo for than purpose. While the UCI weight restriction of 6.8kg does not apply and might be an ambitious target, I think the smooth hound weight winny could be and interesting build for hill climb.
The hammerhead was ~8.5kg so, if I swap the current wheelset for the kinetix pro of my helios, I should get something similar to the hammerhead.

Then, drop bar vs flat, I don't their is much weight difference there although I could may be fit a 40mm ritchey carbon bar... but it might not be in the budget.
Seatpost would be converted to a carbon component (spare from the "big bike")
crankset, I am looking into a praxis carbon or Force1 crankset... 1x as this is all you need for hill climbs and weight saving. Chainring, I have 2 spare Sram narrow wide in 42T and 50T (in the UK, std 700c bikes tend to use 34T XC narrow wide ring in hill climb). So 42T or 50T would work well with 406 wheel and would give me cassette choice. ideally, 42T with 11-32T.

Brake, it is rim brake but, what is lighter calipers or mini brake?

Tyres, there is only 30g difference between schwalbe 28-406 and 35-406 so I don't believe 60g would be advantageous vs added traction and comfort the 35c would offer.

Any thoughts? where else can weight be saved?
Fentuz is online now  
Old 09-14-22, 09:24 AM
  #1065  
GeezyRider 
Senior Member
 
GeezyRider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Delaware Sea Shore
Posts: 521

Bikes: There is always room for one more.

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 179 Post(s)
Liked 366 Times in 215 Posts
Rode my Nano last Saturday on the Amish Country Bike Tour out of Dover, Delaware.

Pie stop at Amish school house
__________________
Don
GeezyRider is offline  
Likes For GeezyRider:
Old 09-25-22, 11:54 AM
  #1066  
jfouellette
Full Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Montreal
Posts: 390

Bikes: 1999 Bike friday NWT, 2009 Bike Friday Tikit, 2023 silverock Dewy, 2008 Dahon Smooth Hound, 2023 Litepro Trifold

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 190 Post(s)
Liked 228 Times in 138 Posts
Just to let you know I have a Mini velo for sale in the marketplace section of this forum. Thanks
jfouellette is offline  
Old 12-03-22, 11:09 AM
  #1067  
jfouellette
Full Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Montreal
Posts: 390

Bikes: 1999 Bike friday NWT, 2009 Bike Friday Tikit, 2023 silverock Dewy, 2008 Dahon Smooth Hound, 2023 Litepro Trifold

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 190 Post(s)
Liked 228 Times in 138 Posts
Hello everyone, I’m looking for a used Nano small-medium bike for sale. Any condition as long as the frame is good. I’ll upgrade the components so basic version is fine, any colour. I’ll pay for shipping to Montreal Canada. Thanks
jfouellette is offline  
Old 12-03-22, 11:32 AM
  #1068  
tds101 
55+ Club,...
 
tds101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in New York, NY
Posts: 4,265

Bikes: 9+,...

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1085 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 570 Posts
Originally Posted by jfouellette
Hello everyone, I’m looking for a used Nano small-medium bike for sale. Any condition as long as the frame is good. I’ll upgrade the components so basic version is fine, any colour. I’ll pay for shipping to Montreal Canada. Thanks
Don't these guys ship to Canada? Mercier Nano 2023
__________________
If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
tds101 is offline  
Likes For tds101:
Old 12-03-22, 12:15 PM
  #1069  
jfouellette
Full Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Montreal
Posts: 390

Bikes: 1999 Bike friday NWT, 2009 Bike Friday Tikit, 2023 silverock Dewy, 2008 Dahon Smooth Hound, 2023 Litepro Trifold

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 190 Post(s)
Liked 228 Times in 138 Posts
They ship to Canada more or less using a third party.. They send it to a US address and I have to drive to the border 1.5 to 2 hours and get it through customs (who knows how much time that takes) And then drive back home (1.5 to 2 hrs). I also need to create an account with cc info etc etc which I don’t trust just to get an idea of the shipping costs. This is just not a user friendly process. Ali express from Asia is a lot easier.

Last edited by jfouellette; 12-03-22 at 04:31 PM.
jfouellette is offline  
Likes For jfouellette:
Old 12-03-22, 04:28 PM
  #1070  
tds101 
55+ Club,...
 
tds101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in New York, NY
Posts: 4,265

Bikes: 9+,...

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1085 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 570 Posts
Originally Posted by jfouellette
They ship to Canada more or less. They send it to a US address and I have to drive to the border 1.5 to 2 hours and get it through customs (who knows how much time that takes) And then drive back home (1.5 to 2 hrs). I also need to create an account with cc info etc etc which I don’t trust just to get an idea of the shipping costs. This is just not a user friendly process. Ali express from Asia is a lot easier.
​​​​​​I wish I could help you out. We drove to Canada from Queens, NY 1 time, and the drive nearly killed me.
__________________
If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
tds101 is offline  
Old 12-04-22, 10:19 AM
  #1071  
jfouellette
Full Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Montreal
Posts: 390

Bikes: 1999 Bike friday NWT, 2009 Bike Friday Tikit, 2023 silverock Dewy, 2008 Dahon Smooth Hound, 2023 Litepro Trifold

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 190 Post(s)
Liked 228 Times in 138 Posts
Originally Posted by tds101
​​​​​​I wish I could help you out. We drove to Canada from Queens, NY 1 time, and the drive nearly killed me.
Thanks for the thought. It s indeed a long drive.
jfouellette is offline  
Likes For jfouellette:
Old 12-23-22, 02:54 PM
  #1072  
jfouellette
Full Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Montreal
Posts: 390

Bikes: 1999 Bike friday NWT, 2009 Bike Friday Tikit, 2023 silverock Dewy, 2008 Dahon Smooth Hound, 2023 Litepro Trifold

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 190 Post(s)
Liked 228 Times in 138 Posts
Since I could’t find a Nano frame to use during winter, I found a used Schwinn Loop. It works fine for my urban use.The studded tires are worth more than the bike.


jfouellette is offline  
Likes For jfouellette:
Old 12-24-22, 12:03 PM
  #1073  
52telecaster
ambulatory senior
 
52telecaster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 6,347

Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.

Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1953 Post(s)
Liked 3,633 Times in 1,670 Posts
Originally Posted by jfouellette
Since I could’t find a Nano frame to use during winter, I found a used Schwinn Loop. It works fine for my urban use.The studded tires are worth more than the bike.


Studded tires are amazing when u need them.
52telecaster is offline  
Likes For 52telecaster:
Old 03-09-23, 11:16 PM
  #1074  
Reddleman
iti biking
 
Reddleman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Aotearoa
Posts: 185

Bikes: Tern Link D8, much upgraded

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Liked 88 Times in 50 Posts
Originally Posted by Reddleman
There was a Polygon Zeta in the window of my local bike shop for a while - I passed it several times thinking that they can’t possibly be selling a mini velo surely? The shop mainly caters for the roadies, MTBers and the e-bike commuter crew so it seemed a bit out of character for them. I admit part of me was tempted to chuck gravel bars, the Microshift Advent super short groupset and some BMX tyres on one for a midget monstercross ride to confuse folks at the local forest bike parks but saner heads prevailed.
On account of people being boring, to no one’s surprise the local bike shop chain is now selling leftover 2022 models for 400NZD (a bit less than 250USD). So very tempted for that midget monstercross (midgetcross?) build…
Reddleman is offline  
Likes For Reddleman:
Old 03-10-23, 10:01 AM
  #1075  
tds101 
55+ Club,...
 
tds101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in New York, NY
Posts: 4,265

Bikes: 9+,...

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1085 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 570 Posts
Originally Posted by Reddleman
On account of people being boring, to no one’s surprise the local bike shop chain is now selling leftover 2022 models for 400NZD (a bit less than 250USD). So very tempted for that midget monstercross (midgetcross?) build…
Go for it! It's a solid price for a bike that's easily upgradeable. They even have a folder on their website with 9 speeds and HYDRAULIC disc brakes for a darn good price.
__________________
If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
tds101 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.