mconlonx

OK, so I was one of the few who got one of the prototypes. The one I received was the black S/M Nano. It came with chopped and flopped drop bars, cross levers, and the headtube shifters. At 5'7", I was on the upper end of fit for the bike and immediately needed to get the stem/bars higher. Installed a stem extender and it was perfect. Except it put the shifting significantly out of easy reach. Or I'm just too soft to get used to shifters located so low. In any case, everything got fixed up with for real bullhorn bars, bar end shifters, and relocating the brake levers:



Rest of the bike remained stock while I owned it. If I'd kept it, some puncture protection tires would have been in order, and the saddle would have been swapped out. Maybe a longer seatpost. And if I hadn't got a screaming good price re-selling a grouppo that fell in my lap, it would have got upgraded to Dura Ace 8sp group...

monsterpile

Those would work great for my Shetland mini velo except the front spacing. I have seen spacer/extender kits sold for wheelsets like this to convert them to 100mm spacing. Is that something I could do making my own spacers to make the front wheel work or is it not worth it? these smaller wheels are pretty much new to me so I don't know what is out there.

james_swift

You can use the existing axle and skewer from your Shetland front wheel, transplant it to the new wheel plus add 13mm of spacers to each side of the axle to bring the OD out to 100mm (3 x 4mm spacers and 1 x 1 mm spacer).

monsterpile

Ok that seems simple enough. I could probably transplant an axle from another wheel, but is there special spacers I need or just find something at the hardware store or what? I can probably figure it out, but why reinvent the wheel? =)

james_swift

The axle spacers you'll want are 10mm, so I believe any standard hardware washer with a 10mm hole and 1mm thickness should work. Bring your axle with you to the hardware store for best fitting.

https://wheelsmfg.com/content/view/520/42/

monsterpile

Thanks for all the info on those wheels.

james_swift

Look what FedEx just dropped-off:

themothman421

^^^ Nice!

I'm trying to debate what I should upgrade first on mine...what do you think would give me the most bang for my buck? Or alternatively, what are the crappiest stock components that I should replace immediately? haha.

Also, I might be able to buy a cheap nitto stem from a friend, but I don't know what the stock handlebar size is...

james_swift

I would start with brakes and brake levers, then tires. I believe the bars are 26.0. I'll measure them tonight to confirm.

https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1757 (free shipping!)

themothman421

Nice! I hadn't even thought of getting new levers as well, but I'll for sure bite on these! Thanks again for measuring the bars, too.

punkgeek

Wow - what a deal! Ordered. My crank and tires should be here on the weekend.

BruceMetras

Those look to be standard reach calipers ... the Nano looks to have long reach calipers (probably 47 to 57mm).. especially if it was originally designed as a 451 bike ... might want to check before ordering..

Dynocoaster 

They also have this brake set if you like to ride with your hands on top of the bars https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1688. Good point about checking first if the long reach are needed.

Dynocoaster 

Good deal on this crank set https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1559

james_swift

That is a good deal. Note that they only come in 170mm and 175mm lengths.

NormanF

At 5'7" I am at your height and the stock stem on my Mini Polo was too low. A stem extender solved the problem and got the stem up to the saddle height where I like it.

NormanF

Swapping to 165 mm cranks is always a good idea with a small wheel bike. Great ground clearance is desirable for preventing pedal strike.

monsterpile

I am pretty sure the brake levers are the same as my Shetland and I an actually like them. I actually ordered another pair from Bike Island (they have some great stuff). I would try a pair of better brake pads before spending any money on new brake calipers. I just put some Kool Stop Mountain pads on the front calipers tonight and I can now lock up my wheels even with the junk pads still on the rear. The difference was pretty amazing.

Dynocoaster 

I adjusted the front brake pads and cable and braking seemed fine to me for a new bike.

james_swift

My calipers say the bars are 25.8 (call it a 26.0).

themothman421

Good to know, thanks again.

If I were to change out the fork, would something like this work?

https://www.amazon.com/Redline-Fork-1...5831670&sr=1-1

james_swift

I doubt the fork tube would be long enough. The head tube on the M/L Nano is crazy long.

subigo

Yeah, the people saying you can replace the fork with a BMX fork or a regular road fork have no idea what they're talking about...

Dynocoaster 

I took the cheap plastic caps off the cranks and I had some nice Sakae caps. Looks better.

Dynocoaster 

I installed upright handle bars, got rid of the front derailleur, replaced the skewers with black ones and installed cork grips and put a couple of coats of Shellac on them. I found a light Shimano 52 tooth ring in my spares and will install that next.