These mini bikes are very popular in Japan, South Korea, and some other Asian countries. You can see in this video which mini velo and folding bikes are celebrated in this annual event in Japan. They are popular there because their living spaces are small, the urban environment is very dense, and their people tend to be more petite and have a smaller stature. But I don’t think having a smaller stature has that much to do with riding these mini bikes because folding bikes (sometimes even smaller than the mini velo) are pretty popular with all demographics around the world. Moreover, many frame sizes vary from 47 cm to 55 cm, big enough to fit a 6 footer. You might ask, “Why not get a folding bike instead of a mini velo?” The difference is very apparent. Many folding bikes also come with 20″ wheels identical to mini velo’s, but the difference lies within the frame. Because mini velo is not foldable (no break in the frame and neck) they don’t flex. Rather it’s pretty stiff and it gives you a softer bounce when going over bumps. When you are climbing hills or riding over long distances, folding bikes start to flex more than you would like. Secondly, the handlebar is of the same width as a regular sized one so it’s more comfortable and easier to handle than a folder. Finally, the drivetrain components are of the same as a 700c bikes. This may explain why I feel like the mini velo rides closer to a regular bike than a folding bike. They are lighter than folding bikes too, another advantage. Because many of the components are identical to a regular size bike, you can obtain it at most bike shops or online stores. Accessories are similar too The only thing people may feel adverse to about the mini velo is the awkward geometry of the frame, but I am sure that feeling will go away once people see it more frequently and get used its looks. I now find it to be very cute with a few retro elements thrown in like the frame, the quill stem, and the shifters. The Mini Velo is definitely a quick bicycle. With its 20” tires, I don’t really need to use the smaller front gear because now I can stay with the largest front gear always even when climbing hills (I can now stick with the large gear during my 7 mile climb on my way home and stay constantly at 10 plus mph whereas I can only climb at an average speed of 8 mph with my regular bike—pathetic when compared to the Tour de France average climb pace of 21 to 30 mph, LOL. The Mini Velo gives you a quick and fast head start on everyone, and tends to make the Spandex cyclist want to race and catch up with you (probably because of ego and knowing that a cyclist with smaller tires just passed them). And I also find the Mini Velo more comfortable when riding in the rain. You don’t really need fenders because the tires are small—my regular bike became uncomfortable during the rain because I had no fenders so the mud and sand kicked up on me. But it is not like that with the Mini Velo.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 00:28:33 +0000
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