So after finding no reviews or information on the Corsa minivelo - the 7 speed, not the fixie - I decided to give it a try.
My usual ride is a downtube nova, so my comparisons are to that.
specs on their website:
http://altonus.com/products-page/cor...minivelo-lime/
Model name: Minivelo
Frame size: 470mm/18in
Frame material: 6061 Aluminum Mini Bike
Numbers of gears: MFTZ217-SPD 14-28
Fork: Changtong Steel Stem
Shifter: Shimano EZ-Fire 7SPD
R. Derailleur: Shimano RD-TZ30 Pivot Type
Crank set: Prowheel 165mm Alloy 48T
Chain: KMC Z-51, 1/2 x 3/32" x 112 Link
F. Hub: Joytech 821F(QR)
R. Hub: Joytech 821R(QR)
Rims: JHT HLQC-02
Tires: Kenda K-177 20" x 1.2
Brakes: Promax TX-117
Brakes lever: Apse V-Brake
Saddle: Cionlli
N. weight: 23.81 lbs (10.8 kg)
Arrived well packed. The box was surprisingly small.
"There's a whole bike in there?"
came 90% assembled, just had to put in the steerer, front wheel, seat post, and pedals.
Frame: welds look good.
There are numerous areas where it looks like the paint was rubbed off. My theory is there were stickers on it in Chinese, and when they got permission to export this bike to the US, they grabbed some domestic bikes and ripped of the chinese stickers and ran them on the boat. Could be. Not a big deal.
Seat tube 47 cm as advertised
top tube about 50cm
Standover height is 27"
Drive train: short 165 cranks. freewheel identical to the downtube, from experience the range will be great for flat areas but a bit lacking on hills.
Tires: kenda 30x406. spec is identical to the downtube, but my nova's tires have a kenda sticker, these do not. Perhaps they are a domestic china version.
Fit: Good.
I am 5'6" and like my seat up fairly high. On my nova the seat is almost as high as the handlebars. One complaint I have about the downtube is the handlebars don't go a bit lower. The corsa fit is much more aero, but a shorter person would have a less aero fit. I suspect the frame size was chosen to fit an average Chinese man, but short to medium sized American men and women should fit fine. Taller folks may need a space to raise their handlebars and may find the reach short.
Saddle: The stitching is right on the top, making it very hard on top.
forgot to take a picture...
Pedals: heavy, don't spin real well, and the teeth are very pokey (ok, I wear thin shoes, those with thick shoes probably won't notice). Weighed at 14.4oz for pair.
I may get something lighter with less aggressive teeth.
Came with an entirely useless 3xAAA LED light, and a very useful bell.
kickstand by rear wheel looks very heavy duty
ride report to follow