Folding Bikes - Mezzo Folders

Anyone know if these are available in the US? They look very nice!
http://www.mezzobikes.com/index.html

Nope, it's available in Europe only. They get all the fun...*pouts*

They are indeed fab. Been using mine for multimodal commute (and now direct commute) for more thn a year now. Its a great stiff, responsive ride. And a fast, secure, small fold (somewhere between Brompton and Birdy in folded size). Only complaint (from some) is slightly low gearing. I'm not that bothered by gearing as I have fairly high cadence, but come the new year I might get the rear wheel rebuilt around a Capreo hub to give me access to the Capreo cassette, which would add a bit to the top end.

Oh, and the luggage system is fantastic. In fact awesomely fantastic. Takes a rolled up suit, sports gear and a few papers, clips neatly onto the back rack and when not on bike is smart enough to use as business case (just).

Not that I'm trying to make you jealous.

Having said that, LittlePixel considers it the ugliest folding bike ever built (but then what does he know about design, eh?) ;)

A couple of days ago I found a web site with complete specs (much more than the mezzo home site) Now I can't find it again. Anyone have it and the weight for the d9? Is it feasible customs and tax wise to pick it up in England on a trip?

I really like the look of the Mezzo. Wish it was available in the US. :(

--sam

Check out the other current Mezzo-related thread - Oribike are looking for a US distributor...

BTW - have decided to take the plunge and fix myself up with a Capreo hubbed and geared rear wheel. Will report back on experience.

EDIT - just splurged £170 on getting SJS Cycles to put me together a Capreo hubbed rear wheel, with Alex CR18 rims, plus Capreo cassette. Should up my high gear by about 20% and give a bit more space between gears. Should arrive next week. I'll report...

Just saw this today, are they still not available in the US, I want one!
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/mezzo-unveils-new-top-folder-14295

Hi Guys

I like the new shape, very slick, but, I don't like the fact that you have to remove the front wheel.

Chop! (in Hamburg)

Remove the front wheel? Why? Did I miss something? Where in their video demo did they remove the front wheel?
An inquiring mind awaits anxiously an answer from the tatooed and pierced Welshman.

By the way, for those of us in the U.S. it would appear the Bike Friday Tikit is a very similar design to the Mezzo but it's made in Oregon. Yes, the look of the frame is a little different from the clean lines of the Mezzo but the top tube still has no hinge, it folds extremely quickly and compactly, is adequately geared and is just as comfortable, I suppose (I don't have either to compare). In addition, there is no gooseneck stem or front wheel removal involved with the Tikit (I'm still not sure the Mezzo requires this either, though.) The Tikit is not cheap but four weeks ago a less expensive $999 version was introduced. Even the $400 higher-priced hyperfold version, though, is much less expensive that the Mezzo/Ori, assuming you bought one overseas. The dollar is taking a beating against foreign currencies, especially the British pound and the Euro. For U.S. customers it seems the Tikit is the ticket for the least-complicated, fastest folding bike.

You do have to disconnect the front wheel from the bottom of the forks so it can swing back, but it is still attached to the bike when folded. Watch the folding video:

http://www.mezzobikes.com/videos/Mezzo%20Fold%20-%20Windows%20Media.wmv

I've had a look at one at my local LBS. I like the anodized frame, and overall it's much more modern looking than a Brompton.

If you put it into a suitcase I don't see why you would get any problems or charges importing it into the US discreetly.

You should also be able to reclaim the VAT (17.5%) when you depart from the UK (get a VAT receipt). Most of the parts are standard size so should be no problem to keep on the road.

I wouldn't say the tikit folds small at all
Tikit bike folds to 15"x24"x35"

Info taken from here:
http://www.bikefriday.com/tikit/launch

Small is relative, of course. That Bike Friday link shows someone carrying it off a bus rather handily - I couldn't guess how much smaller the same photo holding a Mezzo would be. By the way, can the Mezzo be wheeled along when folded like the Tikit?

I am sure the Tikit is a great bike but the question was folded size the Tikit folds to 15"x24"X35" and the mezzo is 27"X12"X25" both according to the respective companies.

The classic Brompton still is the reigning champion of compactness... but does not ride as well as the tikit. Some say the Mezzo/Ori rides better too.

10.5 x 22 x22

I am sure the Tikit is a great bike but the question was folded size...

Don't get me wrong, I like the design of the Mezzo and prefer its looks myself over the Tikit (I don't own either, nor plan to). I don't even argue that the Mezzo folds up smaller than the Tikit, though it appears from other posts here that you have to remove the Mezzo's front wheel to make it that small. I was only trying to point out a domestic alternative to the cost of international round-trip airfare in order to buy a fast-folding, compact folder. Of course, I wrongly assumed that U.S. availability was your question, not smallest folded size. Perhaps a little clarity in your inquiry would have helped me avoid the misunderstanding. Anyway, I'm guessing it's just a waiting game until the Ori is eventually in the U.S. but if it's the Mezzo you really want, you may have to add airfare to the purchase.

[...] I don't even argue that the Mezzo folds up smaller than the Tikit, though it appears from other posts here that you have to remove the Mezzo's front wheel to make it that small.

I keep seeing this, but it's not true.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azcBd6q0VfE

(unfold and fold in 15 secs!)

or more slowly

Quicktime (http://www.mezzobikes.com/videos/Mezzo%20Fold%20-%20Quicktime.mov) or WMV (http://www.mezzobikes.com/videos/Mezzo%20Fold%20-%20Windows%20Media.wmv)

The classic Brompton still is the reigning champion of compactness... but does not ride as well as the tikit. Some say the Mezzo/Ori rides better too.

10.5 x 22 x22

Some say the Brompton rides better than the Mezzo/Ori though...

I'd say that if you want small quick folding with excellent stiffness and riding characteristics, the Birdy is hard to beat. You get full suspension, good components, and light weight at a comparable price. And you don't have to dismantle anything.

The engineering and build quality are fantastic, which is probably why Japan is their best market.

If you are going to England anyway and was thinking of picking up a bike as an afterthought, they have a better selection of Birdy bikes and accessories over there. My only gripe with the Birdy is the lackluster support by the importer. However...as they are officially represented in the US, parts would be less of a problem than with the Mezzo and there are new dealers appearing that seem to be serious about promoting the product. Hopefully more interest will goose the importer into improving things.

I keep seeing this, but it's not true.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azcBd6q0VfE

(unfold and fold in 15 secs!)

or more slowly [/URL]

Okay, I see now. The front wheel is disengaged from its fork in order to pivot it rearward but it is still connected to the bike, not fully removed. This makes for a slightly more complicated (longer?) folding sequence than that demonstrated by the Tikit but results in a more compact package than many folders (except for the Brompton according to one post.) The Mezzo doesn't appear to be designed to roll along when folded like the Tikit. I find the rolling feature in my Strida to be convenient though this may not be important for those who don't plan on carrying their folder more than a few minutes and would opt instead for a light, compact package.

The Mezzo doesn't appear to be designed to roll along when folded like the Tikit.

The newer versions have wheels built into the rear of the rack so it can be wheeled, but not as easily as a Strida.

You can see them here http://www.mezzobikes.com/index.html

Lee

would some kind soul be able to tell me where to find the frame number on a Mezzo? No, I dont waant to file it off, I want to check a prospective purchase isnt stolen.

john k

I think the stem/handlepost looks disgusting, but other than that the aesthetics are great. I'm not sure I could 'bond' with it.

would some kind soul be able to tell me where to find the frame number on a Mezzo? No, I dont waant to file it off, I want to check a prospective purchase isnt stolen.

john k

Sorry about the delay, I didn't actually know where it was!


Anyway, underneath ... see attachment

Are Mezzos selling well in the States?

Reason I ask is that I am coming out to Florida in a few days to visit my wife who is working as a care-giver near Delray Beach. I have a Mezzo myself and thought I'd pick up one second-hand before leaving, stuff it in a big suitcase and take it across for her.

Typically me, I ended up buying two: a two-year old I4 (four gears, internal hub) and a brand new D9 (9 gear derailleur) where the owner had won it in a competition. I'm sure I could sell both at a small profit over here but my wife would have to disassemble the bike to bring it back home. I'm therefore minded to bring the I4 to the States and leave her to sell it at the end of her "tour of duty".

I suppose what I am wondering is whether this is a good idea, should I substitute the D9 for the I4 or should I get her to bring the bike back? Any of you guys have an idea of what the market for Mezzos is like Stateside?

John

As far as I know Mezzo bikes are only sold in the UK. Outside the UK, the brand is called Ori Bikes. It's a strange relationship between the designer (Mezzo) and the manufacturer (Ori).

At any rate, Mezzo is only sold in the UK and Ireland. Ori currently only has dealers in Europe and Asia. There are no dealers for either bike in the US. If you want one, you will have to order it online and have it shipped to the States. Or, just pick one up from a dealer in Europe/UK/Asia. :)

--sam

<snipped> If you want one, you will have to order it online and have it shipped to the States. Or, just pick one up from a dealer in Europe/UK/Asia. :)

Thanks for taking time to answer, Sam, but as I said in the OP, I have two Mezzos already. I want to bring one to the States from here (the UK) for my wife and I have established it will fit in my suitcase. I just wanted to know what people thought were my chances of reselling the Mezzo at the end of our stay, and which would be most likely to sell - the two-year-old I4 or the new D9 and I guess I would be looking at prices round $400 and $650 respectively.

Regards

John

Hmmm... I think your chances of having a quick sell will be tough in Florida. I lived most of my life there and things are two spread out for typical multi-modal commuting with a Mezzo or any folding bike.

That said, if you post about it here... perhaps someone on this forum might be interested in buying it from you, if you're willing to ship it before you depart.

Basically, you will need to be prepared to take it back with you.

--sam

Hmmm... I think your chances of having a quick sell will be tough in Florida. I lived most of my life there and things are two spread out for typical multi-modal commuting with a Mezzo or any folding bike.

That said, if you post about it here... perhaps someone on this forum might be interested in buying it from you...

* drums fingers, waiting for SC to pounce *

Wow! These look amazing. I am always bummed at how folders have been so slow to take off in the US.....although we are starting to see more of them in DC Metro area finally. Guess Europeans get to have all the fun.

* drums fingers, waiting for SC to pounce *

Yup, I sense an immense amount of PM'ing going on behind the scenes... :bang:

I see the Mezzo frame has been updated along the lines of the Monocoque Birdy.

Yup, I sense an immense amount of PM'ing going on behind the scenes... :bang:

Heheheh! or should I say :lol: ?

Anyway, I think I have a buyer for the I4 now on eBay, so it's probably going to be the Mezzo D9, although I've spotted a Mobiky which might suit her better.

I do love PMs though ;)