Folding Bikes - RANS Mini - Small Wheel Crank Forward Bike Update

The RANS Mini has finally debuted!

As the ad says, "compact for travel, take it on the bus, upstairs, in a plane."

Frame made of USA made TIG welded 7005 aluminum, fork Rans cro-mo steel.

Overall length is 62" packed is 41." Wheelbase is 42.5" Comes in black but you could have it powder-coated in any of the Rans factory colors.

You can run 406 mm tires on it including Big Apples. Street price is $1345 and it will also be offered as a frameset only for $1245.


http://www.ransbikes.com/Website_Templates/MiniSpecs.gif

This will be of interest to those who have long sought a small wheeled CF bike. Looks like another solid RANS offering now on the market!

Looks like it has the potential to be a *****in' wheelie machine...

Yup... I don't know if it folds but RANS says its packable so I see no reason the Mini shouldn't be discussed on here!

Do like the idea of a small CF but that street price is too rich for my blood.

Crank Forward (mini velo or full-sized) is a PAIN - in the knees - especially for us older riders. My Electra cruiser is CF. The bike's length is nice due to my height, but the pedaling position is less than optimal.

Lou

Crank Forward (mini velo or full-sized) is a PAIN - in the knees - especially for us older riders.
Lou, you sound like you're speaking from experience. I've sometimes thought that I'd like a crank forward or a recumbent, because I'd find it easier to handle at stoplights. I've fallen over trying to balance my bike when stopped, since a seat properly adjusted for pedaling makes me lean over to put a foot on the ground. Never hurt, often embarrassed. But you're giving me second thoughts - I'd better try it first.

A CF is a bike where you can put both feet flat down on the ground while remaining seated. For those for whom an ordinary "safety" bicycle makes them feel lacking in confidence about being able to stop on tippy toes, a CF can be very reassuring.

That's why there is a market for these bikes.

A CF is a bike where you can put both feet flat down on the ground while remaining seated. For those for whom an ordinary "safety" bicycle makes them feel lacking in confidence about being able to stop on tippy toes, a CF can be very reassuring.

That's why there is a market for these bikes.

Not good for all riders, I'm afraid. I'm 5 ft 1 1/2 inches tall and I'm still "tippy toe" even on a crank forward.

Still, at least I'd be at maximum seat height for efficient pedaling. That's hard for me to do on a regular bike.

I'm definitely tippy toe on my Raleigh but I'm still not at a good seat height. This means that my starts are not as powerful as they could be. My knees sometimes feel sore cause - yeah - I want my feet (in my case my toes) to touch ground from the saddle when I stop.

I know this is a silly question but would like to see what people think about it: Would one get at least part of the benefits of CF by simply installing his or her saddle as far back as possible? To make the effect slightly more pronounced, I imagine a seatpost with longer setback (and in turn a shorter stem) might be necessary. Or is the idea totally off kilter?

If you can get to the point that it feels like you are pedaling a little kids bike, you've likely got it. YUK!

fwd-bwd - The idea isn't way off. I've actually tried that. I've gotten a saddle with long rails so I could push the saddle back as far as possible. It makes a difference of a 1/2 inch or less.

However, my feet/legs ares not directly above the crank set but very, very slightly behind it.

But, it really doesn't come close to it being a crank forward.