Folding Bikes - soma mini velo or mercier nano?

Hi, I'm thinking about purchasing a mini velo for city to city use. I've been looking around the forums about mercier nano upgrades but some have mentioned that the cost of upgrading could become pricey, I'm also a bike newbie... should I go with the soma mini velo instead? Given that the some online stores sell them 750$.. I've also looked at the citta but it's just not my thing.. I'd appreciate any input, thank you!

The Soma is a nice bike and $750 sounds like a good deal over what they went for originally. The Nano is $300 but you could put another $300 for upgrades.

I have a Nano and really like it but if I was going to buy another mini velo it would be the Soma. I put over $300 in minor upgrades so far and have improved my bike but it's far from being a perfect ride for me.

The Soma is a great looking minivelo, I guess it all depends on your budget and commitment. If, as you say, you are a newbie to the bike world, then the mercier will let you test if you actually like it or not for less money, and then if you do you will be able to upgrade as you wish.

If you are sure to like riding, I´d go for the Soma. It´s a great package, and that´s a really good price.

thanks for the input guys. and that's what i was trying to think over, if I purchase the nano and spend about 300$ on upgrades, will that somehow net me a bike that's on par with the soma mini velo?

No, The Soma is nicer , I would buy it over the Nano.

If you think you want Brifters than you could do some nice upgrades on the Nano that would make it a pretty nice bike. If money was no object i would have one of the Soma mini velos in my possession already. $750 isn't too bad a price though, but I am cheap. I have one of the Bikesdirect prototypes (Windsor Shetland) similar to the Nano and I love the downtube shifters. My Windsor is speced a bit better than the Nano, but I think its a pretty great little bike for the price.

I have a Nano and really like it but if I was going to buy another mini velo it would be the Soma. I put over $300 in minor upgrades so far and have improved my bike but it's far from being a perfect ride for me.

With the nano you will be spending money on upgrades... the stock parts are mostly craptacular. I love mine but I like wrenching. Frankly, at the price point the soma is now, I would probably go for it over the Nano.

thanks for the input guys. and that's what i was trying to think over, if I purchase the nano and spend about 300$ on upgrades, will that somehow net me a bike that's on par with the soma mini velo?

If you have good sources for used parts, maybe.

Hmm, I suppose I'll stick with the soma because I'm no bike mechanic... On sizing though, I wonder which will fit me better. sizes are 48cm (stand over height 28 inches) or 53cm (stand over height 30 inches) I'm 5'5 and have 30 inches inseam length. Should I stick with the 48cm? Just kind of worried that the top tube length might feel awkward to reach because it's 4 inches shorter than the 53cm frame.

thank you!

What did you end up doing?

I bought a 48cm Nano as a gift, which backfired -- so I've been riding it and like it a lot! So much so that I've ordered a 53cm Soma for myself. Comparisons soon...