New Koga Miyata 20"
 

Called the 'Adaptor' the mini- velo has folding handlebars. One of the roadie mags tested it with some joy, but it's not cheap. A looker though, belt drive and IGH too. Oversize headtube adds threat of menace.

What's missing? Disk brakes would have been nice and the rear rack is something of an unintegrated bolt-on. Nexus 8 on the back, and a 7005 frame, Cro-Mo fork. Weight: Ouch: 13.5 Kg. Cost in Europe about E1500

http://www.koga.com/upload/collectio...13/4433558.jpg

I don't think it would qualify as a folder on NL trains as it doesn't seem to actually fold.
For that reason I don't expect they'll be popular here.

There seems to be a growing trend in Europe for mini-velos, they fit in small apartments, don't really fold, but are nimble in traffic. Also small wheel bikes are currently becoming 'cool' everywhere, it's a trend which few anticipated even 10 years ago. London is awash with them in the summer. I have a friend who lives in Amsterdam, she tells me there are more Dahons and Bromptons there every day. I don't know about taking bikes on the public transport there though.

This hi-res webcam in Amsterdam is perfect for mini-velo spotting, it zooms to full screen and has sound, too:

http://www.terena.org/webcam/

Bikes are expensive in Holland, but 1500 euros, Ouch !
& who needs 8 gears in a country where a pimple is classed as a hill, well there is riding into the wind i suppose.

I see your point. But if I buy a small-wheeler, it's going to need to be one that I can take on the trains for free and at rush-hour.
Fun webcam. I walked through that square two days ago.:)

Kogas are expensive everywhere.
But general bike and part prices in NL are among the cheapest I've seen anywhere.

that bike is just beautiful, looks like you can go touring on it like the usual Koga's. If they made that a folder it would be icing on the cake.

Looks like C'dale Hooligan. Nice!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/...17f55353f0.jpg

I totally get the mini-velo thing...small wheels are fast for city riding, strong, nimble and kinda cute...however I figure if I'm going to ride a 20" wheel bike around town it might as well fold! Given how much these mini-velos weigh and how stiff my Bike Friday NWT is I can't see the downside to the NWT. You don't need to fold it to enjoy it...but, it's handy that you can.

less joints, less places for the frame to crack.
I like it.

but I would prefer that it have elevated chainstay and disc brakes.

The road testers said the pedals at the bottom of the stroke are only 58mm from the road surface."Novice riders constantly ground the pedals, the experienced testers did it once, then compensated."

I grind the pedals on my 26" bike. :twitchy:

I don't quite "get" this bike. OK, it's a mini-velo, there's a place for them in the marketplace, esp in Europe and Asia. But, very ordinary looking frame (very similar to Moulton's F-frame, which has been around for 50 years). Heavy as a tank. 7005 alum, big deal. IGH, bid deal.

What would possibly make this bike justify 1,500 Euros? What am I missing???

At the weight and price, it probably houses the Gruber Assist :eek: :eek:

SC sed "What would possibly make this bike justify 1,500 Euros?"

It's a whack. But the eventual retail might be around E1000 in a year's time. Even so:twitchy:

Koga Miyata have a reputation for heavy build quality, their bikes regularly feature on round-the-world tours, but then so do Schwinn 'Varsities.

Brand loyalty will sell a few but not at Snafu Castle. I think it's a looker though, apart from the scaffolding rat-trap over the rear wheel.

The 'elastic band and IGH commuter crowd' will buy anything to keep the grease off their Jimmy Choos, though. :-)

for the price,
I'd rather have an ios xL.
anyone with me?

Try grabbing the water bottle on the go.

Totally with you. Koga's are warhorses and make fantastic touring bikes. However, The high-end Dahons like the ios XL are much better specified and designed. It has a beautiful hydroformed frame and hydraulic disc brakes. You don't get much better than the Alfine hub and it has a very poweful front LED powered by an Alfine dynamo hub (2nd only in efficiency to Son).

I test rode the ios XL the other day. Beautiful bike and not so outrageous given its quality and features.

I saw this Koga Miyata folding bike in Germany this summer:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=398815
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=398816

The suspension looks similar to what's on the Dahon Jetstream EX.