Bikesdirect Mini Velo upgrade thread
12-05-11, 05:05 PM
#326
in cog neato
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Missouri
Posts: 357
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the compliments guys. Sorry for the tardy reply, I don't check the forum very often.
Mr. Jim, the Nano "blem" I received had some scratches on the drive side seatstay. None had gone deeper than the base coat. The most noticable was a 5mm gouge (at the top/right of this image):
I usually don't bother trying to touch up vehicle finishes but I've heard black is easy to do. Maybe if I think of it someday I'll pick up a bottle of black enamel at the hobby shop.
Mr. Jim, the Nano "blem" I received had some scratches on the drive side seatstay. None had gone deeper than the base coat. The most noticable was a 5mm gouge (at the top/right of this image):
I usually don't bother trying to touch up vehicle finishes but I've heard black is easy to do. Maybe if I think of it someday I'll pick up a bottle of black enamel at the hobby shop.
12-07-11, 09:58 PM
#327
Bike Nerd
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Mid- Michigan
Posts: 579
Bikes: mid 80's Fuji Supreme (commuter), LeRun unicycle thingy Raleigh Centrurion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Thanks for the info. I still haven't pulled the trigger.
12-20-11, 11:15 AM
#328
Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 28
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Can anyone tell me the width of the front dropouts? I am thinking about buying a Nano and mounting a front hub motor. Robert
01-01-12, 07:21 PM
#330
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 159
Bikes: Brompton H6L, DT Mini, DT 9FS, Dahon Ciao P8, Dahon Classic 3(x2), Dahon TR, R20, Raleigh Chopper III, Auto Mini Jr., Mercier Nano, Giant Anyroad2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just bought a near new orange 48cm Nano today off ebay and can't wait to ride it. Former owner sold it because he was too big for it. Price was right as I may wind up changing some things down the road.
01-02-12, 02:42 PM
#331
This bike is cat approved
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 1,531
Bikes: To many to list...
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the compliments guys. Sorry for the tardy reply, I don't check the forum very often.
Mr. Jim, the Nano "blem" I received had some scratches on the drive side seatstay. None had gone deeper than the base coat. The most noticable was a 5mm gouge (at the top/right of this image):
I usually don't bother trying to touch up vehicle finishes but I've heard black is easy to do. Maybe if I think of it someday I'll pick up a bottle of black enamel at the hobby shop.
Mr. Jim, the Nano "blem" I received had some scratches on the drive side seatstay. None had gone deeper than the base coat. The most noticable was a 5mm gouge (at the top/right of this image):
I usually don't bother trying to touch up vehicle finishes but I've heard black is easy to do. Maybe if I think of it someday I'll pick up a bottle of black enamel at the hobby shop.
01-13-12, 03:40 AM
#333
Senior Member
I just discovered these little bike-tinkerer wonders, and the 53s are out of stock at Bikesdirect. Any help locating a black 53 would be greatly appreciated.
01-13-12, 07:06 AM
#334
Bike Nerd
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Mid- Michigan
Posts: 579
Bikes: mid 80's Fuji Supreme (commuter), LeRun unicycle thingy Raleigh Centrurion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I had zero luck locating one and ended up buying something else
01-13-12, 09:53 PM
#336
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 70
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
01-13-12, 11:03 PM
#337
Senior Member
Hey Ryan, I recognize you from the iBob. I found a pristine orange 53 on SF Bay Craigslist with Sugino 48-34 cranks and Kojaks. I just got it home. I was looking for a black one, but I'm digging the orange. Time to dig into the parts bin. I'm thinking some old Mavic derailers would be a nice touch..
Joe Bernard
Vallejo, CA.
Joe Bernard
Vallejo, CA.
01-14-12, 12:32 PM
#338
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 70
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hey Ryan, I recognize you from the iBob. I found a pristine orange 53 on SF Bay Craigslist with Sugino 48-34 cranks and Kojaks. I just got it home. I was looking for a black one, but I'm digging the orange. Time to dig into the parts bin. I'm thinking some old Mavic derailers would be a nice touch..
Joe Bernard
Vallejo, CA.
Joe Bernard
Vallejo, CA.
Ryan
01-14-12, 04:43 PM
#339
Senior Member
Sounds like a score! I got a black one when they first came out but sold it. Now I have the bug again and an orange one coming my way. From past experience I'll need to change the stem/bars/levers/saddle but hopefully can otherwise avoid upgradeitis (not that there's anything wrong with that...).
Ryan
Ryan
01-14-12, 09:23 PM
#341
Senior Member
02-04-12, 03:02 PM
#342
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 70
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Here's my second one after I foolishly sold the first. But it's orange, so it's okay.
I like it a million times better with my trusty Brooks Pro and Grand Bois Maes bars.
I like it a million times better with my trusty Brooks Pro and Grand Bois Maes bars.
02-05-12, 11:32 PM
#343
Vello Kombi, baby
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Je suis ici
Posts: 5,188
Bikes: 1973 Eisentraut; 1970s Richard Sachs; 1978 Alfio Bonnano; 1967 Peugeot PX10
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 80 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
13 Posts
I need to post some new photos of mine-- changed out the crank and bottom bracket for an Isis/octalink job. Also was at an LBS today, and they sold me their old shop stock odd size tires and rims for fifty cents apiece-- included some NOS 451 rims and 20x1 tires-- anyone converted their nano to 451? Aside fro the tubes, that is...
__________________
"It's always darkest right before it goes completely black"
Waste your money! Buy my comic book!
"It's always darkest right before it goes completely black"
Waste your money! Buy my comic book!
02-06-12, 07:50 PM
#344
Vello Kombi, baby
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Je suis ici
Posts: 5,188
Bikes: 1973 Eisentraut; 1970s Richard Sachs; 1978 Alfio Bonnano; 1967 Peugeot PX10
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 80 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
13 Posts
With the new cranks, 30$ at the local co-op, included the bottom bracket. Substantially lighter than the stock ones:
Better looking too.
Better looking too.
__________________
"It's always darkest right before it goes completely black"
Waste your money! Buy my comic book!
"It's always darkest right before it goes completely black"
Waste your money! Buy my comic book!
02-07-12, 07:11 AM
#346
Vello Kombi, baby
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Je suis ici
Posts: 5,188
Bikes: 1973 Eisentraut; 1970s Richard Sachs; 1978 Alfio Bonnano; 1967 Peugeot PX10
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 80 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
13 Posts
I don't think it's made any longer, judging by the axiom site. I got it on sale at Nashbar; there's a similar but not identical one there now.
__________________
"It's always darkest right before it goes completely black"
Waste your money! Buy my comic book!
"It's always darkest right before it goes completely black"
Waste your money! Buy my comic book!
02-13-12, 11:26 PM
#347
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 70
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Has anyone else had squealy brakes? I took off the stock pads and installed Kool Stop Continentals. Sanded the pads down but the squeal is still awful. Any tips? I don't know if the rim surface has something to do with it.
Ryan
Ryan
02-29-12, 03:00 PM
#348
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 3,095
Bikes: Too many....................
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
6 Posts
There is a Nano for sale on Seattle CL with upgrades. https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/2877578701.html
__________________
Speed Uno
Dawes Kingpin 2speed
Speed Uno
Dawes Kingpin 2speed
Saving for another Swift.
03-02-12, 07:43 PM
#350
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 159
Bikes: Brompton H6L, DT Mini, DT 9FS, Dahon Ciao P8, Dahon Classic 3(x2), Dahon TR, R20, Raleigh Chopper III, Auto Mini Jr., Mercier Nano, Giant Anyroad2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
could not get it to stop. My LBS fixed it by setting toe-in the right way.
My Nano is now rolling on Primo Comets (20x1.5) and what a difference they make. I can coast a lot farther than on Kenda's and acceleration is better, too. Other recent upgrades include orange Gates pedals from Fyxation, Nitto stem, Origin8 levers, Axiom Adjustable Journey rack, rim tape and schrader tubes.
Last edited by airwulf; 03-02-12 at 07:59 PM.