Hi folks. Back with some updates to the Nano.

https://i.imgur.com/udtsYlV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/zK9IAbt.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/SO9EWwX.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/f5zhzYM.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Z3rOTbJ.jpg

I added the following:

Soma Highway One Bars
Nitto Technomic Stem
Tektro brakes
Shimano Claris shifters
Specialized Phat bartape
Black seat post clamp to match the headset
And I replaced the crank bolts. The new ones look nicer than the plain bolts it came with originally.

I think I am going to replace the crank, chain rings and bottom bracket next, but for now it rides nicely and brakes well. Saddle and tires will be last. I want to get some use out of the originals.

What surprised me the most was the performance of the Claris shifters. They are really nice for the price. Smooth shifts and very comfortable hoods. They're a winner in my book.

-Shin

Those Nitto stems are very nice.

They are, indeed. Shiny.

Before:

https://i.imgur.com/UgG3LYQ.jpg?1

After:

https://i.imgur.com/udtsYlV.jpg

-Shin

Nice job Shin, very impressive. I'm comparing the before and after photos. :-)

What model Downtube? I keep an FS9 in my trunk on my car.

All, I'm looking to put a front basket on (and keep my fenders). The main support will be from my handlebars (hi rise).

I'm wondering these clamps (found on Amazon) would work on the fork.
Pico 7324PT 1-1/2" ID Rubber Insulated Clamps 1/2" Aluminum with 1/4" Mounting Hole 4 per Package

https://www.amazon.com/Pico-Insulate.../dp/B0002ZG7YQ


If not, another suggestion?

Kilckfix caddy & Klickfix-compatible basket

Thank you It's been fun to work on. Rides nice too. It's the perfect "around town" bike.

-Shin

Abu, wow, a lot of solutions, Thank you

Ortlien Klickfix caddy. The caddy weight limit is 3kg. I don't recommend loading more than that on the handlebars...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ram1njj83e...9791.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/y6tho0uqix...28_1.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zoextga8kt...3823.jpg?raw=1


Tern sells a pretty decent Klickfix basket...

https://www.ternbicycles.com/sites/d...bike-truss.jpg

And so does Brooks...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8owba63yg2...16_1.jpg?raw=1

FS8 and Nova. I raised the handle bars on both today. Less leaning on them makes for a nicer ride. We don't ride them far (18 miles today), but they're fun.

Still thinking about ordering a Nano. Maybe after I hang most of the bikes on the rafters for the winter, it will feel less crazy to roll in another one. My grand daughter (4 years old) counted them and got ten. She was right. They're all inexpensive bikes ...

Bought my Nano a few weeks ago when it popped up on the local CL for $100. Pleasantly surprised to find it in practically brand new condition, and with a few upgrades (rear rack + rim strips + WTB Speed V saddle). Rode it on a couple 30-40 mile rides with some friends and LOVED it. It's great for getting on the Houston MetroRail as well.

So... it got some well-deserved upgrades. Since the original drivetrain was in such great condition, I was able to sell it and fund most of the upgrade parts. Here's what I've got so far:

- Shimano 105 5500 rear derailleur
- Shimano Ultegra 6500 front derailleur
- SRAM 970 cassette
- FSA 9 speed chain
- Shimano Dura Ace 7700 downtube shifters
- Suntour Sprint crankset, 52/42
- Shimano BB-UN72 bottom bracket
- Shimano 105 1050 brake levers
- Tektro brake pads
- Nitto Technomic stem
- some old Raleigh drop bar I had laying around
- Specialized Power replica saddle from Aliexpress (these things are great for ~$20)
- Bontrager bar tape
- Animal Nylon flat pedals
- Ibera alloy bottle cage
- New cables

In the future I'll upgrade the tires and call it a day. Figure I might as well wear these out a little bit, no reason to waste them.
Okay, maybe the headset will get an upgrade too....

Final weight is 25.4lb, which I'm happy with, especially considering that I only have $120 into the whole thing.

Pics:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/892/4...7f3b8021_k.jpgIMG_2098 by Sathvik Aithala, on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/900/2...797c9d69_k.jpgIMG_2099 by Sathvik Aithala, on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/798/4...a2756934_k.jpgIMG_2100 by Sathvik Aithala, on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/889/4...7d87881e_k.jpgIMG_2101 by Sathvik Aithala, on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/888/2...6d5dced3_k.jpgIMG_2102 by Sathvik Aithala, on Flickr

what's the wheelbase on the Nano?

I measured 94cm from the centers of the quick releases. Mine is the 53cm model.

I've come to appreciate a short wheelbase. I've got a minivelo with a 93cm wheelbase. I love its agility, flickability. It's a hoot. Can anyone else relate?

I think the steel frame helps offset road buzz a bit compared to my aluminum xootr swift which is a little longer, and the Nano is nimble. However so are my swift and Brompton. I also like being able to hang a large bag of the saddle. I can carry a lot more on my Brompton but a big bag in the front has a definite drag.

Sorry I missed your post. But what are your thoughts on the Nova?

I like the Nova. My original concern was some squeaking and groaning from the frame that made me think it was coming apart. Then I lubricated the hinge and it went quiet. A quiet bike must be, of course, a good bike, and usually faster, no? I like the latch design better on the Downtube 8FS, but the Nova latch is adequate.

Wanting to get a little more gearing. I switched the freewheel to a DNP 11-28. I believe the original was a 14-28 and the front gear s 46T. The brakes feel good, and the shifter shifts. I changed out the cheap bell. Use the same grips.

I just checked the wheelbase. Got 40 inches, which is 100 cm. It's always felt stable to me.

Thanks, not sure why they are geared so low. Switch FS9 to 11-32 and crank to 52. BTW, do you know the weight?

Help,

I need a new rear wheel on my Mercier Nano Mini-Velo. I bought it back in 2012, just broke a spoke, others do not look good and I run 100psi KWest tires on them. I weight 250lbs and a new wheel is in order.

If I buy a wheel, does the cog(?) come with it? Or re-use my old cog. BTW, I had upgraded to a SRAM PG-830 cassette so would like to stay with the same architecture.

Right now, I just learning the part names and what to ask for, so please forgive any confusing things I say.

Thank you.

I believe you want a wheel that works with rim brakes and takes a cassette, not a freewheel. Maybe you can find a 36 spoke wheel too, for added strength,

Think this will work?

https://www.modernbike.com/product-2126273103

Sunseeker EZ-1 recumbent rack
 

I have used a Sunseeker EZ-1 recumbent rack and used a Dremel tool to cut it down to make a really good front rack. Here is a link to what my Nano looks like now on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwU7QCAH...d=hnw1d7zv3o85
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b861b7d55c.jpg

I think it will
 

I am pretty sure it will work for you. I'll probably be having to get a new set of wheels before too long as well....let us know how it works out for you...

Tioga Powerblocks 20x1.75
 

Is anyone running the Tioga PowerBlock 1.75 on their Nano? I have seen people mention them as being very tight fit, and was wondering if they had issues... I'd like to go with a as fat a tire as possible without fenders.....but am afraid the Tioga Powerblock 1.6 is as big as will fit without issue...anyone have any advice on this?