Hi from a fellow SF'er! I don't have a minivelo but I do have a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket with 20" wheels, and I can relate to what you are saying. As soon as I began riding it, I immediately started getting questions about it from all sorts of random people and I rarely ever see any other BF's, although I do think folders are less unusual around these parts. Still a lot of people initially think it's a bmx bikes on steroids. Others brains short circuit when they are expecting 700c or 26" hoops and they see the smaller wheels.

So, I think one part of it is that, like with anything unusual, more people take notice. I think the SF cycling crowd are mostly split between the fixie crowd, the uber commuter crowd, and the one-upping the next carbon fiber roadie with my Mavic Cosmic Carbones crowd. Not to say I have any issue with carbon fiber bikes or carbon wheels (I own and love one), but in some cases it seems to become less about fun, and more about appearance and fad. The Bike Friday provides an extensive amount of fun value that cannot be had with a larger wheeled bike, and I bet you experience the same with the mv. I also enjoy the fact that it's a great conversation starter.