Originally Posted by
Bikeman58
Just curious if someone could explain what the appeal of the Bigshot Polo (and bikes of this ilk - Mini Velos) is besides novelty.... I guess it may be slightly lighter and shorter than a full sized bike(less wheel weight/diameter), which would help when carrying... but it does not fold, so the size is not much different than a "full-size" bike. Also, the smaller wheel is likely more maneuverable (at very slow speeds), but the smaller diameter, narrow wheel makes it less able to handle bumps, potholes, etc., so it's kind of a wash as a city bike. Seems trendy, but not terribly practical -- from a usability standpoint somewhere between a folder and a fixie -- without the benefits of either... (performance of a fixie or size/transportability of a folder).
Is this bike simply about it's "cool" factor... is it a gimmick... or am I missing something?
The appeal of a mini velo lies in its being able to zip through urban congestion, smaller wheels roll faster over the ground and it makes taking a bike up and down a multi-story apartment every day a breeze and storage is simpler than for a "normal" bike. That's why its ubiquitous in Japan and other Asian countries where space is at a premium.