Originally Posted by
bikinpolitico
Just came across an article at BikeHugger about a style of bike called a Mini Velo that Masi is thinking about offering in the US. They are regular road frames with 20" wheels designed for those with limited space. They are not folding bikes though (which is good as folders have frames that are a real compromise performance wise in my opinion.) Apparently they are very popular in Japan where space is a premium and Gios and Bianchi currently make Mini Velos for that market.
Does anybody have one these things? If you have one, what do you think? Do you think it would be a good commuter bike for those with limited space or multi modal transportation?
(NOTE: These look like folders but they're not which is why this is not in the folder section of the forum.)
They aren't really anything new; Pashley and Moulton have been making small-wheeled road bikes that are at best separable, not folders, for decades. Unlike the Masi pictured, Moulton have recognized the importance of a damping suspension in small-wheeled bikes and have designed theirs with both wheels suspended. The Moultons are very much road bikes with exotic wire truss pylon constructed frames. If you have the cash--over USD 10,000 at this point with exchange--and you want something that goes fast that no one else will be riding, that might be for you.