Review of Downtube Mini with internal hub
07-27-07, 08:22 PM
#351
Señor Mambo
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Nice build! I hope you remembered to put a puncture resistant liner in the back tire; the rear wheel will be a PITA +1/2 to change in the rain. 
07-28-07, 03:03 PM
#352
Part-time epistemologist
I used this aluminum tube https://onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm...owunits=inches
with Yan's adjustable handlebar base.
After that, I just found a long stem that came with a 1" shim.
07-28-07, 03:08 PM
#353
Part-time epistemologist
ih, I would go with the 31.8mm. If you need tighter closure, dremel off .6mm of each interior face of the clamp gap. There is far less stress closing 1.2mm (when it's designed to close slightly wider than that) vs. forcing it open 2mm beyond design.
It's too bad the SRAM iM9 isn't available in the States yet... since you were doing a wheelbuild anyway.
It's too bad the SRAM iM9 isn't available in the States yet... since you were doing a wheelbuild anyway.
The dropout spacing on the Mini is narrow. 116 mm. I don't think that one has a lot of choices.
I gave some serious thought to building the hub into a ERTO 349 wheel. But getting brakes for the front fork would have been expensive.
07-28-07, 03:10 PM
#354
Part-time epistemologist
I have yet to do that. Generally because I am planning on picking up Big Apples at some point. Moreover, I just found a good deal on 22mm rim tape. So I am going to replace the present 17mm tape on the wheel.
07-28-07, 05:41 PM
#355
too many bikes
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For liners, watch PricePoint, who seem to have better discounts for the B grade liners (to me, SpinSavers are A grade, and higher priced). Buy the one for MTBs (cheaper) and cut to length or overlap.
08-10-07, 03:56 PM
#356
Is this your card?
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A little help, please...
I wanted to remove the non-adjustable stem on my DT mini (in order to weigh it). There are two 5mm bolts that hold it to the hinge. One unscrewed without a problem, but the other just keeps turning, but does not extract. How do I get the other bolt out?
I wanted to remove the non-adjustable stem on my DT mini (in order to weigh it). There are two 5mm bolts that hold it to the hinge. One unscrewed without a problem, but the other just keeps turning, but does not extract. How do I get the other bolt out?
Last edited by woofman; 08-11-07 at 03:57 PM.
08-11-07, 10:44 PM
#357
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I'm itching to get this bike and I'd rather get the 2008 for the adjustable stem. So someone clear out the 2007 bikes already!! 
I wanted to ask owners of this bike:
Is this the kind of bike that I can carry around like a Brompton into movie theaters and stuff?
I wanted to ask owners of this bike:
Is this the kind of bike that I can carry around like a Brompton into movie theaters and stuff?
08-12-07, 01:44 AM
#359
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According to downtube.com it's still up for grabs...
08-12-07, 04:33 AM
#360
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I think we may be talking past each other: This thread is about the DT mini with 8sp hub - the one left over is the capreo.
08-12-07, 05:45 AM
#361
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Ahhh thanks for the clarification. Most people seem to be talking about the model with suspension. Are there people here who prefer no suspension?
08-12-07, 06:26 AM
#362
Part-time epistemologist
08-12-07, 06:29 AM
#363
Part-time epistemologist
A little help, please...
I wanted to remove the non-adjustable stem on my DT mini (in order to weigh it). There are two 5mm bolts that hold it to the hinge. One unscrewed without a problem, but the other just keeps turning, but does not extract. How do I get the other bolt out?
I wanted to remove the non-adjustable stem on my DT mini (in order to weigh it). There are two 5mm bolts that hold it to the hinge. One unscrewed without a problem, but the other just keeps turning, but does not extract. How do I get the other bolt out?
-G
08-12-07, 09:34 AM
#364
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08-12-07, 09:45 PM
#365
Eschew Obfuscation
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Thanks for the suggestion!
08-13-07, 02:18 AM
#366
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So guys, would the mini be a bike that you can lug into a movie theater like a Brompton?
08-13-07, 06:48 AM
#367
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I have some pictures of my Mini with the Brompton that belongs to Android. The Brompton is a couple of inches longer in the wheelbase. The Brompton folds extremely narrowly as you can see in the pictures.
My Mini has an extended stem modification, so the handlebar fold is not tight in the picture. I should have removed the handlebar and tucked it between the wheels for a better comparison.
Last edited by SesameCrunch; 08-13-07 at 11:04 AM.
08-13-07, 08:01 AM
#368
Part-time epistemologist
08-13-07, 08:05 AM
#369
Part-time epistemologist
I think that you can bring it into a lot of places. Movie theater that isn't packed ... yes. An itsy bitsy NYC restaurant ... probably no. Suburban restaurant--i.e., TGI Friday--almost certainly yes. The again, I don't know whether a Brompton would be welcome either; but it would have a better shot since the chain is inside the fold.
08-13-07, 11:43 PM
#370
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Thanks for the great pictures Sesame! Someone should have shot a side-by-side comparison a long time ago. The Brompton's compactness makes me want to get a Brompton. If the mini folded that well, it'd be a no-brainer. Decisions decisions...
08-14-07, 02:23 AM
#371
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+1. The Mini is such a nice bike, too bad (at least for me) once folded it is not a nice pack to deal with.
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08-14-07, 06:43 AM
#372
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Last edited by SesameCrunch; 08-14-07 at 06:57 AM.
08-14-07, 06:54 AM
#373
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The Mini is now my favorite folder by far (I've had 6 to date - more to come, I'm sure). I don't need the compactness the way you do with your airplane travels - mine usually goes by car. The Mini is just fun to ride around. One thing about DT's is that they have very solid frames, and the Mini is no exception. It produces a very steady feeling when you're riding. The Big Apples really complement the Mini well and makes for a soft ride. It's making me prefer 16" wheels over the 20" format.
Since all I ride is the Mini now, I am thinking of selling my VIIIH and getting a Curve to try another 16" bike. And, of course, I want to get a Brompton or Merc also.
BTW, does anyone in the US carry the Merc?
Last edited by SesameCrunch; 08-14-07 at 07:08 AM.
08-14-07, 06:57 AM
#374
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Anita at Merc will send you one from the UK I think.
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260148280904&ih=016&category=33503&ssPageName=STORE
ROMOBOX:NEWLIST#LIS T
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260148280904&ih=016&category=33503&ssPageName=STORE
ROMOBOX:NEWLIST#LIS T
08-14-07, 09:14 AM
#375
Part-time epistemologist
She will send one from the UK.