Thank You! Stand by for more upgrades. The current stem is getting replaced with a Nitto Technomic. Next will be the seat post with an Origin 8, then that headset!

I have few questions.
I want to buy rim tape. Is there a specific size?
The bike does not shift well. How do I know whether the rear derailleur is working.
I am thinking about moving from 16 speed to an 18 speed. I might be more reliable. Has anyone completed this? What are your thoughts?
Thank you all.

Considering a pair of these for tenting vacations. Would 2 fit in the back of a honda fit with the rear seats down?

I have a Tange Passage on my 1974 Raleigh International. It has been flawless for almost five years. My friends warned me not to get a cheap headset, but I'm thoroughly satisfied. It's even handsome.

i honestly don’t know. As someone who can’t even tell you the price of gas, I am a poor source of auto knowledge!

Best piece of advisement I can give is to learn how to work on your machine. A mechanic can work and explain a few things if he has time but be prepared to pay for that knowledge.

2 items.... wheel size is 20” but most use the Velox rim tape. Doesn’t matter how many gears you run, any number can be made to shift properly.

True! I use a Passage on my beloved Schwinn High Plains MTB drop bar. I sorta wanted to go with something a little more uptick. I found in the stash an aluminium cartridge Tange unit that will work so it’s waiting for that. Right now I just want to ride this mini velo so much I don’t want to break it down! As soon as I am off my Madison SS/FG I jump on the Nano.

I would say yes. But to ease packing removing a pedal(I have folding pedals) or a front wheel would help.

Technomic 10 has come in! It will go nicely with the Nitto 177 noodle bar. Switch out this weekend. I will continue to run the original bar tape until I decide on colour.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8c0464479.jpeg
First big item bought for this velo

ty. I can and do use a reciever rack sometimes but for long distance camping trips the mileage goes way down. Since our camping gear is mainly bike camping gear it doesnt take up much space. I would love to go on a car trip with a couple of mini velos.

I wanted to do the Eastern rail trails this summer on my mini velo. It’s why I started my build off with a triple(28-38-48)up front and a 12-23 in the back.

52telecaster, I had to measure, 53cm model. Length across the wheels, 54 inches. Height to top tube, 31 inches.

I am totally dreaming here, plus the whole steering tube problem but man it would be cool to have this on the Nano!

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c994d9a28.jpeg
The middle one...

that would totally fit.

With Schwalbe 1.5 tires my top tube height is 30”.

Finished the switch out and first placement of the levers. Short ride felt good but will do a longer one tomorrow for a final fit and tape. I’m gonna love having the Noodle 177 on this bike. The 100mm Technomic is the right fit for me both height and reach.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...67fda9f34.jpeg

After a test ride the levers needed to come up just a tad. Not a big deal, rotated the bar and locked it down. Another ride and it was deemed good to tape. Still working with the original wrap. It’s not bad and has good cushion to it but I do want something else down the line just not sure what. I might as well get my money’s worth out of the original wrap though!

This is how the cockpit will be for awhile. The Nitto Noodle and Technomic will stay. Expect levers to change and also, a never ending swap of Brooks saddles to try.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9c49187bd.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6bcb201a4.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ce3df89d5.jpeg

Long circle around my city on busy roads, parks, neighborhoods and greenways. Have to say the ride is great! This bike is well worth the price for entry into the world of rigid mini velo machines.

the bike handles well and I am already expanding my time riding no hands. The good fit I have now means I will throw longer rides in and expect to feel fine afterwards. Trying to work up a rear rack so I can do some load hauling and test out the gearing. It’s ridiculous for just cruising around but should make a loaded tour doable. Braking with the original pads is fine but with a load, I will be changing them out.

Rider stats: 5’9” inseam 31” weight 135

3speedslow,

To quote 'Trying to work up a rear rack so I can do some load hauling and test out the gearing.'

Here is an experiment with a rear rack


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ce1bfc7825.jpg
The dual level rack was an abject failure.


What it looks like after a grocery store trip


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1597c84c31.jpg
Room in the back for an eighteen pack of eggs and a gallon of milk up front.

mirfi

I saw your experiment when I was going through the older threads on the upgrade thread! Thanks for doing the “rack” work. Since we have the attachment points on the seatstays I want to concentrate on using those. To which, I have bought a new Bonty rack from my LBS to work a fit. It’s in conjunction with a trunk bag which also folds out two pannier sides. So far the tubular struts are hard to configure so they can reach the stay points/ drop out points and maintain a level deck. The description say it can fit on frames within my seat tube length.

I’ll have to mock some of the attempts up for you to see.

Thanks for reading and your input!

3speedslow,

I had actually tried some of the 'pannier'(?) types that hang on the sides of the rear wheel, but would experience heel kick.

Good luck

I was all ready to order the Origin8 29.2 seatpost till I saw it was a zero setback style. I need setback. Going with plan B, I have a nice Nitto copy SP in 27.2 (350 length so plenty long) already so have ordered a 2mm shim from Cane Creek. LBS is doing this so I will get a discount, I used to work for them.

The positive in this is down the line I might be able to get a nicer post like Thompson in 27.2 and use the shim.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...846ddd0db.jpeg
Long shim and post below the stays and top tube will ensure less stress on the frame. Plus I weigh 135 lbs at most.

For today’s long ride I pulled out my trustyB17 narrow to see if the setback would work. Not a bad fit and it is always so ready to give long comfortable miles. Instead of the Topeak I pulled one of the Carradice bags out to go on the hoops the Brook has.

Riding it this way until I get the itch to try another saddle set up.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...14213f804.jpeg

Have you hit any trails yet with your mini velo? I'm an the edge of getting 2 of these for camping bikes/travel bikes. I'm just curious on how ridged they are and if they would hold up over time for trail use (nothing crazy of course). I'm also curious about the classic frames from the 70s/80s and building them up

xRyan

no, not yet. With so manu places close right now I am holding my breath! So hopeful things start to open up at the right time. Any rough stuff like hard pack and broken pavement right now gives me ideas that this bike can handle a relative mild trail adventure. Need to work on racks and water bottles.

With a couple days of riding on the 27.2 seat post and 2 mm shim done, I am satisfied that the fit is good and no problems will happen because of it. Lots of grams disappeared with this switch.

Yeah hopefully things get back soon

Your nano definitely looks cool, it looks pretty solid and that front fork looks super beefy. I'll definitely be ordering 1 forsure.

I also have my eyes on another mini velo frame/fork with life time warranty. It's going to be a shredder 💪. Its made to be a fixie but i want to run maybe a 1x8 or 1x6. Lots of great info on this thread hopefully I can build up something good