http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=305084Snafu I saw this sign in paris and thought of you.

Mezzo Rack
 

Any one need a new luggage rack at a reasonable price? Nothing to do with me by the way.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3008777268...862%26_rdc%3D1

Thanks for that.
just bought it

No problem, glad to be of help. Got your PM but apparently I haven't done enough posts to reply yet. I will be in touch when the restriction is lifted, shouldn't be long now.

Had a little play in the stem in my gold bike stem that could not be adjusted out. Solved by squeezing the lugs with a sash clamp to get rid of play. Did simular with my birdie rear frame pivot and worked well.

My woodwork tools are more useful on my bike than I realised. Wounder what I could do with a mallet and chisel !!

How about a wooden bike? http://www.splinterbike.co.uk/

Came across a luggage system called Tactuff. The rack fixing system would seem to be identical to the Mezzo system. A range of rack top bags are available and also an adapter that can be fixed to other makes of racks meaning that if the system is the same, Mezzo bags could be used on other bikes.

http://www.actionleisuregear.co.uk/i...-40RB%2001.jpg

http://www.actionleisuregear.co.uk/i...T-40B%2001.jpg

This company seems to be the distributer in the UK.
http://www.actionleisuregear.co.uk/index.php

This is the manufacturer.
http://www.lotus-bag.com/

Good find!

Small panniers with the commuting bag would be great. What would be ideal is if someone made a pannier with aan arc missing to prevent heel catch on small folders. Mini panniers don't cut it. Some thing like this but larger section cut of
http://www.actionleisuregear.co.uk/p...0Pannier%20Set

Email Lotus Bag and suggest they make it. There must be a good demand for such a pannier.

Ori M9 impression after a week of riding.
 

REVIEW:
This bike is my first folder and I only had it for a week. We had great weather in the Netherlands this week :), so I've only used it in very nice weather.
No clue about riding in the rain yet. So far I'm very happy with it. The ride feels nice and I seem to get a good speed. As I do not have a cyclo-computer installed yet so I have to compare the speed to other cyclists.

I'm already getting more fluent with the folding, getting a routine instead of having to think about each step.

So far I discovered just a few small things on the minus side:

• the folded size is bigger than it looked in the shop. As the saddle and the front-fork stick out quite a bit. But so far no real space problems on the train.
• Putting the front wheel back in the front-fork is a bit fiddly. Sometimes it just clicks right away, but many times I need 2 or 3 attempts. Not sure if there is some trick to it.
• Rolling the bike is a bit tricky because it is out of balance and the small rollers means you need a smooth surface. (But most times I'm not rolling it very far anyway)

I purchased the bike at Kemper Fietsen (http://www.kemperfietsen.nl/). They seem to know their stuff and as a folding bike specialist they have a wide selection ( Brompton, Dahon, strida, birdy, Ori, Giant, Beixo, Tern). I rode around the block on three different brands: Brompton, Ori and Birdy. But Brompton and Birdy were out of my price range. I also did not like the feel of the Brompton ride very much.

Accessories

• Bag: I'm very curious about the commuter-bag I ordered. Very hard to get a good idea about the size from the pictures. I'm using a small backpack now, but that is not something I would want long-term. Hopefully the quick-release plus velcro will not be to much hassle.
• Rolling Kit:I was planning on getting the easy-rolling kit (http://www.oribikes.com/ori/products...1&cID=6&Key=40) but that was not available yet. After this first week I'm not sure if I really need it.
• Cyclo-computer:I would like a cyclo-computer to keep track of the total distance and for motivation to keep my speed up. Not sure the best way to attach it.
• Lights: I still need to add lights. I'm wondering if www.reelights.com is an option for the rear light. For the front-light I'm thinking about using a flash-light mount (http://dx.com/p/universal-bicycle-mount-8274). That I have been using for my other bikes: the beater-bike parked at the station and my Batavus Cheyenne (hybrid 21 speed).

I had no major problems riding the Mezzo in the wet, although spay can come up the end of the rear mud guard and make a mess. I fixed this with a piece I a cut out of plastic fruit juice bottle attached to the end of the mud guard with a good quality double sided sticky tape. Here is a photo of the mod, not very pretty but very effective.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=321763

There might be an adjustment for the clip that holds the front wheel in place, I never had a problem with it I have not had need to check. Take a look at the instruction for the bike, they can be downloaded from the Mezzo web site. Fitting in-line skate wheel in place of the small wheels makes a big difference to rolling the bike. A 4 wheel rolling kit is even better and means you can take the bike into places where it would otherwise be a pain to carry. I made a a full rolling kit for my Mezzo you might be able to do something similar, see the Mezzo upgrade thread here http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...upgrades/page3
For lighting I use a cheap red led rear light fixed to the seat tube. Mezzo recommend using the Cateye TL-LD1100 rear light as it will screw onto the rear of the rack in place of the reflector. Fro the front light I use one these http://dx.com/p/universal-adjustable...diameter-31871 with one of these http://dx.com/p/flood-to-throw-zoomi...nt-3-aaa-26800

The commuter bag is quite useful and much taller than standard rack top bags, its also quite substantial so its not the lightest of bags. Recently I bought a couple of Vario rack clones from Lidl to use with my rucksack and been very happy with it although they are only rated 5kg but its enough for waterproofs, tools and a drink bottle.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=321770http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=321771http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=321772

Thank you very much. I was there only a week ago, but sans bicycle. This has been another worthless post from the Snafu Tourist Board.

In response to jerone.
Thanks for posting
The mezzo bag is good,what did you thiink of the ori stem bag?

Front qr can seem a bitfiddly at fist. Cqp might have older sytle?
I found you need to press the qr to half way as you slide the wheel out of the forks. Easist way is to give it a small shake as you. Hold the qr skewer and pull wheelout from forks. It becomes secound nature quickly.
On folding size I find folding bike always seem biigger than one imagined not much difference from brommie. I own both , side by side not a lot of differnce.
Enjoy!

rolling kit + stem bag + cyclo computer.
 

I'm sure that if I try to do that myself I could not make it look that nice. So for things like this I would rather use an official kit to be sure it all fits and looks nice.

Do you mean the "3 way bag" ? (http://www.oribikes.com/ori/products...2&cID=2&Key=43 )
With my "normal bike" I'm used to having bags and other stuff on my back-rack. So it just seemed to be a weird place to put a bag. I would be worried it would get in the way. But that bag could stay on the bike even when folded, it is an interesting option.

But now I already put something else on the stem:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322056
Cyclo-computer
The bontrager trip 4w on my Batavus bike turns out to have a feature to allow two different wheel sizes. So I purchased another one to have the magnet/sensor/mounting kit. That way I can click the same computer onto both bikes. So that I keep a single total distance.

After a some fiddling I got it to work. One false start was that the front fender hit the sensor when swinging the front wheel out. But by moving it down, it now just grazes the sensor but the sensor is still close enough to the magnet. (The sensor is also upside-down I think...)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322054 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322055

Having it on the stem instead of on the handle-bar places the sensor and computer closer together. This seemed to be needed to get a good connection.
Basically it now works, and I'm afraid if I change anything it will stop.

While in the bike shop I could not resist a USB rechargeable lighting set BBB SparkCombo BLS-48 (http://bbbcycling.com/accessories/lights/BLS-48).

Have a look at Rixen and Kaul click fix brackets and bags. I am sure there will be something there that could be moulted front facing on the handle bar stem and not obscure the cycle computer. As the rack is so low on the bike due to the small wheels you could mount a bag on the seat tube high up leaving plenty of room to put other things on the rack. With the rack I got from Lidl, I can have the commuter bag on the Mezzo rack and a rucksack or any other form of bag above it.

I use the mezzo recommended cateye cube rear light on all my folders. On the Brommie and mezzo mounted on the rack it clears the folding and luggage areas. It has the advantage of being two self contained lights in one. Ie if one battery goes flat it still functions and you can have half of it on. I need to change the 2AA rechargables I use only about 1-2 a year tops. Only real issue is the batties are difficult to get out and I have to use long nose pillars!!!

If you go for the rollerblade option use clear rollerblade wheels (red cores if you can find them also). This improves safety as the lcd light is highly visable from the sides. If you use larger rollerblade wheels( 100mm+) the effect if quite dramatic ( dont have a picture)

Jeroen. Sorry iqnore my advise about the front quick release. Had a look at your ori picture and it has the older sytle version. Interesting as I did not realise this,nor that it had rear caliper brakes or the old seat clamp. So your ori has the improved d10 systle frame but not the 2006 ish upgrades.

Missing upgrades + folded size + commuter bag
 

Am I missing much with those upgrades ? I got a 100 EUR discount as this was an older model and not the latest.

Sometimes a few centimeters is the difference between fitting and not. The bike almost fit in there. It was stuck on the left pedal and the shifter on the handlebar. Next time I will try with the pedals in a different position:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=323122 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=323123

I picked up my ORI commuter bag today. Added a buckle to the seatpost loop instead of using the velcro strap. It seems much faster to attach/detach this way.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322951

I think the size is right. Here it is partially filled with:
Book (for train ride) - Lunch Box - Clean Shirt.
Rainpants
pump.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322952
With room to spare.

I like that idea, the velcro strap on my bag seems to be too short, think I will be adding a buckle after seeing your modification.

"Am I missing much with those upgrades ? I got a 100 EUR discount as this was an older model and not the latest."
Newer qr and Forks offer a more secure fixing than the older version.if you do forget to secure the older version and the wheel comes out the forks will proberly bend out of shape. That's what I did! So make sure secure. £100 to replace fork/mudguard and qr system.other disadvantage is more tools are required to remove the front wheel.
Newer Seat clamp holds better. Old version did not slip. Just that newer version goes lose enough for the post to slide down with out touching it. Also it allows another 1/2 inch insert as its a bit taller. However they both have a tendency to crack. see upgrade thread. £18 to replace.

You might have older lower pressure tyres also?
Sorry don't want to get you down on your new bike but you did ask!

Only the later effect the ride.
Mean while you have a lighter, stronger frame than a mezzo. And a better range of gears? How do you find it?

Ok, I will make sure the front wheel is secure: Press the catch and make sure the QR has enough tension. I think I now got a better routine of clicking in the front wheel.

On the side of the tyre: 37-349 ( 16 x 1 [SUP]3/8[/SUP]) inflate to 240-380 Kpa (35 - 55 PSI) 2.4 - 3.8 Bar Made in Taiwan kevlar inside

So far I'm enjoying it very much. The ride is much better then I expected from folding bikes. I'm not sure that I really need the gear range. My route as flat as you would expect in the Netherlands. But it feels nice to be able to adjust the bike, instead of having to pedal heavier or spin out. And it means I'm riding 14 km per day more then before and on a much better bike then my rusted beater. Now I'm riding a (still) shiny black ninja bike !

And today I tried a different pedal position when folding. Start with the right pedal higher than the chainstay. This way the left pedal ends up lower. And due to the sloping seats, lower means more room. Now the bike fits between the seats.

Mezzo is currently living in a corner of the living room. The other day I hear a hissing noise consistent with air at high pressure escaping from a tyre. The front tyre went flat with no apparent reason, taking the tyre and tube of revealed that the tube had burst because it had pressed into the spoke holes. The rim tape is the thinnest and softest material I have seen used for the job so I replaced with a good quality fabric tape. It was fortunate that I was not riding at the time so I recommend anyone who has a Mezzo to check the rim tape and replace it if it looks suspect.

I sent an email to lotus. I asked if any bag would fit the mezzo due to heel clearence. I mentioned that it uses the same system.
The repsone I got was :
We do not have small pannier for the folding bike now because the pannier might wear down when riders make turns.*

Not sure if the responders first launage is english. I asked about buying on a returns basis. Does not seem likely a pannier catching on the ground. Not sure if being fobbed of as a non standard enquiry?
Panniers fit bromptons and bike fridays and dahons??
Anyone anythoughts on the lotus range?

I am not convinced that panniers do work on a Bromton with the standard rack without clearance issues. Is there a real need for panniers that use the Mezzo clip system, most I have seen use a clip that fits over the side rails of the rack.

How about this.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=343553

Taken for this review of a very early Mezzo. http://www.velovision.com/showStory.php?storynum=1240

Hi all. Maintenance question: Is there any way to reduce a (very small) amount of play in the rear swinging arm pivot (just behind the bottom bracket)? The user manual says it has sealed bearings and not to touch it.

When I flex a crank with both wheels on the ground, I can feel a tiny bit of side-to-side wiggle between the frame & rear triangle. I've already adjusted play out of the upper fold clip. Is that about all I can do?