Mini Velo inspiration

Pondo · Dec 7, 2024

I've been kind of obsessed with mini velos since I watched this Berm Peak video a while back:

Seth's buddy is riding a Kyoot bike which is a BMX type mini velo and very cool.
https://www.kyootbikes.com/

Then I found the Velo Orange Neutrino
https://velo-orange.com/collections/neutrino-mini-velo/products/neutrino-minivelo

And the Soma Rufus Mini
https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/soma-frameset-rufus-mini-velo-purple-8686?category=1018#attr=5156

These frame sets sell in the $600-800 range, $1500 and up for completes. For me that's a little steep for something that I may or may not ride all that much so I started thinking about how to build my own on a low budget. Something fun with gears. Maybe drop bar, maybe MX style bar. I mocked up some parts I had laying around just for fun and it looked kind of cool, I think it's pretty doable.

@Captain Awesome posted a link to this crazy cool thing
https://ratrodbikes.com/threads/mini-velo.81016/

I really like this, that's an option.

Then @MattiThundrrr posted this wild one

MattiThundrrr said:
Hehehe I'll just drop this off here. started life as a Kona Honzo
View attachment 284585 View attachment 284586

Found more on this bike here: https://bikepacking.com/news/readers-rig-andes-mini-kona-honzo-esd/
It's really wild and cool. :cool2:

So I've been looking at mini velos online and thought I'd start a thread for easy reference and fun.

Captain Awesome · Dec 7, 2024

Pondo said:
I've been kind of obsessed with mini velos since I watched this Berm Peak video a while back:

Seth's buddy is riding a Kyoot bike which is a BMX type mini velo and very cool.
https://www.kyootbikes.com/
View attachment 284746

Then I found the Velo Orange Neutrino
https://velo-orange.com/collections/neutrino-mini-velo/products/neutrino-minivelo
View attachment 284747

And the Soma Rufus Mini
https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/soma-frameset-rufus-mini-velo-purple-8686?category=1018#attr=5156
View attachment 284748

These frame sets sell in the $600-800 range, $1500 and up for completes. For me that's a little steep for something that I may or may not ride all that much so I started thinking about how to build my own on a low budget. Something fun with gears. Maybe drop bar, maybe MX style bar. I mocked up some parts I had laying around just for fun and it looked kind of cool, I think it's pretty doable.
View attachment 284749

@Captain Awesome posted a link to this crazy cool thing
https://ratrodbikes.com/threads/mini-velo.81016/
View attachment 284750
I really like this, that's an option.

Then @MattiThundrrr posted this wild one

View attachment 284752 View attachment 284753

Is there a link to this Honzo on the net somewhere? I'd really like to see how they modified the frame, it's really wild and cool.

So I've been looking at mini velos online and thought I'd start a thread for easy reference and fun.

Pondo · Dec 7, 2024

I really like the Moultons and Bike Fridays.

Building one out of a full suspension frame looks fun too

Pondo · Dec 7, 2024

And some other interesting rides

Wildcat · Dec 7, 2024

I made one from a 24" frame, using a 26" fork to get clearance for the pedals. The minivelos use an enlongated head tube to be able to use a 20" fork. I think that looks much better and doesn't look home made.

Pondo · Dec 7, 2024

Wildcat said:
I made one from a 24" frame, using a 26" fork to get clearance for the pedals. The minivelos use an enlongated head tube to be able to use a 20" fork. I think that looks much better and doesn't look home made.

View attachment 284780

I think that looks pretty good actually

Wildcat · Dec 7, 2024

The fat rear tire rubbed so it was sent back to the parts bin. I still have all the parts except for the fork. If there's a Minivelo build off I'll jump in and redo the whole thing.

MattiThundrrr · Dec 8, 2024

Pondo said:
Found more on this bike here:

Here's what that $700 USD frame looked like before:

Pondo · Dec 8, 2024

MattiThundrrr said:
Here's what that $700 USD frame looked like before:
View attachment 284795

The Honzo is a really cool bike. I would like to do a project like this when I learn how to braze better. I’ll probably use a more down market frame though.

moleman · Dec 12, 2024

I love mini velos. My two are built from Raleigh 20s, the green one is solid frame and a fixed gear, while the white one is a folding bike and a single speed. I was inspired by Sheldon Brown's 20s and they are stiff little frames that can be built up into some very capable bikes.

us56456712 · Dec 12, 2024

Captain Awesome · Dec 12, 2024

You can get these frame fork sets on AliExpress for $97

120mm rear spacing

Wildcat · Dec 12, 2024

moleman said:
I love mini velos. My two are built from Raleigh 20s, the green one is solid frame and a fixed gear, while the white one is a folding bike and a single speed. I was inspired by Sheldon Brown's 20s and they are stiff little frames that can be built up into some very capable bikes.

I bought a used version of a non folding 20 in Perth Australia back in 1983, a BSA made by the same company. I rode that thing all over Perth in my white sailor uniform. My ship was at anchor, not at the pier, so I had to jump from the liberty boat to the ship's ladder with it strapped to my back. It was the last day in and the seas were rough in the harbor. The Bosun Mate in charge wasn't too happy. He cussed and declared "No more bikes!"
A shipmate wanted it so I sold it to him for the same price I bought it for, 70 dollars. Last year he sent me this picture of it, it's been in his garage all these years.

crazydave58 · Dec 15, 2024

My current mini Velo style bikes

moleman · Dec 15, 2024

Captain Awesome said:
You can get these frame fork sets on AliExpress for $97

View attachment 284893

120mm rear spacing

Done! I will be ready for the MVBBO!

Captain Awesome · Dec 15, 2024

moleman said:
Done! I will be ready for the MVBBO!

When is that?

BartRidesEternal · Monday at 12:39 AM

Very cool bikes, I never firmly got acquainted with these!

This me likes: :43:

Pondo · Monday at 6:52 AM

BartRidesEternal said:
Very cool bikes, I never firmly got acquainted with these!

This me likes:

That's one of my favorites. Bike Friday is a really cool small family owned and operated company. They make some really cool stuff. :113:

Pondo · Monday at 7:07 AM

Taking a trip on one of these just looks like fun

Plus they pack up to take on the train

MattiThundrrr · Thursday at 10:46 AM

Soma really worked on making their Rufus mini adaptable to multiple users. Seat tube angle means effective top tube length grows as you raise the saddle. Medium fits riders from 5'3" to 5'10". Double butted chromo

https://theradavist.com/soma-rufus-mini-velo/

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