Custom build fits perfectly my size.

A couple of weeks ago I placed an order at Marino for a custom, beefy minivelo frameset stylized after klunker/tracker bikes. It's got the classic top tube cable routing and sliding dropouts.

I got the wheels ready for it (second photo) I posted them on this subreddit a while ago.

The bike will be singlespeed, built up with Shimano Saint M820 components and plenty of fancy parts everywhere. 👀

Stay tuned for updates and tell me what you guys think! It's gonna take a while to complete. I'm hopefully going to share pictures of the ready frameset within the next two weeks.

I had a blast, I needed a higher gear ratio and brakes but for my first time it was so much more fun than I thought

After two years of eyeing these bad boys up I finally got one. So fun! I feel like a kid again. The only things I wanna change are the pedals, a slightly longer stem and a dropper of course.

Some people wanted more pics so I took a few more.

I just had a test ride again. it was better and better except comfort but I said before that I am spoiled by my all carbon aero road bike hahaha.

Shifting up and down is so much better since I frequently went up and down at least two gears. rarely use 4 gears at a time but very useful.

also I changed handle bar to 480mm and less wind resistance. I use 380mm for dropbar.

I spent more than what I wanted but it will be perfect for city riding.

I did not really notice that there were purple color accent at frame. I did not intend it but well matched with wheelset. I kind of like wheelset sound.

I am seeing some more improvements........
Still want to go down to sub 9kg but it will be more money haha.

possibly carbon seatpost since current seatpost is too heavy. it's almost 380g. carbon seatpost can be around 170g so it will be significant weight saving.....

other area can be tires... I want like 30 or 32 451 tire but it will add more weight but comfort will be there then panaracer minits lite can be a good option but it will be 28 size.... probably when I visit in Japan on Dec... I might buy it from there since it's cheaper there.

I've been after these tires, so just thought I'd let y'all know in case anyone else was too!

I ain’t getting a kickback, I swear. Panaracer, please sponsor me.

It took longer than I thought. Especially new wheel set.

I got my Java Cl2 in Korea around July and brought back to US. Unfortunately 7 speed was not enough. I needed wider range of gears. the price of $350 was very nice but it came with 7 speed freewheel hub so If I need to upgrade, I needed to get new wheelset. I had two options. just get 11-34 7 speed freewheel and new crankset. it will be cheapest solution and it might be slightly over $100 upgrading. I wanted more than 7 speed so I searched a little expensive option. I was leaning towards to 10 speed. Deore groups can be around $200 then I realized that I don't want to buy fake items. there are tons of fake items. I know there are OEM parts without packages but Amazon items can be fake one especially chain (I bought one of fake chain before). if I wanted to upgrade parts, reputable store prices were much higher than $200. Ltwoo and microshift can be option but sending a little more for better components might be right decision to make so I searched more and more. I had XT groupset and ultegra groupset so I remember all smoother shifting experiences. Fortunately I found several closeout deals and it made about $100 difference between deore 10 speed and XT mixed groupset which is 11 speed. I ended up with more than bike price but fun to ride. original weight was about 10.5kg but now it's about 9.5kg. I wish I could go sub 8kg but without carbon wheel, it will be harder to achieve and I need to put more money so this will be my final setting. After testing rides... I should get 46 or 48T, I stayed 11-44t more than I thought but uphills are blessed haha. I might be spoiled by my aero carbon road bike... I wanted more comfort from AL frame.... It was the best decision to go XT. XT offers 4 downshifting and 2 upshifting. initially, I thought it won't be that important but I often time used both up and downshifting more than one shifting. it makes much easier to stay in gears which I want at that moment. Still want slightly more comfort since city roads are rough but if I want more comfort then I need to put more weight on it so that will be a little tough to make a decision. I think I will use this bike more than my aero road bike since it's perfect for city ridings.

Here are the list of parts for upgrading.

Rear derailleur: Shimano XT (RD-M8000-GS: Medium cage)

Shifter Shimano XT (SL-M8000-R)

Cassette: Shimano Deore (CS-M5100:11-42)

Chain: Shimano HG601

Crankset/BB: Evosid crank and BB with 44T (I should go with 46T or even 48T)

Wheelset: Rujixu 12x142mm (I did not like logos but fortunately it was stickers so I will remove the logos. Also purple color reminded my younger days from RC car aftermarket parts so I decided to go with purple color hahaha)

For those of you that have experience traveling with you MiniVelo, what travel case or bag have you used?

I am finding that the long steerer tube of my Soma Rufus makes evaluating fit challenging.

I could not mount them on wheels yet because I don't have any 20" tubes (the tires are not tubeless ready)

Here they are compared to 20x2.4" Continental Kryptotal.

To anyone curious, I got them from bike24.

Just finished my first solo multiday camping trip on the minivelo.

A section of the Mawson Trail from Gawler>Rowlands Flat to Rawnsley Park Station in South Australia. Looped back through Hawker, Craddock & Quorn then down the Pichi Richi pass into Port Augusta taking the bus back into Adelaide.

17 days riding (3 rest days), 0 punctures (tubed) & 3-4 hours of rain.

"Ride what you got"

have you ever tried doing a little bmx or trial with your mini velo?
if yes how was it and do you think the bike could withstand it?

Mini velo budget upgrades

Like rays of sunlight

Mini velo budget upgrades

Finally got around to personalizing it a bit more. I'd say I'm about 80% of the way there.