Hello, this is ICAN. Today, I'll be answering questions like, "Cheap bicycles might break, so which mini velo is truly safe?" and "There are so many wheel sizes, I don't know where to start." Mini velos are bicycles with very small tires (wheels). Because the wheels are small, they can't achieve high speeds, but they are stylish bicycles, aren't they? In this article, I will explain the pros and cons of mini velo wheels and look at the different types of mini velos. By referring to this article, you can learn about the benefits of mini velos.

 

Disadvantages of Mini Velos

The disadvantages of mini velos are mostly due to their small tires. For example, long-distance riding and maintaining high speeds with a mini velo. I will explain these in order.

Unsuitable for long-distance riding and maintaining high speeds
Mini velo wheels are overwhelmingly smaller than road bike wheels, so they are honestly tough for long-distance riding and maintaining high speeds. Also, there aren't many famous parts manufacturers in the mini velo world, so it becomes difficult to attach high-spec parts.

Tires are not light
Some people might think, "Mini velo wheels and tires are small, so they must be lighter than road bikes or cross bikes?" However, mini velos are actually almost the same weight as cross bikes. They are generally said to weigh around 10 to 13 kilograms. This is because small bicycles like mini velos have weak durability and strength, so to increase the durability of a mini velo, its weight inevitably increases.

Handling tends to be unstable
Small wheels lack straight-line stability, and if the head angle (the angle of the fork connecting the front wheel) is high, handling becomes unstable. A high angle means the handlebars turn easily, leading to wobbling at low speeds.

Difficult for tall people
Shorter people lower the saddle, which also shortens the top tube length. Conversely, taller people may find the handlebars too low, leading to an awkward posture where only their legs extend forward. Even for shorter people, looking at the geometry, the effective top tube length can be surprisingly long, making the handlebars too far away. From this, it seems that most companies that developed mini velos didn't consider them serious sports bikes.

Ground impact is easily transmitted
Mini velos have long forks, and bicycles made of carbon are rare. Therefore, the impact from the ground is quite significant. This is unavoidable to some extent, but it might be disappointing for those who want to ride a mini velo stylishly.

 

ICAN 16-inch Mini Velo Carbon Wheels　See Details

 

Advantages of Mini Velos

I will explain the effects and advantages of mini velos. You can experience a ride that cannot be expressed with cross bikes, road bikes, or city bikes.

Advantage ①: Diverse designs for a cool and stylish ride
Mini velo bicycles are stylish just by being small, but their designs are also fashionable. For cute and stylish designs, yellow or light blue mini velos are attractive.

Advantage ②: Ride comfort
Mini velos have long forks, and carbon-made bicycles are rare, so ground vibrations are strong, but mini velos are actually said to have a comfortable ride. The reasons for this are mainly five: using wider tires, larger wheel size with vibration absorption in the frame itself, long wheelbase, and equipped with suspension.
Mini velo wheel sizes range widely from 6 inches to 20 inches, and with larger wheel sizes, the contact surface with the ground increases proportionally, reducing vibrations and impacts from bumps. Also, if the wheel size is larger, the tire width will also be larger, further enhancing vibration absorption. In the first place, vibration absorption largely depends on the air inside the tires. So, if you want a comfortable ride, it's best to ride a mini velo with a larger wheel and tire size.

Advantage ③: Easy to carry and takes up less space because it can be narrowed
Some mini velos are foldable. I will discuss this later, but foldable types are easy to carry and take up no space when folded.

Advantage ④: Easy to maneuver
It's natural for mini velos to be easy to maneuver because their wheel size is smaller than cross bikes and the like. If it's easy to maneuver, it will be useful in more places than a bicycle with a larger body.

Advantage ⑤: Amazing acceleration from a standstill
When the traffic light turns green, road bikes, cross bikes, and city bikes have low acceleration from a standstill, but mini velos are different. Smaller tires mean less power required for each revolution, so they accelerate quickly. Mini velos are quite suitable for city riding.

ICAN 20-inch Mini Velo Carbon Wheels　See Details

 

There are 4 types of Mini Velos in total

Mini velos come in various types, with significant differences in weight, functionality, and price. I will explain them in order.

"Folding type" for highly practical mini velos

Foldable mini velos can be folded small, reducing their original size by half. Unlike bicycles that were difficult to store indoors, mini velos can be stored without taking up unnecessary space. However, some foldable mini velos can be heavy, so it's advisable to choose a lightweight type. You can then enjoy the full benefits of a mini velo.

"Comfort type" for cool or stylish mini velos

Comfort refers to a sense of security and comfort. The biggest feature of this type is the abundance of designs, including stylish and cool mini velos. Furthermore, if it has a suspension function, it's no exaggeration to say that the ride comfort is top-class. However, please note that comfort-type mini velos are not suitable for long-distance riding.

"Sports type" if you want to cycle with a mini velo

If you want to cycle or city cycle with a stylish mini velo, the sports type is the only choice. Moreover, a 20-inch sports type is said to have performance comparable to a road bike. With its cute appearance and attractive design, it's perfect for city cycling.

 

"Electric assist type" if you use a mini velo for shopping

For people who usually carry heavy luggage by bicycle, an "electric assist function" bicycle is recommended. Unlike city bikes, they don't take up much space, so they are easy to manage. Also, because the wheels are small, they have high acceleration and are ideal for uphill roads.

 

ICAN 24-inch　Mini Velo Carbon Wheels　See Details

 

How to choose a Mini Velo

Finally, I will introduce the recommended ways to use a mini velo. By skillfully choosing the right mini velo wheels and type, you can maximize the benefits of a mini velo.

The maximum effect of a mini velo is achieved with "16 inches and folding type"

The biggest feature of a mini velo is its stylishness. So, if you want to maximize the stylish features of a mini velo, a 16-inch folding type is recommended.

"20 inches and sports type" for long rides with a mini velo

If you ride a sports bike, you might be seen as a serious cyclist. In such cases, a 20-inch sports type mini velo is recommended. Mini velo wheels are limited to 20 inches or less, making it difficult to maintain high speeds, but since the design is for city riding, there's no need to worry about being seen as a serious cyclist.

Stylish mini velos are "12 inches and comfort type"

For those who want to ride a simply stylish bicycle, a 12-inch comfort type is recommended. Comfort types have designs unlike other sports bikes, and 12-inch models are cutely sized.

 

For practicality, "20 inches and electric assist type" is the only choice

If you think, "City bikes are heavy and uncool...", then a 20-inch mini velo with an electric assist function is recommended. A 20-inch wheel is about the same size as most bicycles, making it suitable for carrying heavy luggage. Furthermore, with an electric assist function, the acceleration is quick, allowing you to easily go uphill.

ICAN 20-inch　Mini Velo Carbon Wheels　See Details

 

Mini Velo Wheels are 20 inches or less

Mini velo wheels refer to sizes 20 inches or less, and some even exist around 10 inches (20 inches is further divided into 406 and 451). Also, for first-time mini velo riders, 18-20 inches is recommended, as 20 inches requires fewer pedal strokes and is a comfortable size for riding. However, most people who ride mini velos want the unique compactness and stylishness of a mini velo. For such people, around 10 inches is recommended, and for those who want stability and long-distance riding, 16 inches will allow them to truly experience the benefits of a mini velo.

Recommended Mini Velo Wheels

Here, we will introduce our recommended mini velo wheels. Some of the wheels we handle weigh less than 2 kg and are all made from carbon materials, making them useful for both city riding and racing.

 

24-inch BMX 520 Small Wheel Carbon Wheelset

This wheelset is made entirely of carbon material. The weight is 2kg, which you can see is quite light. We also handle several other wheels, so please choose according to your purpose. These wheels will definitely be indispensable if you ride a mini velo.

 

2020 Spoke Wheels for Folding Mini Velos

This mini velo wheel is available in 20-inch 451 and 406, and 24-inch 507 and 520. It supports clincher tubeless, so there is less worry about punctures, and the ride comfort is said to be the best among all tube types. Also, the "spoke wheels for folding mini velos" are, of course, made of carbon material. It is recommended for 20-inch mini velos with electric assist functionality.

ICAN Mini Velo Carbon Wheels　See Details

 

The most practical is a 20-inch electric assist mini velo: Summary

That concludes the introduction to mini velo wheel types and the benefits of mini velos. If you want to maximize the stylish features of a mini velo, a 20-inch bicycle with an electric assist function might be a good choice. Also, mini velo wheels come in a wide range of sizes, including those under 20 inches, so we hope you can use the recommended uses in this article as a reference for your own needs.

 

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