Minivelos (small-wheel bikes) are convenient to carry and highly maneuverable, but if there's one drawback, it's that their performance is inferior to road bikes in terms of riding.

How can we compensate for that shortcoming?

The quickest way to improve this is to upgrade the wheels and tires.

In other words, upgrading your wheels and tires.

Simply changing the wheels and tires, which are the parts that make contact with the ground, will dramatically improve your ride.

Today, I'd like to discuss the effects of changing tires and wheels on minivelos.

For many minivelo riders who feel something is lacking, isn't the main reason that they can't achieve the speed they desire?

Depending on the grade, the wheels and tires equipped on off-the-shelf minivelos are usually entry-grade and not designed for performance riding.

If you're looking for improvement, try switching to high-performance sports tires first.

Just doing this, you'll immediately notice the difference in the ride.

Is it true that changing tires alone can change the ride?

If you're a beginner and want to feel the difference right away, start by replacing your tires.

Sports tires are narrow and high-pressure, resulting in a smaller contact patch and less resistance, making them roll exceptionally well.

Even so, minivelos, due to their small wheel diameter, inevitably have higher rolling resistance. By improving this with a tire change, you'll notice a change in both the feel of the ride and speed performance.

After tires, let's try replacing the wheels!

If you're serious about making your minivelo faster, consider switching to high-performance wheels. While there are various types of wheels, upgrading from aluminum to carbon can achieve weight reduction, significantly improving acceleration (both low and high speeds), cruising ability, comfort, braking performance, and handling, not to mention a much cooler appearance.

If you stop pedaling and coast for a while, you'll be surprised by the difference. You'll notice that the speed reduction is slower than before, and the distance you can travel without pedaling has increased.

Personally, I believe that improved cruising performance is particularly important for minivelos.

This is because while minivelos excel at quick, stop-and-go movements, they have the disadvantage of losing speed and decelerating quickly when pedaling stops.

By switching to high-performance wheels, minivelos can maintain speed more easily, and pedaling becomes lighter and acceleration even easier, making it possible to continue cycling without expending extra energy.

This allows for an even greater improvement in riding performance.

Balanced 406 or performance 451

Here's a little about wheel sizes.

There are many types of minivelo tire & wheel sizes, but the most common is 20 inches.

Also, 20 inches comes in two types: 406 and 451.

These numbers represent the diameter of the rim. Simply put, the smaller one is 406 (mm), and the larger one is 451 (mm).

To explain their characteristics:

The 406 minivelo is a well-balanced model. It offers the best of both worlds: the light, nimble ride typical of a minivelo and good riding performance.

It's ideal for city riding, casual cycling, or even short tours, and is widely adopted.

On the other hand, the 451 minivelo combines the compact size typical of a minivelo with the riding performance of a sports bicycle.

It's particularly suitable for those who want to tour or go on long rides with a minivelo, as it can easily reach speeds of around 30km/h, allowing it to keep pace with road bikes.

It can be said to be a model that prioritizes higher riding performance over comfort and lightness.

While there isn't much difference in compactness between 406 and 451, choose the type that suits your style: a 406 wheel model if you prioritize comfort and a good ride, or a 451 wheel model if you prioritize high riding performance and speed!

ICAN 20-inch Carbon Wheelset Recommended

If you understand the meaning of wheel replacement but are wondering which product to choose, please consider the ICAN 20-inch Carbon Wheelset.

These carbon wheels are renowned for their light initial acceleration and extremely easy riding experience.

They feature hubs made by "NOVATEC," a company highly regarded for the rotational performance of its sealed bearing hubs, characterized by smooth rotation that greatly supports your ride.

In addition, their matte finish gives them a very cool look, and their cost performance is exceptionally high.

Front 23,220 yen

Rear 25,690 yen

Front and Rear Set 48,910 yen

Front and Rear Set for Disc Brakes 49,250 yen

It's incredible, isn't it, that a carbon wheelset, including both front and rear, costs less than 50,000 yen!

ICAN also offers a variety of other lineups, including 406 types, so please check out their website. If you have any questions, they will explain them carefully, so you can rest assured.

You're sure to find the wheels that meet your expectations.

For more details, see ICAN Minivelo Wheel Lineup

Summary

If you're riding a minivelo and looking to increase speed and improve performance, why not try replacing your tires and wheels?

For those using low-performance tires and wheels that came with their minivelo, simply upgrading to high-performance types can reliably improve riding performance and speed.

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