No idea what they are like for tall people, but I am 5'4" and shortened the stem by an inch to reduce the reach. My flatmate who is about 5'9" was also happier with a shortened stem. Neither of us have normally ridden drops though.
I bought one of these bikes on impulse in a sale and within 3 or 4 months had bought a 2nd one. Mine are both the less expensive models of the available pair.
Plus points:
– Very fast light acceleration.
– Quick steering.
– Fun to ride.
– Easy to maintain as standard parts, nothing weird.
– All parts can be moved to a different frame because they are standard, if you decide its not the frame for you.
– Nice kit on it for the (sale) price.
– Frame nicely finished with welds smoothed off.
– Bike is light about 9kg so easy to lift into cars or up steps.
– Frame nice and stiff.
– Low step over height.
– Can carry a pannier rack with no problem (use front panniers due to height).
– Easy to store as you can turn the handlebars/front wheel to face the back of the bike, shortening it even more.
– Carrying spares is lighter as the inner tubes are small and so easy to pump up!
– Easy to get more than one of them in a car (hence 2nd purchase).
– My flatmate loves it, so I hardly got to use it until I bought a 2nd!
– I have heard someone did London to Brighton on one and also come across a forum comment about an older chap leading a club run on one very successfully.
Minus points:
– You might have to fiddle with the front dérailleur settings. The handlebar controls are for a triple up front, but its actually kitted with a double. Result is a poor set up sends the chain firing off the side of the front big ring. I have got both of mine to stop doing this, its a shame the bike shop did not put the same time and effort in before sending them out to people.
– Occasionally if the chain has not fully shifted you have to repeat your hand movement to get it fully settled on a ring. This is a minor inconvenience in practice, and far better than having the chain fly off as the alternative.
– Brake comes on if you turn the handlebar all the way to one side – they have cut the cables a bit short. I solved this by just relaxing the cable a bit so the brake came on further into the pull. I prefer 'softer' breaking anyway. I guess the stem shortening may also have helped. Again, this in not a big issue.
– I guess you loose a bit of top end speed as the wheel diameter is small. Depends how fast you pedal!
For reviews also look at:
http://road.cc/content/news/1443-first-look-giant-escape-mini-zero
http://road.cc/content/review/3119-giant-mini-0
If you have any more questions, post them here. I will try to check back and answer them if I know the answer, in the next couple of days.
Shop around well, they are half price in some places. They sell tons in Japan and are often listed as 'mini velos' on the internet if you want to see the huge range of brands and designs that are sold abroad.
I would recommend this bike as fun, handy and just the thing if you want to pack it, lift it, store it in a smaller space and just have a bit of fun while still having a light rigid frame.
