Custom Mini Velo project

I’ve always had a thing for mini velos and owned a few too.
None have ever hit the mark geomnetry wise, so I’m going the custom route with Marino.
This will be a build thread as and when things develop and turn up.
It’ll probably be dull and very niche..

So, a few key highlight:

– It’s going to be Reynolds 520 frame with 4130 fork. I’ve opted for fender mounts & gravel mounts on the fork.
– The frame is exrternal routing but with a dropper port to run a 150-180mm ish dropper.
– Boost through axles front and read with sliding dropouts and clearance for 2.8″ tyres.
Anyway, here’s part 1- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCuTxZqhk3w

The geometry I’ve settled for is this, Long/ low/ slack:

It’ll probably be dull and very niche..

Oh no, looks ace, I’ll follow with interest.

I’ve fancied a mini velo for a while, but it would probably have to replace the dedicated commute bike. Your design looks like it has all the practicality that requires. I’ll have a Nexus and belt drive for added nicheness though please. 😀

I was contemplating a coaster brake hub and single speed for more beardiness.
I’ll definitley run it single speed at some point. Hoping to take it to SS UK champs next year for extra fun.

I’ve had one on the framebuild “to do” list for a long time (got two other frames I want to make before that so we are probably talking years away yet). Just about got as far as buying some 20″ Schwalbe big apples and a Sachs 3 speed coaster hub….

Will be really interesting to know how you find the handling / steering – the stumbling block for me was needing to knock together some kind of prototype with adjustable head angle and fork offset to decide what worked rather than making something hateful. If you get it finished in time for SSUK I might be tempted to dust off the radiator bike 🙂 (survived the Staveley one whichever year that was)

Kind of reminds me of the old Burro Bikes:

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1300949

I know what you mean! This build has been nigling me for a long time now so I thought enough was enough.
I’ve tried to be sensible with the geometry, constiantly comparing it to other bikes I like, but hard to know given it’s on 20″ wheels. No ones really done a mini hardcore hardtail either so difficult to compare. Fingers crossed! If nothing else, I’ll be able to take a few people on the journey hopefully.

I should be finished by SSUK I think.. if it is, I’m there! Would love to see the radiator bike 😀 !

Not heard of the Burro, but they look like huge amounts of fun!

Will be really interesting to know how you find the handling / steering – the stumbling block for me was needing to knock together some kind of prototype with adjustable head angle and fork offset to decide what worked rather than making something hateful.

Surely a raleigh shopper folder and various inserts between the two halves is the solution to protoyping.

Nice!  I’ve been having my head turned by the Boom Boat that Stridsland is working on

https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18015235151588054/

I’ve used Marino for a frame and fork and while I’ve ridden the frame and it rides fine it is the heaviest steel frame I’ve come across (I went for Reynolds 725). Marino comms is good until you’ve confirmed the order and paid but if there are any issues after you receive it you probably won’t hear back. They made me a fork to go with the frame but the disc spacing wasn’t right and they never replied to my emails so it’s unusable. Part of that might have been me trying to get them to make a 135mm front-disc spaced fork but either way it didn’t work out. It also weighed 3kg!

XACD in china (https://www.ti-bikes.com/) will do a custom steel frame now, I’ve had them make me a Ti Truss fork that was very well made so I’d trust them to make something like your mini-velo. The discussion before they make it is done via CAD drawings that are much more accurate than Marino offer. No worries about comms either, Porter from XACD will chase you up relentlessly if you don’t reply the next day. I had a quote for a basic steel frame with butted tubing and it was about $500, so not loads more than Marino but I think the quality will be better.

Anyway sorry to bash on Marino, they’re definitely a good option for trying funky geo on the cheap but like others I have had issues with their work. I’m getting another custom frame done soon and while I’d love to be able to afford a UK builder I can’t so I’ll probably go with XACD.

The geometry I’ve settled for is this, Long/ low/ slack:

Well, it’ll wheelie easily : )

..wheelie, wheelie easily.

@cokie, might want to check that fork length if you want to fit 2.8 tyres. A 20 x 2.8″ tyre is about 280mm radius I think and a steel unicrown fork often has 35 to 40mm crown depth – so 282 to 287mm axle to underside of crown. Could be getting a bit close?

Boom Boat

I love this thing. Looks great fun! I’m just not a fan of how it looks or the steep HA. Other than that it’s spot on.

Marino quality

Yeah.. I’ve read lots about them, so fingers crossed! I didn’t realise there was others on the market.
I’m locked in now, so let’s see how this pans out!

Easy wheelies

Yup 😀 ! I loved that about my Zeta, so looking forward to the playfulness.. hopefully.

320mm A-C

You could be right.. I’m going to start with some Kenda Slant Six 2.6″ which clear on other bikes with 320mm. Hopefully it’ll be fine.
I’m locked in now, so no changing..

You might like this from Ted James Designs:

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A post shared by Ted James Design Ltd (@tjdbikes)

I’ve bought custom titanium frames from both XACD and Waltly Titanium – I’d go Waltly if they’re still doing custom frames, Porter is just such a PITA to deal with. Waltly frames are better finished/less agricultural.

I’ve bought custom titanium frames from both XACD and Waltly Titanium – I’d go Waltly if they’re still doing custom frames, Porter is just such a PITA to deal with. Waltly frames are better finished/less agricultural.

I dont think Waltly do steel frames though. Would be interested if anyone knows of other custom steel frame builders near the Marino price range.

And yes, Porter is really something, maybe one day I’ll have the chutzpah to email colleagues like that.

I chatted with Ted James. Always loved his work! Close to 3x the price. One day I’ll have one of his frames though..

My next challenge is building up my first wheelset! Deciding on specs, but Hope hubs on some sort of BMX rim I think.. Need to work out nipples and spokes too.

For the wheels, with small rims and a decent dish (because of the small rims and boost hubs) they’re going to be massively strong. Go for a low spoke count if possible. 28 would be loads.

The Marino 135mm fork disc mount problem is probably because front and rear hubs have a different offset of disc mount to axle end. I guess they just made a fork with 135mm dropout spacing but normal fork disc position.

I had the same but opposite issue using a 100mm front hub on the rear of an oversized balance bike. I did a normal ISO rear dropout where the disc mount is flush with the dropout face and then found the alignment issue – hence the aluminium spacer plate shown below. I’d say 50:50 designer : builder at fault -I was both so can’t really complain 🙂

I’m not really a mini velo aficionado, but I do find them interesting. Silly question, do slacker head angles actually suit 20″ wheels? Is wheel flop more or less of a thing for them?