Despite being longer of limb than the average human (6'6"), I am nonetheless captivated by the small and cute when it comes to bicycles. Don’t get me wrong, I like any size bike, really, but I find the small-wheeled version intriguing. Perhaps it's precisely because I‘m too tall (and truthfully, too heavy) to ride such a bike that makes them so damn fascinating!
I also love vintage, and the 60s and 70s were the heyday for these small-wheeled bicycles. Perhaps the success of the of early 60's British-made Moulton that triggered the teeny tiny bike craze. But whatever the reason, bicycle manufacturers of that era started cranking out these miniature marvels.
I have a couple of the mini velos in my collection and I do ride them. The Raleigh RSW and a Moulton "F" frame from 1964. I've made some modifications to the RSW such as adding a longer seat post and creating an extension for the stem. The Moulton, however, can actually be adjusted to work for me without modifications and it's pretty comfortable. But I worry that I'm too heavy, particularly for the rear fork, well known for failure.
Below is a random assortment of the offerings from that era. Several of the pics were borrowed from a blog entitled Mini Velo Vintage. The others are from the Embacher Collection. Both of these websites are worth a visit.
I also love vintage, and the 60s and 70s were the heyday for these small-wheeled bicycles. Perhaps the success of the of early 60's British-made Moulton that triggered the teeny tiny bike craze. But whatever the reason, bicycle manufacturers of that era started cranking out these miniature marvels.
I have a couple of the mini velos in my collection and I do ride them. The Raleigh RSW and a Moulton "F" frame from 1964. I've made some modifications to the RSW such as adding a longer seat post and creating an extension for the stem. The Moulton, however, can actually be adjusted to work for me without modifications and it's pretty comfortable. But I worry that I'm too heavy, particularly for the rear fork, well known for failure.
Below is a random assortment of the offerings from that era. Several of the pics were borrowed from a blog entitled Mini Velo Vintage. The others are from the Embacher Collection. Both of these websites are worth a visit.
 From the French blog Mini Vintage Velo Click the picture to visit the blog |  |
 Very nice French Sauvage Lejeune from 1964 with Lefol hammered fenders |  |
1964 Gitane Plicylclette
1960s Italian Duemila folding bicycle
Schwinn Run-A-Bout
The Raleigh Twenty
The original Moulton "F" frame
A beautiful Jack Taylor SW (small wheel)
970s Dawes Kingpin - a lot like the Raleigh Twenty but a much cooler name!
 My 1966 Raleigh RSW |  And my Moulton |
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