2013 Gios Antico - 51cm Mini Velo (in Traditional Gios Blue!)
The latest (soon to be) addition to my collection. I seem to just go through bikes. My wife says I prefer buying and selling rather than just riding! She's right to a point. I came across this little road bike whilst reading one of my favourite Aussie bike magazines, Treadlie. I'd seen folding road bikes with 20" wheels before made by Dahon & Tern and also 20" wheeled older bikes from Raleigh, BSA etc. When I saw this thing I thought it was awesome! It is basically the height of a regular road bicycle with a differently made frame to allow for 20" wheels to be fitted but still be road bike size and measurements. This mini velo style bike was designed mainly for the Japanese market, mainly in the city, where congestion and space is an issue. In Japan, it is illegal to lock up your bike in the street and will usually be removed by the police. Parking is a real issue there. This is a cross between a folding bike and a road bike and allows for the bike to be stored more easily to take up less space, but it is still not a folding bike. I am a huge fan of 'different and unusual' and fell in love with the design as soon as I saw it. Plus it comes from the legendary Italian bike maker Alfredo Gios. So the quality is top notch. My Reynolds is currently on Ebay for sale and I have already flagged it with the shop that I want this one. This is their last 2013 Antico in my size too which was their display model and as such they have discounted it. The picture on the left is the exact bicycle I'll be picking up. The Reynolds is worth quite a bit so I won't really be losing any money on this buy. Can't wait to get it. Will write up more about it once it arrives in a couple of months. 20" wheels means it will also be a bit more quick to zip and turn around in. Plus I'm sure I'll be getting a fair few looks on the road which I don't mind. That is always good! I hadn't really heard of Gios much but have been reading a lot about their history and they seem decent. The bike also has the down tube shifters which I love, but they are mounted to the head tube in their own brazed on mounts, not a clamp. I love everything about this bike and I guess in a way I'll be celebrating with Alfredo as 2013 is GIOS' 65th Anniversary!
Specifications
In store - 51cm (ex-display bike)
- 530 top tube
Colour: Gios Blue / White
Weight: 10.5kg
Frame: GIOS Original 20" Cr-Mo Special Tubing
Fork: GIOS Original Cr-Mo Fork 1"
Head Parts: TH-388
Handle Bar: GIOS Original 380mm (C-C)
Stem: GIOS Original 80mm B26.0
Bar Tape: GIOS Original
BB Parts: BB-7420 103mm
Brake: Tektro 510A
Brake Lever: Tektro RL340
Chainwheel: Solid-320 52/42T 165mm
Chain: HG 50-8
F/D: Shimano FD-2300 F-Type
R/D: Shimano RD-2300 SS
Shift Lever: Shimano SL-R400
Freewheel: Shimano CS-HG50-8 12/23T
Rims: Alex DA-22 20in 23H
F/Hub: RB-91F 32H
R/Hub: RB-35R 32H
Tyres: Kenda K-West 20x1-1/8 skin side
Saddle: GIOS Original
Seat Post: GIOS Original 27.2
Pedal: LU-962
- 530 top tube
Colour: Gios Blue / White
Weight: 10.5kg
Frame: GIOS Original 20" Cr-Mo Special Tubing
Fork: GIOS Original Cr-Mo Fork 1"
Head Parts: TH-388
Handle Bar: GIOS Original 380mm (C-C)
Stem: GIOS Original 80mm B26.0
Bar Tape: GIOS Original
BB Parts: BB-7420 103mm
Brake: Tektro 510A
Brake Lever: Tektro RL340
Chainwheel: Solid-320 52/42T 165mm
Chain: HG 50-8
F/D: Shimano FD-2300 F-Type
R/D: Shimano RD-2300 SS
Shift Lever: Shimano SL-R400
Freewheel: Shimano CS-HG50-8 12/23T
Rims: Alex DA-22 20in 23H
F/Hub: RB-91F 32H
R/Hub: RB-35R 32H
Tyres: Kenda K-West 20x1-1/8 skin side
Saddle: GIOS Original
Seat Post: GIOS Original 27.2
Pedal: LU-962
This is just a video showing the bike and how it rolls. Most videos are from Asian countries as the bike was designed for congested cities such as Japan.
Article on the Soma Mini Velo and Commuting
http://somafab.blogspot.com.au/2011/02/mini-velo-has-arrived.html
Cateye Water Bottle Cage
The bike needs one. Apparently these are unbreakable. We'll wait and see.
Cateye Hybrid Light Set
This is a bit unusual. Looks a bit like the Starship Enterprise. Solar powered light charged by the sun via solar panels on top. The panels charge a nimh battery which can be replaced. There is also room for a back up regular battery and you can switch between the two. I think the solar power is rated at 3hrs constant and 6 hrs flashing. Then the regular battery is rated at 30hrs constant & 60hrs flashing. The rear light is battery powered only but the set is designed to save energy and battery use. I'll report more on the specs later. Guess it makes sense, riding a bike is sustainable transport and so a hybrid light would do it's part too for the environment. Even though the set is predominantly white, which isn't my preference, it should match well with the GIOS due to the white handlebar tape and saddle.
Bike Picked Up From Le Spit Cyclery at Mosman!
Well, I was planning to pick up the bike in a couple of weeks when the new shed got installed but turns out it came early....very early! So on Friday I took a longer lunch break and headed over to Mosman to pick it up. Here it is leaning against a tree while I get my car rack ready. It is built really well and is a solid bike. The Gios blue really stands out especially in the sun. Looks brilliant! The freewheel ticks over a bit louder than I am used to, but it sounds solid though. I got a few stares when I was wheeling it out of the shop and also when it was on the roof of the car going 100 km/h on the M2. I'll have more pictures of it soon as I have not ridden it yet.
Instant Saddle Upgrade - Prologo Kappa - Black
When I got the bike home the first thing I did was sit on it. I knew the shop had adjusted everything and pumped up the tyres before I had come so it was 'ready to ride'. The very first thing I noticed immediately was how uncomfortable the saddle was. It was like sitting on a piece of hard wood. The worst I had ever come across. I tried riding with it in the back yard but that was worse. So I went through my parts box and came across my old Prologo Kappa saddle which I had used on my fixie awhile back. Too bad it wasn't white to match the bar tape but comfort was more important I think. So I installed it. I don't use lycra and am not into padding in my shorts etc. I was hoping to keep this bike fully original but it had to be done. I'm sure the handlebars will get quite dirty with use, especially being white, so I'll use it for a bit until I have to change the tape to black. I'm not about to buy a new seat. The Prologo is a great seat so I'll sell the original GIOS one.
Time For It's Close Up...
I've upgraded the saddle, attached the lights and bottle cage. All it needs now is a bell, spare tube and it will be ready to ride. See below for some better pics.
First Proper Ride - To Work! - 23/12/13
Well, it's the morning before Christmas eve and there is no parking at work. This is due to being located so close to a shopping centre and everyone is doing the mad Christmas rush of buying last minute presents! So the only options are to take the bus or ride it. Obviously I rode in. I always want to be in control. Up until now I had never really taken the Gios our for a ride. So this morning was the test. It rode just like a road bike. If you don't look down you would forget about the smaller 20" wheels. I just made sure I watched out for pot holes. Overall though the ride was really good and I think I will use it again for commuting now and then. I forgot to take a lock in so I had to bring the bike up with me in the lift to the office. Hardly takes up any space at all as you can see.
Shortly after this ride the bike was sold. I had too many bikes and this one was not getting used. Story of my life. Selling it was interesting thought as it was only a specific group of people who would be interested in such a bike. Luckily Maria, a girl who had recently discovered these bikes on a trip to Japan, couldn't wait to get her hands on it. So she is the new owner. I'm glad it will be hitting the streets more frequently. Enjoy the mini velo!