Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Small Wheeler Done Proper: Sven Cycles Mini Velo

Small Wheeler Done Proper: Sven Cycles Mini Velo

There’s a buzz around mini velos at the moment and with good reason: they’re simply a compact version of a full-sized bike, practical and fun to ride. But while they’re in the process of being refined for a modern market, Dorset’s Sven Cycles have done it right.

Small Wheeler Done Proper: Sven Cycles Mini Velo

Sven Cycles’ Darron Coppin and his team have an innate ability to solve custom design briefs that would curl the toes of most frame builders. Whether it’s a foraging bike for a chef, a touring trike for the physically impaired, or an eBike that actually looks good.

Small Wheeler Done Proper: Sven Cycles Mini Velo

Meanwhile, Darron has been obsessing over the mini velo format and this is the result — possibly the finest iteration you’ll come across. It’s still his personal prototype, however, he just can’t help but continually refine and experiment.

Small Wheeler Done Proper: Sven Cycles Mini Velo

The frame is made from Reynolds’ stainless steel 921 tubing with S&S couplers so the frame can be split in half. There are also hydraulic couplers connecting the SRAM Red eTap levers to the HOPE 4-pot calipers — the cockpit can be completely removed.

Small Wheeler Done Proper: Sven Cycles Mini Velo

Darron worked with Gav at August Bicycles who built the forks, designed the chainring spider, and that amazing stem with a seamless, integrated top cap. Gilles Berthoud provided the custom luggage, including the tool roll under the saddle.

Small Wheeler Done Proper: Sven Cycles Mini Velo

The 20″ wheels of the mini velo open up a vast array of build styles — it also makes for rapid acceleration and solid construction. “It’s basically a big person’s racing BMX with drop bars”, Darron tells us, “you could take it to the pump track”.

Small Wheeler Done Proper: Sven Cycles Mini Velo

This one is the “beardy rando” version, but he already has ideas for a more modern flat bar one next, and plans are afoot for a titanium production model. It only leaves the question: How would you build yours up?

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Small Wheeler Done Proper: Sven Cycles Mini Velo