Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Dorset Trophy: Sven Cycles ‘Safari’ Mini-Velo

Dorset Trophy: Sven Safari Mini-Velo

While small-wheelers are highly practical for those living in dense urban environments, keen riders have also not shied from taking them further afield. Generally, mini-velos aren’t designed for long distances — except the new Safari Mini-Velo by Sven Cycles.

Dorset Trophy: Sven Safari Mini-Velo

Darron Coppin, the founder of the Dorset workshop, has a talent for creating elegant, robust and inherently usefulcustom bikes. The small-wheeler is the latest subject of his scrutiny and be assured, he won’t let it alone until he’s made it the best it can be.

Dorset Trophy: Sven Safari Mini-Velo

This isn’t the first MV they’ve built, but it’s the most refined yet, built around a Pinion gearbox and a grease-free and silent Gates belt drive. Paragon S&S couplers allow the frame to be split in two so the whole bike can be packed into a standard suitcase.

Dorset Trophy: Sven Safari Mini-Velo

The cockpit consists of a pair of Jones bars and a Velo Orange Cigne stem. Spoked UK was commissioned for a full suite of custom luggage — the frame bag attaches to the top tube with magnets and houses a power pack energised by the dynamo front hub.

Dorset Trophy: Sven Safari Mini-Velo

Touring aboard a small-wheeler my not be for everyone, but it depends on the distance you plan to travel and whether you’re in a hurry or not. Personally, I could handle a slow tour around the home counties on the Safari right now.

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Dorset Trophy: Sven Safari Mini-Velo