Hi all!
FINALLY after months and months of searching I've purchased another bike for doing my second conversion... I've been looking for something lighter and smaller to replace my 26" folder as I have a bad knee and can't lug it up and down two flights of stairs everyday.
I need a bit of advice as I'm wondering if I've made a terrible move with this purchase..or possibly a very good one! The bike is a Mezzo D9 (2nd hand, 18 months old - not used much so very tidy and cost me £250).
The Mezzo has 16" wheels and so that obviously limits options for motors. I know Jerry and others have done 16" conversions... but I can't find any posts about the Mezzo specifically or anyone who has successfully converted one here.
I'm also a bit nervous about going from 26" to 16" as I'm a bit of a speed freak! I had planned to get a 20" bike and was aiming to get a Dahon JetStream 2nd hand but they keep going for silly prices out of my budget.
Anyway..I've read several reviews on the Mezzo and it looks quite a decent bike with very good handling, good gearing and cadence similar to normal road bikes, despite the 16" wheels..so that has convinced me. It's also said to compare favourably against Bromptons, folds to a similar compact size and weighs only 11.7kg so ideal for taking on trains...bonus.
So, down to business...conversion options
1) Rear wheel conversion and possibly downgrading the gears, or removing the gears completely and leaving it highly geared in single gear (don't plan to ride unpowered).
2) Front wheel conversion and replacing the 9-speed gears with a neater 3-speed or 5-speed hub gear.
I think a rear wheel conversion is my preferred option and makes more sense because I want the motor to look inconspicuous, and also the rear track on the Mezzo means it makes more sense to mount everything there above the motor. Due to the unusual folding nature of this bike (the front wheel folds inwards) I think that could pose problems with a front motor and definitely with a front battery/mounted kit)
I'd like to fit big apple tyres to make up for lack of suspension..do they come in 16"? If not, does anyone have any suggestions or ideas for tyres or lack of suspension compensation? I'd definitely want puncture resistant tyres.
I'd welcome any advice or words of caution on this one! Particularly any recommendations for the motor and powering. I already have a 36v 10Ah battery I'd like to use, but if necessary I'll buy a lower voltage one. As I said, I won't be riding this bike unpowered (I don't think) due to my bad knee. It will mainly be used as a work horse to take parcels to the sorting office so the big rack at the back (and a tall bag which comes with it) will be super handy.
As to the bike itself.. I haven't taken delivery yet so haven't been able to ride it unpowered to try it out..I'm taking a gamble with it but I figured at this price I can easily sell it on if it's not suitable as they're like £700+ new!
I wasn't sure about the weird appearance (particularly the bizarre handlebar) but on reading about the clever folding mechanism and rigid frame I understand the design better and maybe it will grow on me ;-)
Paul
FINALLY after months and months of searching I've purchased another bike for doing my second conversion... I've been looking for something lighter and smaller to replace my 26" folder as I have a bad knee and can't lug it up and down two flights of stairs everyday.
I need a bit of advice as I'm wondering if I've made a terrible move with this purchase..or possibly a very good one! The bike is a Mezzo D9 (2nd hand, 18 months old - not used much so very tidy and cost me £250).
The Mezzo has 16" wheels and so that obviously limits options for motors. I know Jerry and others have done 16" conversions... but I can't find any posts about the Mezzo specifically or anyone who has successfully converted one here.
I'm also a bit nervous about going from 26" to 16" as I'm a bit of a speed freak! I had planned to get a 20" bike and was aiming to get a Dahon JetStream 2nd hand but they keep going for silly prices out of my budget.
Anyway..I've read several reviews on the Mezzo and it looks quite a decent bike with very good handling, good gearing and cadence similar to normal road bikes, despite the 16" wheels..so that has convinced me. It's also said to compare favourably against Bromptons, folds to a similar compact size and weighs only 11.7kg so ideal for taking on trains...bonus.
So, down to business...conversion options
1) Rear wheel conversion and possibly downgrading the gears, or removing the gears completely and leaving it highly geared in single gear (don't plan to ride unpowered).
2) Front wheel conversion and replacing the 9-speed gears with a neater 3-speed or 5-speed hub gear.
I think a rear wheel conversion is my preferred option and makes more sense because I want the motor to look inconspicuous, and also the rear track on the Mezzo means it makes more sense to mount everything there above the motor. Due to the unusual folding nature of this bike (the front wheel folds inwards) I think that could pose problems with a front motor and definitely with a front battery/mounted kit)
I'd like to fit big apple tyres to make up for lack of suspension..do they come in 16"? If not, does anyone have any suggestions or ideas for tyres or lack of suspension compensation? I'd definitely want puncture resistant tyres.
I'd welcome any advice or words of caution on this one! Particularly any recommendations for the motor and powering. I already have a 36v 10Ah battery I'd like to use, but if necessary I'll buy a lower voltage one. As I said, I won't be riding this bike unpowered (I don't think) due to my bad knee. It will mainly be used as a work horse to take parcels to the sorting office so the big rack at the back (and a tall bag which comes with it) will be super handy.
As to the bike itself.. I haven't taken delivery yet so haven't been able to ride it unpowered to try it out..I'm taking a gamble with it but I figured at this price I can easily sell it on if it's not suitable as they're like £700+ new!
I wasn't sure about the weird appearance (particularly the bizarre handlebar) but on reading about the clever folding mechanism and rigid frame I understand the design better and maybe it will grow on me ;-)
Paul
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