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 can't carry it up and down stairs any more.
Anyway 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 I'm not sure about this. 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"...I'm a speed freak heh. 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.
However I've read several reviews on the Mezzo D9 and it looks quite a decent bike with good gearing and cadence similar to normal road bikes, despite the 16" wheels.. it's also said to compare favourably against Bromptons with a similar compact folded size and it weighs only 11.7kg so ideal for taking on trains..an added bonus.
So, down to business...conversion options:
1) Rear wheel conversion and possibly downgrading the gears, or removing the gears completely and 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.
This bike has an unusual folding mechanism similar to the Brompton where both wheels fold in rather than a hinged frame.
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? I'd 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 have a 36v battery I'd like to use, but if necessary I'll buy a lower voltage one.
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 ;-)
As I said, I don't plan to ride the bike unpowered...it's main use will be for taking packages to the sorting office (the generous sized rear rack and a Mezzo tall bag available will be a bonus there)...it also will get light recreational use.
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 can't carry it up and down stairs any more.
Anyway 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 I'm not sure about this. 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"...I'm a speed freak heh. 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.
However I've read several reviews on the Mezzo D9 and it looks quite a decent bike with good gearing and cadence similar to normal road bikes, despite the 16" wheels.. it's also said to compare favourably against Bromptons with a similar compact folded size and it weighs only 11.7kg so ideal for taking on trains..an added bonus.
So, down to business...conversion options:
1) Rear wheel conversion and possibly downgrading the gears, or removing the gears completely and 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.
This bike has an unusual folding mechanism similar to the Brompton where both wheels fold in rather than a hinged frame.
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? I'd 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 have a 36v battery I'd like to use, but if necessary I'll buy a lower voltage one.
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 ;-)
As I said, I don't plan to ride the bike unpowered...it's main use will be for taking packages to the sorting office (the generous sized rear rack and a Mezzo tall bag available will be a bonus there)...it also will get light recreational use.
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