I found this picture of a Gios mini velo and someone’s grandma. I’m pretty sure this is Taiwan and not Japan, so I guess that maybe these bikes are imported to Taiwan. Or maybe they never left Taiwan since I’m certain that these bikes aren’t made in Japan. Either way, Gios mini velos are much more common in Tokyo than Taipei.

Also, I’m a bit jealous if this grandma actually owns and rides that bike.

Video from Bike Kill — sort of like Thunderdome on bikes, hosted by the Black Label Bicycle Club.

I’m in Asia on vacation, and one of my amusements is finding interesting mini velo and folding bikes. Here’s my current object of obsession, the Gios Panto. I saw one parked outside a bike shop while in Taiwan.

One night in Taipei, my friend Ken led us to his local bike shop, La Boutique du Velo. La Boutique is a two-story shop with a lot of high-end Trek and LOOK bicycles. They had some of the very latest items as well as some suitably classy glass-case displays. Yet I think that these Taiwanese bike shops are content to sit on high-end merchandise rather than blow it out. As a buyer for a bike shop in the states, I am personally averse to acquiring product that I doubt will sell inside of 12 months. They had a LOOK track frame from the late 1990’s and a bunch of Fizik saddles from when they were still labeled “Giro” because of their association with the helmet maker.

Another really weird item was the stuffed bird hanging from the ceiling.

There were a number of well-kitted customer bikes waiting to be picked up, but I personally didn’t see anything quite so posh being ridden in central Taipei. However, I was quite taken by one customer’s bike, a Gios Panto mini velo. The bike was locked up outside in what I would guess to be the self-serve pickup rack. There was a note on the stem that the customer had left for the service personnel. The mechanic had written “OK” next to the bottom bracket and chain inquiries, but hadn’t written a retail price response to the inquiries for HED Jet mini wheels.

The bike, I have to say, was really hot. I had been keen on the Bianchi Mini Velo, but this Gios was just gorgeous. Steel frame and carbon fork on 20” (451) rims. The Panto is Gios’ premium mini velo, equipped with full Shimano Tiagra except the hubs, but the owner had changed the seatpost to carbon, the stem to ITM, and upgraded the headset to a green Chris King.

I’m not sure if they are even imported to Taiwan, but when I get to Tokyo, I’m gonna look for a Panto in 48cm. Unfortunately, the Japanese yen is murdering the dollar this week.

Late this afternoon, right as the sun is setting, Bettie and I will emerge from the Hugga HQ garage draped in black and riding like a bat of out hell, hell-bent on scaring the Underoos off the neighborhood children. The spooky plan includes scary sounds played on an iPod connected to a speaker and a basket full of candy to give away, after the children realize it’s just that guy in the ‘hood who’s really into bikes …

Readers,

What do you have planned for your bike and Halloween?

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I’ve seen Easy Racers a few times and caught up with the bike and cyclist while riding with Pam and her new Pink Bike.

Whether or not a commuter will ever pin a number on, turn a pedal in anger, or race their bike, they’re as competitive as anyone and this bike is built to be an “ultimate commuter.” Dude is reducing his commute time being low and all aero. In the video, we’re clipping right along. On the hills, I think he’d go like 4 mph and 64 on the descent.

Note: we rode next to the West Seattle Freeway, a noisy road.

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I don’t keep old bikes. It’s become a bit of a problem really, but every year about this time I get involved in “the shuffle”. I sell my race bike in order to buy a new one for the next season. This year I sold my Trek Portland rain bike making way for my new Baron. My wife is convinced it all makes for a very complex money drain, but somehow it all seems to work out.

Knickers (manpris), flat cap, sport coat, safety bike …

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Bright pocket pants, bright bags, and fun.

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In white for Pam’s Pink Bike. Women are so picky about their saddles, don’t know if that’d work, but it looks nice. Also in black.

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Continuing our Pink theme, just spotted this pink and turquoise Brompton.

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