Any help appreciated

Hi all, thinking about an upgrade, bought a langster about 2-3 years ago and fancy something else now. I like Vivalo frames but not sure where to get one, have searched and cant see anything, looking also at IRO, and also I like the Bianchi Pista frame. Are Vivalo frames available new? If not, then anyone recommend IRO against a pista? Also, can anyone just roll up to East / West / Snow or SE drinks? Cheers

vivalo frames usually appear sporadically on the http://njsframes.blogspot.com/ or http://njs-keirin.blogspot.com/

Vivalo are no longer a company that make 'njs' certified frames as their license was revoked for a fork breaking in a race.
However they have reformed as 'ocean' and can be bought directly through http://njsframes.blogspot.com/ brand new and fully custom ( range of prices from $1060 to $1440 with shipping to come)

However my 2p is that panasonic frames are nicer, and again through njsframes you can get a semi custom for $1040

vivalo frames are made in japan. The company was one of the roster of framebuilders who , under sanctions imposed by their governing body (NJS), constructed frames for Japanese keirin-style track racing. However, the company lost their NJS license after a couple of frame failures during competition, and thus the consumer market has been flooded with frames no longer certified to ride on the track.

However, the frames are not directly available in the UK, only through retailers such as the NJS blogspot duo (google NJS blogspot). Even then the frames are second hand as the company no longer trades. Google names like 3rensho, nagasawa, panasonic, bridgestone, gan well pro for more examples of NJS keirin frames. You can get them but not cheap!

Yes, anyone can roll up to any of the drinking sessions, and anyone is also free to turn up to any of the events organised by people on the forum.

The iro frame (mark v) is available from cavendish cycles for £180 brand new. You can't get a pista frame without buying the rest of the bike. For a Vivalo frame (second hand) you're probably looking of upwards of £350. Which, as it happens, falls into about the same price bracket as a brand new bob jackson vigorelli, also available from cavendish.

In fact, last time i was there cavendish had a couple of NJS frames in stock. I'd recommend giving it a visit. They have a website, just google cavendish cycles.

Come along to south east drinks - you can have a look at IROs, bob jacksons, NJS frames, and bianchi pistas (and try them all out as well), and i'll even let you have a go on my low profile joe waugh, which falls into none of the above categories.

Hope this helps

Your friendly neighbourhood asm.

[e]damn, beaten by henry - you bastard

on one of the njs blogs, the have a few vivalos for a decent price (equal to about £250-300). I think mainly white coloured.

I got my vivalo a few weeks ago, rides really nice and looks nice between me legs!

got any pics for JAMIE (and me)?

haha! yes - ive been busy the past few week or so after i finished the build, but i have a day off tomorrow riding around so i post some pics soon.

oooooo

Here's mine :-)

If you're small you'll be quids in, www.njs-keirin.blogspot.com has loads of cheap frames... As soon as you get over 53cm frames turn up less frequently so the price goes up... Some lovely stuff for sale atm... My advice would be forget the IRO/Bianchi and get a Jap frame, I wish I had...

Yeah, if you're 6ft+ it gets rather tricky :(

+1 to the Japanese over IRO/Bianchi.

Thanks a million for all the replies and info...not been about for a few days and just seen them. Now its just a choice. anything from Cavendish would be easy to get hold of, no postage / tax etc. BUT, Pistanators Viavlo is the business....
Ill have a bit more thought and try and get to South East drinks...and Ill be on my trusty Langster.
Thanks again, I dont often post but as per many others, I am an avid reader of the site.

I think there was a vivalo in cavendish... that was ages ago though.

It was still there last week, 58cm if I remember rightly... it was/is tom.'s, he's on the forum...

Here's mine :-)

What stem, seatpost, handlebars, BB, rims are those?

If it's a Sugino 75 BB how is it in the damp weather?

Stem = Nitto Jaguar 80mm
Seatpost = Nitto 65
Bars = Nitto B259(I think) Tange
BB = Sugion 75
Rims = Campy Omega V

BB's fine in the rain...got em on both bikes, no probs

My guesses were right with everything. Wasn't sure about the rims.

How is the bar/stem combo?