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@number6
NJS is not a mark of quality, it keep things standard for keirin racing - but only in Japan,
just like the 'stock' requirements of stock car racing. the standard was set in the mid 50s and so NJS is not a measure of minimum quality, but is of maximum level of progress. it doesn't preclude quality but precludes development
when the keirin is raced outside japan how much NJS stuff (like low profile rims, with 36 4 cross spokes for eg. ) is used? none.
plenty of stuff not marked NJS wil be of as you say "NJS quality" - the Japanese being notoriously protectionist over the market grant NJS to very few equally deserving manufacturers outside japan, even though tons would qualify on standards.
unless you're racing keirn in japan or wanting to build a completely faithful replica jap keirn bike , you don't need or want it
if i race keirin in japan i need to have the stuff - and a small kabal of manufacturers will make me pay through the nose as they are essentially guarding entry into the discipline unless i stump up the readies. this is fine if i'm there and want to race - but for me (outside japan) to now believe that those inflated prices are due to the quality means that i'm paying an ignorance tax.
hence any NJS stuff i get, i sell off immediately - knowing it will command more than it's quality ever deserves. what started as a simple restrictive racing standard to level the playing field for competitors has somewhat understandably become a bit of cult. but now -particularly in the 2nd hand market - it's mutated into some sort of marketing device - to fleece the hip.
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