Japan

unxetas I suffered to get out of bed by 8.20 this morning.. and an hour later I still haven't left home, which means I'll be late again. For about the 250th time in a year. How the hell do most people get up in the morning? :(
Hope the crash wasn't too bad.. you alright?

I'm a morning person. Actually I'm not, but I do manage to get going a lot faster than most people in the morning.
Crash was a laugh. Bit sore but nothing special. Ankle, corked thigh, bloody elbow.
Went over a guy's bonnet after he veered left, making me think he was parking and then shot around right to do a u-turn. I tried to clear his car but the gap got tighter and tighter and weeeeee superman! :)

Find out about a shop called Carnival - seems to be the centre of trendy track bike stuff in Tokyo. Also check out the bikeforums FG&SS forum cos there's been a few threads there about bike stuff in Japan. Have fun - I'd really like to visit Japan some day and so I'm very jealous!

Im looking into flights to Tokyo. Im gonna take the plunge, blow most of my savings and just go i think. BA are doing return for £470 between oct and dec. Anyone know an average price?? thanks

now i'm insanely jealous of you.

yeah well it just seems crazy cheap, i thought it was gonna be a hell of a lot more, i can realistically afford that.

strong pound.

you got somewhere you can stay (i dont mean hotels!). If you can get free accomodation (from a friend or an ex-girlfriend), it'd be sweet. tokyo is quite expensive (i've heard).

just lookin now lots of hostel places around $15-25 a night, thats peanuts. Got some friends though so maybe get a hook up.

how long are you planning to go for?

Ummmm try Virgin, or Japan Air.
also a ryokan is a good budget accomodation (use Lonely Planet).
I'm off in two days!

teenslain [quote]Nicholas Go and see Guitar Wolf!

I second that! :D

And get me a Fragment x Supreme bikelock! http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/luciferjackass/article?mid=10741[/quote]

i third that!!!

lpg strong pound.

you got somewhere you can stay (i dont mean hotels!). If you can get free accomodation (from a friend or an ex-girlfriend), it'd be sweet. tokyo is quite expensive (i've heard).

Japan's a cheap place to visit these days. Business hotels can be had for GBP 25-30 a night, depending on the location, with breakfast and internet access thrown in. It's easy to get a big meal for about five quid, too. I speak Japanese, though: it might be a bit harder to find the bargains without understanding the language.

02:42 local time off chops on the Hite beer! Been living/working in Seoul for the last three weeks. I'm off to Shibuya Tokyo for a week this Sunday. Hope that typhoon Fitow has bailed off.

Is it still pissing down in London?

Conan just lookin now lots of hostel places around $15-25 a night, thats peanuts. Got some friends though so maybe get a hook up.

If the friends don't work try:
Taito Ryokan in asakusa (http://www.libertyhouse.gr.jp) 3000 yen per night.

Kimi Ryokan in Ikebukuro (http://www.kimi-ryokan.jp) 4500 yen per night

or Khaosan Ueno hostel- 2000 yen per night http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com

Below is a list of Tokyo Fixed gear L33T NJS shopping bliss. I'll be there from Sunday too. Hope this helps Htay. Get printing those maps!!!!!!!

PUNCH CYCLE Google maps
1-5-10 Kaminari-mon, Taito-ku, Tokyo.
TEL 03-3841-5080
Open 18:00-23:00 (Tue to Fri), 13:00-21:00 (Sat,Sun)

If your looking for a Keirin frame in Tokyo, then this should be number 1 on your list. No new skool fancy hipster stuff. Just a shop for ex Keirin gear. All the brands can be found here. Nagasawa, Level, Samson, Bridgestone etc. All frames were 56 and under. Frames are always coming and going, pure luck as to which ones you will find there on the day. Good place to go on a weekday night. a lot of fixedgear bike guys meetup, drink in front of the store and stuff. Don't forget to take your shoes off upstairs, Japan style. Go there!!

JAN Google maps
6-2-1 Horikiri, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo.
TEL 03-3604-1019
Open 12:00-20:00 (Closed on Tue)

A bit out of town. Again frame sizes all seem to around 55 or under. There wasn't much in the way of frames on my last visit. Pure luck as to what he will have. The JAN crew always come to the shop near close hours. so you might want to meet up with them if you're looking for someone to ride with. The JAN crew really kicks it on their bikes. especially "hakushaku", check his wheelies out while you're in tokyo.

CARNIVAL Google maps
J-SIX BLDGS 2F. 6-23-11 Jinguu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
TEL 03-5485-8581
Open 13:00-21:00

If your looking for NJS frames, this is not the shop for you. They are above WBASE in Shibuya. They stock mostly high end European frames, as Keirin bikes are a common site in Tokyo. Kinda opposite from the U.K & U.S were Keirin bikes are pretty much all the rave. Carnival also offers their limited edition blue Nitto Bar and Stem as well as special colorway Carnival x Grand Compe Hubs and Rims in 3 special Carnival colorways. They also have some Carnival branded T-shirts etc.

DEPOT CYCLE & RECYCLE Google maps
2-32-5 Ichikawa, Ichikawa-si, Chiba.
TEL 047-322-2210
Open 12:00-20:00 (Sat 11:00-19:00)

Really nice guys. Again a bit out of town, and pure chance as to what frames they will have. They are a small shop, but did have a few 3 Rensho's hanging of the walls when I last visited. always has interesting bike parts. They are also the main distributor of reload bags in japan.

KALAVINKA Google maps
1-16-21 Meguro-honmachi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3710-1435
Open 13:30-18:30 (Sat 10:00-17:30, Closed on Sun)

Need I say more. NJS builder Kalavinka's workshop. They also have some parts for sale.

**Updated 11/07

Sexon Super Peace Google maps
New store 01/11/07
22-5 Kamiizumi Cho Tokyo Shibuya Ku
Tel 03-3485-5506
OPEN 12:30 - 20:30

Very central and easy to find. Most frames were Vivalo's when I was there. Lots of bling bling coloured anodized parts locks etc.

Blue Lug Google maps
New Store 03/11/07
1-58-7 Down town Shibuya Ku
Tel: 03-6662-5042
Open from 14:00 - 22:00

Up near Shinjuku. Lots of nice bling bling parts/bags/rims etc. Not a place to come if your looking for a frame.

Also check out this map of Tokyo if your after Threads, bars etc..
Superfuture Tokyo map

You absolute legend.
Am going as an anniversary treat for the gf. Have told her about the ambitious plan to buy a bike- she's used to it now!
Am going to hit up most if not all of the above.
Also have heard some good stuff about Protech in Aoyama or Ebisu. i know where they are, just can't find the piece of paper.

No worries bro. Hope you enjoy your trip.
Took some Fixie pics today.

My Tokyo fixie pics on Flickr

Build No worries bro. Hope you enjoy your trip.
Took some Fixie pics today.

My Tokyo fixie pics on Flickr

^^
want

I am in Tokyo - visiting, and recommend all the places above. As a fellow fixed rider in sunny London, i have seen some beautiful examples here.
Going to check out Kalavinka tomorrow as i do belive they make the sweetest frames.....

Just checking in from not so sunny tokyo- am going today to a couple of the stores today
yay!

Were going to need a bigger case!

London Invasion! Every shop I've been in, I'm told somebody else from London was in the other day.

I've just read that Vivalo has been struck off the NJS list for a split fork incident on the track. It says to expect a flood of Vivalo frames offloaded by Keirin riders!

Hey Build- chances are that was me- met Tomity at Kalavinka as well, and all the frame builders there, my god they are so helpful- picked up a frame on the cheap too (£45).
Went to Carnival- thought that they were cunts. and ended with a trip to Punch in Asakusa- for prob the best cycle shop experience of my life- it was so fun:
Me explainin what i needed in my 2 days of japanese language knowledge, them looking non-plussed, oh i want to go back!
Now i just need some handlebars.......

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t349438.html Vivalo still on the list May 07.