Japan

http://hkfixed.blogspot.com/2007/09/news-from-jun.html bye bye Sep 07.

Just back from Tokyo, was a blast.
Went to the Kalavinka workshop - so understated and mellow. I used to live and work in tokyo so speak japanese and had a chat with one of the frame builders. He was a dude. Next time i am there i am going to get measured up for a new frame. I like the fact that they are not taking orders at the mo and if you want a kalavinka you'll just have to wait. Very classic , understated steel work. Just liked the vibe there - its also close to the very cool Claska hotel where i stayed once on a trip. Well worth the visit and great bar food - try the thai chicken noodles in broth - amazing.

Good thread, very useful. I'm going there a week today, and staying for the weekend after I'm done working. Any other places worth visiting but not covered yet?

Can't bring too much back as I'm going straight to Mexico City after. Is there a big fixie scene there? Forty degree heat, chronic pollution - sounds perfect!

Check this guide.

http://www.hellodamage.com/tdr/travelguide.htm#k

Highly recommended!

That IS good, thanks. But I'm thinking I'll give the 'one-dollar used porn places' a miss.

Nitto B201aa risers...
Could anybody going to japan track down these bars? They are sweet, can't find anyone over here who can get 'em. I'm after some (in polished silver) if anyone's willing and able to lug them about, please...

My friend has a pair, but i don't think they are that good. They are dead straight, prefer the ones with a bit of sweep, much more comfortable.

tokyo is even better on a bike than on a skateboard! I rode a friend's BMX here a few years ago and it was cool, but riding my trusted Fort around Shibuya/Harajuku tonight was just perfect.
I think I'm the only fixed-gear guy with Sidis in the whole town... Trendy vans abound.
If anyone's around, we're throwing a party at cafe 632 on friday.

Damn, it's true - Yorgo is the most jetset, glamorous mutha-fucker on LFGSS.

Jealous :-(

I'm in Tokyo now, and I might be at your party, Yorgo. Bumped into Euan on the plane from Heathrow - he'll tell you who I am!

you are two jammy fscks.
If you have time, go and visit Kalavinka- its worth it just to speak to them....

eyebrows you are two jammy fscks.

you can talk, you got a frame for 45 quid. Yorgo's bike is probably even more jetset than he is! I am jealous too...

Damn i could spend some serious money here! Someone please open a store like that in London. please.

i dream of working in/running/anything a shop like that

where the fsck is that?
is that carnival's renovation?

some new place called 'sexton'. Looks amazing!

nah that's "Sexon super something" or a similar name, one of the 2 new shops (with Blue Lug) that just opened in the Shibuya area. You can see the flowers in the front (when you do a launch party people send you flowers!)

blue lug: http://blogged.jugem.jp/

sexon super peace (!): http://www.sexonpista.com/

haha 'sexton', what a dumb ass i am, nearly!

i'm gonna have to go back.....

Conan haha 'sexton', what a dumb ass i am, nearly!

Will the real Super Sexton (Ming) please stand up?

thats it im def going to have to go back to tokyo now. Think its worth lugging a bike over there Le Car or just a tool kit...to build something over there to bring back perhaps?

la car have fun mate...sounds and looks so good! you the only one clacking in ya sidis on the dance floor :)