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My Pearson Touche got nicked. I guess I shouldn't have put that flashy Brooks saddle on it. And perhaps have locked it better. Anyhow, to fill the void, I've decided to build up my own bike for the first time and am getting a titanium frame from Lynskey Performance in the U.S.

Next up, I'm thinking what wheels to get. Hopefully by the time the frame is ready I will be able to afford them.

This thread makes me want to take my camera out with me. I've been here six years now and am perhaps taking for granted the super bikes and (ace mamacharis for the lady).

One thing I don't get though is foreigners getting all hot under the collar about the term gaijin. Literally, it means outside person and is a short version of the more correct gaikokujin (outside country person). It doesn't mean dirty at all, although it can be used negatively in the same way , I suppose, as "bloody foreigner". However, it doesn't necessarily mean it is offensive at all.

Ditto the Japan racism thing. Foreigners here, often who speak not a word of Japanese, love to bang on about how racist the locals are while moaning incessantly about the Japanese and how they won't let you enter their culture. It would be more weird if there wasn't any racism, surely?

They're making it in white for 2010 as well as another new fixed. Not quite sure what to think.

In the end I went for a Tommasini Tecno road bike, which I think is nice enough. It just arrived and I haven't even had time to take it out yet. For commuting I've still got my Pearson fixed.

Vincent, any pics of the new bike yet?

I think ぶらぶら　means to sway or swing to and fro; or to loiter or to loaf idly

I've contacted the shop in Italy wear I got my Cinelli road bike from to see how much they'll do me a Supercorsa Pista frame/fork set. As I'm outside the EU, they'll lop off the VAT. So maybe I'm edging in that direction.

I'm keeping an eye out for reasonable keirin frames on Yahoo auctions but, as mentioned earlier, anything NJS-approved is pretty pricey.

Point taken about loving to ride it first, although I suspect that many people buying NJS-bikes in London have a smidgeon of "image" in mind when they make the purchase. Anyhow, ganbarimasu.

thanks for the tips. Tempting to get a Jpz one if I can find one for my size (which is tough as I'm 6'1:) so it's likely I'll have to get one made. Maybe a Panasonic or Level. I speak some Japanese, though, so I should be okay with ordering etc.

The only downside is that keirin bikes on the road are two a penny. Tonight, when I cycled through Shibuya, someone photographed my Pearson Touche--I guess it's different. Maybe I'll get one here and one more from the UK.

God_zuki.
Do level do OTP? And how much would you be forking out over there? Perhaps some BJ/Mercian trading in the off? Arigato.

I think they're all made to order with frames starting about 130,000 yen. When I get chance, I might head down to there shop, which is not that far from here.

Look into my eyes not around the eyes look into my eyes

You will become a bike frame import export magnate but sell me things really cheap

three two one

You're back in the room

I've no idea how much it costs to post frames to the UK, but between us we (me and the other half) could quite possibly get hold of frames and help with things like custom ordering Panasonic frames, for example, or attempting to get second hand keirin frames, although that might be more tricky. I'll look into it, although I guess it depends on how much hassle it is and the costs of posting etc. I just mentioned it to her and she seemed kind of interested.

Have you eaten yet? ;-)

Yup, yaki-soba noodles and cake.

i.e. what kind of bike do you want?

I think you've hit the nail on the head there. I'm still trying to figure this out. This is the Level one I keep think about:
g

Sounds like a plan.

Seems like good advice. I just searched for pista frames on sale on Yahoo Japan auctions and a Bob Jackson came up.

As for Panasonic, there is but it's all in Japanese. As far I can work out there's two systems: Custom Order and Frame Full Order. With the former, you can get a built bike or frame and make a lot of choices regarding options. Frames go up to 61cms in 1cm increments.

But with the Frame Full Order, which is a bit more pricey, the options are far more varied. This is the link:
http://www.panabyc.co.jp/products/pos/index.html

A friend of mine recently got a Panasonic steel road bike made and it looks superb.

I'm after some advice/guidance. I'm British, living in Tokyo and currently use a fixed Pearson Touche as my commuter and a Cinelli road bike. The Pearson is a great ride, stands out nicely from the crowd and is big enough, which is more than can be said for many of the keirin bikes I've spotted knocking around. I also like the fact I don't look like I'm trying too hard.

However, the more I like the Pearson, the more I'm thinking about getting a custom built bike. With this in mind, the next question is do I get something local and, if so, what?

I'm tempted by Level frame or a Panasonic using its frame order system--both would be about 130,000 yen for the frames. My Japanese friend tells me Kavalinka are too popular and I should think about a Cherubim, which is based in outer Tokyo.

On top of that, I'm in the UK in September and am thinking of visiting Mercian. And my friend in London says I should get a Condor.

I also really like the Cinelli Supercorsa Pista frame but it's too much (isn't it?).

So, do I go British or Japanese or Italian?

Oh, on top of that, is their much difference in quality between Japanese steel and Reynolds and Italian?

I got a Touche sent to me here in Tokyo--maybe a bit weird but I wanted to stand out from all the keirin bikes. To my surprise, I saw another one in Marunouchi a few weeks ago. I got the blue one and paid a bit extra for a carbon seatpost and better tyres. I use the standard bars and really love it. It's my first single speed bike and has been great for getting fit since I switched it to fixed. I'm now interested in getting a locally made bike too, but am not sure where I'll keep it.