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It's been about 8 months after a long time away from fgss. I went to Tokyo, met the master builder at Kalavinka and enjoyed a good chat with them about building me a frame. I'm going back to tokyo in a month and this time hopefully put an order in for a kalavinka frame. They are just lovely. What i liked most about the place was it was just so humble, two guys, small workshop making a small amount of frames....real cottage industry. I like to give my money to these kind of outfits, and the japs attention to detail is second to none. Also, does anyone know the address of Carnival bike shop in Tokyo - i hear its in harajuku / shibuya area?

i like to get in the bushes...

I know a fella with a lavoro and he rides it on the road. Its bloody stiff and London not having the smoothest roads - you've got to lok after precios cargo - maybe ride it with a Brooks saddle.
Its a lovely bike and he does have the fromt fork drilled. The Alpina forks can be drilled.
I really want one too - it came out just after i bought my black pista - but now the gold old skool pista is looking hot too...
Just waiting to get our officeo n the cycle scheme nad then i'll put an order in...ready for summer.
Got the mitts out this morning - felt good - even though a bit cold.

Schwable Stevio's are sweet. Hd Vredestein tricomp's before and got loads of punctures - had the stelvios in white for about a month now and they are lovely and look the busniss.

No - my wife could get jealous...

f**king tourists . The worst are the ones that walk out in the road and look the wrong way - loads of europeans doing it on my route. kicked one guy oin the leg last week to give him a lesson.

I get at least one twat a day on my commute from kentish town to holland park - usually at the posh end...
gets right on my tits....
taxi drivers - they are a really special breed.....i dream of hanging them up by the balls....

Its classico - and looks good always. I'd love a white bike next time round - possibly from moyer. the one on their website with red detailing looks so sweet.
condor are overpriced - but the standard pista frame at £400 is pretty good value i think.

Yes, i might be perceived as a ponce - but i dont give a monkey's. Blac and white is sweet and rapha condor looks gooood together.
stop being jealous and get on the ponce wagon and love it!

ohherr missus....!

i always save my spit for the gass guzzling bently driving twat... whats the point. Always hit one in notting hill around 9am coming back from the school run... and stopping at starbucks with doors wide open and engine still running. makes me sick.
also - i dont ride hard.
just fast.

i dont do bridges...
norf landan only chaps and chapettes.

I agree...

anyone get a sample?

I'd never do such a thing - i hate wankers who spit and ride - especially at girls. Who is that guy he needs a slap.

Giving Condor riders a bad name like that....

Blimey - all this banter about the condor pista!
I ride a black 07 pista. Standard frame - mines the one on the condor brochure this year!
upgrades :
condor goldtec asymetric hubs
DT swiss handbuilt wheels -
deda anatomical bars
campag skeleton front brake
gold finger lever
sugino messenger crank (black)
schwabble stevio tyres (white)
izumi track chain
specialized toupe seat (condor seat is like sitting on a splintered RSJ - i agree)

I love my bike. It makes my journey from kentish town to holland park and back every day joyous.

It goes well with my panchant for black and white clothes and my rapha - yes rapha - softshell jacket and grand tour gloves.

I am not a ponce. I like good quality and its my only transport for london - work and beyond.

I dont care what you all think or say. Condor make good bikes. Rapha make good clothes that dont make you look like a twat when you turn up to meetings or sweat like a pig.

I rate this bike highly - for a commute or otherwise. Its understated and a sweet ride. Ive been riding single speed for about 10 years and fixed for 3 and if i ever change my bike there are only two alternatives for me - a Kalavinka or a moyer - for weekends - as i rekon the pista is a knockout commuter.

Avvit.

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.

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.....

I heard that too, but never had a problem with it so far....good and bad reviews....
to be honest i dont really leave it out much - but serves the purpose, doesn't weigh a ton and can be used in the bedroom. 3 for 1.

This lock has to date never let me down. ITs reallyhard to get leverage on it and you can get a real tight grip around frame and lampost. Not sure if anyone's mentioned this lock as i have not read all the threads.
Big love for this baby, and has other applications too.....

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?W=0&Manufacturer=&UberCatName=&Cat=cycle&CategoryName=Locks&ProdID=5300003376&UberCat=0

edmundane [quote]lukeslytalker The Kalavinka website has been down for a while now - or in any case i cant get on it. I will be going there with open eyes and see what i find. To be honest, i dont know a huge amount about bikes but i k=have been riding single speed since i was 14 (i am now 30) and fixed for about 5. This blog is great as i am learning loads! My wife is happy that at least its not some dodgy dating site!

is that why u're called slytalker? and did you say u've been riding fixed since you were five?

front brake only, no mounting for rear brake, track ends, aero profile tubing, hidden headset, bolt on axles, aerospoke front and back.[/quote]The name is lukeslytalker , a pun on good old lukeskywalker from Star Wars. Kind of thought you'd have figured out that one. It has been a nick name for years... ive been riding single speed for about 15 years and fixed for 5...not since i was 5! When my son - now 18 months is old enough to ride, im going ot get him started on a small single speed racer. I love the lime green dude. Who's the frame maker?

Neither do I!
I will check what thickness my teeth are and get the right size chain.
Ta

The Kalavinka website has been down for a while now - or in any case i cant get on it. I will be going there with open eyes and see what i find. To be honest, i dont know a huge amount about bikes but i k=have been riding single speed since i was 14 (i am now 30) and fixed for about 5. This blog is great as i am learning loads! My wife is happy that at least its not some dodgy dating site!

Thanks very much for the tip. Will do that. I ride a 46 17 set up with a miche cog on the back. IS the dimension related to the thickness of the cog / teeth?

Aftet all this i am more confused. I think i will getmyself an izumi super toughness. Just because i like the name and its gold. As for 1/8 or 3/32, how would i know and what should i get?
A confused hot man on a friday afternoon.

Brilliant!
I will certainly check them out. I'm after a heavenly white frame + forks > that pic of the Level was gor-ger-ous

That bike is beautiful...i will definately check them out...what a don name too..