Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Nitto's superiority and lack of distrobution

I've recently realized that Nitto is almost my favorite bicycle company. Everything they make is strong, functional and a work of art. They are truly the last bastion of the classic bicycle asthetic. I wish it was easier to get their product though. I get the feeling that the stuff we see distro'd in the U.S. is just the tip of the highly-polished, forged and chromed iceberg. If only there was a way to get their complete catologue, it would be the best porno mag ever. As the score stands, Rivendell and Euro-Asia seem to be the most comprehensive importers, anyone know of others?

I know Business Cycles carries some Nitto stuff as does Yellow Jersey. Harris Cyclery carries lots.

It's weird to think that Nitto is hard to come by because every 70s and 80s Japanese import is probably outfitted with a Nitto stem and bars. I know both of my road bikes have them as does the conversion I did for a friend.

I guess that just means I'm out of touch.

here's some Nitto porn from the Tokyo bike show

http://images.popdan.com/nitto1.jpg
http://images.popdan.com/nitto2.jpg
http://images.popdan.com/nitto3.jpg
http://images.popdan.com/nitto4.jpg

wilson's in hayward, ca, usa distributes a few nitto bars (moustache, noodle, promenade and some steel pista bar) and stems (technomic, not sure what else.) Lotsa bike shops, especially those that deal in bmx stuff, can order from them if you want.

From rivendell readers and cats it seems that nitto is a really amazing company, too. Very responsive to customers (designing and making several new hbars for rivendell, etc), and good to their employees.

here's some Nitto porn from the Tokyo bike show

http://images.popdan.com/nitto1.jpg
http://images.popdan.com/nitto2.jpg
http://images.popdan.com/nitto3.jpg
http://images.popdan.com/nitto4.jpg


i see you went also.. will call denwa bango later today.. Nitto is everywhere and not hard to get.

S/F,
CEYA!

I think there are several reasons Nitto's stuff isn't widely distributed. One is price, the yen to dollar exchange makes importing Japanese products expensive. Secondly, Nitto is a pretty small company. I think they have 38 empolyees, so they're probably not producing too much product. Lastly, they produce items which don't cater to large market trends. Think about it--quill stems, moustache bars, track drops, high-end racks. As much as we around here admire and use the stuff, we're the minority.

The technomic stem, "regular" road drops, track drops, and moustache bar are all distributed by Quality Bicycle Products, which any lbs should be able to order from.

If you do a little looking around, Nitto products shouldn't be hard to come by. Besides the suppliers alreadhy mentioned, try http://www.tullios.com/Nitto.htm

--AK

http://images.popdan.com/nitto4.jpg

Those bottle cages are awesome. They are so steel and curvy. This is what I mean, I never would have expected to salivate over a bottle cage. I just ordered a stem and some bars from Quality, I forget how impressive that stuff looks in real life.

I definitely havent seen any shortage of Nitto stuff around. Seems like any decent shop I walk into has got at least a few of their parts in the display case. Actually, that's one of the ways I know that I'm at the right LBS...gotta have a few Nitto parts in that display case to show me you know whats up.

-and- everything they make is overbuilt and heavy in a day when weight weenies control the market.

I definitely havent seen any shortage of Nitto stuff around. Seems like any decent shop I walk into has got at least a few of their parts in the display case. Actually, that's one of the ways I know that I'm at the right LBS...gotta have a few Nitto parts in that display case to show me you know whats up.


Yeah, I know that some of there stuff is pretty easy to find, and I appreciate all the links. This is more of what I 'm driving at: Is the stuff that we see in shops stateside all that they make? It seems like something new and obscure is always turning up on a website, or someone shows me a limited run component that they made for this or that project by so-and-so company. It is almost always awesome. I'd love to see a comprehesive index of what they've made over the last 20 years. I've never been able to find a corprate website, probably because I don't read Japanese, but how about some contact info? They are a small company, but shouldn't they should still have an email address?

I'll see what i can do but what r u looking for anyway? I get that mag so you can be happy :D
S/F<
CEYA!

I'll see what i can do but what r u looking for anyway? I get that mag so you can be happy :D
S/F<
CEYA!

The bike I'm building up is a touring rig, so anything pertaining to that would be great. I'd like to see their selection of racks and bars mostly, but this has been sort of an obsession for a while, so I'd really like to see everthing. :)

A 1980 Nitto catalogue:
<http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~uc6y-ssk/special_26.html>