Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Bridgestone or Nagasawa frame?

I recently sold my De Bernardi track bike and I'm looking into purchasing a new bike. I'm stuck deciding between a Bridgestone and Nagasawa frame. I'm a big fan of vintage Italian and Japanese frames, so I wanted to get some additional thoughts on what would be the best route to take. Note - the Nagasawa frame is slightly more (200-300) than the Bridgestone. Thanks in advance.

Nagasawa...

Get the one that fits you the best.

Never ridden one? Just get the one that matches your clothes.

the nagasawa definitely has more cachet than a bridgestone, but i highly doubt that you'll notice any non-fit related differences in ride quality. As suggested by 1fluffhead, get the one that fits you the best, if there is any difference.

i would recommend finding out the tube sets of each as that might be something that factors into a decision. it's worth noting that some tubesets used on keirin frames aren't meant to be ridding by anyone much over 140-150lbs.

all,

thanks for the feedback so far... I'm actually looking into the following frames...

i would definitely get the bridgestone

which one fits?
they bridgestone is appreciably bigger than the naga

the stand over height for both frames are in my size range, the difference between the 2 are less than a centimeter... unfortunately, I don't have direct access to the frames/bikes... so I'm basing the size off of the stand over height...

standover is meaningless.

the Bridgestone's TT is 2cm longer.

I'm 5'8", so the TT should be okay... in addition, i received some feedback from the seller, the Bridgestone tubing is Kaisei 019 double butted CrMo....

http://keirinculture.com/
no new frames yet

I'm 5'8", so the TT should be okay...

The tt is substantially different on the two bikes.

It sounds like you're pretty clueless about which one will fit you.

Spending two thousand dollars on a bike that you can't say will fit you well is really stupid.

The TT on my De Bernardi was 56cm... and it was just right, pushing it a little though... so 53-55 would give me a little bit more breathing room...

The bidding has ended for the Nagasawa.

The Bridgestone seems like the best choice for you to get.

the winner of the auction for the Nagasawa backed out... and i was next in line to buy the bike...

nagasawa. from what ive seen, everyone around here who has a japanese frame usually has a bridgestone or samson, hardly ever see nagasawas. cant wait to get the rest of the parts for mine

nagasawa. from what ive seen, everyone around here who has a japanese frame usually has a bridgestone or samson, hardly ever see nagasawas.

best reason ever.

Let's see. This is a broad guess and has no substantiated claim in hard fact (so don't bash me, bonechilling), but Bridgestone is a large company, and Nagasawa is a smaller one, so possibly Nagasawa puts a little more time into hand-building their frames?

Nagasawa is also considered, along with 3rensho, one of the best keirin frame builders.

I've owned a Bridgestone NJS, it was a mighty fine frame, no complaints. Nice track geometry, nice lugs, nice feel.

Kaisei makes some nice tubing, I'm a fan of it. The Kaisei 8630 is the best, though, and as soon as a frame goes up on keirinculture or eBay with that stuff, I'm keen on getting it for myself.

why is it the best

BRIDGESTONE! all the way.

why is it the best

I said considered, I've never ridden one. I'm sure the worksmanship and time that he puts into a frame is top notch and that's why he has the reputation.

Get 'em both and make a NJS tall bike.

I'm pretty embarrassed for this whole thread to be honest.

Yeah right! Is this question meaningful?

i meant why is "The Kaisei 8630... the best"


I said considered, I've never ridden one. I'm sure the worksmanship and time that he puts into a frame is top notch and that's why he has the reputation.

I'm pretty embarrassed for this whole thread to be honest.

haha.

i meant why is "The Kaisei 8630... the best"

Oh, best is a subjective opinion. I personally like it the best. It's lightweight, feels snappy, responsive and lively. All things that feel good to me. Fun to sprint around on, feels fast. Ask that bike-genius 11.4 (member name) about it, he's a big fan too.

...feels snappy, responsive and lively...

what does this all mean

Easy to accelerate, efficient power transfer, stiff but not 'dead' like some aluminum frames feel to me. I don't know, ride the tubing yourself and gauge your results.

Nagasawa all the way! He apprenticed under DeRosa in Italy for 5 years and was the exclusive framebuilder for Koichi Nakano, 10-time World Track Sprint Champion in the '70s and '80s. One of the finest builders of steel frames in the world!

Nagasawa all the way! He apprenticed under DeRosa in Italy for 5 years and was the exclusive framebuilder for Koichi Nakano, 10-time World Track Sprint Champion in the '70s and '80s. One of the finest builders of steel frames in the world!


3Rensho built his bikes too including the one he got his 1st of 10 championships.

S/F,
CEYA!

i'd get whichever has the most gold or rainbow sparkle in the paint.

mmm hope the bridgestone guys don't get mad but as far as i understand
kalavinka
nagasawa 3rensho
samson umezawa, some others
bridgestone panasonic more others.

but go with what fits. if you can.

Even if Bridgestone is considered a "low-end" Keirin bike, it's still a hand-made frame produced by a skilled craftsman and made with good tubing. The quality should arguably be as high as most boutique builders, unless you're talking about the big guns like Yamaguchi or whomever.

****, Bridgestone's are nice bikes and I can say that first hand. I'd own another one personally (and just may soon...).
http://a747.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/22/l_8ada18fdaf4e7d75f9180055a6b15062.jpg

Easy to accelerate, efficient power transfer, stiff but not 'dead' like some aluminum frames feel to me. I don't know, ride the tubing yourself and gauge your results.

I believe "Stiff but compliant" is the phrase you're looking for

I believe "Stiff but compliant" is the phrase you're looking for

I believe you should stop reading BikeSnob all day and go ride :)

:)

You're right, Ceya!! 3Rensho did indeed build for Nakano. Thanks!

Nogo

Kenevans. (http://www.fyxomatosis.com/kenevans)