Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - used Japanese track bikes

I was reading on the momovelo site (after I saw that bridgestone frame they're selling) that they've been importing used womens' city bikes from japan from resellers. It seemed that from what was written on the site, Japanese society doesn't really regard bicycles as something worth recycling(?)....maybe with track bikes, this isn't the case, but if it is what do you think happens to all the keirin bikes after they're "spent"?

It seemed that from what was written on the site, Japanese society doesn't really regard bicycles as something worth recycling(?)
True, in general...& not only bikes.... Look at cars in Japan. You rarely see clunckers on the road.

True, in general...& not only bikes.... Look at cars in Japan. You rarely see clunckers on the road.
It's a law there. Cars have to be maintained at a certain level, and the engines are dumped quickly as well.

Yeah, but I wonder if there's a way to import used track bikes to sell over here. Tons of people here want those bikes, but they're sooooo expensive...there's gotta be a way to get used bikes from japan.

Yeah, but I wonder if there's a way to import used track bikes to sell over here. Tons of people here want those bikes, but they're sooooo expensive...there's gotta be a way to get used bikes from japan.

This is a subject that I'm trying to think through. I travel to Japan infrequently. Where I usually stay (Tama center area) has a Kieren shop about 15 minutes from it. I'm pretty interested to see it and see what they have. My next trip isn't for a while.

yeah check it out..I wonder if they'd have used bikes. I have a few friends in japan, americans and japanese...none of them are cyclists, but maybe they might know.

I have an acquaintance here who regularly ship classic US automobiles to Japan. They have this thing about vintage US autos. I never particularly thought of importing used Keirin frames before. Something I'll throw at him the next time I see him.
I don't know what the current fixed scene is like in Japan since it's been quite a while since I've visited my relatives (mother's side) over there. All I remember during my 20 yrs of living in Japan was an occasional trackie training on the streets.

George

Every body was in the club getting tipsy.

J-Kwon? Really?

J-Kwon? Really?

I was STUCK next to a car yesterday that was playing it.. and it's in my head.

Yeah, but I wonder if there's a way to import used track bikes to sell over here. Tons of people here want those bikes, but they're sooooo expensive...there's gotta be a way to get used bikes from japan.


Money makes the world go round.

Money makes the world go round.

REALLY? and here all this time i thought it had something to do with physics. Hmm, I never did trust those little green pieces of paper, but i guess i should. They're responsible for day and night!!!

Yeah, but I wonder if there's a way to import used track bikes to sell over here. Tons of people here want those bikes, but they're sooooo expensive...there's gotta be a way to get used bikes from japan.


You might try some of the links from the Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute
http://www.jbpi.or.jp/eng/index.html

I'm not sure about everyone here wanting these. Seriously check out the cost of containers, import duties etc. before you embark on the dream job of importing Keirin bikes.

Cheers

Cam

Last time I went to Japan, a little over a year ago, I didn't see ANY track bikes. The most I saw was one person riding a road bike, a trek I think. Aside from that one person's bike, nothing.

Last time I went to Japan, a little over a year ago, I didn't see ANY track bikes. The most I saw was one person riding a road bike, a trek I think. Aside from that one person's bike, nothing.
I'm not surprised to hear that. A lot of them are into smoking and drinking.

I'm not surprised to hear that. A lot of them are into smoking and drinking.

And that differs from us residents of the US exactly how?? Oh yeah, we also like to eat/drive giant automobiles.

Money makes the world go round.

A mark? a yen? a buck? or a pound
A buck or a pound
A buck or a pound
Is all that makes the world go around
That clinking clanking sound
Can make the world go ?round

This is a subject that I'm trying to think through. I travel to Japan infrequently. Where I usually stay (Tama center area) has a Kieren shop about 15 minutes from it. I'm pretty interested to see it and see what they have. My next trip isn't for a while.

Is it cycle shop WAKATSUKI?

YEAH you dont see alot but you go to the right places you will see them.

S/F
CEYA!

http://www.reloadbags.com/bparts/index.html

These guys say they get in keirin frames regularly. Maybe give them a call and see if they have anything in stock? You could get some sweet hubs, grips, bars and stem at the same time.

Funny how I am thinking about the same subject of importing a used keirin frame. I bet someone with a 'hook-up' can do it. The only problem I see (as told by Reload folks) is that most frames come in size 52-54 and it is hard to get sizes over 54. I am not sure how true this is.
On a different note, here is the bridgestone site (check out the the geometry of keirin frame):
http://www.anchor-bikes.com/
http://www.anchor-bikes.com/dimension/dimension_top.html
http://www.bscycle.co.jp/

http://www.anchor-bikes.com/04bikes/04track/PHM9F_L.jpg
nice!

Kind of trashy though...

That's not the Kierin frame...

http://www.anchor-bikes.com/04bikes/04track/KEIRIN_L.jpg

Fine here is the steel one

Swing Girls?

The steel one's pretty sweet and elegant. The other... well, I'm sure it's fast.

As for Keirin frame sizes, I would expect that's true. While the Japanese are now the tallest East Asian nation, they're still shorter on average than your average American. Likewise if we were importing a lot of used Danish frames, it might be hard to find frames smaller than 54cm.

As for Keirin frame sizes, I would expect that's true. While the Japanese are now the tallest East Asian nation, they're still shorter on average than your average American. Likewise if we were importing a lot of used Danish frames, it might be hard to find frames smaller than 54cm.

i was thinking the same thing. but aren't the dutch even taller than the danes? or is it too close to call...

*cringes at off-topic question*

*hopes thread doesn't get moved*

Correct you are. I was thinking Danes but it looks like it's Dutch. Anyhow, just about any Northern Europe nation is taller than the US owing to better nutrition.

It is pretty hard to find used keirin frames over 54-55 or so, but not impossible. I've passed up several sweet deals on 3Renshos and other keirin frames because I ride a 56-57. The bigger sizes are out there, just not as common.

And you can get used frames pretty cheap in Japan, a friend went to the Gan well factory and scored a frame and fork(a big one at that) for something like fifty bucks, but ended up spending a bunch of money to get it back to the states.

Lucky Cat is correct , it is hard to getframes over 54 cm but not impossible. Remember guys the height has some what to do with the frame but it is your inseam is what get the right size.


S/F,
CEYA!

And remember that the height has somewhat to do with the frame measurement but that it's really all about bottom bracket to top tube which has everything to do with inseam.

Spread the word!!! DO NOT BUY FROM MOMOVELO!! I ordered a folding bike from them February 2nd, 2004. My confirmation said it would be shipped within 24 hours but it never arrived. I contacted him after a couple weeks and said he would be in in a month so I opted to wait. The production of the bike (Dahon) has continuously been put back to where they are now forecasting January 15th, 2005. I don't blame Momovelo for the production of the bike but they have refused to respond to numerous e-mails about refunding my money or changing the order to something in stock. They don't have a valid phone number and have a history of horrible customer service!!

What does this have to do with USED JAPANESE TRACK BIKES> I do appreciate the word and this will let everybody know but look at the topic and hope you resolve you problem.


S/F<
CEYA!

here we go. nice. those folks at reload are on it.

http://reloadbags.com/bags/list.php?t=frames

Nice!

I'll keep my eye on that site for something cool.

and what of the junior racers? i've been wondering where all the smally small small frames are at!

That Anchor Keirin is mad gorgeous. I guess you would have to set it up with NJS parts for authenticity.

sigh now I really wish that retired race bikes were available.

Someone should set up a race bike adoption rescue program like people have for retired greyhounds.

And you can get used frames pretty cheap in Japan, a friend went to the Gan well factory and scored a frame and fork(a big one at that) for something like fifty bucks, but ended up spending a bunch of money to get it back to the states.

i had a friend in japan buy a keirin frame for me, and it's like jumping through hoops. wiring money, international money orders, shipping is so outrageous it's like 1 frame for the price of 2. finally ended up waiting months until they came back to visit, but even then it was a task to package it small enough to get on the plane without the airline charging a $160 oversized item charge. so if anyone is visiting japan, get one while you can.

Does anyone know when Reload will be posting more frames?

Does anyone know when Reload will be posting more frames?
I bet RELoad would - call Roland
http://reloadbags.com/shop/contact.html

just saw this on fgg. i don't read japanese, maybe you do.

www.e-framebank.com (http://www.e-framebank.com)

http://fixedgeargallery.com/2005/mar/JamesDiLisio.htm

little late http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=94822

']I bet RELoad would - call Roland
http://reloadbags.com/shop/contact.html

I've emailed before & never received a reply which is why I put in a request wondering if someone on the board had more info.

I've emailed before & never received a reply which is why I put in a request wondering if someone on the board had more info.
Yea, they suck at returning emails. I have emailed them tiwce, once about the used track stems, and another time about making me a custom bag. No replies.

I guess they won't get my business, too bad because they have really cool stuff... :(

Yea, they suck at returning emails. I have emailed them tiwce, once about the used track stems, and another time about making me a custom bag. No replies.

I guess they won't get my business, too bad because they have really cool stuff... :(

Weird, when I emailed them, ellie emailed me back within a day or so. She seemed really on top of things, and I love the backpack I ended up with.

REload = good people.

e-framebank.com use the google translater!

I've emailed before & never received a reply which is why I put in a request wondering if someone on the board had more info.
that's why I said to call. someone will pick up. had a similar experience, so I called. everything was taken care of. much quicker than waiting for email when you really need to know something.

Weird, when I emailed them, ellie emailed me back within a day or so. She seemed really on top of things, and I love the backpack I ended up with.

REload = good people.

ditto that