Originally Posted by orange-toei

Track bike is a religion of some form here. I've been to Keirin race and it's the closest to an official ceremony it will get. Keirin might be the purest expression of track bike riding since the bike are pretty plain and simple. Dura-Ace everything, Araya wheels and the rest is Nitto with a dash of Kashimax for the saddle. It's funny, but the people who attend those races don't care the less about the bikes, it's a multi billion yen betting game. The racers care about the bike and they are great.

I have seen a couple of bike messengers in Tokyo who seem to be serious about track riding, but from what I could see, it's a big fashion thing. There is a magazine about track bike, track bike are covered in all major bike publications including some that are partly fashion magazine. There is a track rider look which I clearly don't fit it. I am a rider, I could care less for the hip hop type wear. I will ride wearing basic black shorts and a tshirt.