dang...that panasonic looks a lot like the geared bike I'm working on converting. I am going to take it to Makino's shop this week and see what they can do for it =)

I am really going to need some help though...but I'm afraid to post noob questions in this forum.

haha..where you live man? Maybe i can help. :) Also...living here...why would you convert something? There are 100000 good frames for cheap.

http://i18.tinypic.com/4347ti8.jpg
http://i18.tinypic.com/2wre15x.jpg
http://i15.tinypic.com/2ursck0.jpg
http://i17.tinypic.com/3yq3785.jpg
http://i16.tinypic.com/34esw7d.jpg
a.s.

really sweet bike. i love the look of samsons. impractical with that kashimax though.

A little pain never hurt anybody!
a.s.

I dont know that seems like alot of pain.

I rode a season of road races on a Kashimax Aero - almost the same saddle. Not much fun, but it was once a cheap saddle.

I ride almost the same seat. Riding about 20 miles a day commuting. Its fine. These seats are totally comfortable IMO if you have them adjusted perfectly for yourself.

YEah, I mean compared to being in a Fizik Arione for 4 hours + on my road bike training rides, 30 minutes in teh Kashimax is nothing. I like my seats narrow.
a.s.

What happened to gold anodizing the cranks/chainring?

Long story....had a local anodize shop quote me $150 to get all the anodizing done...seemed cheap....took my stuff in, the guys were dicks, and told me that they would do GOLD...and would not make ANY attempt to color match. Called Steve at Ben's Cycle (where I bought all my stuff) he quoted me $50 to do all teh anodizing...and he would color match it. Sent it in, waited two weeks, he emails me, says that the DuraAce cranks would not hold the anodize, they are gel coated, or something...whatever...i just wanted to ride. Got my parts, built the bike, picked up hos. Nah...I just emailed Tomity...and will get a predone set of 7710's from him.
a.s.

toughen up your gouch with the kashimax seat. be a man

IS the Kashimax Aero much different than the standard Kashimax (w/ 44mmm rails)? The aero looks like it has more padding and a more tolerable shape. I have the opportunity to buy one and I'm considering it, but don't want to end up with another totally unridable saddle like the standard Kashimax.

I want a panasonic in the worst way. So whats the deal, about $700 USD or am I reading that wrong? If that is the MSRP, what does that translate to in a retail shop?

Anyone know? Deathhare?

generally, a price quoted on a japanese website is the price you get it for. in this case, assume 74,000-yen as the purchase price from a dealer/shop.

we had a short discussion here> http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=276905

How are Sugino Mighty NJS seatposts? Or Dura Ace NJS seatposts for that matter? I'd like to get an NJS seatpost for my NJS bike (and no, it's not a full NJS build but right now it has an ultra-cheap Pyramid post on it that I told myself I'd switch out when I had more money). I don't really want to go for the Nitto Jaguar though, as it's an extra $50 compared to the aforementioned other two.

cant wait to see your build! if i havent missed it already.

i have a sugino mighty post. solid, infinite adjust, but the bolt heads are on the top of the post, and can be a pain to adjust without a small 10mm combo wrench. i believe campy made a tool specifically for this type of post.

That thread only make me want that panasonic more. Going to Japan in august, hmm...

if that is the case, remember the *2-week* order period...you can expect to return home with a brand-new, `custom` frame set.:)

Its not really custom is it? You just get to choose the size of frame you want from this list right? http://www.panabyc.co.jp/products/pos/dim_fp28.html

not truly custom...i was just referring to the options of being able to choose from a pretty decent array of colours/finishes, personalized stenciling of names/logos, a variety of design schemes and being able to immediately order a specific size at 10mm increments. all of this at a reasonable price, instead of waiting/hoping(?) for a used keirin frame that may only be within a tolerable size range, not necessarily a first colour choice and possibly dinged and sometimes quite pricey. while truly custom frames are always available, prices are usually quite a bit more.

i suppose a decent analogy would be a used vs. off-the-rack vs. tailored suit.

Yes they did make one.

S/F,
CEYA!

Good way to explain it. It really is a killer deal IMO. Id love to get one and i probably will eventually. Maybe this time next year or something.
Currently in love with the frame im on now. :)

It's been built up and good to go for a week or two, I switched out the B123's for risers though. Otherwise I've just been lazy about getting pics, I'll try to post some soon.