helloamerican

I'm in the market for some new pedals this ones are in my price range and seem pretty good. Any complaints/suggestions? If theres a major downside to these my second choice is the normal sylvans.

also, bonus points if you can tell me where to find some sylvan lites in tokyo.

thanks

freeskihp

just get some of them GR-9 joints

helloamerican

think so? they look like they'd be slippery in the rain

nateintokyo

I have the Sylvan lites and like them. They are pretty slippery though. I haven't had a problem--it is actually nicer for getting into the clips/straps, but the surfaces are fairly smooth.

On the plus side is cheap and low-profile.

The last time I was there I think they had them at Y's in Shinjuku, the smaller 'maniac' store around the corner from Starbucks. Sometimes they are at Tokyu Hands too, and the larger Y's.

helloamerican

i'm closer to the larger y's so that works out great.. i'm pretty sure i was at the maniac store yesterday- the piste part is on like the 4th floor right? bmx is downstairs? if it's the same place they didnt have the lites only the regular sylvans. i guess ill just head to y's thanks for the info.

Retem

gr-9s rock for around town I also have rx-1s and sylvan track pedals and the gr9s are the most comfy and fun on the street

nateintokyo

nope---the 'maniac' store is only on one floor and it is pretty tiny. both of the shops are right on the border between 3-chome and 2-chome, on opposite sides of the street. the larger one is in the basement of a larger building, below an interior decorating/furniture type place.

from the east exit, they are basically a few big blocks down, one block past Meiji, in between yasukuni and shinjuku douri. if you are coming from the east exit area down shinjuku douri, take a left when you get to the intersection with art supply store Sekaido on the right hand corner.

if you are coming away from the kabukicho area on yasukuni douri, it is right around the corner at the large intersection with a Doutor and a Starbucks on the right corner, and a koban on the far right corner.

Sakae Custom

Sylvan lites have ****tier bearings, grease, and dust caps(plastic) they are of less quality then normal sylvans. Just so you know.

orbThorn

They are not bad with my sambas, but are a little slippery when wet with other shoes with basically no traction. I love them and would recommend them to anyone.

Retem

double straps and suede vans take care of traction issues suede grips suede quite nicely

helloamerican

hmm is there a 3rd? the y's i know is on route 1 i think.. i'm gonna have to show this to my friend- maybe some of these places would have frames too hes looking for one pretty intensely now.

nateintokyo

what kind of frame? I don't think either of those usually stock keirin frames, but they can order Bridgestones (or maybe it was Panasonics?). Sometimes there is a Surly at Maniac.

The shop you went before with fixed stuff on the fourht floor was maybe the one in Akasaka/Tameikesanno? I think that one is the same chain.....fairly well stocked for road stuff if I recall...

A better bet for a frame would be all the mini-Meccas that make them, or the overpriced but probably easier places like Carnival. I haven't been, but people say that Pro-tec (?) in Aoyama has a good selection too.

cc700

i'm pretty sure i have the GR-9's and like them...

helloamerican

we went to punch cycle near asaksusa yesterday and they have a good selection, marked up but not so much. my friend found an old raizin frame there hes buying.

i'll probably go today to the y's near us and check if they have the pedals.

kinda off topic but maybe you could help nate....
i ordered a wheelset from kalavinka about a week and a half ago, they said it would take about a week to make it. i'm the kind of person to around when/or after something being made for me is suppose to be done i give the maker a call just to see where they're at- nothing snooty like 'is it not ****ing finished yet?' more 'no rush but how is it going' to make sure theres no issues or problems.

thing is i don't speak japanese. and my friend is the one who placed the order- he REFUSES upon death to call kalavinka and ask them politely how the process is going. and he swears that its profoundly rude to do so, that 'this is not america' and in japan you can't call to check on your order, its rude- you're suppose to just wait, and wait, and wait. and if it never comes than oh well.

i'm pretty pissed off at him for it to me it sounds ridiculous, but i thought i'd double check someone else whos been here awhile to see what the custom is, is it profoundly rude to check on your order? the reason im checking in the first place is more for the reason that they said they had to order my dura ace hubs, and if there was some holdup like 'oh we can't get the hubs for a week' i'd say 'no problem but i need to go to another shop who has them in stock then, i leave in less than a week'

sorry for the rant. but if anyone could let me know that would be great.

nateintokyo

If you have time on your hands, swing by.

The shop is small and things get busy fast, but if they know you need it for something soon (like leaving the country), I am sure they'd get it done for you quick. It may already be done or close to it.

I think they have an English speaking guy there now. Even if he isn't there, rudimentary gesture-speak should be able to get across what you need. Good luck!

helloamerican

i guess thats what ill have to do. i'd just rather not ride all the way out there just to ask if the wheels done when it would take 15 seconds of each of our time to call them and ask on the phone. i don't know if there's and english guy there or not- i'd feel rude calling and speaking english obviously. i guess i'll just have to find my way to the shop to ask in person.

nateintokyo

It's a fun ride, there are other neat things in the area. If you head down in the morning they may be able to get them ready for you pretty fast. I've just seen things back/fill up there really fast. If you are lucky they'll be done or finish up quick....or say come back in the afternoon.

That said, I don't think a phone call is a bad idea at all. Is there anyone else you can ask?

helloamerican

he ended up calling, we had a tiff over it for a bit but they said the wheels will be ready tomorrow- my main concern was if the dura-ace were comming in time, my friend said they did get a flux of getting busy but im excited to finally be able ot ride my san rensho tomorrow. i've been staring all all the parts except wheels and the bike just sitting in its glory. i'll take pics of the final build tomorrow. although im still tenatively looking for those sylvan lites. hopefully ill pick them up tomorrow.

i also kind of need a sugino 75 46t chainring but that isnt needed immediatly

nateintokyo

Right on! (not about the fight)

They've got chainrings at Kalavinka too. don't remember if there were pedals too (but if there are they are pricier than the Sylvan lites)

helloamerican

yea im pretty stoked. i'm gonna check on the chainrings there, while im havin the cog and lockring put on. i'm hoping for sylvan lites but i think im going to end up crumbling and gettin sylvan tracks.

kinda random, do you know if kalavinka takes credit cards? sorta affects my route there if they do or don't

deathhare

I want these from Kalavinka
https://www.kalavinka-bikes.com/image/sale/lyotard.htm