The perfection of NJS frames
#51
Comanche Racing
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the heart of Texas
Bikes: Presto NJS build, Specialized Allez Pro w/ full Dura Ace and Ksyrium SLs, 1990something Specialized Sirrus
Also, I'm 95% sure this is the frame. Guy said he bought it from this website and it is the exact same as far as I can tell. Pretty hot, IMO. I have some decent base components for it, too (Sugino 75, mks, toshi, black deep vs, etc). Eventually I would probably build a proper wheelset for it, though.
#52
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,862
Likes: 918
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
absolutely. My parents live in Plano relatively close to the superdrome, and I usually visit them 2 or 3 times a year, so I will be bringing it with me. Up until now, I have had to use those rental bikes (which aren't bad), but it will be nice to have my own setup that fits well. My current bike (Sputnik) has too low of a BB for track use I think.
Also, I'm 95% sure this is the frame. Guy said he bought it from this website and it is the exact same as far as I can tell. Pretty hot, IMO. I have some decent base components for it, too (Sugino 75, mks, toshi, black deep vs, etc). Eventually I would probably build a proper wheelset for it, though.
Also, I'm 95% sure this is the frame. Guy said he bought it from this website and it is the exact same as far as I can tell. Pretty hot, IMO. I have some decent base components for it, too (Sugino 75, mks, toshi, black deep vs, etc). Eventually I would probably build a proper wheelset for it, though.
https://www.superdrome.com/index.php
#53
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX
Bikes: Panasonic NJS Keirin x2, Level Professional, Bianchi CUSS, GT Pulse
I thought that Presto on CL was a 56sq.? That one you linked is a 55.5/54.5, slightly smaller. You need to ride with us whenever you come in from ATX peddling. We're out nearly everyday. I can help you build up if you're lacking any tools/know how.
Tejano, that Level is pretty beat up; I wonder what he means by "downtube is compromised". On a side note, I picked up both of my Panasonics from CL here in DFW, but there really are never any NJS frames on the list. It was a real fluke, and one of them was found by putting a "WTB track frames" inquiry on CL.
My Level, on the other hand, took a good deal of research. I ended up picking that frame up from a guy in LA, who in turn bought it from the Keirin rider who owned it in London back in '05.
I'm also going to get track certified and start competing at the Superdrome. Only $25 and I'd like to get good, plus, it'd be ridiculous not to take advantage of such a great facility, what with it being so nearby.
Tejano, that Level is pretty beat up; I wonder what he means by "downtube is compromised". On a side note, I picked up both of my Panasonics from CL here in DFW, but there really are never any NJS frames on the list. It was a real fluke, and one of them was found by putting a "WTB track frames" inquiry on CL.
My Level, on the other hand, took a good deal of research. I ended up picking that frame up from a guy in LA, who in turn bought it from the Keirin rider who owned it in London back in '05.
I'm also going to get track certified and start competing at the Superdrome. Only $25 and I'd like to get good, plus, it'd be ridiculous not to take advantage of such a great facility, what with it being so nearby.
#54
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 0
From: Davis/Lafayette, CA
Bikes: too many
Incorrect, at least where the steerer/crown joint is concerned. A lugged steerer/crown is a massive joint with stresses distributed through a relatively large area. Properly done it is superior to the relatively small and intensely stressed joint created by TIG.
Maybe the translation into Canadian is misleading. I can't think of any other way you might have come to the above conclusion.
Maybe the translation into Canadian is misleading. I can't think of any other way you might have come to the above conclusion.
what about fillet brazing? i got that on my sweet njs fixie. I like it a lot, but i almost never see any fillet brazed track frames. maybe sans lugs was the reason i got it for like 390?
#55
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX
Bikes: Panasonic NJS Keirin x2, Level Professional, Bianchi CUSS, GT Pulse
People love the look of lugs, but fillet brazing is typically a more expensive process.
https://www.terrafermacycles.com/join...let/fillet.htm
https://www.terrafermacycles.com/join...let/fillet.htm
#56
Comanche Racing
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the heart of Texas
Bikes: Presto NJS build, Specialized Allez Pro w/ full Dura Ace and Ksyrium SLs, 1990something Specialized Sirrus
I bought that ****!! bahahahah
pics soon. It looks the exact same as the one I linked except it is a 56 and has slightly diff. decals
$550
EDIT: also, this is the same guy w/ that Level. He has 2 Levels and the Presto that he sold to me. The Level he has is seriously damaged, though. He ran straight into an embankment and the top and down tubes both buckled near the head tube.
Also, I got to ride the Presto w/ a full NJS setup before he took it apart for me (araya sew ups, dura ace hubs, 75s, nitto, etc) It was amazing. Magical, even. I felt like I was riding a unicorn with pedals.
pics soon. It looks the exact same as the one I linked except it is a 56 and has slightly diff. decals
$550
EDIT: also, this is the same guy w/ that Level. He has 2 Levels and the Presto that he sold to me. The Level he has is seriously damaged, though. He ran straight into an embankment and the top and down tubes both buckled near the head tube.
Also, I got to ride the Presto w/ a full NJS setup before he took it apart for me (araya sew ups, dura ace hubs, 75s, nitto, etc) It was amazing. Magical, even. I felt like I was riding a unicorn with pedals.
Last edited by PedallingATX; 02-19-10 at 11:10 PM.
#57
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,401
Likes: 19
brazing doesn't require as much heat right? from the few days i spent trying to learn how to weld i remember high heat changes the metallurgy a bit and that discolored area is weaker than the unaffected part. i think reynolds 853 does better tigged because it tempers with high heat from tigging (i think someone was saying a lugged 853 frame made no sense)
You have an NJS fillet brazed frame? I'd love to see a picture. I didn't know there was any such thing. Fillet brazing is just brass brazing writ large. It does require a lot of heat, though still not nearly as much as welding. It can result in a very good frame but requires a great deal of skill. They're usually more expensive than a lugged frame because of that.
#58
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 0
From: Davis/Lafayette, CA
Bikes: too many
i don't have any pics that i took myself of the brazing, i should though since it's quite lovely
here's pics from chari and co though, i got the frame from them off ebay (surprised they didn't have a reserve set)
https://www.chariandconyc.com/peroton...llicblack.aspx
the seat tube is really steep though (like 82 degrees)
here's pics from chari and co though, i got the frame from them off ebay (surprised they didn't have a reserve set)
https://www.chariandconyc.com/peroton...llicblack.aspx
the seat tube is really steep though (like 82 degrees)
#62
Nice bike.
That's a really, really aggressive seat tube angle. More so than TT bikes. How is the handling? Do you feel more of your glutes engaging when riding (this is why TT bikes are like that, to get more work from the glutes).
That's a really, really aggressive seat tube angle. More so than TT bikes. How is the handling? Do you feel more of your glutes engaging when riding (this is why TT bikes are like that, to get more work from the glutes).
#64
Primate
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,579
Likes: 5
From: gone
Bikes: Concorde Columbus SL, Rocky Mountain Edge, Sparta stadfiets
#65
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 0
From: Davis/Lafayette, CA
Bikes: too many
i know for sure my arms get tired quickly because i can't get the seat back far enough. great for sprinting and climbing (i presume because it's made for sprints, not long distance. when i stand to pedal i'm not very far off the seat haha). I should throw my aero clip ons, that would probably be pretty nice.
i really like the feel of it though. i'm sure i screwed up the handling a little by throwing on a fork with too much rake (think it's more like 40ish rather than the 30ish of the stock). handling isn't too squirrelly though, and it eliminated any chance of toe overlap
also surprised on the njs cert of this strange geo, but i'm sure it's for a certain type of race. I saw a samson on sffixed for sale that had very similar geo to this (near vertical seat tube). dunno if it was brazed or not (maybe for the bb and seat collar just because of the steep angle? not sure how lugs work with that part of the geometry.)
i really like the feel of it though. i'm sure i screwed up the handling a little by throwing on a fork with too much rake (think it's more like 40ish rather than the 30ish of the stock). handling isn't too squirrelly though, and it eliminated any chance of toe overlap

also surprised on the njs cert of this strange geo, but i'm sure it's for a certain type of race. I saw a samson on sffixed for sale that had very similar geo to this (near vertical seat tube). dunno if it was brazed or not (maybe for the bb and seat collar just because of the steep angle? not sure how lugs work with that part of the geometry.)
#66
In fact a lugged one seems to be quite rare as nearly every one I've seen was built this way.
Afaik, they're the only NJS builder filet brazing but I wouldn't be surprised if others have done it on occasion.
#68
Ive read about those seat tube angles on NJS frames.
They were a short trend in the mid 80s or early 90s or something. People were thinking it could lead to more speed.
Apparently they realized it netted no better results and moved on.
(not to mention they look terrible
)
They were a short trend in the mid 80s or early 90s or something. People were thinking it could lead to more speed.
Apparently they realized it netted no better results and moved on.
(not to mention they look terrible
)
#69
どうでもいいよ
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: West Tokyo Japan
Ive read about those seat tube angles on NJS frames.
They were a short trend in the mid 80s or early 90s or something. People were thinking it could lead to more speed.
Apparently they realized it netted no better results and moved on.
(not to mention they look terrible
)
They were a short trend in the mid 80s or early 90s or something. People were thinking it could lead to more speed.
Apparently they realized it netted no better results and moved on.
(not to mention they look terrible
)But then again the racer who ordered it probably realized it netted no better results because I purchased
his "spare" frame new in '09.
#71
Comanche Racing
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the heart of Texas
Bikes: Presto NJS build, Specialized Allez Pro w/ full Dura Ace and Ksyrium SLs, 1990something Specialized Sirrus
Picked up this Presto NJS frame over the weekend and built it up w/ parts from my sputnik. I like everything except the seatpost. Eventually I will put a proper wheelset on it, too, I suppose. Black Cinelli cork tape went on it right after these pics were taken and I got down to the shop. Bars and stem are both Cinelli.
Note how tiny the seat stay joints are at the top tube/seat tube junction. Also the paint is yellow w/ silver sparkles. Reflective hologram decals. P logo engraved in several of the lugs.
Thank you for your race bike, Mr. Takagi.





Note how tiny the seat stay joints are at the top tube/seat tube junction. Also the paint is yellow w/ silver sparkles. Reflective hologram decals. P logo engraved in several of the lugs.
Thank you for your race bike, Mr. Takagi.










