Well, my last day here and my last post here. And it was an epic day at Chiba (just outside Tokyo) for the yearly Cycle Mode Expo. It’s pretty much like Interbike in the USA, but probably that much more epic because of the Japan X factor. It was so encouraging to see so much interest in bicycles here, maybe there is hope afterall, as long as the attendees aren’t all driving there in their Humvees and G-Wagens. Highlights:
The Cherubim booth and his 20″ fixed gear machine with HED carbon wheels. Awesome!
Konno-san and his wife were very busy, their booth was getting ALOT of attention.
I got to meet Kimori-san, an engineer who is making titanium cogs for the Japanese Olympic track (bicycle) team. I also saw his brake adapters for track bikes in person, and they are the best I have seen, function and beauty. If you have a track bike and don’t want to drill the forks/stay bridge for brakes, these are for you. Hopefully these items will be for sale at Superchampion in Vancouver, or if you are seriously interested, please drop me an email, sandinista(at)telus.net
Of course all the major internationals had big presence, Campa, Colnago, Pinarello, etc…but I was pleasantly surprised to see a Rapha/Independent Fabrications booth! I also got to meet Simon, the founder of Rapha. If you have not yet heard of Rapha then you are sleeping and missing out, they make the best kit out there, period. Simon, like most successful entrepreneurs was genuine and very modest about his company, and the new product line is even more impressive in person! Can’t wait to save up enough dosh to cop the new softshell and leather town gloves. www.rapha.cc for more info.
That’s it for me in Tokyo! A HUGE thank you to all who made the trip possible and for your hospitality – a special thanks to Takeshi for providing me with such a comfortable home for the duration of my stay, and to Usa for the transportation, I will miss the Kalavinka! See you all next time.
