Keirin Bikes are cool...

[William]

http://bikehugger.com/brake%2003.jpg

http://bikehugger.com/images/blogs/IMG_0137.jpg

http://gallery.roadbikereview.com/data/roadbike/503/medium/240399anchor2.jpg

http://www.pedalconsumption.com/archives/files/keirin_at_kawasaki_track.jpg

http://www.altalang.com/images/stock/Keirin-starting.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nFpKNeK-uDY/SNYyfjEruyI/AAAAAAAAADI/FQUgh9EgDkE/s400/P1010824.JPG

[William]

http://bikehugger.com/images/blogs/IMG_0136.jpg

http://www.ridefixedgear.com/files/100-0012_IMG.JPG

http://fatlace.com/lacedup/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/mika_keirin1-thumb.jpg

http://www.nobrakesatl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/keirinshirt.jpg

http://velospace.org/files/bomber_pro_keirin_bike_yobi.jpg

http://velospace.org/files/DSCN0643.jpg

http://www.bikes.msu.edu/greatest_cyclists/keirin-web/images/image/seiichi-nishiji-racing-60-world-cup.jpg

[johnnymossville]

They sure are! :beer:

[William]

http://spinwell.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/483516389_6a06325161_o.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_65_aiRx88Wc/STdvvnWUIwI/AAAAAAAABGI/WKUaZm_iI84/s400/IMGP3377.jpg

http://blog.lecoqsportif.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/mikespriggs_lecoqsportif.jpg

http://www.pedalconsumption.com/files/nice_njs_frames_at_super_makuri.jpg

http://www.pedalconsumption.com/files/22_added_frames_at_njs_export1.jpg

[William]

http://www.wheelfineimports.com/Assets/Images/primer_application.jpg

http://keirinculture.com/store//catalog/images/stratos121.JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_65_aiRx88Wc/SbiTMTHYQhI/AAAAAAAABjI/iasi5-73KLE/s400/IMGP5085.jpg

[Jun]

I have a few keirin bikes. Currently I have 2 Kalavinkas (1 custom made for me) 2 Remintons, and a Stratos. I've probably owned at least 15 frames in the past 2 years, as I usually bring back a frame or two on my trips to Japan but end up selling them to my friends.

Here's my Kalavinka custom with Suntour Superbe Pro group. Long Shen lugs, chrome under paint, aero seat lug, Fujiyama-bend seatstays, etc etc.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3192756278_4a807cca6d.jpg?v=0

My Reminton with Nervex lugs, a gift to me from a keirin racer.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3390/3241787926_907003f6f6.jpg?v=0

I switch between riser bars and drops, but I admit, for street riding, it's a lot easier to ride with risers. I would like to set one of my bikes up for dedicated velodrome riding and actually get on a track.

I go to Japan once or twice a year, and I always make sure I visit Kalavinka and the other shops in the Tokyo area.

[witcombusa]

Could there be a less practical bike made for real world use (not on the track)?


Nope :bike:

[jvp]

I find mine quite practical for urban commuting, not sure if it's a "kierin" bike:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/jvpro/bike-1.jpg
1976 fuji feather track

[witcombusa]

Just because something can be done.....doesn't mean it should :no:

[jvp]

why shouldn't I commute on my track bike?
up to now I thought I was enjoying it.

[witcombusa]

Well if it IS a track bike and not a wantabe then;

Riding a bike on public roads without brakes is irresponsible

Geometry would yeild a very harsh nervous ride

Gearing always a compromise unless billiard table smooth roads

There are just so many better bike choices available

[jvp]

i don't want to hijack this thread from it's purpose of showing the coolness of kierin bikes but...
mine has a front brake.
I like the ride of it, esp in the city. I also have an '89 paramount road bike that I like the ride of.
I enjoy the challenges of fixed gear riding, attacking hills, moderating speed w/ my legs, etc. I don't do long rides on it unless I'm at the beach.
now back to the thread...

[William]

Hey, different strokes right? :cool: Just because someone doesn't like it doesn't harsh my gig one bit. :beer:

If you have one, post some pics please! :banana:




William

[jvp]

that ^ was my only possible kierin entry. Not sure if it is true kierin, it was made in japan for japan consumption as far as I know. It had some njs parts on it when I got it. Here is a dropout/hub detail:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/jvpro/rearhub2.jpg

Here is my other vintage track bike, a non-kierin bianchi:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/jvpro/bianchi003.jpg

[William]

Nice! :cool:

Thanks for sharing. :beer:




William

[Keith A]

If you have one, post some pics please!What ever you do, just don't go here (http://www.sahtel.ee/?p=1503)...you might not ever come back :D

[witcombusa]

I "like" track bikes just fine....

just not as everyday road bikes

there are far better tools out there for that purpose

[William]

What ever you do, just don't go here (http://www.sahtel.ee/?p=1503)...you might not ever come back :D


Umm, I'll be back...sometime....later....much later.... :D




William

[dd74]

Well if it IS a track bike and not a wantabe then;

Riding a bike on public roads without brakes is irresponsible

Geometry would yeild a very harsh nervous ride

Gearing always a compromise unless billiard table smooth roads

There are just so many better bike choices available
The guys who ride these on the road are some of the smoothest, most composed cyclists I've ever seen.

They seem to go uphill fine - just bear down and keep pedaling.

And evidently, they seem to stop fine (however they do it), because one or two of these guys more than once on the road.

What gets me is some of them wear street clothes and toe straps while slowly but surely handing me my ass on any given stretch of road.

I have nothing but respect for guys on these types of bicycles.