Panasonic - 2019 ? NAHBS intel?

AngryScientist · #1 03-20-2019, 06:55 PM

After thinking i had roughly zero interest in most stuff at NAHBS, this one caught my eye.

Did anyone chat with these folks at the show? This is aluminum i assume from the fat welds?

i LOVE it!

is pana selling in the US these days ?

any insight?

fbhidy · #2 03-20-2019, 07:15 PM

They were at NAHBS last year as well. I believe they’ve only been importing a couple of models into the US (a touring and a track models if I recall correctly) for many years via a shop in CA. But brought these custom painted road frames to NAHBS to show off what they were able to do. The road frames could (still can?) be shipped to the US I believe.

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adampaiva · #3 03-20-2019, 07:17 PM

Looks like their ti frame.
Afaik they aren’t officially selling in the US but it is possible to get one from their custom program via Yellow Jersey, or one of the 2nd band njs exporter sites. I nearly did couple years ago with their disc road they had at the time but tire clearance was lacking. I’d love one of their disc randos. Prices were really pretty good via the njs shop. Expensive via YJ.

AngryScientist · #4 03-20-2019, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fbhidy

They were at NAHBS last year as well. I believe they’ve only been importing a couple of models into the US (a touring and a track models if I recall correctly) for many years via a shop in CA. But brought these custom painted road frames to NAHBS to show off what they were able to do. The road frames could (still can?) be shipped to the US I believe.

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yes, i remember seeing the booth in Hartford, but i did miss seeing the actual reps.

i'm hopeful that since they are putting the effort in to come to the US shows, they will be somehow more widely offered here. i really like the looks of this one.

AngryScientist · #5 03-20-2019, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adampaiva

Looks like their ti frame. .

i was initially thinking that, but check out those welds, and especially that gusset plate (which would you even do with Ti?) - they;re yuge, looks much more like aluminum puddles no?

dancinkozmo · #6 03-20-2019, 07:27 PM

you can buy panasonic frames online from alex's cycle..
they make a really sweet lugged steel as well

https://alexscycle.com/products/pana...0mm-frame-only

adampaiva · #7 03-20-2019, 07:34 PM

https://tracksuperblog.com/2016/08/1...urance-frames/
Here’s a ti frame for compare. Looks similar to me?

Michael Maddox · #8 03-20-2019, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancinkozmo

you can buy panasonic frames online from alex's cycle..
they make a really sweet lugged steel as well

https://alexscycle.com/products/pana...0mm-frame-only

+1

I have a new Panasonic in Team livery from Alex. It's an exceptionally nice bike, easily the equal of the models we sold in the 80s. I like it more than the 5000 I had back then. The order was simple and startlingly quick.

adampaiva · #9 03-20-2019, 07:35 PM

Also, I would love to see one in person and hear about the order process so please pursue it !!

arik · #10 03-20-2019, 07:54 PM

From what I've read over the years, these things are more accurately and precisely assembled than any small scale builder could accomplish.

doomridesout · #11 03-20-2019, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Maddox

+1

I have a new Panasonic in Team livery from Alex. It's an exceptionally nice bike, easily the equal of the models we sold in the 80s. I like it more than the 5000 I had back then. The order was simple and startlingly quick.

So where's a picture? I'd love to see it.

8aaron8 · #12 03-20-2019, 09:49 PM

I spoke with the builder at the show. He said that the frame was a Ti frame that was dipped in an acid bath to remove just the slightest amount of material to make the frame as light as they could. He told me that they crushed a few tubes because they sat for too long in the acid bath. It was a neat frame though the other bike they had was more impressive in my eyes. I need to find some photos of that one.