General: Japan

In short, my career is taking me to the far east, with no complaints from me. I'm not sure where I will be living yet, but I'm trying to figure everything out before I go.

I'm 6'1" with 36" inseam, so I need a pretty tall bike - does anyone have any knowledge or experience they can speak from about bikes in Japan? Will I have a hard time finding a 58-61cm bike? I don't have a strong reason to bring my frame from home (as it's not really worth much to me, I would rather upgrade in Japan.) I will of course want a track frame.

I've looked on quite a few Japanese websites (yahoo auctions etc) and am seeing smaller sized frames. What are my chances?

Thanks

i've seen plenty of used njs frames online in bigger sizes. if i were you i'd ask around when you get there you can probably get something cheaper than if you bought it stateside

custom fit Kalavinka, Georama, Makino. Why look when you can get one made? I'm sure you'll meet some other frame builders there too. I'll be in Tokyo in April with my concept. It will be my third trip. The possibilities with bikes are limitless there. You will not have a problem. Maybe just a waiting list for the more popular frame builders.

Also, you can contact those njs/keirin blogspot guys.

sounds like he is headed that way sooner rather than later and while any person in their right mind would love a custom kalavinka, georama or makino frame set (and can afford to drop some serious bones) the waitlist is fairly deep from my understanding... correct me if i am wrong here.

Posted By: pauleGreat, sixspeed - I guess I should mention I don't have incredibly deep pockets. Is getting a frame built going to cost me? I assume it will be. I don't need anything top of the line, I would prefer a less expensive frame.

used in good condition $750-$1400. i see large size frames from time to time.


custom (copied from njs export)

Custom Built NJS Track frames by builder Makita-San of Georama.
Turnaround time is about a month.

BASE PRICE: $1680

EXTRA PAINT OPTIONS:
Sparkle paint: +usd80.
Silver, gold or rainbow sparkle.
Small or large flakes
Many or not so many.
More than one color: +80usd per additional color.
Any color is okay!!!
Chrome plating under paint: +150usd.

TUBING OPTIONS:
Kaisei 019
Kaisei 022
Kaisei 8630R (+150usd)
Tange no.1
Tange no.2

DECALS/ HEAD BADGE COLOR:
White, Red, Yellow, or White w/Black dots (almost a grey)
Other decal options also available.

SEAT STAY:
Traditional or Fastback.

HEADSET:
Hatta Swan Super Deluxe NJS; or,
Shimano HP-7410

BOTTOM BRACKET:
Hatta R9400 NJS; or,
Shimano BB-7710

FORK CROWN:
Evolution fork crown in upper right corner, extra thin and light: +80usd
The rest are available at no additional cost.




SOME INFO ABOUT GEORAMA:
The Georama Studio has been building frames since 1981. The current builder is Kouki Makita, who trained under Georama's founding builder Muramatsu-san. Makita-san is a former racer from the Shizuoka Keirin bank. His experience as a racer is useful to him as a builder and he is famous among racer circles for his welding skills.

Harutomo Watanabe, an SS class super racer at Shizuoka won two G1 races on a Georama frame. He loves Georama frames. His profile can be seen at: http://keirin.jp/pc/dfw/dataplaza/guest/membprofile?SNO=012826
He's already won over a million dollars in race prize money and chooses to ride Georama because "Georama is a real Keirin monster machine!"