My 1st Japanese bike!!!
 

I drove to Bend OR to drop wine, Mac stuff and some random 1st gen dura ace (nos) and pick up a Bianchi Sabino, which I thought would make a good project for the kids at the co-op.

My buddy and I have had long discussions on the difference between a collector and a hoarder. My definition of a hoarder is somebody who has Bikes that they look at, but can’t ride because it’s not their size.

I’m not seeing this as a judgmental thing, some of my best friends are by this definition, “hoarders.”

Anyway, with my upcoming trip to L’Eroica Japan, I had been researching 3Rensho.

Seeing one in his bike hut last year, (1st I’ve ever seen in person) I asked if he ever rode his.

His answer, “nope, I told the seller to measure CTC but he measured CTT. It is far short for me.”

Today, he just gave it to me. No strings attached.

Feeling undeserving, I asked “why.”

He stated, “my local friends always expect me to pick up the tab when we go out, [he owns a large construction company in the fastest growing city in America] but you always buy my beers, tots and share fine wines. I appreciate you.”

Im still a lil flushed.

Anyway, here it is:

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dbaa1d7a7.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e08f12bba.jpeg
3ttt cockpit. Kinda surprised.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...29e46c0e5.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5d8407f3d.jpeg
Campy pedals, I wonder what would have been original?
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c466e1c5e.jpeg
So clean!!
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e9e71ccfc.jpeg
I mean, that sticker is still intact!!
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...49c8aad43.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...eec125fca.jpeg
Saddle by Selle Italia, I can’t make out what it says.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...74f4b1600.jpeg
Bianchi Sebino is why I came.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b11871b1a.jpeg

Very nice. Enjoy it. You earned it.

I almost purchased one of these in Red at a shop in Columbus Ohio 30 years ago, $600.
frame and fork.
I did not buy. Nice frame.
the saddle is comfortable to me BUT the clamp region is very displaced from a Typical Cinelli.
I had decoded the cursive at one time but forgot it now, try to google a few guesses and the answer should turn up.

there was one mounted on a ‘75 Masi GC I bought early in the pandemic and the first ride on the bike… Aaack! The bike handled weird.
what is wrong? The saddle all the way back still had me 15mm forward from where I wanted to be. I laughed as the guy I bought it from was unhappy with the bike and he was a perfect size match to me. He also had the bike serviced by a pro bike shop… and they used SIS shift housing for the brakes.

my assumption is this frame set was sold as just that. Build to preference.

My buddy said the rear derailleur was a US version, they did not sell this in Japan. I can’t imagine why bike components would be regional like that.

Wow! Have you ridden it yet? Do you know the year? I don't know the 3Renshos but I'm guessing '80-82. The over the BB cables and no 2nd WB sort of mixes up the usual dating. TTT stem could be newer and likewise the seat though I suspect both went onto the new bike.

This bike looks (to the limits of your legs, your knees, those gear ratios) like an all day rider. Quick enough feeling to keep you awake long into the triple digits of miles and feeling good under you for each and every one. And for a 10 miles stretch after mile 80, you'll just be gone; one with the bike.

57 cm C-C? Too small for me or I'd say send it here if it doesn't pan out for you as I predict.

Wow! That's a very generous gift. I'm surprised that measuring CTT vs CTC would render a bike unridable, seems like a difference of a few centimeters at best. I guess it's good for you though. Enjoy Japan!

My friend is a 58, but with a long STEM and seat Post he said he can make a 56 work. That’s why he was so upset when this arrived and it was not a 56.

What does that saddle say? I’m not familiar with it.

Mundialata (sp?) Assuming it is suede. Lots of Italian makes specified that I believe.

Nice gift!

super nice... looking forward to ride report.... and it show karma is real

Very fine-looking racing bicycle. Really like the period correct Japanese parts selection - Suntour Superbe, Sugino Super Mighty, Tange and Araya were all good choices when (whether or not actually) the budget didn’t stretch to Super Record and Mavic.

The saddle is a Selle Italia Mundialita, a common and cheap entry-level racing saddle in the 1980s, usually subbed out for a Turbo or Concor, later Rolls, as soon as funds materialised.

Well your buddy is wrong. Your RD is a RD3100 Superbe Pro, and as can be seen here https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...108&AbsPos=700 there were a few Japanese bikes that came standart with this, so I think it´s safe to say that the RD3100 was available in Japan.
Beautiful bike BTW, congrats.

Most folks start with a Japanese bike before moving up to others, but this is quite a bit different than most people's first Japanese bike!

I would be slow to swap out any components, but I wonder why the crankset isn't the matching Superbe. I know it's the exact same crank as this Sugino one, but still.

Absolutely gorgeous.

I have a JIS Suntour Superbe headset that I really need to be ISO. Let me know if you're interested, although it's not going to be any nicer that that Tange Levin.
​​​​​​.

the 3ttt stem is earlier- depending on the handlebar clamp bolt set up, early 1970’s.

center to center and center to top measure conversions are often problematic, then there is the Masi measure convention, to the tip top until well past Falerio.

in defense of a disappointed person, often there is an expectation of an anticipated top tube length. Gets worse when trying to account for seat tube angle.

long ago I used a version of the current term reach. I figured I could get the seat where I wanted but what was the top tube length forward of the BB center?

That bike is 'the Boss'! I would leave it as built, but go through it all, fresh grease and dial in.
Andrew Muzi at Yellow Jersey is the goto for 3rensho.

Anyways, another suede Italian saddle on an early 70's Japan made bike. Selle Italia San Marco.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...aed9489d39.jpg

I just learnt the serial number = A34

the 34th frame exported to the USA

wowzers

Congrats!

This thread makes me smile -- for several reasons.

Something Italian, but in my personal experience, ass hatchet!

This is an example of sometimes puzzling and/or humorous “Janglish” seen on Japanese products back in the day. Maybe this bike suffers from a split personality or identity crisis. The first three Kanji characters, “Jitensha” translate as “Bicycle”. The following Katakana are phonetically “Kyanpingu kah” or “Camping Car”.
Who made this Bicycle Camping Car?!

You . . . incredibly . . . lucky . . . b@xterd. :) By all accounts, 3Rensho is one of - if not the - best of the classic Japanese steel frames. And the components are among the best of the era.

You should take that guy some really good wine the next time you visit. And maybe bring him back a bottle of really good sake from Japan as well.

Enjoy your new bike - at Eroica Japan. (You are taking it, right?)

i’m not sure. I was thinking of my Derosa because they are Derosa. Crazy. Also, wouldn’t bring a 3Rensho be like bringing sand to the beach?

Robvolz congratulations ! i have an almost identical 3Rensho Super Record Export. serial number A39 our frames probably shipped over to Andrew Muzi at Yellow Jersey in the same crate. based on info i've gleaned our frames were built in 1980-1981 perhaps even as early as 1979. i scored mine at the Brooklyn Flea Market in Ft Greene 15 years ago. mine came with a complete campy super record group and an extra set of tubular wheels. i swapped it for a complete Suntour Superbe Pro groupo and today it's being ridden as a 650b conversion with Dura Ace 7400. it's a wonderful riding bicycle ! i recently sold my entire C&V bike collection to move over seas but i kept the 3Rensho and Bridgestone XO-2 because they were my very favorite bikes to ride. if you ever overhaul the headset please check the fork steerer tube for japanese characters and please send me a photo if you find any. i found a japanese builders name etched into the chrome steerer tube of my 3Rensho and it's the only bicycle i've ever seen with that detail

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b3f5434bac.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ace5e1de7.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e926b5b564.jpg

Nice score Robert!

Congrats on the bike!
If you decide to bring back a bottle of sake . . .
Highly recommend, if you can find it, Kikuhime Daiginjo from Hakusan in Kanazawa Prefecture.
It is considered to be at the same level for sake as San Rensho is for bike frames and priced accordingly.

Beautiful Japanese Machine . The stars aligned for you my friend .