merziac

Well, we for the most part don't get it, we are our own worst enemy, me, me, me, silly, (stoopid) Americans.

If we could truly get even a fraction more on board for the greater good of this, we could get a far greater result.

Everywhere but here seems to collectively put the event first and I think when they do that the rest takes care of itself at which point it becomes what it should be.

Sactown_Albert 

Used a Fuji for my Eroica build so it should fit right in. Great Post, Rob! Will we see you in October at the Classic Rendezvous Rally? I would love to bend your ear about some logistics questions for this event. You have definitely inspired me to put it on my short list.

ollo_ollo

Rob: The Heroica Japan Picture Fest is reatly appreciated. Just may see you at Cino. Don

Robvolz 

Just when I thought they couldn’t outdo themselves….

I was going through the registration pack, thrown away the coupons for things I will never eat (sweet bean paste cakes anyone??)

When I found an actual event program.




Ah, the tunnel where I reached over to turn my light on. And it just fell off. Not only did I run over it, but I could hear at least 4 others who also ran over it.

Pretty wise of them to include the mayor, local tourism, board members, and other government officials. This way there were no complaints about tent, stakes in grass. Hint hint.


This may be happy because there were a couple places I wanted to get back into contact with.



Is it possible to be more organized and make the event any better???

doubt it.

takmanjapan

Did you get one of the sweet musette bags? Those look awesome

keith_h

@rob, nice to meet you, looks like you had an epic time with the camera. I had intended to break out the camera at the event, but got caught up with all the goings on.

keith_h

My Eroica pics below. It was as Rob said, a super location, extremely well run, something for everyone and a really good time.

https://gallery.heinrich.id.au/travel/japan
https://gallery.heinrich.id.au/bike-...s/eroica-japan

Duragrouch

Food: Looks like miso soup and chirashi(?) bowl. Delish!

I'd LOVE an otter cafe!

Bullet train: *sigh-envy* I didn't even know about the mag-lev, that's awesome.

Mt Fuji: (Me showing pic of Fuji after business trip in the locale, to USA manager at Japanese company): "Picture is fake. Does not exist." (Every trip he'd been there, mountain was shrouded in clouds.) Was your pic taken from Izu? Looks pretty close to Fuji, even closer than I remember, and looking at map I thought I was much closer (Higashi-Fuji).

Bike bags: Do you mean "rinko" style? I've read about it in detail in Bicycle Quarterly and other places online. I'd be totally up for that if the fork is easy on and off and to readjust headset like a modern fork, but pulling off and putting back on an old threaded fork is a pain, and requires hauling big wrenches.

Duragrouch

Does the Japanese flag mean Karate? Does the Yin-Yang mean Taekwondo?

Duragrouch

Why? I've heard that mini-velos are super hot in Japan, more agile in traffic and a bit more compact in parking space and into a car hatch, though still not as small as a folder. But some ride them just for the unique style. That's gotta be the most stylish one I've ever seen, including the awesome accessorizing; if genuine brand, a pretty penny for that custom.

Are you sure it's 24" wheels and not 20"/451? 20"/406 and 451 are quite popular on mini-velos, the latter for sportier and faster ones.

Duragrouch

I'm not a frame builder, but retired from structural engineering. I'd be very questioning of this, but the 2022 date is recent enough, my bet is it's been FEA'd out to be sound. Doesn't look that way, but upon close examination, the slots are not just milled into the tube, but the slots have been boxed in on the inside, helping to restore some of the closed-section strength of the tubes, and also, by the way, completely negating any weight savings! Could also be solid steel chainstays that were milled and gun-drilled both ends, or the entire stay investment cast to get that net complex shape. So my guess is, it's either for style alone, or for introducing some bending flex to improve ride, but that would also mean increased stress in a really bad place. So I think it's all style. I wouldn't ride around the world on that frame.

bikingshearer 

Roland Della Santa (RIP) made his "Ossobuco" frames with round holes through the chain stays. Like the Masi Milano shown, Roland's holes were boxed, as you put it. That not only negated any weight savings, it made the stays (and hence the frame) heavier.

I wonder (1) if the holes whistle due to the wind and (2) if so, could they have been sized to make a nice chord or play a tune? (I'm pretty sure I know the answers.)

steelbikeguy

Looks like it might be the chain tensioning mechanism from the Vittoria Margherita? (as shown in this brief article on a 1936 Bianchi)



Steve in Peoria

steelbikeguy

I'm guessing that this might be the Osgear Super Champion gear changer?
The pivot for the chain tensioner is forward of the bottom bracket, and is operated by a down tube lever.
Cycling Plus had an article written by Hilary Stone on this:




Steve in Peoria

darkmoon

We Japanese cyclists have loved mini-velos.

First, C&V
Katakura made Perfect Quick Mini, 22in wheel rinko bike.
First model was PR2-D, size 500mm
The catalogs of Japanese vintage bicycle

Then minor-changed PR2-DF, size 500mm
Tube was changed to Unno D2xD2
https://ameblo.jp/bicyclu527/entry-12389205207.html

KATO CYCLE of Nagoya made its original 16in mini sport.
Its ad of Cycle Sports, Sep. 1977
It says:
CrMo tubes
size : 500mm, bigger size available
color and shifter mount are by order
frame : from 40,000 Yen
complete bike : from 82,000 Yen
TA rings 63, 65, 68 in stock

They don't made it now.



some of 2024 mini-velos


Bianchi LECCO
https://www.japan.bianchi.com/bike-detail?id=66

Gios, 6 models are available
https://www.job-cycles.com/gios/collection/index.php

Robvolz 

absolute new information…..
Thank you.

Duragrouch

(above) I love hand-drawn catalogs. Used to be common for small, dedicated supply companies. Camping gear. Guitars. Other specialized stuff.

Schlafen

This is 🔥, do you happen to have more pictures of it?

darkmoon

There were 2 more bike shops who made a hand-drawn ad every month.

Cycle Sports, Sep, 1977

Cycle Mate Yoshida of Shiki, Saitama prefecture, now Y's Road.
Upper half : bespoke Antales
Lower half : ready-made Shaula road bike and sportif, Lesath randonneuse


Tomoda of Osaka.
They published, yes published, original World Parts 76, 3000 yen.
The center illustration is Campy-compatible aluminum parts of FT or O.M.A.S., 20 set only.
And a new big handlebar bag, now special price 5800 yen.

stoneageyosh

It appears that along with a wide variety of bike exotica, to help you pay for it, Yoshida offered financing as well. See lower right “Yoshida Loan”?!

seagrade 

I’ve never met Roland Della Santa, much less owned or rode one of his great frames, but I did spend an entertaining half hour chatting over the phone several years back. May he rest in peace.

I've long thought Ossobuco and similar drilled and filled chainstays were an inside joke between and played by master framebuilders on clients with more money than sense. With no engineering background I can’t see any possible benefit beyond they look quite cool and distinctive. I guess there’s some collectability in a frame with them, but I can’t recall seeing a photograph of a racer riding one in anger. Ever.

darkmoon

exactly