Fun fact: if you order a frame-set from Panasonic via Japanese lbs you actually get a cad drawing of your exact frame with your name and stuff as a gift
I just want to thank you for what you're doing. I became interested to try a fixed gear bike after watching some of your videos. I liked it a lot this season, met some great people and I'm looking forward for the next one. Keep what you're doing and best regards from Kyiv, Ukraine;).
Pretty cool. Looks like a nice small production shop. These are a great value. Handmade steel frames will always be the greatest value. If you can meet, chat and actually shake the hand of the human who builds your frame, bike or whatever, this is the greatest value of all. I'm a retired machinist and mechanical inspector. Quality must always be proven in reality. It cannot be assumed or taken for granted.
It's amazing he remembers how and where most of the scratches came from. Haha, after the first scratch or dent on a new bike, I don't really care anymore. I just use the tool until it's no longer functional. My 'Crossafix' goes off-road. Pavement is just a necessary evil to get to the dirt.
Brother you are cool I’m in the military stationed in Okinawa and the streets here aren’t really bike friendly I’m from LA so I’m used to just cutting through cars and traffic but I haven’t rode since the last time I went on leave, however I’m still here in Okinawa looking at fixed gears. I just love them because they’re a huge part of my youth. I hope when I get home I still continue to ride. Still though I watch your videos and appreciate them. You’re a cool man bruh keep it going even if it isn’t about fixed. Like if you started making content on mountain biking or road cycling I’ll still watch because just in general I love cycling even though it hurts my ass since I haven’t been riding for practically 5 months now. But I still love fixed that’ll always be my first love and to be honest it started because if you Zach Gallardo. Without you I’d just be a dumb roadie but I’ll always push fixed onto people because it so raw and natural. Thank you. Also your stupid, jk no you aren’t I just wanted to tease you.
I love NJS Exports because they give you an opportunity to own a frame made by a Japanese craftsman that owns the small company while being able to purchase a used frame for less than $1K.
If it fits, a used handbuilt bike is a Holy Grail!! In the '70s I drooled over my neighbor's Albert Eisentraut I could never have afforded. Way back then Mr Eisentraut was the godfather of US framebuilding. He taught many of the current masters and his bikes won lots of big races. I did save enough of my paper route earnings for a Raleigh Professional . $600 in 1977. Enough to buy a car! I sorta forgot about Eisentraut through all my years of family , working and riding hard. 50 years later, In semi retirement I work in a nice bike shop as a mechanic. A customer gave me (FREE!) an old rattle canned but obviously hand crafted frame. I found out it was my dream Eisentraut and it fit perfect. Dream come true!
Hell yeah! love this brand and love the builder. America leads the world now in total number of steel frame builders working today (not per capita of course). The craft is proliferating wildly and even trickling down the hierarchy. Weird but in addition to having more complicated bicycles which need mechanics with more training and service departments which can afford to allow people to take their time on work, I think part of the future of bike shops in the U.S. also has to do with having more people on payroll who can braze and tig and even paint. At least that's what I'm seeing. You need all kinds, and the more people doing something the cheaper it gets (to a point). I do think that you are going to find that more and more bike shops in the u.s. have amatuer builders specialized in mods and repairs on frames. ;) Main reason Wabi is cheaper than local builders is because Wabi is D2C only and because local builders mostly build truly custom frames with clients who are already prepared to shell out for both that and a premo build. I priced out a Wabi Special on the website with specs I could also get myself...I'm building frames and doing paint...it was only a few hundred cheaper than what I'd sell mine for. Absolutely brilliant footage and awesome insight! good work!
The way you’re smiling when you’re talking about Pete, seems like you don’t wanna let him go :( I think you should keep him, and let Wabi auction one of their own bikes for charity!
As a teen in the mid '70s, I saved $30 a month from my paper route for 2 years. I bought my dream bike. ( I really wanted a custom Eisentraut) But I bought a Raleigh Professional for $600. Full Campagnolo NR, Clement Del Mondo Setas...... That was enough to buy a decent car back then, but I loved the freedom of riding. My girlfriend left me for a guy with a Camaro. I knew there were lots more girls in this world. Everyone thought I was nuts except for my dad. He said I earned it! I found a girl who liked to ride and built her a bike. If you really want something, you can make it happen!
Id like a follow up vid on these people's actual standard of living and working conditions. My feeling ATM is that if we're supporting bicycles in any way we're effectively supporting unethical labor practices. Id gladly pay more money for a lower quality bike like a junk fixie that's likely to get stolen than a bunch of money for a slightly better quality when everyone has to suffer for it... Help me find a bike that meets this criteria please
So i am a few days late but i want to ask evryone here and future people seeing this comment.... I want to know which wabi bike is best to buy? I have a state undefeated bike right now but Im thinking about switching to a steel bike. I am contemplating on buying a wabi but idk which one to get . Please help
Pete. I know a Pete. It’s named Billy, Billy Davidson, the bike. Petes are us and we are them, not much more, enough more to get deep on this one though. Willy, who is going to be freewheeling for obvious reasons, looks like Billy. Lugs to match but Willy is more whale like in the OS down tube, I digress. Willy knows Billy and respects the gifts and tubing diameter, what a noodle Billy is/was. Willy transcends and includes- an echo of the former. (My Davidson, Impulse// Waterford Road/track 2200 are nearly the same bike, by the 30-40yrsof difference makes 1 inch headset v. 11/8 or thin tubing for a springy rear makes the old stuff have the last word). It’d be better if one just broke (in my situation), glad Pete has a new family.
What’s the best way to get in contact with bike builders in Taiwan? Thanks for this video, perfect timing I would like to get frames built I’ve done a bit of research but from past experience I learned you can’t really know much It’s better to visit the country and facilities to see how things work Much appreciation Love your enthusiasm and dedication to the bicycle world I also only ride bikes for transportation and it’s a great decision for anyone looking to get out of the negative cycle society puts us in Cheers brother!
