Monday, April 21, 2014

I's Bicycle visit report but not because JH went there, just because I'm a bit lazy and, well, because.


my boy approaching all hallows
be warned these are the BIGGEST pics I've uploaded yet
so click away

ive had his blog pinged to the sidebar for a while now
realised there are some good pics from visiting his shop last year
Mr I of Grand Bois fame
pic of Ernest Csuka of Alex Singer fame on the wall behind
Mr I is the one we have to thank for the lovely tyres


and now
in no particular order
some highlights


Barra's integrated lever front derailleur
the brazing is flawless
and despite my dislike of aluminium as a frame material
probably the single, sexiest bike I've ever seen
sexy in exactly the same way my blue, woolly socks in the mandatory shop slippers
aren't


Lefol Le Martele mudguards
they are not fenders
Cyclo rear derailleur
you can see the massive step between the big and small rings


the cover star of my blog
not spoke-wire instead of cable for the cantis


the cute little streetcar/tram/train/light-rail from Hanazono station 
which is the way to get there


this frameset was lying around
dunno if it was newly-made
or more likely
something old 
stripped bare
like the bride by her bachelors, even


as soon as I saw it 
I knew
it fitted my inner template for a new bike
brake bosses at centrepull
not canti
height
twin plate fork crown
fillet-brazed



bit fuzzy 
sorry


internal brake cable
love to know what it was
unfortunately there was some tool in there
who was monopolising Mr I's time with dumb questions 
and I had to dash
 


house upstairs
shop below full of steamy bikes
living the dream certainly


the ceiling
a Herse with my favourite mudguards:
Lefol Le Paon
and various bits of Italian shit


more Italian rubbish in the FG
although there may be some English lightweights down the back
I think I spied a vintage Mercian when I was there


noticeboard with participation medals from the Poly Japon
which I suppose is a randonee
as well as their custom catalogue
and a whole swag of medals from TOMs over the years
TOM = Toei Owners' Meeting


the packages by the door are
I would guess
their main business now

 the meilleur of fillet brazing



another massive step between small and big ring
proprietary Routens front mech
cable operated from below


Barra frame has ovalised top and down tubes
but they start as circular section where they join the head tube
that's some virtuosity in metal-forming
considering where talking 1940s or 50s


the whole sexy beast
with price tag visible
10 grand is reasonable I reckon
people pay more for shit like this

 
Jo through the window in the winter light
I's Bicycle is called
Cycles Grand Bois
in the online
go there and buy stuff
not a sponsor of this blog


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