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Akira is our friend from Kobe, Japan and every year he comes to visit us in Los Angeles, usually bringing a new Kinfolk frame with him. He works for Kinfolk in Japan, coordinating the frame construction and paint design, as a side job. During the day, he goes to a very traditional office job in Kobe, so working for Kinfolk offers him creative expression, as well as a little extra money to keep his love of cycling funded.
Kinfolk Bicycles began making track frames in the mid-2000’s. They tapped into the Japanese Keirin community and began working with Kusaka-san to make frames for the US market. Years passed and rider’s interests grew to road and finally ‘cross bikes. Now Kinfolk primarily works with geared bikes and in Japan, they employ Akira, who finds himself in LA usually once a year during Japan’s “Golden Week.”
This year, Akira brought this super slick Kinfolk ‘cross race bike. As you flip through this Gallery, don’t miss that Shimano crank beausage photo. I think that, along with the Paul skewers are my favorite details on this bike.
It’s been fun having Akira in town and I look forward to seeing him in Japan soon!
Ever wonder how much work goes into making a Kinfolk frame? This video showcases how Osamu Fukuda, the builder of Kinfolk, does just that in Japan.
Photos by Bob Woods
Shawn from King Kog was over in Japan, visiting the home of Kinfolk frames. After visiting Kusaka San, the builder of Kinfolk, he was joined by the Kinfolk Japan team to partake in a cross race. Bob Woods shot some photos of this race, which you can see at his Flickr.
Looks like a fun race!
Kinfolk’s kit is back this season, in a monochromatic black and grey. Pick up the jersey and the bibs at Kinfolk.
Photo by Chris Lee
To commemorate the opening of Kinfolk’s new store at 94 Wythe in Brooklyn, Sean from King Kog commissioned Kinfolk‘s Kusaka-San to build a vintage-inspired road bike to compliment the rare Sugino 75 road group he acquired. Down to the disc wheel! This bike is insane and Kyle at Trackosaurus Rex has a great story on Kinfolk that you should really check out, along with more photos of this machine.
Here’s a video showcasing Kinfolk‘s new space at 94 Wythe in Brooklyn. I can’t wait to see this in person and I’m so stoked for the guys!
My friends at Kinfolk Studios in Brooklyn have just launched a pre-order of their new Endo Customs cycling kit. We all know that Endo’s kits are the best in the US, so there’s no debate over the quality. Put in your pre-order at Kinfolk!
Also, check out a short video the guys made below.
While a track bike with drops and a negative stem look great in photos, the reality is, at a certain point in one’s life, you just wanna cruise. If anyone knows about cruising, it’s Rivendell Cycles and that’s where Jesse picked up these Nitto Bosco Bullmoose bars for his Kinfolk track bike. Personally, I love it. I’m sure it’ll rub the purists the wrong way but they’re not the ones riding in style like this!
The Kinfolk Flickr was just graced with Kelly’s gloss black track bike. Check out some more silky smooth radness here.
A few weeks ago, eBay yanked the auction for this Kinfolk Cobalt complete track bike. Well, it’s back, so if you’ve been looking for a noble steed, check the auction out here.
Kinfolk Studios is a space that change every time I visit Brooklyn. I remember when Maceo and Ryan ambitiously signed a lease to the space and began the lengthy process of construction. They busted their asses for a year, getting the space ready. With the Kinfolk Studios bar and restaurant open and cracking, the design offices upstairs are bustling with new creative projects.
While most of the space was a bit cluttered with work, the stairwell and Maceo’s Kinfolk track provided more than enough inspiration to get some lens love. I still love that Kinfolk Brooks saddle…
Click the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.
Kinfolk posted up this baby blue road bike to their blog and I like what I see. The Brooks saddle is a great addition to this very classy build.
Kinfolk produces some of the nicest track bikes. They’ve been doing it for so long that there are no surprises. You’re buying a handmade in Japan, Keirin-inspired machine and now, you can hack away at an eBay auction. Start your bidding here!
eBay shut the auction down, stay tuned via this post on Hypebeast…