pics of the shop

let's make it official

2009 is going to be a big year for keirinculture.com and Kazane. The big news is that the Premier Sports Partners UCI pro road team will be riding Kazane frames and wheels. Last year the team was known as Time Pro Cycling. Highlights of their '08 season include wins at the Harlem Skyscraper and San Francisco Twilight crits. They also made a strong showing at races like USPRO and the Tour of PA.
This is the best team in the US for me to get behind. The goal of the team is to develop young racers. They do this by having a core of U25 racers with a few experienced mentors to help them along. Along with the pro team is a developmental team that will work as a feeder to the pro squad. Also important to me is the fact that they are based in the region and are planning to have their spring training camp in the mountains of the Roanoke area. This will create a good opportunity to help build the region's reputation as one of the best areas for cycling on the East Coast.
I started Kazane as a track bike only company and this team will help the brand grow on the track as well as the road. I had a choice to make in my marketing for next year - either get involved one of the most positive programs in pro racing or, like most of the other track bike brands and shops, focus purely on street and trick riding. Keirin Culture was born out of friendships that started at a road race in Taiwan, and the original goal was to help my friends who are pro keirin racers - a career that is just not as lucrative as it was in the past. Now that the company has grown to include a new brand of frames and parts I think that the best way continue the mission is to help young racers who are making the same sacrifices for the sport here in the US.
Check back for more updates on the team and their equipment.

Miche Pista Advanced in stock

I just got in a limited number of Miche Pista Advanced 144bcd cranksets. Price is $200 w/BB. These are pretty hard to get these days.
Also - if you have the old Miche cranks with 135bcd and need some rings let me know. I have a full size run to unload.
One more - I'll post a used Sugino 75 crankset, Superbe Pro post, and Kashimax saddle tomorrow.

alleycat in norfolk, va

Beware the ….
SCAREDY CAT ! ! !

This Completely Terrifying Bicycle Race will start frighteningly close to 7:30pm, on the Horrifying holiday, All Hallow’s Eve. Creep your most Dire Bicycle over to the Spooky School at the Bone-Chilling intersection of Colley and Spotswood Avenues, dressed in your most Unnerving Costumes, carrying your most Horrendous Bag, and your most Hair-Raising Bicycle Lock.

Friday, October 31st (Halloween), 730pm
Colley & Spotswood Aves, Ghent

Must Have
Bicycle
Bike Lock
Backpack/Bag

Costumes Encouraged!
ALL BICYCLES WELCOME!

road wheels

the secret's out that we've got Kazane road wheels coming out next year. I've had a lot of people testing them for durability and they've done really well. In fact, out of about ten pairs on the road, not a single one has needed to be trued. They weigh about 1600 grams with Pillar bladed spokes (28/24) and ultralight Kazane hubs. Today was probably the ultimate test. Mike Stoop (Time Pro Cycling on the road/Altius for cross) has been riding them on his Alan cross bike for the last month or so. Today we took them out on the rooty singletrack of Explore Park outside of Roanoke, VA. After almost two hours on the trails at high speed they're still true. His road team will be racing on these next year.

Alan road and cross frames are in stock at the Keirin Culture shop in Roanoke. These are some of the last true Italian frames.

25mm deep alloy clincher rims, run with Challenge cross tires.

High flange rear hub for stiffness.

Low flange extra light front hub. The wheels will sell for $400. I have a few pairs for Shimano 10 in stock.
This is Mike with Gus the keirin culture mascot.

congratulations

My friend Nori Ijima took out the 40-44 3000k pursuit title at the masters games in Sydney, and was a split second away from breaking the event record in qualifying. He races keirin to pay the bills but is much handier in long events. He's also won the keirin road championship, which pits pro keirin racers against each other on a long road course on geared bikes. You can watch the races on cyclingmasters.tv. they have all of the events up. Here's a picture of him I took at the road race we did where we became friends.

update

Just got back from ATL for Hoppy's wedding and to hang out with the No Brakes guys. Twotone and Stacy were the best hosts I could have asked for. No Brakes is a great shop and I'm glad to have them in the family.


This is a pic of the brand new Olmo San Remo road frame. Olmo made these out of NOS tubes and lugs and you'll be able to see them in person at the Keirin Culture shop. the shop should be open by Wednesday. The walls are painted and the floor's almost done. Just have to move the inventory and displays in.

if you want to buy a new frame

Go to one of the shops to the right or buy it online here. All colors are in stock and look even better in person.
The new Keirin Culture shop is set to open on October 15th. Right now I'm in the painting stage. When that's done I'll move the inventory and fixtures in and we'll be in business. The web store is operational now.

new kazane frames are here!