Bike Check: Yuki’s Carbon Kalavinka
During CMWC this year, I had the opportunity to meet MANY very cool people, most of them wielding equally awesome bikes. And, on the hunt for another bike-check, Yuki immediately piqued my interest with quite a unique setup.
Previously racing on a Look L464, Yuki got her current, exceptional frame while visiting Shuhari in Okinawa (which we’ll cover in a later article). Since she rides really fast around very tight corners, why not do it with style on one of the rarest Japanese frames out there?
This Carbon Kalavinka started its life as an official bike for the Girls Keirin Association. It’s a strong monocoque design that hasn’t changed a bit in over a decade and is still registered with the girl's Japanese Keirin
Association (JKA).
It’s already become a rarity in velodromes, so finding one on the streets is even more surprising. So let’s see Yuki’s setups for Criterium racing and day-to-day commuting.
Starting with one of the more striking features of this frame.This eccentric bottom bracket is one of the main reasons Yuki chose the Kalavinka (besides the fact that she always wanted one…). You can raise your BB height up to almost a full centimeter–giving more leaning angles in criterium races and avoiding pedal strikes, which are your worst enemy in that kind of practice.
Following up is a build in the most Japanese fashion that you might be used to on this blog. Japanese drivetrain with Sugino 75 cranks and a Zen chainring, Thomson stem and seatpost, the traditional “way too long” brake cable to be easily removed and put back when needed, and quite an interesting set of wheels.
Yuki owned a pair of Hed Jet 6 before smashing the front one. Replacement naturally came in the form of a Hed Belgium Plus laced to a Duracace low-flange hub, and apparently, she prefers it that way since the front doesn’t catch as much wind anymore.
Detailed Parts List
Frameset
Carbon Kalavinka
Chainring and Cog Sugino Zen 49T,
18T Novacorona Titanium
Crank Sugino 75 165mm
Seatpost and Saddle
Thomson Elite, Prologo Scrath M5
Stem and Handlebar
Thomson X4 110mm, Ritchey Cop Logic Curve
Wheels
Hed Jet 6 Rear, Hed Belgium Plus Front.
Tires Agilest 25c Front
Gatorskin 25c Rear
This bike has all the right details, sticker placement, and everything that I’m looking for when tracking unique creations like this one. A collection of traditional-style Japanese stickers and a little shrine lucky charm (お守り) gives it a very “old school cool” vibe.
For her street setup, Yuki is rocking a pair of TRP RRL Alloy levers alongside TRP calipers. And like me, you might find it surprising that these frames can actually rock brake calipers with just a bit of work.
Other great features include these very long dropouts to switch gear ratios while keeping the same chain and always with the right tension.
Yuki's Carbon Kalavinka is a testament to the fusion of speed, style, and rarity. After acquiring this exceptional frame, she not only embraced its unique design but also elevated her racing experience to something that is unique to witness. Every part of Yuki's meticulous build reflects the quintessential Japanese traditional-style mixed with that extra bit of spice.
Give us more Carbon Keirin stuff!
🎞: Kodak Gold 200
📷: Nikon F100
📍: Yokohama
