Bike Check: Jun’s Flying Samson
When Rob and I recorded the Episode about Graemme Obree a.k.a. The Flying Scotsman, I did develop some sort of a fascination for bikes with two trispokes.
And when I went to Tokyo later this year, I knew there was a certain someone that also adopted the double helicopter lifestyle. So gather ’round people because today we’re taking a look at Jun’s Flying Samson!
I first met Jun six or seven years ago when he was already deep into the “rare parts” game. Collecting exclusive Japanese components and building gorgeous bikes is his thing, so let me show you how he does it.
Frame goes first, let’s go!
At some point in his career, Harada Tetsuro-San (Samson’s framebuilder) made some noise in the Keirin world for his use of mixed tubing. He was regularly blending traditional NJS tubing, like Kasei 019, with more eclectic options like Columbus or Reynolds. Ultimately, he did lose his NJS approval for using Columbus at the wrong places. The thickness did not conform to the strict NJS regulations, and Samson was forced to stop making Keirin frames around that time. (At least this is the version of the story I heard). With this ban, Samson track frames have become increasingly rare, especially the ones with mixed tubing. If you have the money, you could still ask for a custom order, but unfortunately it’ll never get the almighty NJS stamp.
As you can see, this one has the signature Samson lugs with some Columbus tubing. The rest is Reynold 631 to make it one of the most unconventional NJS builds you’ll ever see, with this Columbus max fork and finally finished in a gorgeous candy red paint with gold flakes.
To make it quick, it’s a good base to start a pretty fancy build.
But let’s get on with the parts, starting with a simple statement: “Everything that can be Shimano Olympic, will be Shimano Olympic!” So the seatpost, the cranks, and the fifty-three tooth chainring are all from the same series of the ultra exclusive Shimano lineup. Below you’ll see an “Araya” pantographed Nitto Pearl stem, holding a classic Nitto B260AA riser handlebar. Extra points for the Duraace headset and the pair of MKS urban platform pedals, always with MKS Double Fit Alpha straps. You could ask why a Flite Titanium is here… Probably to keep it “simple”.
Detailed Parts List
Frameset
Reynolds x Columbus Samson
Chainring and Cog Shimano zen Olympic 53t, Sugino Gigas 17t
Crank Shimano Olympic 165mm
Seatpost and Saddle
Shimano Olympic, Flite Ti
Stem and Handlebar
Nitto x Araya Pearl 90, Nitto B260AA
Wheels Araya Trispokes
Tires Tufo S33 19c
Alright, but let’s get to the elephant in the room… When it comes to trispokes in the cycling world, you have a good number of options. The Specialized trispoke later bought by HED to become the HED3. The Zipp 3000 and Mavic 3G that both had less “traditional” shapes, the Torayca from Japan, the Spin that was way heavier than every other competitor, and finally the Araya trispoke.
Araya reserved its stuff for professional athletes, and the trispoke never really appeared officially in a catalog. It existed in both versions: track and road. But compared to many similar wheels of the time, you couldn’t change the hub for a track/road/front variant.
In the late ‘80s, Japanese manufacturers messed around a bit with carbon fiber, creating some legendary bikes/parts in the process. Unfortunately, this version of the Araya trispoke did not survive the test of time. Too fragile for the streets, the track, and probably everything else, Araya pulled it out of production after only a few years. But damn, it sure does fit well on Jun’s bike. When we shot the bike, Jun let me on a small confidence. He told me that it took him five long and painfull years of research to finish this build like you see it today. And as someone who waited way too long for his dream wheelset, I can only admire his dedication to this project.
If you like to see more of Jun’s collection, give him a follow just here! —> @ko_m_jun
Make space, helicopter is coming through…
🎞: FilmNeverDie KIRO 400
📷: Nikon F100
